Me as a Poppy in the Wizard of Oz ballet production, 1984
My life in 4th grade were composed mostly of three main things: ballet, piano, and writing.
I never considered myself a stellar piano player. I could read music and play the notes, and that’s about it. I loved writing stories, though, and considered story telling one of my childhood talents. My favorite story was entitled “The Alligator and the Eight Children” and ended with all eight siblings in the story falling off a bridge and being eaten by a hungry alligator. I was so proud of that book. I was also thrilled when my story, “My Friend,” was recognized at my elementary school and I was selected to attend a children’s writer’s conference at DeAnza College.
As much as I loved it, by the time I was nine ballet was beginning to take over my life. I had auditioned for the studio’s traveling company and was accepted into the exclusive group. I was in lessons (including alternate days of flaminco dancing) six days a week and was transitioning early to pointe.
My mom asked me during that year if I loved ballet enough to make it my life focus–a huge thing for a nine year old to have to decide. The road I was heading down was the road of a professional ballerina. I had no time left over for being social – for being a kid. I was already at the studio most of the week, and it was only going to get busier.
I chose to quit altogether.
I felt a tinge of regret for leaving ballet behind for many years. In fact, it wasn’t until my junior year of college that I had a sense of closure and peace about ballet. I decided I would revisit my dancing days and enrolled in a ballet class. While I did very well, I no longer loved it. I finished the class and was finally able to close the book on my ballet days.
Granted, ballet is still part of me and always will be. I will probably always do Pliés and leg exercises while I’m brushing my teeth.
I’m recording my youth, one year per week. Come back next week to find out what life was like in 5th grade (age 10).
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Ha! I don’t think I’ve ever thought of ballet while brushing my teeth:)
It’s such a hard call, but it’s nice that your mother let you decide where your heart was and I’m sure there were many lessons that you learned directly and indirectly from ballet.
We’re taking my daughter to the Nutcracker for the first time this year and I think she will be mesmerized!
you were an adorable ballerina. i miss dance nearly every day, i quit because i wasn’t loving the direction it was heading. any chance i can, i take some sort of dance class. most recently belly dancing.
Cute stories! I love that picture of you in your dance costume. :)
I love that you took the chance to revisit ballet in college and then were truly able to close the door. Good for you!
A friend’s daughter is very near to making a similar decision. She is excellent in gymnastics, but now is the time for her to either bump it up or take a step back. What a tough decision to have to make!
Thanks for sharing.
What wonderful opportunities for choices! It sounds like you had a delightful childhood:) I have wanted to be a writer since I was 6 six years old:)
That’s a very tough decision for a 9 year old dancer…but I’m glad you were able to resolve it as you progressed. I chuckled at your story with the children being eaten…… tell us more, did they have a deadly disease that was eradicated from the earth? Did the alligator become friendly and lead all the other animals? Just wondering…. Great post!
Karen (visiting from Group 3)
I love this idea of recording a year of your life in one post!
I loved to dance. In high school, I was on the dance team and doing very well. I was even recruited by a major dance team so I decided to get that pesky pain in my shoulder looked at before the team’s physical. The doctor discovered a tumor. I lost my ability to dance along with the use of my right shoulder. I miss it. Now, I am so uncoordinated, I wonder how I can walk down the street without tripping.
What a beautiful memory to share! Sounds like my childhood:-)
Wow, what a decision you had to make and an honor to be accepted into the traveling group. I would love to have read your The Alligator and the Eight Children story. Did you illustrate it as well? Do you still have it?
I use to do flamenco dancing and in 9th grade had to choose between that and drill team. I chose drill team but always regretted not continuing with my flamenco dancing. Of course, now I’m ancient and could never do those moves, but I remember the time I did it fondly. I guess I could try to play some castanets whie I brush my teeth :).