FlairsFlair Posted March 4, 2023 Share Posted March 4, 2023 You looked at me but did not smile, And held my heart a little while. I wanted you to share my zest For pirouettes and arabesques. But all you saw were those around me, Whose extensions are astounding, Due to their environment They shower a grander battement. This is impressive, I’ll not argue, Who wants to watch a lazy tendu?! But let me offer another view Of what it’s like in our dance schools. Where focus tends to be on the ‘whole’ Academics, and social all part of the goal. Gradually developing those developées Tortoise v hare for dancer longevity? That doesn’t mean that we don’t care. Nor does it mean that we lack flair. A product made from whence we came Haven’t we still got skin in the game? We arrive with plans. We come with dreams. Being put in our place Just strengthens our seams. The sacrifices that we make Matter as much as those from the States. They’re just as many as those from France, From Spain and Russia. And all who dance! If we were exposed to Vaganova Would we be able to win you over? As it is, we dutifully Follow the course of RAD. That doesn’t mean that we can’t do it, That we lack something as we go through it! It simply means that context matters So please don’t leave our hearts in tatters. Try if you can to see beyond Those perfectly formed ronds de jambe. Instead, consider our innate graces The musicality etched on our faces. Don’t view lack of polish with disdain; we too have bodies you can train! Look to the soul and qualities within That you can take out but can’t put in. Consider giving us a chance, To make it in the world of dance. Don’t assume there’s not more there if you can see a little flair. Nurture, invest and shape our attitudes. Don’t fob us off with worthy platitudes. Take us, mould us, make us fly And we’ll set our limits beyond the sky. 14 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peanut68 Posted March 4, 2023 Share Posted March 4, 2023 Bravo!! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dancing unicorn Posted March 4, 2023 Share Posted March 4, 2023 🥲🥹🥲🥹🥲 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dancer20 Posted March 4, 2023 Share Posted March 4, 2023 Such a beautiful poem for all those beautiful young dancers not getting the opportunities they deserve 🥲 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kerfuffle Posted March 4, 2023 Share Posted March 4, 2023 👏👏👏👏👏 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Summer47 Posted March 4, 2023 Share Posted March 4, 2023 4 hours ago, FlairsFlair said: You looked at me but did not smile, And held my heart a little while. I wanted you to share my zest For pirouettes and arabesques. But all you saw were those around me, Whose extensions are astounding, Due to their environment They shower a grander battement. This is impressive, I’ll not argue, Who wants to watch a lazy tendu?! But let me offer another view Of what it’s like in our dance schools. Where focus tends to be on the ‘whole’ Academics, and social all part of the goal. Gradually developing those developées Tortoise v hare for dancer longevity? That doesn’t mean that we don’t care. Nor does it mean that we lack flair. A product made from whence we came Haven’t we still got skin in the game? We arrive with plans. We come with dreams. Being put in our place Just strengthens our seams. The sacrifices that we make Matter as much as those from the States. They’re just as many as those from France, From Spain and Russia. And all who dance! If we were exposed to Vaganova Would we be able to win you over? As it is, we dutifully Follow the course of RAD. That doesn’t mean that we can’t do it, That we lack something as we go through it! It simply means that context matters So please don’t leave our hearts in tatters. Try if you can to see beyond Those perfectly formed ronds de jambe. Instead, consider our innate graces The musicality etched on our faces. Don’t view lack of polish with disdain; we too have bodies you can train! Look to the soul and qualities within That you can take out but can’t put in. Consider giving us a chance, To make it in the world of dance. Don’t assume there’s not more there if you can see a little flair. Nurture, invest and shape our attitudes. Don’t fob us off with worthy platitudes. Take us, mould us, make us fly And we’ll set our limits beyond the sky. You have hit the nail on the head here! Let’s hope the AD’s get to see this, and perhaps they will understand Thank you 🙏 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dancing unicorn Posted March 4, 2023 Share Posted March 4, 2023 (edited) Yeh I’ve just written out what I wanted to say and then deleted it!!!! AGAIN!!! The number of times I’ve written my feelings on this crazy journey then deleted them is unbelievable! If only these AD’s and schools knew what they put our children thru!!!!!!!! I own my own dance school and I’m all about encouragement and positive feedback, building children’s confidence, not about breaking them 🤣🤣🤣 Edited March 4, 2023 by Dancing unicorn 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peanut68 Posted March 4, 2023 Share Posted March 4, 2023 Me too Dancing Unicorn…. many a time I’ve started to write from the heart wanting to share/warm/explain…& then I self censor so as not to disturb others/rain on others parades/realise I don’t want to appear to be sour grapes or jealous/fearful the truth will be denied or a thread shut down by outside powers complaining etc… Poetry can be a powerful yet subtle platform to voice these truths! Well done FlairsFlair! 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dancing unicorn Posted March 4, 2023 Share Posted March 4, 2023 (edited) Peanut68 - my feelings entirely!!!! One day, ONE DAY sometime in the future I might reveal my feelings on this crazy journey But for the moment we’re still holding on to the dream 💗🤣💗 Edited March 4, 2023 by Dancing unicorn 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swanprincess Posted March 4, 2023 Share Posted March 4, 2023 ❤️❤️ 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kerfuffle Posted March 4, 2023 Share Posted March 4, 2023 47 minutes ago, Peanut68 said: Me too Dancing Unicorn…. many a time I’ve started to write from the heart wanting to share/warm/explain…& then I self censor so as not to disturb others/rain on others parades/realise I don’t want to appear to be sour grapes or jealous/fearful the truth will be denied or a thread shut down by outside powers complaining etc… Poetry can be a powerful yet subtle platform to voice these truths! Well done FlairsFlair! This all rings so true. Also it’s tough because this world is so incredibly small. The poem sums up beautifully the dashed hope of auditioning (one place I particular I’m guessing). It’s hard for our DC’s situation not to feel very bleak and to remain optimistic. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pointytoes Posted March 4, 2023 Share Posted March 4, 2023 What a shame that a poem has to sum up many parents/ dancers feelings on the current state of ballet in this country. Far more concerning is that many teachers or parents cannot speak out or comment their truths without being silenced. An archaic approach to ballet which still seems to define it. A huge well done for your Ode! 5 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harwel Posted March 5, 2023 Share Posted March 5, 2023 Those that know, know. Unfortunately everyone else who treads this path has to find out the hard way. I find some of the worst people to understand the truth of the training situation are avid ballet lovers who spend hours watching and admiring ballet but resolutely refuse to believe the hundreds of accounts of those of us who have lived this fiasco either by our own experiences and/or our children. They look at the very few (hand full) that have succeeded and say that’s ok, the others can’t have been gifted enough, wanted it enough, worked hard enough. Or you’re exaggerating it because you’re bitter, jealous, disgruntled. In truth they have absolutely no idea and are actually not in any position to comment - true case of gaslighting. The parents and students who have experienced this type of treatment at the hands of people who are in a position of power over our vulnerable youngsters should be taken seriously. Ballet is beautiful, unfortunately not everyone within the ballet world is as beautiful. Far too many accounts of mental abuse (bullying, ignoring, gaslighting and the list goes on) to be taken so lightly. I have seen a number of absolutely beautiful young dancers ousted from their training in the most cruel and inexplicable way. The mental scars are there for years and years. When is enough enough before something is done to change this dreadful treatment? 15 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dancing unicorn Posted March 5, 2023 Share Posted March 5, 2023 (edited) This is all so hard to read as we’ve been there, done that, got the t shirt 🤣 and my dd is still there fighting!!! Who knows what her future holds but she’s not going down without a fight, and I admire her for that 💗 Edited March 5, 2023 by Dancing unicorn 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ruby Foo Posted March 5, 2023 Share Posted March 5, 2023 8 hours ago, Harwel said: Those that know, know. Unfortunately everyone else who treads this path has to find out the hard way. I find some of the worst people to understand the truth of the training situation are avid ballet lovers who spend hours watching and admiring ballet but resolutely refuse to believe the hundreds of accounts of those of us who have lived this fiasco either by our own experiences and/or our children. They look at the very few (hand full) that have succeeded and say that’s ok, the others can’t have been gifted enough, wanted it enough, worked hard enough. Or you’re exaggerating it because you’re bitter, jealous, disgruntled. In truth they have absolutely no idea and are actually not in any position to comment - true case of gaslighting. The parents and students who have experienced this type of treatment at the hands of people who are in a position of power over our vulnerable youngsters should be taken seriously. Ballet is beautiful, unfortunately not everyone within the ballet world is as beautiful. Far too many accounts of mental abuse (bullying, ignoring, gaslighting and the list goes on) to be taken so lightly. I have seen a number of absolutely beautiful young dancers ousted from their training in the most cruel and inexplicable way. The mental scars are there for years and years. When is enough enough before something is done to change this dreadful treatment? Thank you. Thank you for this. We try to be a voice for the welfare of our children and our students but we are silenced. Silenced by fear of retribution by the powerful. 5 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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