Ballet superstars don't get much bigger than Wendy Whelan and Desmond Richardson. This winter, the two inimitable dancers teamed up for a one-night-only performance in New Orleans to commemorate Richardson's last season as a performer with Complexions. If you haven't seen Jim Lafferty's gorgeous shots of their rehearsals in our April/May issue, you're missing out. This is one outtake we didn't have room for in the magazine, and I had to share it. Whelan is so lifted, has such breath in her arms with Richardson as a strong, grounded counterpoint. I love the stretch that extends through both of their bodies in that moment just before her toe hits the floor. Enjoy!
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Mar 01, 2021
Pacific Northwest Ballet's Sarah-Gabrielle Ryan, photographed by Jayme Thornton for Pointe
The Radiant Sarah-Gabrielle Ryan: Why She's One to Watch at Pacific Northwest Ballet
Hollywood could make a movie about Sarah-Gabrielle Ryan's big break at Pacific Northwest Ballet.
It was November 2017, and the company was performing Crystal Pite's film-noir–inspired Plot Point, set to music by Bernard Hermann from Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho. Ryan, then a first-year corps member, originally was understudying the role of another dancer. But when principal Noelani Pantastico was injured in a car accident, Ryan was tapped to take over her role.
<p>Ryan had danced featured roles before, including Maria in Jerome Robbins' <em>West Side Story Suite.</em> But she had just one day to learn Pite's choreography. It was a daunting task, but she was determined not to squander her shot. After a session in the studio with Pantastico, Ryan went home and rehearsed for hours in her living room. "I learned the hell out of that role," she laughs.</p><p>Her hard work paid off. When she hurtled onto the stage, draped in a gray trench coat, she stared at the body sprawled on the floor, turned to the audience, her dark eyes opened wide in shock, and let out a horrified scream. The audience was rapt.</p>
<img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNTcwMzA0MS9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY3MTEyNDEwN30.JfZ4BhAAn1SUQTr09grlx23kAedEonxs3UX-VFjtLd8/img.jpg?width=980" id="ad4cb" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="ed51712fa0e6221f0ab8f1e8dcd6d00b" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" alt="Sarah-Gabrielle Ryan poses in sixth position on pointe. Her legs face profile while her upper body twists front and leans back and her arms raise high above her head with wrists together. Standing in front of a purple backdrop, she wears a pink leotard and long, brightly colored floral chiffon skirt that billows dramatically high behind her in the wind" data-width="1080" data-height="1080" />
Jayme Thornton for Pointe
<p>"The expectation was that we'd throw her onstage and she'd be tentative," says Pacific Northwest Ballet artistic director Peter Boal. "But she gave a really strong performance."</p><p>Ryan's success in <em>Plot Point</em> led to a string of featured roles at PNB, from the Sugarplum Fairy in George Balanchine's <em>The Nutcracker</em> to work by David Dawson and Donald Byrd. But Ryan is no overnight sensation; her success is the result of years of training, discipline and a passion for her art form. That passion also buoyed her during an on-going struggle with body-image issues, and her decision to establish her career a continent away from her close-knit Philadelphia family.</p>
Early Successes—and Struggles
<p>Ryan, now 23, has been dancing since she was 3 years old, when her parents enrolled her in tap, jazz and ballet classes at a local dance studio. At age 5, her teacher recommended she pursue more rigorous ballet training at Philadelphia's acclaimed Rock School for Dance Education.</p><p>Ryan flew up the levels there, and by the age of 12, she'd advanced to the top, the youngest student in her classes. Although she held her own with high-school–aged peers, Ryan knew she was different. "Everyone was older," she says. "You were expected to look a certain way, but I was still going through puberty!"</p><p>That didn't stop Pennsylvania Ballet, which then did not have an affiliated school, from casting Ryan in its annual <em>Nutcracker</em>. Ryan was 10 when she danced her first role, a toy soldier. Miami City Ballet School director Arantxa Ochoa was a principal dancer with Pennsylvania Ballet at the time, but she noticed the young dancer.</p><p>"I just remember her beautiful eyes and big smile," Ochoa recalls.</p><div style="padding: 20px 0 40px;">
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Jayme Thornton for Pointe
<p>Five years later, when Ryan enrolled in Pennsylvania Ballet's newly revived school, Ochoa was her teacher. "She was that ideal student," says Ochoa. "Hard worker. Very smart, very talented. To me, she had that thing, that 'It' factor."</p><p>Ochoa wasn't the only one to notice her potential. Ryan continued to win roles in Pennsylvania Ballet productions, including Balanchine's "Diamonds," videotaped for PBS. At 16, she was offered a contract with Pennsylvania Ballet's second company. From the outside, it looked like the culmination of Ryan's dream.</p><p>The reality was less idyllic. Ryan had struggled with body-image issues since her early years at the Rock School; she was particularly self-conscious about the size and shape of her thighs. She remembers one Rock School teacher asking if her Mexican-born mother made good flan. When Ryan replied in the affirmative, he told her she looked like she was enjoying too much of it. Another teacher at the school suggested she go on a liquid diet to drop some weight.</p><p>Ryan recalls other "advice," such as being told not to go out into the sun, so that her skin wouldn't get too dark. Although she took that particular comment in stride, it compounded her self-consciousness about her appearance. It also strengthened her resolve to work harder in the studio.</p><p>At PBII, Ryan was determined to show she had what it takes to succeed as a professional ballerina. But while artistic director Angel Corella told the young dancer that he liked her dancing, she says he advised her to slim down or risk fewer onstage opportunities. She valued his feedback, and her long relationship with Pennsylvania Ballet, but Ryan knew it was time to look for opportunities outside her hometown. She focused her attention on Seattle.</p>
<img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNTcwMjY5My9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYxNjgyNTkwOH0.EkdLxmLp3hVxI1Wsbfr1hflCe6luSnE4yf_0zG6Abdg/img.jpg?width=980" id="2c78f" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="1d3a9ed9fe73d403358d18f59d10e05a" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" alt="During an onstage performance, two female dancers balance their torsos on the left shoulder of their male partners, lifting their upper bodies up, reaching their arms in a V-shape and lifting their right leg high in attitude. The two women wear pastel dresses and the two men wear jeans and T-shirts." data-width="3318" data-height="2212" />
Ryan with company dancers in Jerome Robbins' West Side Story Suite
Lindsay Thomas, Courtesy PNB
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A New Home
<p>Ryan had attended Pacific Northwest Ballet's summer intensive the summer after joining PBII. She was among 30 young women enrolled in Peter Boal's class that summer—all excellent dancers, he says—but Ryan stood out.</p><p>"She had this kind of go-for-broke presence," Boal says. "A gutsiness." He made a mental note. A year later, when Ryan contacted him about an audition, Boal invited her to attend class when the company toured to New York City. At the end of that class, Boal offered Ryan a contract; she joined PNB as an apprentice in the fall of 2016.</p><p>"I loved PNB's rep, I loved the idea of working for Peter," Ryan says. Although she was scared about moving across the country, she calls it "good scared."</p><img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNTcwMjcwNC9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYxNjk1MjYxM30.x_BY9CkmMCJOsGUPG840LFL8UH70i6XoM-BWayy20cQ/img.jpg?width=980" id="aeb60" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="42f5d59af4e8522434111d7eacb5c8cd" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" alt="Sarah-Gabrielle Ryan does a piqu\u00e9 retir\u00e9 on her left foot and holds her arms in fourth position en evant, leaning her upper body over to look towards her right leg. She wears an ornate blue tutu with off-the-shoulder sleeves, a blue feathered headress and pink tights and pointe shoes." data-width="2593" data-height="3300" />
Ryan in Ronald Hynd's The Sleeping Beauty
Angela Sterling, Courtesy PNB
<p>Ryan credits Boal with helping to free her from her self-image issues, but that didn't happen overnight. During her apprentice year, Ryan attended class in "trash bag pants," concerned that if Boal saw her thighs he'd decide not to cast her. She braced herself for the all-too familiar weight talk.</p><p>It never came.</p><p>But Boal noticed Ryan's tension, how she seemed intent on proving herself every time he was teaching class or watching rehearsal. He took her aside and explained that he'd hired her for a reason—he liked her dancing—and advised Ryan simply to dance for her own love of it. By the end of her apprentice year, new contract in hand, Ryan felt she'd found a true ballet home.</p><p>Ryan also credits her new-found comfort to the camaraderie she feels at PNB. She gravitated to a small group of Latinx dancers, who reminded her of her close-knit Philadelphia family. Ryan's mother is Mexican; her father grew up in Belize. The family identifies as Latin American, speaks Spanish at home and celebrates especially their Mexican heritage. Ryan was particularly touched when one colleague, a Seattle-area native, brought her samples of Mexican dishes her own mother had prepared. Small gestures like this helped ease the young dancer's homesickness.</p><p>Ryan had another reason to embrace her new city: Not long after she joined PNB, she caught the eye of a fellow dancer, principal Kyle Davis. They've been partners onstage and off for the past three years. "She's fantastic to work with," Davis says. "She's intelligent, open to discussing how steps work and how we can better work together. I personally think that's a phenomenal quality in a partner."</p>
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Finding Her Voice
<p>During this long pandemic year, Davis and Ryan have had ample opportunity to explore their partnership. They share a Seattle apartment with two miniature Australian shepherds, Hawk and Magpie, who make frequent cameos during the online classes the couple both take and teach.</p><p>PNB's 2020-21 season is all-digital, and when the dancers returned to the studio last August, only those who co-habitated could partner one another. In the company's opening program, Ryan and Davis reprised the pas de deux from Balanchine's "Rubies." While dancing for cameras instead of live audiences hasn't been ideal, Ryan says she's learned how to use her face to convey emotions in a more intimate way, instead of playing to the second balcony.</p><p>Beyond the pandemic, the past year also ushered in frank national conversations about race and racism, which freed Ryan to speak more openly about her Latin heritage. "It gave me a voice I didn't always have before," Ryan says. "I always knew I was different, especially in ballet, but didn't often talk about it."</p><img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNTcwMzM3My9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYyNjgzNDE3N30.HGL1FFIRIjaLqqdnDeKEiigTOe_MA0RwtnuLZKkP6zQ/img.jpg?width=980" id="c1edf" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="276932390dfa9bc7606ff0a86cfbba7a" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" alt="Standing in front of a bright purple backdrop, Sarah-Gabrielle Ryan wears a pink cap-sleeved leotard and long chiffon skirt with a bright floral pattern. She faces profile to her left, props her right foot up onto her pointe shoe and looks back toward the camera with a close-lipped, confident smile." data-width="1080" data-height="1080" />
Jayme Thornton for Pointe
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<p>Last fall she encouraged PNB to acknowledge Hispanic Heritage Month. But she also wants to see ballet open its ranks to more dancers of color, and to see them advance to the upper echelons of companies like PNB.</p><p>Perhaps she'll be one of those dancers; at 23, she still has a long career ahead of her. Although she dreams of dancing the iconic classical roles—Giselle, Juliet and Kitri—Ryan also looks forward to the contemporary ballets that are a PNB mainstay.</p><p>Boal believes she can do whatever she sets her mind to. "Some dancers, there is no ceiling to their capability," Boal says. "Sarah-Gabrielle Ryan is one of them."</p>
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Mar 08, 2021
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Dancing in a Mask? 6 Products to Keep Maskne at Bay
Wearing a mask while dancing in exchange for finally getting back into the studio seems like a small price to pay—though it doesn't make maskne any less pesky.
But the irritation and acne caused by sweating in a mask doesn't have to be part of the equation. To clear up breakouts and prevent new ones from popping up post-rehearsal, Dr. Melissa Kanchanapoomi Levin, board-certified dermatologist and founder of Entière Dermatology, explains the importance of a strong (but simple) skin-care routine.
"Masks cause heat, friction and occlusion on the skin," says Levin, who trained in ballet through her teenage years. Combine that with the sweat that gets trapped by your mask and you've got the perfect environment for clogged pores and bacteria overgrowth. Levin notes that the best approach for clear skin is to consistently use a gentle cleanser in the morning and at night, followed by a lightweight moisturizer, and a topical cream with an active ingredient to treat and prevent breakouts.
<p>And be wary of overdoing things. "Too many exfoliants further worsen the skin barrier disruption and can cause other inflammatory conditions," says Levin, who cautions against combining too many active ingredients like salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide and retinoids. "In general, I recommend adding one active ingredient at a time, and avoiding other irritating ingredients such as alcohol and fragrances."</p><p>To help get you started, try incorporating one (or more) of the products below to find your perfect lineup. But if breakouts still persist, don't hesitate to book an appointment with a professional. "For more moderate or severe breakouts, seeing a board-certified dermatologist is key," says Levin. And it doesn't even have to interfere with your training, as it's easier than ever to schedule a telehealth visit with a dermatologist.</p>
CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser
<img lazy-loadable="true" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNTc5NjcwMi9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY2ODU3MDc0NH0.Eup3sjBemMMQaH5KusBketwYyuasx4Zi8BB2qYnKpio/img.jpg?width=4558&coordinates=0%2C625%2C0%2C749&height=4722" id="86c71" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="aa6bee499882c62c31b61d5633f8ccde" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" alt="A white and lime green bottle of CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser with a pump" data-width="4558" data-height="4722" />Courtesy CeraVe
<p>"I recommend washing your face before dance class and after a full day," Levin says. This <a href="https://www.ulta.com/hydrating-facial-cleanser?productId=xlsImpprod4190255" target="_blank">CeraVe cleanser</a> is formulated with ceramides and hyaluronic acid so it won't strip your skin of essential moisture, and it's noncomedogenic (meaning it won't clog your pores).</p>Differin Adapalene Gel
<img lazy-loadable="true" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNTc5NjY5Mi9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY2MzcxODM3NH0.W8eHIOdwEjSpwiy6x8Q6M-ZpkRDLfOUWpOXhAyOZ4KU/img.jpg?width=980" id="d0689" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="4fa8bdb9a5e5085dc7f03a425952a5e4" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" alt="A white bottle of Differin Adapalene Gel with yellow accents and a blue cap" data-width="1785" data-height="1178" />Courtesy Differin
<p>An over-the-counter acne treatment can help to clear clogged pores, and Levin likes this drugstore find because it still provides prescription strength. "<a href="https://www.target.com/p/differin-adapalene-gel-0-1-acne-treatment-15g/-/A-51346324" target="_blank">Differin</a> is a retinoid or vitamin A derivative, which is the foundation of how dermatologists treat acne," she says of its ability to increase skin cell turnover to prevent breakouts. "However, it's important to ease into the frequency of the Differin gel, and use it with a moisturizer at night," she adds. That will help minimize signs of irritation, like dryness.</p>La Roche-Posay Effaclar Clarifying Oil-Free Cleansing Towelettes
<img lazy-loadable="true" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNTc5NjY3MS9vcmlnaW4ucG5nIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYxNjE2NDA2M30.42iUNYCK3N4dIOqumoYNbdflakV9XIKy8Cwip94yeUc/img.png?width=980" id="023df" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="fb498b42052c1c2a027fe0fbf1d05406" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" alt="A white package of La Roche-Posey cleansing towelettes" data-width="1500" data-height="1180" />Courtesy La Roche-Posay
<p>It's important to keep your skin clean to help prevent acne, but excessively cleansing can actually just cause more irritation. Rather than wash your face after class or in between rehearsals (which is a pain to do in the studio anyway), Levin recommends using on-the-go wipes like <a href="https://www.ulta.com/effaclar-clarifying-oil-free-cleansing-towelettes?productId=xlsImpprod16011005" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">La Roche-Posay</a>'s. Not only are they alcohol-free and fragrance-free, but they also include soothing thermal spring water, and a gentler derivative of salicylic acid to exfoliate the skin without causing irritation.</p><div style="padding: 20px 0 40px;">
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Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel-Cream
<img lazy-loadable="true" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNTc5NjY1OC9vcmlnaW4ucG5nIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYzMDYwMzc4MX0._VrUehU3Ucoc1xHxJ_eOJAFiyd_8DX6qme9Lf-B8pO0/img.png?width=1539&coordinates=0%2C169%2C0%2C0&height=1079" id="7ff80" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="5790694efae14a2186591777e4c893cc" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" alt="A small aqua blue jar of Neutrogena Hydro Boost gel-cream with a white screw-on lid" data-width="1539" data-height="1079" />Courtesy Neutrogena
<p>Skip the makeup, and apply a moisturizer under your mask instead. This gel formula from <a href="https://www.target.com/p/unscented-neutrogena-hydro-boost-hyaluronic-acid-gel-face-moisturizer-to-hydrate-and-smooth-extra-dry-skin-1-7oz/-/A-16600134" target="_blank">Neutrogena</a> is lightweight and oil-free, so it absorbs quickly without leaving your skin feeling greasy. Plus, it still contains super-hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid to protect against moisture loss.</p>Avène Cleanance Hydra Soothing Cream
<img lazy-loadable="true" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNTc5NjY1My9vcmlnaW4ucG5nIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY2ODAwMzg1MX0.n_VC95QWwd1eakW2_lfR20N1h6m0ZAmp3llmSyLlyQs/img.png?width=980" id="119cf" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="1126dd3a20ea2428ccac14ddbb81a0a7" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" alt="A white, squeezable tube of Av\u00e8ne Cleanance Hydra Soothing Cream with a light blue cap." data-width="1000" data-height="830" />Courtesy Avène
<p>Because over-the-counter acne treatments like Differin can be drying as your skin adjusts, <a href="https://www.walgreens.com/store/c/avene-cleanance-hydra-soothing-cream,-acne-treatments-adjunctive-care-1.3-fl.oz./ID=300399911-product" target="_blank">Avène</a> created this multitasking cream. Use it at night for a more moisturizing option that also helps to reinforce the skin's natural barrier and calm signs of irritation like redness.</p>The Klog Soft Shield Pimple Patch
<img lazy-loadable="true" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNTc5NjY0OS9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYyNzUwOTkxMH0.ifP0bO_Lh9HGpetgQn06hxs8AYcDB9n2Tupe1N4Gbk0/img.jpg?width=980" id="1ec7a" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="610eaa3b73c5b7ec924837940c0d7e56" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" alt="A package of The Klog Soft Shield Pimple Patch, featuring three sheets of pimple patches fanned out next to the packaging" data-width="1024" data-height="1280" />Courtesy The Klog
<p>When you start to feel a pimple brewing, apply one of these clear patches from <a href="https://sokoglam.com/products/soft-shield-pimple-patch" target="_blank">The Klog</a>. The hydrocolloid bandages absorb excess oil and pus, keeping the affected area clean while speeding up healing time. The tiny adhesives are meant to stay in place throughout the day, but if too much sweat has them sliding around while you dance, switch to using a pimple patch while you sleep instead.</p><div style="padding: 20px 0 40px;">
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Mar 05, 2021
Lauren Veyette corrects a student during class. Ariel Rose, Courtesy Veyette Virtual Ballet School.
COVID-19 Has Made It Easier to Train Outside Your Studio—but Should You?
Of all the unprecedented effects the COVID-19 pandemic has had on the dance world, perhaps the most unthinkable a year ago was the forced pivot to online training. With many studios mandated to close, we've outfitted our homes with barres and marley and harnessed technology to create more learning opportunities than ever before. And now, as some studios reopen for in-person classes (either fully or in hybrid form) and others remain online, it's easier to supplement your school's offerings by adding virtual master classes—or even going to another school for in-studio time. But while being able to take class from anyone, anywhere, offers great opportunities, there are pitfalls to jumping from teacher to teacher. It's important to balance out the pros and cons of creating your own "COVID curriculum."
Balance Opportunity and Consistency
<p>Some virtual classes can feel more fun than others—Instagram Live with a celebrity dancer can be an exciting contrast to the familiarity of your regular Zoom classes. But for a lot of students, the combination of isolation and inadequate space at home becomes a huge struggle. As some schools reopen for in-person classes while others remain fully online, the urge to grab a chance at studio time elsewhere is real.</p><p>"Some students are having a really difficult time with online training," says Erica Fischbach, director of the Colorado Ballet Academy, which has been mostly virtual since last March. While the Academy's policy prohibits students in the pre-professional program from taking outside classes, Fischbach has cautiously allowed it during the pandemic, within strict parameters. "If a student comes to us and is really struggling, we've said it's okay to go to another studio to take classes—so long as CBA is still virtual, it does not conflict with their current classes, and they are not overtraining."</p><img lazy-loadable="true" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNTc0NzQ4Mi9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY2NzIxODMwM30.CzmILjn7rMZ0TudYmIFbb2kxnLN41zEEn9DvNXgj0ZA/img.jpg?width=980" id="b7f97" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="a0b150d91a2bf8b6fca224456dc9d85c" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" alt="Erica Fischbach, in a blue sweater, black face mask, black ballet skirt and matching tights, stands in tendu derriere in profile and stretches her right arm forward and puts her left hand on her chest. Behind her, four female students pose in first arabesque on pointe, wearing black leotards and white practice tutus." data-width="6000" data-height="4000" />
Colorado Ballet Academy director Erica Fischbach teaching CBA Pre-Professional Division students
Mark Hutchens, Courtesy Colorado Ballet
<p>Fischbach fully recognizes how beneficial the vast array of online classes can be for young dancers, too, so long as they're taken judiciously in conjunction with their primary school's schedule. "There are wonderful classes out there, from amazing teachers. I'm 100 percent<strong> </strong>on board with students seeking out excellent training on their off time—but not by skipping their regular classes."</p><p>Since adding too many hours on top of your studio's class schedule can make you vulnerable to injury, Fischbach suggests using semester breaks to explore new options. "If you're taking extra class somewhere else and then come to us and sit out because something hurts, that's a problem," she says.</p>
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Consistency Versus Variety
<p>Students seek out supplemental virtual training for various reasons. Pre-pandemic, Miami-based Veyette Virtual Ballet School mostly worked with students seeking individual attention missing at their primary school, whether to prepare for a competition, learn the nuances of a different style, or simply gain confidence through one-on-one coaching. While VVBS has since added group classes for those wanting to train with them under a more consistent schedule, directors Lauren and Francis Veyette are still very careful in how they guide private students who attend another school full-time. Finding a balance between variety and consistency is crucial, they say. "I think any teacher has a little bit of tunnel vision; even the best teachers may not see every little detail," says Francis. "Having a diversity of opinion can be valuable. On the other hand, if you take class from a different teacher every time, you're not going to get the chance to really work on the corrections each one emphasizes."</p><img lazy-loadable="true" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNTc0NzQ3OS9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY3MTE5OTA0NH0.sGuzXQHl0_fEN3iom735QCnK_nhKaIWL_g3oim9wm7A/img.jpg?width=980" id="b064f" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="e08679feef968d5ffa140b89179d3519" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" alt="A young female ballet student in a black turtleneck leotard, pink tights and slippers and wearing glasses, sits on Francis Vayette's shoulder with her right leg in attitude and her left leg tucked under. Lauren Vayette touches her knee to make sure she's on balance and smiles up at her." data-width="640" data-height="428" />
Lauren and Francis Veyette work with one of their local students on a sit lift.
Ariel Rose, Courtesy Veyette Virtual Ballet School
<p>Input from multiple teachers, whether virtually or in-person, can also become confusing. Certain technical aspects hold true across styles—straight knees, properly held turnout—but be careful not to bring specific affectations into a class that will clash with that teacher's aesthetic. VVBS gets students wanting to learn Balanchine-style movement. "An important distinction we make for them is that if you want to learn this type of technique, here it is. But you know your own teacher's temperament, so if they have a potential bias against this style, don't carry it into their class."</p><p>Be aware that bouncing around from teacher to teacher—particularly on platforms like Instagram or YouTube, where they can't offer tailored corrections—can result in imitation rather than understanding. Think about what you want to get out of an online class, says Lauren. "It's exciting to see a celebrity teacher, but realize that it takes a lot longer than one class to actually learn something. If you're classically trained and want to learn more Balanchine style, you're not going to get that from one Instagram class."</p>
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Getting the Most Value from One-Off Classes
<p>When taking a one-time class, consider how the teacher's perspective can complement and augment the training you're already getting, not replace it. Jessica Lynn, a sophomore at the University of Oklahoma majoring in ballet performance and journalism, took virtual master classes on several platforms over her winter break, including ones on Zoom from Peter Stark and Cynthia Harvey. She feels those in particular reminded her how to use speed, plié and movement dynamics in different ways, elements she finds applicable to her OU classes.</p><p>But the one-time classes also gave her a taste of being a professional. "As I've gotten older, giving myself corrections is more important than ever," says Lynn. "That's something I've learned to employ from the Instagram Live and other online classes. Not having hands-on specific instruction is challenging, but I think that's indicative of how it's going to be in the professional setting."<strong></strong></p><img lazy-loadable="true" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNTc0NzQ1My9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYxOTUwOTM1OH0.o-_FqeGY3bfANjD7-I_ou1ToKKACDRyIKsWrGi1-PpQ/img.jpg?width=980" id="ef486" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="aa3e9ee742e65c4dd09171cea169a4f0" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" alt="A young female ballet dancer balances at the barre in attitude crois\u00e9 with her arms in high fifth position. She wears a black leotard, pink tights and ballet slippers and stands to the left of a large, floor-to-ceiling window." data-width="744" data-height="920" />
Jessica Lynn
Sarah Cermak, Courtesy Lynn
Explore Smartly
<p>If you want to explore outside your main studio's curriculum, whether in person or online, first determine what you're looking for and why, and question whether you're likely to find it. Learning a different style and progressing your technique are long processes which are most successful with faculty who are dedicated to you, says Fischbach. If you're itching for something more, talk to your main teacher first about finding it where you already are, whether that means private lessons or more targeted help in class on the area you're craving to develop. Fischbach says she always wants to hear from students so she can help them find solutions.</p><p>Remember, too, that there is light at the end of the COVID-19 tunnel, and your current frustrations may be tied to a situation that will soon change. "There are right and wrong ways to supplement your training right now," Fischbach advises. "First communicate with your home school— sneaking around just creates ill will. Your teachers are invested in you, love you and want to see your happiness. They want to know about any issues you're having and help you find a path to success."</p><div style="padding: 20px 0 40px;">
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