Ellison Ballet Pas de Deux Intensive 2015 Plus My Plans for Year Round

Read to the end for my big announcement...

I was so happy to be able to do the Ellison Pas de Deux intensive! The following two weeks (after 5 weeks at American Ballet Theatre SI) I trained at Manhattan Movement and Arts Center. Technique class started at 12pm on Monday and we were combined with boys.  This was the same everyday. Mr Ellison usually would teach our class, but some days we would have a guest teacher. In Mr. Ellison's class you would have to remember each combination. Usually he would add on to them or add a few more throughout the week. 

Mr. Ellison with all the girls from PDD Summer Intensive 2015

Technique class was almost 3 hours on Monday. We had a short pointe warm up and then went straight into learning Diana and Acteon! I was partnered with my friend, Harrison, but we would all sort of practice with each other. I absolutely love Diana even thought it's such a hard pas de deux. We learned about half the pas. We had a short lunch break and then continued working and cleaning the pas. 

Before class on Tuesday we would all go over the combinations and help each other. After technique class we finished learning the pas and also started working on the variations. My shoes were starting to soften a bit and we kept practicing the middle section, which is the turning section (it's so hard) my right foot was bothering me I think from over-use, since that was the supporting foot of my good turning side. After class finished I went home and I could already feel my ankle becoming stiff on top. It was sort of similar to what I had during ABT. This time it was on my right foot and in a different location! (Ugh) I iced my feet and rubbed some arnica on them. 

I woke up the next morning and it was sill stiff and hurt a bit to walk. For class we had Maina Gielgud. Ms. Gielgud is a Russian trained International Répétiteur that partnered with Rudolph Nureyev! She then directed the Australian Ballet (1983-1997) and the Royal Danish Ballet. Read her full bio HERE . 

Photo copyright http://www.mainagielgud.com/ 

I told her about my foot and took it easy. I didn't jump. Ugh I HATE being injured. It is so frustrating! As an observer of her class I noticed she focused a lot on port de bras and her style was a bit faster paced. The combinations moved quickly. She was a really nice person and a great teacher. I wish my body had been cooperating with me. I also told Mr. Ellison and marked the legs in the back. 

On Thursday my foot felt a lot better but still iffy. Our day was shortened because we had an in studio photo shoot with Rachel Nevel from 4-6. She is an incredible photographer. Check out her facebook page at www.facebook.com/RachelNevillePhotography. She also gives great advice for auditions and you can hire her for private photo sessions. We took quite a few group and pas de deux shots. 

On Friday I woke up very sore and it lasted for many days. I was mainly sore in my back. My foot felt way better!! This time we ran Diana and Acteon all the way through! Including coda and variations! This pas requires a lot of stamina, especially going from the variation into the coda. 

Ellison Ballet student Juliette Bosco. Copyright Rachel Neville Photography.

http://www.rachelneville.com/

On Saturday I just basically chilled inside all day and then some friends came over later in the afternoon. On Sunday I decided to go to class. Melissa and I were sort of disoriented that morning and were running slightly late so we took the bus instead of walking, which is what we usually do. We still got there early but not as early as we liked.

Class was pretty rough for me. One, it was crowded, and 2, my Achilles was bothering me. One thing after another :/ I didn't really do much of center. Also, Misty Copeland took his class. After class  I hung out with some of my friends from the dorms. 

With my friend and classmate, Gillian Fitz.

On Monday I headed to class. I like to get there around 11:15 or so. We found out we were going to learn Black Swan! For class we had Ms. Rakova. I liked her class a lot, but my foot was still bothering me. After class we started working on the pas. The version we learned is pretty different from the one I learned. This pas is so long so we didn't get too far into the adagio part. 

On Tuesday we actually started learning the variation. We did the variation I didn't do for my student show in June. I actually really, really like this one. 

We finished learning the whole variation in one rehearsal. Later in the day we continued learning the pas. On Wednesday we had technique class and a short pointe warm up and started with the variation again and then working on the pas later in the day. While we worked on our variations the boys had lunch and then when they worked on their variation we had lunch. I believe we started learning the coda. This coda is also killer because you start with 32 fouettés and then have a short breath and then dance the rest of the coda. I love it though!

Thursday was pretty similar to Wednesday. Except we then ran the whole pas through. Boy was that hard. On Friday it was parent observation day. This is the first summer my mom wasn't there but she did come for the end of ABT.  For class we went non stop from warm up facing the bar through rond de jambes. The rest of the barre was also pretty fast paced. After class we had a short 10 minute break and then warmed up in our pointe shoes. We then started going into groups of 2 for showing the pas. We would alternate between Diana and the Swan Lake. After running a decent amount of groups we had a 45 min break. Honestly the pas were pretty rough. My Achilles was still slightly bothering me and I was physically drained. I think it was about time for a break! 

I have been home now for almost 2 weeks and my body really needed the rest. I am really stiff and tight though. 

Okay, time for my big announcement... I auditioned for the Ellison year round Professional Training Program and was selected. I have been wanting to do it since I was 13 years old! I know the training is just what I need and I am BEYOND excited for this opportunity. It's going to be challenging to make it work financially but Mr. Ellison awarded me a 25% scholarship based on talent and potential. Thank you Mr. Ellison!! It is a huge honor to be accepted and extra rewarding, on so many levels, to receive a partial scholarship. This is what I have been working for. I am doing a fundraiser and you can read all about it and more about the program and my history at www.robbbiedowney.com. Thank you for following my journey this far and this next year is going to be so important for me. 

The EB-PTP offers 

• Classical Technique
• Separate Men's Class
• Pointe/Variations
• Male Variations
• Pas De Deux
• Character
• Conditioning
• Performances
• Workshops
• Selected Students chosen for International Competitions

Every winter I watch the winter show case come and go and wish I could be in it! 

Every spring I watch the spring show case come and go and wish I could be in it! 

Every year I watch the YAGP group piece and I wish that I could be in it! 

Thanks for reading!

Love,

Robbie

Please help me reach my fundraising goal at www.robbiedowney.com 

Dorm fees are due now and Tuition is due 9/4! Thank you!

ABT NYC Summer Intensive 2015- Week 5 by Robbie Downey

Week Five - Summer Intensive Update

You can be updated by email when I post new blogs. Join the email list here... http://eepurl.com/h3qE 

On Monday we had Mrs. Brown for class.  It was nice because she went easy. We also had her for pointe. I went out and got lunch at Pret a few blocks away. It was really good. After lunch we had a run through of the whole show in studio one. All of the teachers would be watching us, so most of us were a little nervous. I thought it went fine! We had a lot of time to spare so me and my friends were practicing fouettes and whip turns. Since I wasn't in the second show at all we would just watch the second cast in front.

Here are some pics we took in the studio.

Tuesday I woke up and my foot left felt like a brick. I couldn't really point it. Once I got to the studio and warmed it up a bit it felt a tiny bit better. It hurt to point and go on releve mainly. I did barre and it was a bit of a struggle. For class we had Melissa Bowman. I told her before center and asked her if I could take it easy. She said of course. I sat down for jumps and iced. Before we went to lunch we got in line to get our ABT t-shirt. This year they are red.

After lunch we had rep and we were in the GG-4 studio again. Before we started we talked with Gabby for a bit. She loves to tell us some of her hilarious performance stories. She is so funny. She let some girls do it on flat, but I told her about my foot anyway and marked through the piece for the performance Friday.

You can read the press release HERE for the ABT Summer Intensive 2015 Final Performance

At the end of the day we had Pilates combined with the Green level. 

After class Tuesday I went to Dough Donuts with some of my friends.

Soooooo good. The Nutella one is also great! 

Wednesday my mom came into town! She took a red-eye flight the night before. I met her over by ABT and we headed to class together. It was parent observation day so she watched my technique class.

The first picture my mom took when she walked up. Me with Spencer. Spencer sold a ton of Merde Shirts. Thank you Spencer! 

Class was with Kate Lydon. I told her about my foot and took it easy with releve. It felt way better than yesterday! I did most of jumps but took it easy with grande allegro. I tried on my pointe shoe and that's what hurt the most. I ended up sitting out of pointe. :(

With Kate Lydon in class. 

Me with Kate after the performance Friday

After lunch was variations with Olga Dvorvenko. She taught us a variation from Paquita. I did it on flat and mainly marked the legs. I sat out and iced for the last 20 minuets. Our last class of the day was rep and I could do it more full out than before. She let us run it once each cast and then let us go. Before we left our counselor gave us some information about the next day at the theater. 

On Thursday we were originally supposed to have class with Charles Askegard but it was changed to Mrs. Dvorvenko. I told her about my foot and didn't really do releve. I wanted to make sure it was okay for the performance. She gave us a nice warm up class before heading to the theater. We all had to head over to the theater with our level wearing our red ABT shirts. We compared it to 5 year olds heading to a museum in preschool. It was actually so funny because once we were at the subway station we saw a bunch of little kids with matching  t-shirts heading somewhere.

We got to the theater and went straight to the audience. We had spacing on stage first. For this we could wear warm ups. After spacing we headed upstairs to eat and then we could go to our dressing room. I then put on my stage makeup and got ready for dress rehearsal.

This was my first time really doing pointe since Monday. My foot was feeling fine!! Dress rehearsal was a little rough. Some spacing issues mainly. Since I was only in first cast, me and some of my other friends went to watch the second cast rehearsal.

My Friends with Gabby.

Friday morning we had to be to the studios at 9am. I ended up meeting Jordan and Emily at Pret and got some breakfast and something for lunch later. We ended up being able to go into the studios earlier. (Around 8:20) .

We had a quick 1 hour warm up class with Gabby Brown. She let us wear warm ups. MY FOOT FELT GREAT!  I could jump and it was amazing. I had been icing it and using arnica and trying to stay off of it as much as possible. We then all headed to the theater in a group again. 

Once I was at the theater I put on my stage makeup and warmed up a bit for the performance. I thought the piece went well! Better than dress rehearsal. We weren't allowed to watch the rest of the show and had to stay back stage for the second show no matter what. I hung out with some friends back stage. Kevin McKenzie, the Artistic Director of American Ballet Theatre, watched the first show! But I didn't find out until after. Also, all of the teachers were in the audience.

Some photos after the show with a lot of my friends and dancers from other levels. 

With Harriet 

With Judy at Grishko picking up my sister's pointe shoes.

My mom and I ran some errands after the show. We stopped by Grishko to get my sister's pointe shoes and Judy bought a Merde shirt =) (You can buy it here www.balletfreak.com) She is so nice and a great fitter. If you wear Grishko definitely go see her when you are in NY!

Saturday I went with my mom to Gaynor Minden and then went home to rest after saying goodbye. She left that night and I am here until the 9th. I am at the Ellison Ballet Pas de Deux intensive ! Stay tuned because I'll be blogging about that too.

Thanks for reading about week five in the city at ABT. I had the best time and really enjoyed the entire 5 weeks. I met so many new people and had so many different teachers. It was a great experience with great training! 

You can be updated by email when I post new blogs. Join the email list here... http://eepurl.com/h3qE

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Me: http://www.robbiedowney.com

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Love,

Robbie

2015 YAGP NYC Finals Day 4

2015 Youth America Grand Prix Finals Day 4 by Robbie Downey 

This morning I had a short warm up class with my teachers at ABT.  My classmates Danielle and Brian were there as well. We did a quick class because I had to leave early for my master class with Ernst Meisner, Director of HET Dutch National Ballet II.  After the quick warm up I ran my variation, Talisman.  It went pretty well today and if I perform it like that tomorrow I will be happy with myself.  Some corrections I got were to extend my finger tips in the last diagonal and to soften my arms in the movement before each attitude. After running the variation all the way through once, I ran the last diagonal one more time.  Once I finished rehearsing I got ready to head over to the Ailey studios for my master class.  Lisa, Danielle's mom, brought me a vegan cookie and this grapefruit, orange and lemon juice drink from Peace Foods Cafe.  They were both delicious.

A quick snap of the city on the way to Ailey Studios.

Once I got to Ailey I put my stuff down in the dressing room and headed upstairs to my class.  The studio had such a pretty view of the city buildings. I wish I had my phone upstairs so I could have taken a picture!  The class with Mr. Meisner was great, I really enjoyed it.  A big correction he gave the class was to dance more. We could all do nice turns but the positions we ended in were not exciting. Using your head and actually dancing with your upper body more can help you with the rest of the movements. Mr. Meisner said he would be watching the performances tomorrow!! This master class ended around 1:20 then my friend Mira and I went to go take a YAGP contemporary class at MMAC at 1:30.  We took a cab over and got there just in time. Honestly, I failed at most of the combinations in this class because I do not have a lot of contemporary at home.  I had a lot of fun in the class though.  

After the contemporary class I changed into some leggings and my merde shirt.  I headed outside and found my friend Mira again.  I logged into my YAGP live stream to watch my friend Danielle perform because I would not make it to the theater in time.  As we were walking towards the subway station Mira and I watched Danielle on my phone.  She looked great!  I also ran into my friend Timmorie, who is doing the YAGP intensive. The intensive is a series of master classes. It was really nice to see her.  I then made my way to Skirball on the Subway.  I didn't get too lost coming out of the subway station today.  I think I know where I am going from that stop now!  My mom and Kyla were at the theater before me watching some of the juniors.

Kyla took a picture with Lauren Lovette and also got a personalized signed poster. Lauren is a soloist with New York City Ballet. She started dancing at age 11. By age 13 they were asking her to stay but her mom thought she was too young. You can tell she loves dancing with NYCB. The event was a sponsored event by Capezio.  Kyla was pretty excited since she is attending the SAB California Summer Intensive.  

I got to the theater just in time to get my poster.  She is super sweet and really down to earth.  She said that she is also from California!  I really loved meeting her.

I then went to go watch the Pas de Deux category. My friends from Ellison Ballet, Theo and Juliette, were INSANE!! They practically received a standing ovation. They are only 15 and 12. They are both so young and already such beautiful dancers. I loved watching them perform Grand Pas Classique live. Danielle and Brian did a great job with their Bluebird Pas de Deux! My friend Jessica He (pictured below) from The Rock School in Philly performed a Pas de Deux from Coppelia. She is simply stunning and it was so great to see her perform.  The Pas de Deux group definitely has some tough competition!

Later I posted the picture of Lauren Lovette signing my poster on instagram and both YAGP and herself re-posted it! I was so excited and apparently so were my friends because everyone was tagging me! It's crazy what social media has done for sharing information and events! 

We grabbed some dinner, juice and vegan desserts from Wholefoods and headed back to put our feet up. Tonight I will steam my costume and roll out my muscles. I will prepare everything for tomorrow and go over my variations and then try to go to sleep! If you want to watch any of the competition tomorrow you can see it livestream here http://www.visualartsmasters.com/purchase-live-broadcast-access. Be sure to close your window when done watching or your time keeps running. I should be on around 2pm EST. Here is the schedule >> CLICK HERE . 

Final round results will be announced as follows:

3PM On Tuesday - Junior Women

9PM On Tuesday - All Men (posted to facebook and twitter)

10AM On Wednesday - Senior Women

It sounds cliche but just being here feels like winning. This is such a great experience and I have seen most of my friends and have enjoyed the extra rehearsals in the ABT studios as well as the master classes taught by some highly qualified instructors! 

PS- While stretching my calves I watched my Talisman from two years ago and YIKES!! Video is such a great tool to learn from yourself and see your progress. 

You can follow me on twitter and instagram @balletbabble and on facebook www.facebook.com/balletbabble and snapchat is TheBalletBabble. 

Goodnight! 

Jessica Kinnaman Guest Blog 2015 YAGP NYC Day 1

Hi my name is Jessica Kinnaman (@jlk_ballet on instagram) and I am 16 years old. I have been dancing since I was four years old but seriously since I was ten. I am currently training with Akhmedova Ballet Academy (my teacher is Jacqueline Akhmedova) I absolutely love it there and the training is amazing!  Every year Akhmedova Ballet Academy goes to Youth America Grand Prix, so this year we went to the Austin TX regionals where I placed 2nd in the classical category, top 12 in the contemporary category and ABA won together 3rd place in ensembles!  I was so excited when I recieved the scores and found out I was invited to compete in the YAGP NYC Finals as a soloist!

DAY 1 blog:

So yesterday I arrived in New York City with Akhmedova Ballet Academy and it took around 4 hours to get there so with a little music and some school work it went by quite fast. When we got to the hotel at 7pm our priorities were shower, food, and sleep so that I could be completed energized for my contemporary piece (My Secret) which I performed today. 

I got to the theatre where YAGP was being held which was the Skirball Center for the Performing Arts Center, around an hour early so I was able to warm-up and get ready. The studio was open when I got there so I was able to have a lot of room to practice. Around an hour later I headed back stage to do open stage for around 10-15 min. with around 15-20 other dancers where I tested out the stage and went through my piece and corrections. Also, all the staff were incredibly helpful with helping me get to the right spot at the right time.  I peformed around noon and I was pretty happy with how I did other than being a bit shaky from the nerves.  

After I got off stage I had a whole lot of water and headed towards the lobby where all the different ballet brands such as Sancha, Grishko, and others had tables set up. There was a lot of different free items for the competitors such as a YAGP jacket, tights, a makeup bag and more which was really nice. I also ran into a few people that I knew and talked to them for a while.

Once Akhmedova Ballet Academy and I left to get some lunch and rested at the hotel for an hour or two, we headed out to Manhattan Movement and Arts Center where YAGP was holding their work shop classes. The class was an hour and a half and there was about 40 students taking it as well.  The class was a little different from what I was used to (I do Vagaonova) but other than that, it was a fun class with good corrections.

After class was dinner and back to the hotel. It was a full day! My friends and I stretched and cleaned up and then it was off to bed!

-Jessica

Don't forget to follow my instagram to keep up with other updates! @jlk_ballet ♡

2015 YAGP NYC Finals Day 3

2015 Youth America Grand Prix NYC Finals Day 3 By Robbie Downey 

This morning I took the subway over to Steps for a quick warm up class with my teachers. After the warm up I ran through both of my solos.  My contemporary practice went well.  The floor in the studio was a bit slippery in pointe shoes so that was not my best run through of Talisman. I slipped a few times.  I was fine with that because I was trying to focus more on my contemporary since I was competing with it today. 

After I finished rehearsing I jumped back on the subway over to the Skirball theater. I use a subway phone app called NYC Subway if I'm not sure what train to take. I have never gotten off at the subway stop near the theater before so I got a little lost walking. I eventually figured out where to go and got to the theater in plenty of time to finish my makeup.  My mom and sister met me there with the rest of my makeup, hair supplies and a change of clothes for later. They also brought lunch and snacks because we weren't sure if there was food nearby. There is a Subway, Dunkin Donuts and another small cafe type of place in the immediate area in case you need to know for future reference. 

They had a long table set up inside the lobby, but to the side of the theater so it was out of the way, where you can finish your make-up. There are also dressing rooms provided downstairs. I watched some boys trying to do their stage make-up. That was pretty entertaining =) 

I'll write a future blog about my custom leotard from Canada.

After I got ready I stretched a bit more.  I was still pretty warm from morning class.  I was both excited and nervous to perform my contemporary piece. I've only been working on this piece for just over a month! I was also first out in my group.  It is nice to go first because you do not have to wait and watch the other dancers before you.  Also, the judges just had a break and are somewhat refreshed.  It is a bit nerve racking to go first because you are setting the bar. There were about 100 girls in the Senior Womens Category. They were from all over the world (Brazil, Republic of Korea, Australia, France, UK, Romania, Switzerland, Japan, USA, Germany, China, Canada, Estonia, New Zealand and Eukraine ). 

I took a quick picture with my teachers Sara and Erlends before heading backstage with them for the open stage time. Once I got backstage they lined us up outside the stage door.  They then called our number and asked us some questions regarding our piece.  They ask you if you start onstage or offstage, and if you come on from stage left or right.  I had to wait a few minuets for my open stage because they let the higher numbers go first.  On open stage you get to feel how the floor is.  For me it was pretty good, it wasn't too slippery or too sticky.  You also get to practice parts from your solo.  Some teachers stand on the side and give their students corrections. They eventually told us to clear the stage and I then stood in the wing waiting for my name to be called.  Even though my piece is two and a half minuets, it felt like it went by super fast!  I couldn't really see any of the judges, just lights. But they are right there at a table directly in front of the stage and they are from MAJOR companies and schools. Often, Larissa Saveliev sits near by and Ginnadi pops in and out too. They are the founders of YAGP. No pressure! They are both actually very nice. 

Overall I am happy with how my contemporary went.  The only thing I am a little upset with was my last pirouette.  It was just not my best compared to how I usually did it in rehearsal. It happens. 

In this picture I was sending a few snapchats.  Add me at TheBalletBabble. I've been posting regular updates there!

After I competed we went to go find some coffee.  On our way to a coffee shop we ran into Mr. Ellison on the street.  Ellison ballet is where I have spent my last 3 summers. We didn't talk for long because he had to get to the theater for my friend Melissa's open stage.  

Don't worry I am not extremely addicted, but I do love some coffee every now and then! I can't drink it right before class or a show because I feel too jittery or unstable. But, I have read that it is part of some professional dancer's pre-performance routines. 

After we grabbed some coffee we headed back to Skirball.  I waited in the hallway for a bit because I did not want to watch the other competitors dance. Even though I already competed I still get nervous and in my head if I watch the other girls.  We eventually went in to watch my friend Melissa Chapski and she looked beautiful.  After the senior women contemporary finished the senior men went on.  I also had some friends in this group and they were amazing! The guys are fun to watch because some of them are so strong and so  intense!

With my sister Kyla.

Scout met us at the theater and caught part of the senior men performances. 

Here I am with my friend Melissa Chapski who is with Ellison Ballet.  It was so nice to see her perform. Her artistry was spot on! She is one of the most talented dancers I know. Before I left I also talked to Ms. Forrest one of my teachers from Ellison Ballet. She has been a great instructor and mentor for me along with Mr. Ellison. 

Thanks for reading and following along. I will post tomorrow and also have 2 guest blogs for you, another senior womens competitor and a junior competitor.