Meet Gwen, an 18 year old ballet dancer that is working hard towards her professional dreams.
DDN Name: Gwyneth17
Real Name: Gwen
Member Since: 2004 I think?
Age: 18
Years Dancing: 9
Why did you start dancing?
Because my mom signed me up--and I hated it at first, and then did soccer for a year before trying again and loving it!
What are the styles of dance that you study? Why study more than one style? What do you like about each style?
Right now my primary focus is Ballet (and Pointe/Variations/Pas de Deux in that category) but I also dance with a Christian Worship Dance Company (think Lyrical with a ballet influence) on the side. I think its good to be well-rounded; I haven't had consistent training in a ton of styles, but I've had tastes of them, which is better than nothing! I tend to adapt fairly easily.
If someone asked you, "Why Dance?" what would your answer be?
Because it’s an amazing way to express yourself through movement, and can be an amazing way to communicate a story or message. Add to that the fact that dance is a universal language and you have an incredible art form.
How old were you when you began dance (was ballet your first dance style)?
I actually started out with worship dance classes when I was 9 years old and added ballet on top of that when I was 13 or so.
Do you have a favorite ballet-related memory that you can share with us?
Finding out I could go on pointe! I remember my teachers discussing it and being so nervous.....Yeah. There was much happiness that day
Describe a typical day in your life.
I normally wake up at 4:30am most days to go to work (I work part-time at Panera Bread to pay for some of my dance classes) and then come home and do some schoolwork (I'm home-schooled). Then I go to dance about 2:30 and get home around 6 typically. Sometimes I'll go work out in the evenings, but it depends on how tired I am.
How much time do you dance during the week?
Anywhere from 15-20 hours a week, depending on if we're rehearsing for anything. Sometimes its more like 25-30.
How do you prepare for class? (i.e. stretching, conditioning, mental techniques, etc.)
I usually get to the studio 30-40 minutes early to stretch, do some Pilates and some thera-band. I probably don't have to get there that early, but its nice not to feel rushed.
What part of ballet class is your favorite? Why? What part of ballet class is the most difficult for you? Why?
I love jumping---any type of allegro. I'm definitely more of a jumper than a turner, so I tend to love any jumps. I find some center stuff hard though--turning can be a challenge.
What does it mean to you to get corrections in class? What are the most common corrections you get in class?
Corrections are a gift. It means the teacher is watching me (a semi-rare occurrence for me--there are some incredible dancers in my class...) and thinks I have the potential to fix the problem. I tend to get corrections on turnout and straightening knees all the way.
After you've had a bad day, what motivates you to go to your ballet class? Does it lift your spirits?
Entering the studio is like entering a different world. All that matters is the attitude you bring to the class, being willing to take correction, and giving each class all you've got. Everything else that may have happened kind of takes a backseat to the focus on dance itself.
What sort of things do you do at home to help your dancing?
I have a Pilates reformer (a super cheap one that i found on Craig’s List) that I do exercises on regularly, as well as stretching and some theraband.
Do you do any non-dance cross training?
I try to work out on the elliptical machine a couple times a week, but that doesn't always happen.
What's in your dance bag? Can we see a picture?
LOTS of pointe shoes (I try to rotate them out, and I always want to have options--harder shank or lighter shanke, etc.), and flats, legwarmer/ankle wrap/Tiger Balm for my injury, Trash bag shorts, skirt, my Mukluks, stuff for pointe-- tape, 2nd skin, the black bag is also for pointe stuff, theraband, and of course, bobby pins. I don't usually have a leo or tights in my dance bag because I change before I get to dance. And i also usually have some Ibuprofen in there, but I must have taken it out.
What sacrifices have you made for ballet?
A normal high school experience. Technically, I go to a "home-school high-school" (you go to school 2 days/week and then have lots of homework on the other days you don't actually attend the classes), but I've also had to cut down on classes there and add more classes at home because it gets expensive.
What sacrifices do your parents make for you to study ballet?
Being willing to drive me to dance (before I got my license), and pay for A LOT. I'm glad that I can help them out some now.
Does dance affect your social life in any way? Do your friends understand?
Social life? What's that?
I don't have tons of friends outside of dance and church and stuff. I just really don't have that much time to spend with people.....
Have you ever experienced any dance related injuries? How did you handle them? Do they affect your dancing?
I've been injured multiple times this past year. First I had 3 stress fractures in my left ankle and was put on crutches and couldn't dance for 2 months. Then last summer I got an injury in my right ankle and the doctors couldn't diagnose it until a couple months ago--a tendon that fell out of place. So my doctor has a plan to get that fixed too
Basically, injuries don't have to be all bad--I found a good physical therapist who specialized in dance medicine and actually fixed some bad habits in my technique thanks to her! You just have to learn from your mistakes and not go back to them.
What dance goals are you currently working towards, and what future goals do you have?
Right now I'd like to dance in a Christian ballet company. Ideally Ballet Magnificat!; I just got back from an audition there actually. If I don't get in, I'd probably keep training at my current studio for another year before auditioning at some other places.
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)?
I am currently using about 4 pairs (rotating through them), but I have around 50 pairs hanging on my wall I think? I don't know. Right now I'm wearing Grishko Fouette in a Medium shank and I LOVE them. They work really well with my feet and give and last a bit longer on my archy feet. I use Ouch Pouches right now, and I mostly like those.
Do you have any pre-performance rituals?
I pray a lot, stretch, and run 7 laps on stage before the show starts.
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'?
It depends on what I'm dancing. If it’s a role that requires a very strong emotion (like trying to be evil) I mostly get lost in the character. If I'm dancing something very smiley like corps in Flowers for Nutcracker, I mostly just dance it and love it. And thank God for the gift of dance! I just feel blessed to be able to do this.
What is the best thing about being on stage?
Getting to share your talent with others. And for me, sharing the reason I dance with others.
If you could perform in any ballet in any role, what would it be and why?
Cliche, I know, but I love Kitri from Don Quixote, its such a fiery role. But, I also think it would be fun to play one of Cinderella's stepsisters.
What sacrifices has your family made so that you can dance?
I know we don't go on vacation a lot because there's not a lot of extra money....and Christmas season kind of gets forgotten in the midst of nutcracker sometimes.
If you could meet any dancer, who would it be?
Drew Jacoby from Lines
Have you ever thought about not doing ballet? What kept you going?
Yes! Pretty much every day I have a bad class.... Just knowing that its only one class and it won't last forever---that I can get out of the rut.
What do you eventually want to do with ballet? Can you see yourself using it as a springboard to other related careers?
Hopefully dance with a Christian company somewhere---dance is such a powerful tool for ministry. I kind of see myself doing some sort of discipleship thing somewhere....so yeah. We’ll see!
Do you have a non dance related career choice for after your dancing?
Youth Ministry/Discipleship
What is one tip that you would love to share with other DDNers?
Don't work yourself so hard that you lose your love for dance. And listen to your body to avoid injuries----they aren't very fun.
How does it feel to be featured in Get the Pointe?
Weird......I don't know. Almost like I'm famous or something...
How do you deal with pain when you use your pointe shoes?
Just deal with it. After a while it kind of just becomes numb. And use Second Skin Moist burn pads--best stuff ever!
Do you drink bottled water or use a thermos at class?
Mostly bottled water, unless I take class in the morning; then I'll drink coffee or tea to help me wake up.
Which ballet soundtrack is your favorite?
Either Don Q or La Bayadere.
Who in your life inspires you the most to try your best in class and outside of class?
The girls I dance with in my company; they are incredible.
What are you really working on improving right now in your dancing?
*sigh* Turns; And extensions. But mostly turns--the bane of my existence.
What is the greatest, realistic dream you aspire to as a ballet dancer?
Be able to use it as a way to share the message of Jesus Christ.
As a professional, would you rather start out in a small company where you got to dance more (and actually make some money) or in a bigger company where you don't get to dance much at all (and make little to zero money)?
I'd probably want to start at a bigger company where I could work my way up.
Do you find it hard to balance schoolwork/work with your dancing life?
Yeah....it takes a lot of discipline, and I don't get much sleep, but I know that this season of my life won't last forever.
When did you truly realize that you loved dance? When I started training harder, at about 14 or so.
How has dance made you a better person? It’s taught me a lot about perseverance and learning how to take correction. Oh yeah, and humility--You will never be the best, there is ALWAYS someone better than you.
