Brittany Reynolds
Professor Chandler
Freshman Composition II
29 January 2017 Self-reflection of a Ballet Dancer
Observing an enthralling performance articulated by ballet dancers is not just thrown together overnight, nor is the talent easily obtained. Watch as her right pointe shoe flags out to the side, bending in a curve that only a trained foot could manage. To be able to perfect that tiny detail, it takes years of releves and tendus, foot exercises that press or stretch the foot into the floor until it bleeds. To be able to reach this unimaginable skill level, ballerinas must throw themselves over the edge, and dive deep into their training while maintaining the right mindset. As Anna Windermere would so perfectly say, …show more content…
Dancers should always maintain a positive outlook, and keep pursuing what they desire to accomplished. Dancers take risks all the time to better their skill and benefit their dancing career. Without these intimidating ventures, nothing new would be achieved. One of the worst possible positions for a dancer is to remain stagnant in their career. They will be replaced with someone who has the determined mindset to remain persistent in learning more and growing as a dancer. A main characteristic a dancer must obtain, is to be hardworking. This means to constantly be bettering themselves and pushing their bodies to the brink of exhaustion to reach a level of perfection. I remember the blood stains on the baby pink satin where my big toe had rubbed raw into the box of the shoe (Reynolds). This is just a small example of the amount of effort put into dancing. Feet will be bloodied, blistered, bruised, and bent into unforgiving positions. Dancers will push themselves to the point of self-mutilation to ensure perfection. Melanie Doskocil describes the mandatory need for performers who, “…work hard and persevere. Dancers give years of their lives plus their sweat, tears and sometimes blood to have the honor and pleasure of performing on stage,” (15 Truths About Being a Professional Dancer). Doskcile restates all my personal beliefs in hard work and the necessary characteristics needed to be a dancer. I relate to Melanie’s use of, “…sweat, tears and sometimes blood,” (15 Truths About Being a Professional Dancer) because I have experienced similar hardships. Dancers must also be encouraging to others for progress to occur on the dance floor. A team will succeed or fail together, and failure will be because of the lack of support and motivation given to teammates from one another. The encouragement given to a teammate could lead to their own determination to complete a difficult move and give them the
Professor Chandler
Freshman Composition II
29 January 2017 Self-reflection of a Ballet Dancer
Observing an enthralling performance articulated by ballet dancers is not just thrown together overnight, nor is the talent easily obtained. Watch as her right pointe shoe flags out to the side, bending in a curve that only a trained foot could manage. To be able to perfect that tiny detail, it takes years of releves and tendus, foot exercises that press or stretch the foot into the floor until it bleeds. To be able to reach this unimaginable skill level, ballerinas must throw themselves over the edge, and dive deep into their training while maintaining the right mindset. As Anna Windermere would so perfectly say, …show more content…
Dancers should always maintain a positive outlook, and keep pursuing what they desire to accomplished. Dancers take risks all the time to better their skill and benefit their dancing career. Without these intimidating ventures, nothing new would be achieved. One of the worst possible positions for a dancer is to remain stagnant in their career. They will be replaced with someone who has the determined mindset to remain persistent in learning more and growing as a dancer. A main characteristic a dancer must obtain, is to be hardworking. This means to constantly be bettering themselves and pushing their bodies to the brink of exhaustion to reach a level of perfection. I remember the blood stains on the baby pink satin where my big toe had rubbed raw into the box of the shoe (Reynolds). This is just a small example of the amount of effort put into dancing. Feet will be bloodied, blistered, bruised, and bent into unforgiving positions. Dancers will push themselves to the point of self-mutilation to ensure perfection. Melanie Doskocil describes the mandatory need for performers who, “…work hard and persevere. Dancers give years of their lives plus their sweat, tears and sometimes blood to have the honor and pleasure of performing on stage,” (15 Truths About Being a Professional Dancer). Doskcile restates all my personal beliefs in hard work and the necessary characteristics needed to be a dancer. I relate to Melanie’s use of, “…sweat, tears and sometimes blood,” (15 Truths About Being a Professional Dancer) because I have experienced similar hardships. Dancers must also be encouraging to others for progress to occur on the dance floor. A team will succeed or fail together, and failure will be because of the lack of support and motivation given to teammates from one another. The encouragement given to a teammate could lead to their own determination to complete a difficult move and give them the