Most of us have heard of a young ballet dancer named Natalia Osipova, although I don't think a ton of us know a lot about her. Her middle name is Petrovna, she's 27 years old, she trained at Bolshoi and is now a principal dancer at Mikhailovsky Theater, she is most famous for her performance in Don Quixote as Kitri, and she's set to dance at The Royal Ballet for the 13/14 season. That shows a lot about her dance career, but not about her personality or life.
Osipova is famous not only for playing Kitri, nor for winning the 2003 Grand Prix, but also for her grand and graceful leaps. not many know that she began her career as a gymnast when she was only five. She never would've become a dancer, but when she injured her back at age eight and couldn't continue training, her mother enrolled her in dance to distract her. She ended up loving it, and is now at the top.
In addition to being a former gymnast which helps her with flexibility and strength, she also shares her May 18th birthday with the famous Margot Fonteyn. This shared birthday is only a coincidence, although it's also a very good omen for Natalia.
Natalia is not only an amazing ballerina, she is also great at building relationships. Natalia is betrothed to Ivan Vasiliev, her partner dancer. They're not sure when they're going to get married, but when they do I'll update this post.
Finally, Natalia didn't spend all of her childhood in Russia, she actually spent some time in Israel and even visited after her family moved to Russia.
That's all I've got time to write about today, although I could really go on and on and even fangirl and Natalia, but I've got to go. I'm going to see fireworks, comment what you did for July 4th!
Check here for a ton of pictures of Natalia: Osipova
Jul 3, 2013
Jun 6, 2013
Performance Tips
My recital was just last week, and I figured I'd compile some tips that I learned from it and my other performances.
Tip 1. Write down which side of side you enter and exit from for each of your dances, since adrenaline might prevent you from thinking clearly.
Tip 2. If you have any way to control this, make sure your studio allows you to keep your hair and makeup the same throughout the show so you don't have to worry about it.
Tip 3. Make sure you and your class/troupe block the dance before you rehearse it, that way you'll see how it should be, especially if the teacher's not there.
Tip 4. Don't practice backstage, If you practice the day of performance it'll tire you out and make you more afraid of making a mistake(s).
Tip 5. WARM UP so you don't hurt yourself, because that would seriously suck. If you do a group warmup, feel free to warmup and stretch after or before as well.
Tip 6. Don't wait for friends. If they have a quick change and you don't, you'll just be in their way.
Tip 7. If you're a teacher absolutely, definitely, be there on the day of performance to answer any last minute questions.
Tip 8. Have a picture(s) of you in your outfit(s) so you know if anything's missing.
I hope those tips help you a lot!
P.S. Check out this FUNNY ballet video...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XCbDFxWCKQo
Tip 1. Write down which side of side you enter and exit from for each of your dances, since adrenaline might prevent you from thinking clearly.
Tip 2. If you have any way to control this, make sure your studio allows you to keep your hair and makeup the same throughout the show so you don't have to worry about it.
Tip 3. Make sure you and your class/troupe block the dance before you rehearse it, that way you'll see how it should be, especially if the teacher's not there.
Tip 4. Don't practice backstage, If you practice the day of performance it'll tire you out and make you more afraid of making a mistake(s).
Tip 5. WARM UP so you don't hurt yourself, because that would seriously suck. If you do a group warmup, feel free to warmup and stretch after or before as well.
Tip 6. Don't wait for friends. If they have a quick change and you don't, you'll just be in their way.
Tip 7. If you're a teacher absolutely, definitely, be there on the day of performance to answer any last minute questions.
Tip 8. Have a picture(s) of you in your outfit(s) so you know if anything's missing.
I hope those tips help you a lot!
P.S. Check out this FUNNY ballet video...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XCbDFxWCKQo
May 18, 2013
Mlle De La Fontaine
Many of us know her as LaFontaine, she is considered the first female professional ballerina. Until 1681, only men danced. Imagine your life without dance, what would it be like? Empty, a void, nothing (extreme, but it gets the point across)... Well, that nightmare probably would've been a reality in her day.
Although her history isn't well known, even by historians, we can honestly say she had a huge impact on society and on us. She was one of many women to stand up for our independence. She also stood up for dance, the art form we accomplish so well. She should be remembered for being an amazing role model and dancer, though she was confined in the ways of the 17th century.
I encourage you to learn more about her and look up the ballet she first performed in, Le Triomphe de l'amour. The ballet was written by Lully and performed in the Paris Opera house. She also starred in many ballets before her retirement and death in 1738.
Also, the book of the month, since reading relieves stress for me, is Bunheads. This book is about a girl who dances for a profession but is caught up in the complexities of life. She is taken by true love and begins to rethink her life as a performer. There are many paths she may take, but which one will she choose?
Cite: http://www.answers.com/topic/mlle-de-lafontaine
Although her history isn't well known, even by historians, we can honestly say she had a huge impact on society and on us. She was one of many women to stand up for our independence. She also stood up for dance, the art form we accomplish so well. She should be remembered for being an amazing role model and dancer, though she was confined in the ways of the 17th century.
I encourage you to learn more about her and look up the ballet she first performed in, Le Triomphe de l'amour. The ballet was written by Lully and performed in the Paris Opera house. She also starred in many ballets before her retirement and death in 1738.
Also, the book of the month, since reading relieves stress for me, is Bunheads. This book is about a girl who dances for a profession but is caught up in the complexities of life. She is taken by true love and begins to rethink her life as a performer. There are many paths she may take, but which one will she choose?
Cite: http://www.answers.com/topic/mlle-de-lafontaine
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)