Fall is a time for dancing - ballet
One of my favorite times of the year is when the air begins to chill, yellow leaves and biting winds hint toward the wintertime. Soon, the twirling leaves are replaced by dancing snowflakes.
One reason I love it so much is because my ballet studio begins rehearsing for our annual winter ballet production at Noble Dance School of Ballet. Each performance is a new opportunity to learn new movements and grow as a dancer. There is a certain magic that accompanies the new dances, elegant costumes, and beautiful music and it perforates the studio. Overall, the girls in the studio are one of a kind, everyone with their own talents and individual style, including our artistic director, choreographer, and one-of-a-kind teacher, Natalie Molter. With our performance approaching quickly in December, rehearsals begin to take up most of our spare time, which, if I am being honest, is fine by me.
My journey into ballet began five years ago, mostly on a whim. My first performance was life-changing, even though I was only in one dance, I was completely hooked. The production of it all was something that I had never witnessed before. The preparation begins two or more months in advance, but time passes pretty quickly because there is so much to do in so little time. In the beginning we start learning each piece, everyone is excited to see whether or not they were given a solo, or a duet, or a member of the corps. Each part essential and unique. The corps is the largest group, and often the most difficult part due to the fact that it is nearly impossible to get a large group to do the same thing exactly at the same time all while standing on their toes in pointe shoes. Have you ever tried to get a family photo where everyone looks good? It is kind of like that, but everyone is trying to move in unison.
One of my favorite things about ballet is that dress up doesn’t end after you grow up. The tutus and fancy dresses are endless, it’s almost like being taken back in time when I tried to wear a princess costume to school everyday. Some costumes are simple and elegant, while others are intricate, each reflecting the nature of the dance. At Noble Dance, we are lucky enough to be guided by a teacher like Natalie Molter who gave me the love of ballet that I hold so closely. She crafts each dance to her dancers and she has the costume to match. I am always astounded by her ability to match a dancer with a song, a costume with a person, a movement with the music. It is incredible to witness and be a part of each year.
The magic is shown in the performance, but it also is woven into the things that most people are not able to see. The things only dancers and choreographers see. Bright, hot lights, layer upon layer of makeup, the placement of each hairpin, a speedy 30 second change of costume. Not to mention the careful memorization of every step in a dance. It can be incredibly frustrating and overwhelmingly rewarding all at the same time. There are bound to be mishaps, tears, and sometimes injuries, but it is all part of the journey. Every time a dance is done something new is gained even if it doesn’t always feel that way. No matter whatever happens, it is powerful and magical and so worthwhile. It is something I look forward to doing every year and I will remember always.
Annie Howeth is a senior at Whitefish High School.