The process ballet dancers take in order to

PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT PERFECT

Ballet dancers explain the crucial process leading up to a performance

KIRAN VARADACHARI

health & sports staff

photo by Kyndall Evans

PRACTICE

As freshman Hayley Morgan readies herself to dance, she focuses her mind and body on one thing: improvement. Each step, turn and routine is an opportunity to strengthen her skills.

Morgan has dedicated herself to the art of ballet for the last 13 years at Dimensions Dance Center. Her attention to detail has helped improve her craft as a dancer.

“We always start with barre, which provides support for the exercises and dances that we do,” Morgan said. “Then, we move to the centre portion, [which] has exercises similar to the barre, and they help us move into the routine.”

Throughout her quest to better herself as a dancer, Morgan uses classes and rehearsals to understand how she can improve. As the week progresses, she takes multiple classes that differ in forms and routines.

“Every class we take comes with different areas of focus and the changes we need to make as dancers,” Morgan said. “The goal is to grow as a dancer every week or every class to get prepared to take the stage.”

photo courtesy of Warren Rich

PREPARATION

As senior Lily Rich prepares to step onto the stage, she gears her mind for two minutes of pure grace, chaos and emotion as her excitement is replaced by nerves and worry.

Rich has danced at the Krupinski Academy of Dance for the past 10 years. She has dedicated her time as a ballet competition team member.

“I stress myself out a lot, so I try to remind myself to stay calm and trust myself,” Rich said. “It’s a youth dance competition, so it’s not the end of the world.”

While there are always nerves involved with any performance, Rich and her teammates enjoy the time before a competition. Months of preparation are condensed down to two minutes in which the dancers must produce their best selves for the stage.

“We work so hard and dedicate our time trying to get better, and since there are only a handful of performances each year, everyone is always thrilled to put in the hours in the final days before to make sure we are ready to go,” Rich said. “That excitement always carries out until we step on stage.”

photo by

Ginger Schulte

PERFORMANCE

The lights go up. Each step that sophomore Jessica Sachs takes is calculated with precision. Her mind fixates on the moment, and her determination to succeed solidifies her performance.

Sachs danced at the Center of Creative Arts for 12 years before joining the Laduettes Dance Team. While at COCA, she danced for the Ballet Company team, a non-competitive team that performed multiple times throughout the year.

“It’s just physically, emotionally and mentally draining,” Sachs said. “It’s almost like you blackout when you’re performing. Every single time I go onstage and come off, I forget exactly what I just did. It’s all a blur. It’s just so cool, and I think it’s an amazing experience.”

The journey to perfection is a long and tedious process for ballerinas. The challenges that they face throughout countless hours of classes make the performance all the more special.

“It’s amazing when you’re bowing in front of the audience at the end of a show,” Sachs said. “There’s nothing better.”