Annika 2018
2018 was a big year for me. It was filled with a lot of Lasts and Firsts. I know that’s what everyone says but it’s true for me this year. I think it’s big for everyone who turns 18 and has big steps into the adult life. The beginning of the year was straight into ballet training. After 12 years of dancing I was finally ready to step into the professional ballet world. With guidance of my ballet teacher, parents and sister, we created an audition video which consisted of an assortment of combinations and routines of a classical ballet class, some contemporary work and some footage of my performances as well. My dad and I figured out certain ballet companies for me that we’re looking for dancers with my age and skill to send my video to. It was very difficult to put everything together and I'm so thankful for Margo took care of recording it and editing. It was a lot on my body and mind all together, on top of regular life and ballet classes and rehearsals.
In between all that, my parents and I hit the road for several weekends of travel to auditions at ballet companies throughout the southeast US. Some companies will accept videos, others require live auditions. This is all so time consuming and stressful, but that's just how it goes in the ballet world.
In the spring I continued to take classes at our local college as I finished out my senior year and last year as a homeschooled student. I enjoyed the college courses because driving to the school made me feel a little bit like a building schooler for once in my life. :)
The spring also was my last season with the FSYO (Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra) it had been a long journey with that organization with changing of management and progression of levels. I’m happy to say that I have spent 10 years playing my violin there and as challenging as it had been to manage it all, I am grateful for the experience and the lessons and techniques I have learned from being in an amazing orchestral program. Continuing with the violin, I spent the whole spring and some of the summer playing my violin in my local downtown shopping area to help fund my ballet training. It takes a lot financially to be in the ballet world, especially when it’s $80 - $100 for a pair of pointe shoes and I typically go true them every few weeks. I am grateful for working downtown every weekend for the last few years. I have learned many, many life lessons and have met a lot of awesome people. It wasn't long until soon all my Lasts were turning into exciting Firsts for me this year.
One day in the spring, my parents were at a outdoor cafe nearby where I was playing my violin (they always have sat with me downtown every time I've played all these years....), and they called me up to take a break with them . . . . and to read an email.....
My mom turned her laptop around and just told me to read....
I immediately burst into tears.
It was an acceptance letter inviting me into the Columbia Classical Ballet as a company member in Columbia South Carolina.
All I could think was that My Dream Just Came True.
All these years I have worked so hard to get a professional position with a ballet company.
And there it was. Right in front of me!
I immediately went down the street and told my best friend and to share in the joy. Later my boyfriend surprised me with flowers and congratulations, so this made the day extra special and joyful!
But I still needed to decide if I would take the position . . .
I had gotten the range of responses from ballet companies at that point. From yes to no to maybe. Some were for summer intensives and lower company positions or higher school levels, but this particular company stood out to me. One of my good friends and teacher of mine had previously danced there for years and enjoyed it, so it made me feel safe knowing his input.
After a couple weeks or so of deliberation, I decided to accept the position with Columbia Classical Ballet!
Later in the spring, I was in my last ballet performance as a student at my beloved Mount Dora School of Ballet. We performed a Spanish ballet called Paquita, a poriton of Mother Goose, and an ode to the veterans with Stars & Stripes Forever. I was very honored to perform as the lead in the more classical piece, Paquita, as well as have a partnering opportunity as well. It was a very bittersweet performance after being there for 12 years and making so many friendships and memories. That school was definitely a major part of my childhood, greatly shaping who I am today, and I couldn't be more grateful for my teacher, Mrs. Kathryn Wheeler. I spent most of my summer working, spending time with my family, friends and boyfriend, and getting ready to move to South Carolina. It was a big step for me considering I haven’t left home more than seven weeks. And to be in another state so far away from my family I was so excited it was hard to be nervous, but not knowing what was to come made it nerve-racking. The move to Columbia was stressful but ultimately enjoyable. My parents, sister and boyfriend moved me up and helped with everything. I truly could not have done it without them. I started dancing a week after I moved up which was the most stressful part. I didn’t feel like I was ready to be in a company yet especially after not dancing most of the summer and just feeling out of shape. But I quickly figured out that everyone felt that way as well and Company Life was not as scary as I expected. For three or so months we took class every day and rehearsed our pieces for our first performance for the rest of the day.
I immediately clicked with some of the girls there and made a good friend group. Everyone all lives in the apartments about a five minute walk away from the studio so it made it easy to make plans. I found out company life was more relaxed than I imagined. Yet at the same time more stressful and more strict. But ultimately everyone works hard and keeps it a somewhat positive environment. Luckily through this fall I was able to come home for a weekend or two to work downtown. It was nice being able to have that flexibility of being able to come home with only a six hour drive I'm especially grateful for my parents for being able, and wanting to come up and spend a few days here and there to keep me company and help me with the transition. And a quick shout out to my boyfriend Matthew for taking multiple trips up to Columbia when working a part-time job, taking a full load of high school classes and college classes. I am very grateful for you and the effort you have put in the make our time together special. <3 After our first fall performance we jumped into rehearsals for the annual Nutcracker performance. I was able to dance as a party parent, Arabian, Snow and Waltz of the Flowers. It was a lot of dancing and not as much as rehearsal time as the fall ballet performance, but we put it all together. After dancing in the Nutcracker, I have been able to come home for three weeks for Christmas. It is so nice to finally be back with family and friends and especially my boyfriend and to work downtown. It has been a very event full year and a lot of changes have been made in my life. I can honestly say that I have changed so much through experiences and fear. I am so thankful for my family and my boyfriend and his family, for always supporting me and continuing to help me grow. And for of course putting up with me! LOL! I hope everyone had a wonderful 2018 and can think of many things they are grateful for; I know I can.
Here’s to a sparkling 2019 to you all!
Keep up with me during the year at my blog: AnnikaValentine.com.
