PERFORMANCE

Ballet Class

Tonight we went to a ballet class for young ballerinas.  It is a school that prepares ballerinas to be "company ready" for positions around the world.  All are already accomplished, must audition for acceptance, and then train for several years.  As they graduate, they are prepared to dance anywhere.

What we saw was a solid two hour lesson in which they never stopped.  This is just a part of what they do every day.  These ballerinas are both hardened and softened.  They become quite strong with the endurance and strength of a world athlete.  They are trained in technique and style to make it all look graceful, easy, and beautiful.  It was two hours of hard work for them.  Amusingly and appropriately, the teacher's gift to each of the girls was an embroidered towel!

Carolyn and I have surprised ourselves at how much we enjoy ballet.  We did not attend much ballet prior to moving to NYC.  However, we now find it one of our most pleasant evenings here.  There is theater, dance, music, entertainment, and occasionally, provocation (The Green Table).  We subscribe and support both New York companies, New York City Ballet (NYCB) and American Ballet Theater (ABT).  We knew ballet was hard work in preparation and visiting a class confirmed that.