Today on 4dancers we are pleased to feature “Dave Tries Ballet” as our Dance Blog Spotlight for January…it’s a fun read–be sure and check it out!
1. Can you tell readers a bit about your background in dance?
Umm… I don’t have any background! When I first started taking ballet last year I had no experience in any kind of dance – I’m a maths/computer science PhD student so this was way out of my comfort zone! Now though, I guess I can put down over 150 ballet classes, some partnering, a little bit of jazz, a couple of classes in contemporary and even a performance on stage! Plus, I’m hoping to add some tap to that list very soon!
2. When did you begin your blog—and why did you start it?
I first started DaveTriesBallet about 18 months ago. Initially it was just a twitter account – I was pretty nervous about starting ballet and I saw it as a way to get advice and inspiration. Following a few emails to David at BalletForMen.com he suggested I start a blog. He thought it might be interesting to see the journey from the eyes of an adult beginner. I haven’t looked back since…
3. What does your blog cover?
As I mentioned, the blog was created to chronicle my journey into taking ballet classes. As such, it covers things an adult might experience: buying apparel, first classes, breakthroughs and more. I’ve also got a few posts to help beginners with things I struggled with the first time I had to do them, like sewing elastics on my shoes. But that’s not all! If I see an interesting performance I might write a review and I recently had a guest post by a former teacher of mine all about what it’s like to be a professional dancer. Oh, and I even manage to fit some maths in there with my Pythagoras & Pliés column!
4. What has been the best part about participating in the dance community online?
It’s great to know you’re not alone in your journey and the online dance community is fantastic to get support and advice. It’s also great to see such a range of participating: I might talk about something that’s been bugging me (like my dodgy double pirouettes!) and get a response from ‘amateurs’ who are also struggling or I might get some tips from a teacher or professional. It’s like a level playing field – pro’s and beginners united by their love of dance.
5. What other dance blogs do you read?
My list is so long! When I first started there was a list of core blogs that helped me: BalletForMen.com, TightsAndTiaras.com, 4Dancers.org, TendusUnderAPalmTree.com, TheBalletBag.com, DanceAdvantage.net and of course my fellow ‘late-starter’ AdultBeginner.wordpress.com. I still read all of these now! On top of all them there is now loads of great blogs by other adult ‘recreational’ dancers. To name a few I read: pointetilyoudrop.blogspot.com, leotardsandthebunsinthem.wordpress.com, bead109.wordpress.com, knittwopointetwo.wordpress.com – the list truly goes on and on!
BIO: David Wilson is a Computer Science PhD student from the UK. He started ballet while at university in the US and still isn’t quite sure why, but is so glad he did! He took classes at Princeton Ballet School and the Joffrey Ballet School and started DaveTriesBallet to share his journey. He quickly became addicted to dance and now can’t get enough! He’s hoping to take the RAD Intermediate Ballet exam next year and somehow manages to fit studying for his degree around ballet classes and trips to see the Royal Ballet. It’s a difficult balancing act!
Congrats on taking that first step, Dave! You would be an inspiration to so many of my students. I wish they knew you! Thanks also for the blog recommends – good to know some more!
Leigh
It’s always fun to find more blogs! Check out my new “Dance Links” page at the top of the blog…I added a bunch!
I love his story! It proves that adult beginners not only have a place in the ballet world but that they can thrive there.
Absolutely! There are so many adult ballet students! I love it!!!!
Hi there and thanks for this interesting post about the ballet. I am also very passionate about this dance.