The first steps are impossible without support
first dancer of the Russian Ballet Theater that bears her name. Anna Pavlova
“Like many ballet dancers, my journey began with rhythmic gymnastics. Coaches used to go to kindergartens and schools looking for promising children. That’s how I was selected for the section, among others. They said that the data is not bad, you have to start studying.”
Unfortunately, this is not accepted today, so many talented children do not get into these professions. Relatives have no idea that the child has certain inclinations. My family has nothing to do with ballet or sports, but they were always ready to support me in everything. They followed the recommendations.
My coach, Margarita Petrovna Chernozubkina, also gave me great support. I’m really grateful to you. She did a lot for my development. We work extra. And not only in stretching and gymnastics elements. We danced a lot and came up with different stories for the exercises. We did choreography.
There was even a time when she took me to training because my parents could not combine their schedule with work. Many noticed my expressiveness and musicality. It was decided to enter the choreography school. The coach tried to dissuade me, but in the end she supported me. We still maintain warm relations with her. I owe my destiny to her.
Photo: Yulia Sokolova
Work, discipline and strict limits.
The most difficult thing for me in the process of studying at a choreographic school was that all the movements are learned according to a specific method developed by Agrippina Yakovlevna Vaganova.
In gymnastics, the approach is different. You can do certain complex elements. This will be your “content.” What doesn’t work well is usually not shown to anyone. In ballet, to master the profession, you need to learn to perform all the movements in the training program well. And, in addition to classical dance, there is duet dance, character dance, historical dance, modern dance.
Much of my learning was not easy for me. Particularly long and monotonous work on the machine. For an active child who cannot sit still, this is real torture. But at the same time – discipline, development of concentration and patience, necessary in such a complex profession.
Is it given to everyone?
Does hard work guarantee success? It is a difficult question. In fact, there are many examples of prima ballerinas who, without any special qualifications, became leading artists of their time. All thanks to great perseverance and hard work.
But there are other examples. Sad. When things didn’t work out, something was missing. In ballet, opportunity, the opportunity to express yourself, is very important. Perhaps this is even the most important thing. Of course, you should be prepared for this opportunity, but for some it simply never presents itself.
Photo: Yulia Sokolova
Who exactly is “not given”?
Selection for professional ballet schools is very strict. Perhaps the most important is appearance: build, length of legs and arms, head size, thinness of ankles and wrists, large instep, asthenic build. There are also professional skills: participation, stretching, flexibility, jumping, coordination. Without them, activities can be traumatic. Therefore, the commission is also very strict regarding these criteria. Some things can be developed and improved during the learning process, but others are impossible… All these parameters are weighed and the commission gives its verdict.
Perhaps the most important thing is the appearance: texture, length of legs and arms, size of head, thinness of ankles and wrists, large instep, asthenic constitution.
When a dream becomes a job
After eight years of study, it is time for the state exams. Choreographers from different theatres usually take part in them and select artists for their troupe. After receiving your diploma, you will be able to perform in different theatres where you would like to enter the service.
Now there are many public and private theatres, as well as various companies. Usually, graduates do not remain unemployed; they find a place for themselves according to their desires, abilities and opportunities.
Adult life begins in the theatre. Teachers no longer look at you and teach you nothing. Here the tasks are different: artistic. That is why it is important to control yourself. Without strict control over shape and weight, many people flourish and lose competences, a kind of regression occurs that sometimes has irreversible consequences. It is important to keep everything under control.
Photo: Yulia Sokolova
And those who hate will hate
Difficulties are associated not only with the need for complete self-control. But also with the fact that you are under the gaze of enemies who will definitely not miss even the slightest weakness.
Thanks to social media, everyone can now express their opinion. This, of course, is good. Sometimes criticism cheers you up. But, unfortunately, this is not always done correctly. And sometimes it is downright offensive. It is important not to take it personally. No sane and adequate person would waste time insulting others. As Maya Plisetskaya said: “Character is destiny.”
This can probably be attributed to any type of activity. To achieve success in ballet, you must overcome yourself, your laziness, pain and uncertainty every day. Only the ability to go towards your goal, not give up and not give up can help you achieve it.
Without strict control over shape and weight, many people flourish and lose competencies, a kind of regression occurs that sometimes has irreversible consequences.
Photo: Yulia Sokolova
When a dream becomes a routine…
The hardest part is dealing with physical and emotional exhaustion. Ballerinas have to perform the same classical performances for many years.
Professional sport ends very early: it flashed and faded. The career of a ballet dancer is much longer. In addition, in connection with the pension reform, five years of service were also added to us. Staying in good physical and emotional shape until the age of 45 is quite difficult. Some people finish early. But many people remain in the profession until their well-deserved retirement.
Another difficulty is maternity leave. I have to take a whole year off from work. My husband and I recently had our second child. Now I have to go back to the theatre soon. Although with my daughter it went by very quickly. On the 20th day after giving birth, I already went on stage. Now it all depends on what my health allows. I will look at the circumstances.
Photo: Yulia Sokolova
And after that?
Pension… For some of my colleagues this is a painful issue. Some take retirement more calmly.
My husband and I graduated from the Faculty of Pedagogy at the Vaganova Academy of Russian Ballet almost 10 years ago and started teaching a long time ago. Until now we can combine this with performing activities. We work with the St. Petersburg rhythmic gymnastics team. Now we work with athletes from different schools and even countries. We also work with ballet children and conduct online master classes in different countries.
Therefore, pensions do not scare us at all. We are ready. As soon as the Pension Fund approves our well-deserved pension, we will finish our career safely.
Ballet dancer is a profession that not everyone can master. It is not given to everyone. Completely healthy children who have a certain set of data should practice ballet professionally. If your child is one of them, it is worth trying. This is an amazing profession. It gave me great confidence in my abilities. The fact that I can do anything.
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