I attend two ballet classes where—and I’m being completely objective here—I’m pretty much the best dancer in class. I love it. I love the rush it gives me when I nail the (very simple) combinations, the confidence I feel when I can execute a move while my fellow students struggle. Don’t get me wrong—I am not taking any pleasure out of my fellow students’ discomforts. Just quietly celebrating my own triumphs.
Still, sometimes I get impatient with the class’s slow pace and wish that I were in a higher level class.
Until I actually go to a higher-level class.
Last Friday, I attended a class that was one rung higher in levels than my regular class. And boy, did I quickly go from best to worst. I couldn’t remember the (somewhat complex) barre combos, and couldn’t for the life of me figure out how to do the turning sway balance (what’s the correct term for this?) even though the teacher had broken it down for me.
Despite my confusion and lack of grace, I really liked the class. It challenged me, made me think more about what I was doing. Plus seeing all the great dancers in class who were way better than me gave me something to shoot for. But I didn’t really hit my stride. By the time class was over I felt like I barely danced but merely copied the teacher.
So is it better to be worst or best? How about somewhere in the middle?
ASIDE: Found a couple of amazing ballet class music CDs:
- Laurent Choukroun’s Ballet Class Music, Vol. 2
- Roberto Pace’s Original Compositions For Ballet Class, Vol. 3
These two CDs are filled with non-cheesy, totally emotional music that is great to listen to just by themselves. If anyone out there doesn’t know what to get me for Christmas…ahem…
