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. 

2015 YAGP NYC Finals Day 2

2015 Youth America Grand Prix Finals Day 2 by Robbie Downey

I hope you enjoyed reading the Day 1 Blog! Today is Saturday, which for me is day 2. Yesterday was Pre-Competitive (ages 9-11) Contemporary and Classical. Today was Juniors (ages 12-14) Contemporary and Large Ensembles. Tomorrow is Senior Ladies (ages 15-19) Contemporary. There are three groups of us. I am in group 2, #233, and I am the first dancer out after the break! Not the first time this has happened to me. It is sorted by age youngest to oldest so if you have a birthday late in the year, like mine, you may end up first in your age group. There will be about 100 dancers in my category. Usually about 20 or so make it to the final round but that is not announced until everyone dances their Classical variations on Tuesday. Final round is at David H. Koch Theater on Wednesday evening. Awards and the Gala are on Thursday. 

Okay, so onto day 2! I walked over to ABT studios for rehearsal with my teachers, Sara and Erlends. My mom took some pictures and I will post some ASAP. We had a quick warm up class and then we ran our solo pieces. Brian and Danielle also ran their Pas de Deux. They are two other students that qualified from my studio. Rehearsal went well and I received some corrections that I will keep in mind for tomorrow!

On our way to Skirball to watch Danielle, we stopped for a green drink. I didn't really like it but I am trying to clear up a cold so I drank as much as I could. I sent off a quick snapchat before heading over. You can add me at TheBalletBabble if you have snapchat. 

My hair is pretty red right now. My mom said it matched my pants so she took a picture. I wonder how it will look on stage. We did make it in time to see Danielle and she was amazing! 

I had to leave the YAGP to head over to my Master Class with the Artistic Director of Houston Ballet, Stanton Welch. It was held at Alvin Ailey Studios. Representatives from several companies watched the class and took notes. It seems like that would make you really nervous. But, you just keep going. You can't freak out. This is why we are here... to be seen. One of the perks is running into all of your friends. You never know who you are going to see. 

My mom took this photo of the NYPD. I told her to take it before we got too close because I don't want to seem like a tourist!! 

After the class we tried to head back to YAGP to see Ellison Ballet do their large ensemble piece. After calling my sister and having her check live stream we realized we wouldn't make it in time so we watched it on my phone from the mall in Columbus Circle. Their piece looked great and I loved their energy. Mr. E has some of the best students!!

We grabbed a bite to eat and I marked some of my pieces and corrections in the room. I'm mentally preparing for tomorrow. I am both excited AND nervous. I can't wait to perform my contemporary solo. It is a different piece from the semi-finals in San Diego. It was also choreographed by Barbara Chatelain (former NYCB). She is a good mentor and I am so lucky to have her as a teacher. I'll talk about my costume when I can post photos of it. It was a custom made leotard from Canada. Off to bed. I have rehearsal in the morning before I compete. Merde to everyone who is competing! Love, Robbie

Below are a couple of random photos from today. Follow my Instagram and twitter  @balletbabble and www.facebook.com/balletbabble. 

My First 2 days in New York for ABT Summer Intensive! by Robbie

Okay so the flight wasn't that bad... but towards the end the pressure of the airplane did make my head feel like it was going to pop so we got off just in time! We have a nice little apartment for 2 weeks then we are moving to some dorms that are a few blocks away from ABT for the last 3 weeks. Right now we will take the subway. There is a CVS downstairs and we have already been to the CAPEZIO store! I also bought some cute slipper boots for the studio - you can see them on my facebook page along with all my other photos I'm uploading. www.facebook.com/balletbabble

The first day we had placement class it was half barre, half, center and 15 minutes of pointe. Melissa Bowman was the "judge". Then lunch then nutrition, injury prevention and orientation. I saw some girls I met at the winter SI prep class at CCD so it was nice to recognize a couple of people. Also I met 2 of the girls that played Clara at Radio City Hall last year. Okay I WOULD LOVE TO DO THAT! But I'm pretty sure you have to live in NYC and maybe even go to the JKO School, I'm not sure.

More tomorrow!

xoxo

Robbie

Blog post from Kyono's Mom Naomi:

First day, we were approaching the building around 8:15, then we saw over 100 of people (dancers and parents) already lining in front of the building anxiously waiting the door to be open.  There were definitely sparks all over the crowds. My 2 puny dancers were almost over whelmed by other dancers whom most likely had attended ABT summer intensive previously, but they were keeping each other so accountable and weren't fazed by the spark from others.  Yes, I was so proud of them.  Soon, the line became so much longer and by 8:30 it was just so many dancers and parents from all over the world.  Finally the door opened and dancers had disappeared into the building one by one and when my girls went inside it was my turn to deal with my own emotion...... I held my tears hard :-)

Last Sunday we tested riding the NYC subway system for purchasing city maps, last minute ballet gear shopping and etc.,    The subway system in NYC is so precise and you can pretty much to every where using subway, but there are so many stairs as long as you are in NYC subway and there are no escalators what so ever, so I felt as I had been climbing at least 1,000 stairs since we arrived in NYC. ;)