AboutDianne M. Buxton Expertise I can answer questions about ballet technique, training, pointe shoes, mens training, diet, general health issues related to dance, artistry, performance, modern dance, rehabilitation from injuries, and teaching ballet. I have taught ballet, choreographed, been ballet mistress, and director, with dance companies. For any answers related to health questions will offer my experience, but will also automatically include "see a professional".
Education/Credentials Graduate of the national Ballet School of Canada. Taught at the National ballet School of Canada, York University, George Brown College and Harvard Universtiy.
Question When I was in 3rd grade I auditioned for PNB's Dance Chance program and got it. I had a full scholarship from 3rd to 7th and I quit due to personal problems.
I am now going into my 11th grade year and over the past years I have attended multiple dance schools and none of which i feel meet up to my potential, I am going into my 3rd ballet school (6th week summer intensive, 3 hours a week) and although i would love to have an unlimited amount of hours i can not afford it right now.
I am afraid that this school will be just like the rest, i would like to return to PNB agian but i dont know if i could keep up with the rest of the students, considering one of the reasons i left was because the classes and hours were too intense and i was having knee problems.
My question is if i should return to PNB after this 6 week summer program and try to get my scholorship back or just rough through it at the schools i have been attending.
Just for the record, when i say "potential" i feel that because of the intense hours at PNB, i feel i should be in a higher level and the higher level is with the older students and personally in not comfortable with that.
Thank you so much for taking the time to answer my question, i hope the details made sense.
Thank you and have a good day.
Ale
Answer Hi Ale. I feel for you. You are in a limbo place because you are now 3 years behind the classes you left at PNB, and yet you could be in class with much older dancers in studios outside of the professional school.
Do you mind if I ask: is your knee entirely better, or is it still giving you problems?
Do you think your talent is in ballet or in theater in general? You don't need to answer to me, but to yourself.
I have no doubt that your years in ballet will be very meaningful for you, although it seems like the professional training required for ballet has been interrupted. There could be a less demanding area of performing that would interest you.
Decide exactly what you want to do with ballet. If, for instance, you do not get your scholarship position back with PNB, what will you do? Would you be interested in completing enough ballet training to teach? Or would you go on to college and get into a dance department?
Would you try out another performing arts form like acting?
Or would you like something less intense like becoming a dance medicine specialist? Or something unrelated?
The "intense" side of ballet will never go away. If for some reason that is never going to suit you, you can always love ballet, and, more importantly, appreciate yourself for who you are. You must believe that no matter what happens, that you have a valuable gift to offer in life, whether or not it is ballet related.
I don't think I really answered your question, but I hope this was helpful
