Personal Narrative: The San Francisco Ballet

The year is 1923. There is this very small, quiet, and amazing town in Ohio called Otway. In this town there is a small white two story house with a beautiful garden as a backyard. In this house lives a 12 year old brunette haired girl named Myronetta June.

To prove everyone wrong, an interest was sparked in supporting ballet to show the world that American artists are just as competence as its foreign competitors. Unlike the Russians who have already established their mark in the ballet world, Americans were not commonly associated as talented ballet dancers. Thus, in 1954, President Dwight Eisenhower set aside $2,250,00 to fund dance, theatre, music, and sports tours to showcase American talents around the world. One of the funded dance tours was a ballet tour by New York City Ballet’s in Western Europe and the Soviet Union in 1962 (Croft, p. 425). New York City Ballet was a company founded by Balanchine and Kristen so their ballet performances reflected the innovation style of American ballet while maintaining its classical grace. Before their tour in the Soviet Union, the dancers were prepared for criticism and even booing during the performance due to the tensions between the two countries. However, all political differences were pushed aside, as “three thousand Soviet ballet fans rose to their feet to celebrate

The first time I ever saw a live dance show was when I was in the fourth grade. I remember going on a field trip see The Nutcracker, and I recall sitting in a huge auditorium with seats just like the movie theaters, red velvety curtains, and gold trims. It was definitely something I was not use to seeing. When the curtains went up, I was astonished at how amazing the ballerinas were. That field trip definitely opened my eyes to a new experience. Since then, dance has changed in many ways such theirs costumes, dance movements, and music.

This past summer, I was lucky enough to travel with Burklyn Ballet Theatre to Edinburgh, Scotland, and perform at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Each day after performing, my group would travel all throughout Edinburgh and nearby cities, exploring nearby historical sites and castles as well as attending performances, such as the Edinburgh Military Tattoo. After the dancing portion of the trip had finished, my family met up with me and stayed for an extra three days. While visiting Linlithgow Palace, the birthplace of Mary, Queen of Scots, I became extremely intrigued with the line of Scottish and English succession. More precisely, the merge between Scottish and English monarchy with the rule of James the VI of Scotland/1st of England’s Merger of the Crowns. Not only

Dance has influenced my life in many ways, but one experience I will never forget is when I earned Senior Feature Dancer. As a dancer, a person, and the woman I am becoming dance has always been so important to me. It immediately caught my attention because it was my escape and my happy place. My passion for the sport is what gave me motivation to do better and gain confidence that I lacked. I was able to make friends who would last me a lifetime.

The lack of diversity in the ballet world was greatly affected at the discovery of Misty Copeland. Being an African American dancer, she knew that she would face struggles greater than those that are already set in the dance world. Although Misty struggled in being accepted, with the love she had for the art, she desired to be great. Copeland knew that her efforts, passion, and admiration would distinguish her from other dancers. She did not hesitate in the idea that a she was going to grow into a successful ballerina. Despite the criticism made upon her at first glance her heart remained strong and humble, aching to dance through every negative comment possible. Misty Copeland, the face of change to the stereotypical dance world.

On the Saturday morning that the team was announced, I was wracked with fear. I was participating in a rehearsal for a dance competition with another team during the hours leading up to the time that the list was going to be posted. Trying to get through that rehearsal was nearly impossible as my attention was more focused on what color nail polish would best match my new Chiefettes shirt that I would be wearing to school on Monday. Once my mother and sister arrived to pick me up from the studio, I shook nervously in the back seat, sending messages to my other friends, waiting to find out the news. Both my mother and my sister remained silent, but I knew that they were praying just like I was that I would see my number on that list. As we

The phone rings. My mom steps up from her worn office chair and grabs her cell phone.

For these past two years in high school, I have been taking Cleo Mack’s dance program that is provided for us at MCVTS. Starting the program freshman year I did not know what to expect at all but I am glad my mom pushed me to come to this school. I have been dancing since I was three at a competition studio who is very strict about almost everything especially performance quality, but as I have learned from Ms. Mack it’s good to tone down the face and make your dancing more authentic and real.

Since the early age of four, I have been mesmerized by classical ballet. Every week, I watched my dance teacher display her beautiful skills during class, and I hoped that I could dance as well as her someday. As my love for ballet continued to grow, my opportunities widened. In the fall of 2013, I became a member of the dance ensemble at the dance studio I attend. When I joined the Pointe Academy Dance Ensemble, my position at the dance studio shifted from being a student dancing in the back of the room, to a dancer who learned how to teach others and set a good example for younger students. To me, being a role model and using acquired experience to inspire and guide others is leadership. My dance ensemble has been my most meaningful leadership experience because it is the source of where I have become a leader.

I don't think this is very much different from what I was referring to with "engine of meaning." The plot is the mechanism by which the characters reveal themselves to us; they are what they do (or don't do, as the case may be) and how they do it.

Their pointed feet, perfected turns, and enthralling appearances left me in awe as the Hills West danceline performed a breathtaking routine at our annual homecoming. As I watched from stands, I knew I had to add a new chapter to my long life as a dancer. However, after being a member for a year, everything changed once a new coach was employed who desired to downsize the team. She met with us individually, hosted new tryouts, and ultimately decided that I would be one of the girls removed from the team. I was shattered, deflated, but mainly lost. Cutting me from my own team was like robbing me of my identity. If I was not a dancer, then what was I? It me took weeks to optimistically view life after danceline. Although coach asked me to rejoin

Ballerinas are extremely competitive with each other and the ballet world has a hint of a barbarous culture. However, ballerinas are competitive with each other in the same way artists, musicians and actors are. Ballet itself is not a competitive sport; it is an art.

Everyone is different depending on their experiences and talents. In my case, I believe I have certain talents and events that reflect who I am. These are: Ballet, Music and Operation Smile. As I grew up, I discovered many things that now make up the kind of person I am. Ballet, Music and Operation Smile have taught me many things and are what I mostly enjoy.

I started ballet when I was 5 years old. At first I did not want to join ballet. But my mom forced me to join. When I tried out, I was really enjoying the class. But I did not want to show that I did enjoy it.