The FALL PERFORMANCE is planned for December 18 and 19.  

Dear Dancers.

Most of you have had busy summers. The academic year has resumed with all the pressures that it entails. Most pressured junior and senior HS students choose an extracurricular activity that releases the pressure. You have chosen one that puts the responsibility totally on yourself as to how you will apply the rich offering of classical dance. There are no ribbons and trophies. There are no pep rallies with your academic peers who see you as an extention of their school pride. You have trouble sharing what we do at ballet with them, because they simply don't understand.

When you watched the individual Olympic athletes who spent years going to their practices and meets and personal rountines, you saw something that has simiarities to our dance world. The drive is internal, the satisfaction is internal, and the chance to be part of a family of like individuals is life changing and life affirming.

I see it in your eyes when we make suggestions and corrections. You don't always want to hear it when you are in your zone, trying your conscious "this is what I need to do to get an A" effort, and not ready to be disturbed from that. If we don't tell you kindly and with direction, you will hear it later from a much less kind source, or even worse, you will be treated as though what you do is beneath notice. That is why we continue to refocus, correct, enlarge, encourage, and ask "again."

I am aware that the world of education is changing, and along with the impossible work presented daily to you academically, teachers are not supposed to criticize. That leaves you drowning in a sea of information with no guidance. I will stand by the need to guide you, correct you so that your efforts do not go wildly astray, and advise you as to your stenghts so that you will find confidence in those, and be able to accept the things which are difficult for you without having that crush you.

I had a director who would walk up to you at the barre, watch for 5 seconds as you worked, and then quickly turn her head and body away saying "ugh!" with a disgusted look and continue on. I would not inflict that type of pain on anyone, much less a student who is in a state of vulnerability and insecurity.

This first week back for me has been difficult but I am re-invigorated to make the world of ballet something magical (if at times honest) for you all.

Firstly as you see from the first paragraph of information: I am proposing two dates for our ballroom performances. These will be special because we are working on a lighting upgrade to the fragile ballroom ecosystem what will allow some more artistic lighting and possibilities. Secondly I have looked at my current dancers and as always considered how to best showcase your talents in meaningful repertory.

1. We would like to present excerpts from The Nutcracker that would allow you who never got to progress into the 2nd Act variations, a chance to dance this glorious if over presented music. It will be OUR Nutcracker, which I envision as "A Taste of Sweets". Are you up to the discipline of a Waltz of the Flowers? Are you ready to be examined close-up and musically by the world who will not be already satiated with a party, mice, growing tree, snow, and la la la's? Ah, the challenge is there.

2. I would like to do a revival of DANZAS ANTIGUAS. This is the music of the "Golden Age of Spain" when an eclectic mix of intellect, traditions, religions and ethnicities did co-exist. That world got obliterated by the Spanish Inquisition and subsequently by the European colonization of the Americas. I don't believe we have ever regained that amazing balance anywhere, and so it one of my favorite ballets, and one of the first of my historical endeavors to bring a previous time to life through dance and music.

For those of you in the Int/Advanced group, you have merely to tell me: "I am onboard."
For those of you in the Elementary level, there are numerous wonderful roles and dances specifically designed for you in the past and ready to take over with pride both in Act 2 Nutcracker and in Danzas Antiguas. Again: you and your parents merely need to tell me: "We are onboard."

I need to start collecting the dates you will be not here: As always the Fall breaks are all over the map because no one in the education system can agree to anything. It is we who pull from all different school systems and levels who suffer from this the most. You will notice there are no specific dates listed for a Fall break at LBS.

So: Please think about this and get back to me: If you are unsure about anything, you merely need to indicate: a text to those of you who have my number, or an email, or even a message from the FB page. I do respond to it all.

And for now: HAPPY DANCING: REHEARSALS WILL START THE WEEKEND OF SEPT.7 S. Peticolas email: HERE SATURDAY - SEPT. 7
10:30-12:00 - CLASS BALLROOM.
12:00-12:30 - break
12:30-2:00- Waltz START: Anja, Trinity, Hope, Noelia, Josie (if ok in health),Sassi, Genevieve, Josephine, Linor, Liza
2:10-3:30 - DANZAS ANTIGUAS START: Anja, Trinity, Hope, Noelia, Josie (if ok in health), Sassi, Genevieve, Josephine, Linor, Liza, Katie H, Sarah. TO BE DISCUSSED. THE NEED FOR SOME SUNDAY REHEARSAL SESSIONS 2-4PM, OR WEDNESDAY 7-8:20, OR FRIDAY, 6-8, OR SAT 3:30-4:30 GROUPS Needing Rehearsal time TO BE DECIDED:
Liza, Hope, Anja, Linor
Sassi, Katie H, Genevieve
Sarah with Heidi, Lydia, April, Roni, Katie Liu, Lily, Mia
Trinity, Noelia , (Josie)
Hope
Josephine
Trinity


Monday, Sept. 9 - Some review rehearsal in Class 7:30-8:20.
Tuesday, Sept. 10 - More review rehearsal in Class 7:30-8:20
Wednesday, Sept. 11 - Anja, Liza, Linor, Hope - 7:00-7:45
Thursday, Sept. 12 - Variations with Mrs Douglas in class:
Saturday, Sept. 14 -
12:30-2:00- Waltz
2:00-3:30 - Danzas
3:30-4:15 - Josephine

Sunday, Sept. 15 - 2:00-3:20 - Trinity and Noelia - Studio D

Monday, Sept. 16 - some review in class 7:30-8:20
Tuesday, Sept. 17 - more review rehearsal in Class: 7:30-8:20
Wednesday, Sept. 18 - Anja, Liza, Linor, Hope - 7:00-7:45
Thursday, Sept. 19 - Variations with Mrs. Douglas in Class
7:30-8:20 - Sassi with Ms. P in Studio D
Friday, Sept. 20 - 6:00-7:20 - Trinity - studio D
Saturday, Sept. 21 -
12:30-2:00- Waltz
2:00-3:30 - Danzas
3:30-4:15 - Sarah

Monday, Sept. 23
8:20-9:00PM Studio A with Katie H, Sassi, and Genevieve. More to come: Rehearsal Video from Sept. 7 LINK

Get your group together, decide on a mutually agreeable time: and let me know. Claim your time: If you want the variation, find the time. Saturdays will be allocated for large groups, but we can go later than 3:30 if a small group chooses this time slot. PLANNING NO Elem/Int/Adv CLASS OR REHEARSAL OCT.11,12,13,14 - WestSide Break. ACTIVITIES ARE FLEXIBLE OCT 19,20 FOR TSC AND LSC BREAK BUT CLASSES WILL BE HELD.

S PETICOLAS

Summer video Links: Giselle Bolshoi Ballet HERE
GREAT NEWS: THE VIDEO FOR CARNAVALE DES ANIMAUX IS FINISHED AND ON YOUTUBE. Be sure to adjust your playback settings HD - otherwise it will look horribly fuzzy.

Also the Video for RAIN CIRCLES is mounted at HD. HERE:


HOME PAGE
ABOUT LAFAYETTE BALLET SCHOOL
LAFAYETTE BALLET COMPANY PERFORMANCES
NEWSLETTER
ABOUT OUR FACULTY
MEDIA LINKS