Meet Danielle a ballet teacher and mother of a 1 year old who still has the passion to dance.
DDN Name: Daniella
Real Name: Danielle
Member Since: September 25, 2002.
Age: 26
Years Dancing: 11
Hi Daniella! Welcome to
Get the Pointe interview #30.
The Basics
What are the styles of dance that you study? Why study more than one style? What do you like about each style?
I study ballet and on occasion I will take character or modern dance classes. I started ballet late and therefore I have had to take many, many classes to "catch up." That is why I have not been able to study another form of dance. I would like to study many different types of dancing (the more the better)! As an artist one can always afford new experiences and as a ballet dancer you can only become more versatile by studying other forms of dance!
If someone asked you, "Why Dance?" what would your answer be?
Why not dance?
I dance because in a number of ways it makes me happy. On an artistic level, I find it to be a way to truly feel the pure spirit within yourself (when you are dancing), and to communicate something of your inner spirit to others. On a technical level, I find ballet to be ever challenging and fulfilling. The daily ritual of ballet class is also something that intrigues me, it is stress relieving to concentrate so hard on what you are doing in an atmosphere of the ballet studio which is like being in another world. It’s calming and comforting.
I love the feeling of accomplishment that comes with technical mastery and the exhilaration you feel when everything goes perfectly with the music and you feel that tingly feeling in your bones.
Dance has taught me that we are capable of practically ANYTHING we put our minds to - as well as the meaning of hard, honest work. I dance because I feel I am not my best self and simply not as happy when I am not dancing.
Memories
How old were you when you began dance (was ballet your first dance style)?
I began with gymnastics and cheer leading from the age of seven through high school.
When I started ballet at 15 or so, I found my background helped me in many ways. I knew how to move to music, as well as how to be lifted because I was a flyer in cheer leading. The gymnastics helped my flexibility and confidence. I also learned choreography and how to dance in time with other dancers. Starting ballet at such an old age (for pro standards) was difficult as well as frustrating. I am naturally graceful but otherwise ballet was something my body - like any novices - did not do naturally or easily, to say the least!
Do you have a favorite ballet-related memory that you can share with us?
I will always remember dancing in "Waltz of the Flowers" in The Nutcracker with The Fairfax Ballet Company when I was 17 and I had my first ever real "moment" on stage. I had done poorly in the previous night’s performance and I just went on stage thinking "I'll show them!" : )
And, I did, I think. I really danced my heart out and I felt I had shared something with the audience and really captured their attention. I hope I will always remember that moment!
Class and Training
Describe a typical day in your life.
Wake up at 7:00 or so and start taking care of my baby boy! I dance once a week and work three
days a week as well. Other than that, I do whatever else I can manage to squeeze in! : )
How much time do you dance during the week?
Right now, only once a week. This is because I do not have babysitting. My husband works really hard and I can only ask him to do it once a week. We are struggling financially and cannot afford a babysitter, and my mom is sick and cannot help. Before I got pregnant I danced four times a week - a few years ago I was dancing in a pre-professional company and taking class and rehearsing almost every day. I left home when I was 18 and have always had to work full-time and sometimes go to school part-time. So, my dancing could not come first, but my husband has always been supportive - even though he doesn't like, or understand ballet one bit!
If I could have it my way I would be dancing every single day. My goal is at least to have a studio in my house.
How do you prepare for class? (i.e. stretching, conditioning, mental techniques, etc.)
I always get to class about an hour early if I can. I start with quiet meditation for as long as I need it. I follow with a head to toe "rolling" warm-up where I work the joints and get my blood flowing. I do light stretches and yoga poses for strength, if there is a barre I may use it for thinking about and practicing technical things I need to work on or injuries I need to tend to. After this I always drink water while opening up my hips in the butterfly pose while I wait for class to start.
What part of ballet class is your favorite? Why? What part of ballet class is the most difficult for you? Why?
I love adagio and grande allegro. Adagio because of the slow controlled movement and the way you really get to dance and be artistic. I love grande allegro because I love the feeling of "flying" across the room in jumps. The most difficult for me would be very fast complicated petit allegro.
What does it mean to you to get corrections in class? What are the most common corrections you get in class?
I love teachers that offer corrections often and equally to everyone. Corrections help you remember what to work on, teachers help you to "see" yourself from the eyes of the audience - something even the mirror cannot do. As a teacher I make sure each student receives an equal amount of honest and helpful corrections in each class. I keep a journal where I have always written down helpful corrections that I or other students have gotten and often refer to them. This has helped my technique enormously. I always listen for and apply corrections in class, even during a combination. You should not hesitate to apply the corrections that are given to others to yourself, in fact you should! I get corrections on many things - what comes to mind is my lower back/pelvis area is swayed so that’s always something I have to work on.
After you've had a bad day, what motivates you to go to your ballet class? Does it lift your spirits?
On some of the worst days in my life I have danced! It may seem strange but I took class the day after my father passed away, I took class because it always helps to lift my spirits. Even on that sad day, when I did cry a bit several times throughout class, I was able to get into that meditative state the repetition and comforts of the ballet barre brings about. There are times when something is eating at my mind constantly and I find that ballet class helps to break the worry cycle - if you clear your mind and focus on class. This is what I try to do, and it is how I learned that our unhappiness is only in our thoughts, we can create our own peace and happiness - even amidst chaos and pain.
What sort of things do you do at home that help your dancing?
Eating well and stretching are two things I have always tried to do. I also watch ballets and ballet documentaries, read ballet books and study technique. It is important to stay inspired in the arts!
Do you do any non-dance cross training?
I do some at home when I can, I am trying to do more! I have a total gym, and I am getting
P90X here soon. I also do yoga at home all the time, and some Pilates. I do the NYCB Workout
videos. I also walk outside a lot, and I hike as well.
What's in your dance bag? Can we see a picture?
I have had the same dance bag for 8 years! Everything I keep in it has pretty much stayed the same as well.
I have some flat ballet shoes, pointe shoes, a leotard, tights, my knee brace, lip gloss, tape, hair pins, needle and thread, elastic, sweater, leg warmers, socks.
Have you ever experienced any dance related injuries? How did you handle them? Do they affect your dancing?
I have femoral patella in my left knee. I use a brace (sometimes), heat/ice, anti-inflammatory,
Glucosaine Condroitin and therapy exercises to help. It affects my dancing a lot because the pain is sharp and makes me feel like I am going to hurt something, so I stop. I can not do many grande plies and when I do them it hurts, especially without the barre. Jumps are always painful, and sometimes I cannot stand to finish a combination. It is frustrating!
What dance goals are you currently working towards, and what future goals do you have?
At the moment my goal is to take more dance classes and get back into good shape. In the
future I would like to take some teacher certification course like Dance Masters of America or
something. If I could really have it my way.... : ) I would go finish college and get my degree in dance!
How many pairs of pointe shoes do you have? What is your favorite brand and style of pointe shoes? What is your preferred type of padding (if you use any)?
Right now I have 11 pairs of pointe shoes. I love Gaynor Minden’s ever since I tried them two years ago. I am not the biggest fan of the way they look, but they are the most comfortable pointe shoes I have ever worn. I have normal size arches so I also find Gaynor's easy to use. I like Grishko's as well and I alternate between the two brands. I use Ouch Pouch Junior and love them, they are just the right amount of padding I need.
Performance
Do you have any pre-performance rituals?
A good warm-up, light stretch and deep meditation. It is also good to do a run through before you get on stage, more for confidence than memory. I like to use rosin so I do not have to worry about slipping and make sure I take a look at my costume to check for anything out of place, a ribbon untied etc. Right before I go on I always loosen my neck and face up so look more relaxed and natural.
When you are on stage, do you lose yourself in the role (enjoying your experience without worrying about technique) OR are you concentrating on the steps more and overly worried about technique OR do you just say to yourself forget about everything and dance from the 'heart'?
In good performances I am confident and all my hard work comes out with ease, the steps fall in place in time with the music and I am able to focus on the music and the feeling of dancing what I am dancing. I let go in the sense that I do not focus so much on the technique and steps that I cannot express something in my dancing. I do have to concentrate on certain technical things in every role; I just try to also be in character as well as dancing freely and expressing my love of dance, giving to the audience.
What is the best thing about being on stage?
I love everything about being on stage; seriously, I am a real sucker for the spotlight. : ) I
think it feels amazing to be kind of blinded by the lights in front of a great stage in front of a
large audience. You can feel the excitement and the magic in the air, thick as the lights are warm
on your glowing skin. When you really get into the dancing, the audience, and the music, it feels like something magical is happening. I think that is the best thing about being on stage.
If you could perform in any ballet in any role, what would it be and why?
Sleeping Beauty because I love all the music, the story, the choreography, the costumes, it is
just a gorgeous ballet! I love the old story ballets - it is like dancing back in time!
Philosophical Questions
What inspired you to start dancing?
I saw a ballet and felt I wanted that, to be a ballerina, to be there on stage captivating the audience with amazing physical feats and dazzling them with my charm and grace. I wanted to act a part without the restriction of words. I seemed exquisite to me to imagine expressing myself with dance - for me it is natural. I wanted to be inside the music and display it to the world through my dancing. I love the orchestra, how the music builds to a climax when everyone comes together in perfect harmony. I wanted to dance and be a physical part of that creation. I think ballet is a perfect extension to most classical music compositions. I also love history and the history of ballet - I wanted to be part of that.
What sacrifices has your family made so that you can dance?
My husband has always been very supportive of me when I was taking classes and performing
so often that I had very little spare time. In fact I cut back at one point for him and our relationship (we have been together 8 years). He has even suffered through many ballets and ballet movies for me. I know he tries but he is a musician, not a dancer. He does not understand my love for dancing, but he is supportive!
If you could meet any dancer, who would it be?
Natalia Makarova because she is not only one of the most beautiful and technically perfect ballerinas I have ever seen, she is a true artist. When I watch her dance I can always feel her emotions. She also seems to be so wise and insightful; it would be amazing to learn what she knows! She was taught ballet with technique, styles, and traditions passed down from imperial days! Talk about wisdom!
Have you ever thought about not doing ballet? What kept you going?
Yes, recently I have because of a very painful left knee. There is really no help for it and I have been advised by doctors to stop, not because I will make the injury worse, but because I will most likely always have the pain.
I have taken some time off after my son was born, but have recently started back. I still have pain but I can tell that the rest and therapy exercises (I do on my own) have helped. I am optimistic. What keeps me going is the longing to be back at the barre that nags at me every day!
What is one tip that you would love to share with other DDNers?
Practice mindfulness, always take the time to think positive and be thankful for all the
small and big blessings in your life!
How does it feel to be featured inGet the Pointe
Great! I enjoyed taking the time to think about my answers to these questions, it was nice to reflect on why I dance and what I love about it. I hope its not too boring for you all to read!
