tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1930726877580854026.post328686121396885142..comments2022-10-16T01:24:56.948-07:00Comments on Allison's Pointe of View: The Road Less Traveled (psst...is ok, too!)Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01370929762161277843noreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1930726877580854026.post-31676756480245098042015-03-23T22:38:12.876-07:002015-03-23T22:38:12.876-07:00Thank you so very much for posting this. I, too, s...Thank you so very much for posting this. I, too, started ballet when I was 3 and then walked away when I was 14, because it just wasn't enjoyable anymore. 4 and a half years later, I'm in college and half just started back at it - and facing the exact same issues you did with the loss of turnout and not even being able to finish a single pirouette. Becoming a professional ballerina has been my lifelong dream, and your story gives me so much hope. I worry, though, because I only had 2 and a half years of pointe under my belt when I walked away, and I'm only able to take classes 5 days a week for an hour and a half. I'm concerned that that's not enough to catch up, and my college does not have a ballet department - and considering how I just started back 2 months ago, I'm not at the level I'd need to be to audition for another university which does. Do you think that dancing 5 days a week for an hour and a half and following along with master class dvds at home the other 2 is enough to catch up, at least until I'm good enough again to audition for uni ballet departments? I've been cross-training and eating right, I just don't have the opportunities to dance as much as you did when you were catching up.<br /><br />- MarielAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12829526939602335338noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1930726877580854026.post-84551695591368303962014-02-22T22:41:06.257-08:002014-02-22T22:41:06.257-08:00Hi Allison,
thank you so much for this piece! Its ...Hi Allison,<br />thank you so much for this piece! Its really amazing. I did musical theater with Pittsburgh Musical Theater (PMT) for about 5 years, and just as i was about to graduate high school and graduate from PMT did i really feel my dancing starting to improve. I only danced once a week for a few hours, but going to college made me realize how big a part of my life that theater and dance really were, and how much i miss it. I have thought about taking some minor dance lessons here at school, but not sure that i have the time in my school schedule to take them. Reading this post made me realize that you should never give up on your dream or something you love, so thanks so much for that advice. <br />I loved Breaking Pointe and am so sad to hear that it didn't get renewed. Unlike shows like DanceMoms I thought it really did a good job showing how hard the life of a professional ballet dancer is. I have a friend from high school thats a professional ballet dancer, who actually danced with Ballet West last year, and now dances somewhere else, but I love seeing her photos on facebook from dance. But what she doesn't show you is the time and dedication she puts in towards dance. <br />So once again thanks so much for the piece, it has really got me thinking more and more about taking those dance classes.<br />From one Pittsburgh girl to another,<br />Genevieve<br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161984601809680101noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1930726877580854026.post-57887853361142905282014-02-22T11:46:54.694-08:002014-02-22T11:46:54.694-08:00Thank you, thank you, a million times, thank you! ...Thank you, thank you, a million times, thank you! What a spectacular story. Every dancer needs to read this, print it out, and post it everywhere. Their locker. Their bedroom. Their dance studio. <br /><br />I have a poem/quote thing that talks about being told all the things you can not do. It ends with "and you will tell them yes." Such an important lesson. <br /><br />While I don't know you personally, I am so very proud of you. What an amazing woman you are and I am so happy that my daughter considers you her role model. And I can't wait for her to meet you in Cleveland next week. I can't wait to write about the experience!<br /><br />Best always...<br />KristinAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1930726877580854026.post-26892379264457677302014-02-20T04:16:13.454-08:002014-02-20T04:16:13.454-08:00Wow thank you for such an inspiring piece. It is s...Wow thank you for such an inspiring piece. It is so so so true the path to where you want to go is never ever straight, nor easy!! I am 23 years old and have only just got a "apprentice" contract with a company. I am with girls as young as 19, but the fact that one director saw something in me he liked has given me the opportunity to dance and work hard at improving the things I need to work on. You becoming a Soloist at 30 makes me believe that if I work hard enough I can also get there!! You would make a perfect teacher as you understand how difficult it is to get where you want to go, you have made mistakes but I think that seems to have made you a very humble and down to earth person. thank you so much! I shall be following your blog from now on. I live all the way in Australia so I have not seen Breaking Pointe yet. All the very best xoxEm Ballerinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11666577467536978500noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1930726877580854026.post-91781141141599853582014-02-06T11:07:44.653-08:002014-02-06T11:07:44.653-08:00Allison: I love your raw honesty. You are the quit...Allison: I love your raw honesty. You are the quitessential intellectual ballerina. Cheers from Canada!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07177321243867995102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1930726877580854026.post-48281466349138314062014-02-05T16:29:28.498-08:002014-02-05T16:29:28.498-08:00Hey Allison!
It was so nice to hear about how you...Hey Allison! <br />It was so nice to hear about how you started and your journey to get to where you are today.. It is really inspiring and it's nice to know that every dancer struggles and the road to success is more jagged than a straight arrow. <br /><br />I just had a few questions for you. I was wondering about Ballet West dancers (including yourself) and cross-training. I was wondering if you or any of the other dancers regularly cross train specifically with methods including yoga and gyrotonics? I am curious as I just started doing yoga frequently, but I wanted to know if some other dancers have found it beneficial to their work. <br /><br />Thanks so much!<br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15469819787090365338noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1930726877580854026.post-44236550887727647032014-02-05T06:00:27.187-08:002014-02-05T06:00:27.187-08:00We're in the Columbus area, but if we can make...We're in the Columbus area, but if we can make it, Morgan will be there! Safe travels with all of this wicked weather.Barbara Sheehanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14320768332816464502noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1930726877580854026.post-82201117810378148202014-02-04T22:23:04.082-08:002014-02-04T22:23:04.082-08:00HI! I don't know what part of Ohio you are fr...HI! I don't know what part of Ohio you are from but Feb. 28th Rex and I will be dancing together at the Ballet in Cleveland Gala in Cleveland and Rex, Chris Ruud and I will be teaching master classes the next day! Check out their website for details! www.balletincleveland.org<br /><br />xoxo <br />AllisonAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01370929762161277843noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1930726877580854026.post-53628640729070752802014-02-04T18:25:47.385-08:002014-02-04T18:25:47.385-08:00Holy Crap!!!! I am so excited that you have starte...Holy Crap!!!! I am so excited that you have started a blog. :) This post is so amazing. <br /><br />I started ballet around 6-7th grade and am told that I am a natural. However, being in Guatemala the training is not amazing. I am actually a junior in High School and I miss ballet so so much. I decided to focus on SAT prep and keeping a high GPA to get into a good college. it makes me so sad to think that I will never be a professional ballerina. My teacher was super disappointed that I left...and it's hard to know if I am making the right decision or not. I always want ballet to be a part of my life. But right now I don't have much faith in myself as a ballerina. I already feel like I've lost a lot of what I had....and I can never regain it. (im also only 5'4....pretty small for a ballerina)<br /><br />But this post has given me confidence. Maybe I WILL be a ballerina and maybe i won't. But I think it's okay to take a break right now and look at other options.<br /><br />What do you think? Thanks for Sharing Allison. I'm really going to miss seeing you on the show, since it was cancelled. <br /><br />-Katie <3Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12213279168398497155noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1930726877580854026.post-60243392715749794662014-02-04T15:58:43.970-08:002014-02-04T15:58:43.970-08:00Hooray I love the blog and love watching you dance...Hooray I love the blog and love watching you dance. For someone from Ohio, the reality series was a great way to make us fans. My 15 year old daughter will be attending the summer intensive at Balletwest this summer. I know you're teaching, but have to wonder at the length of the intensive. She is hoping to follow a path similar to yours. Thanks so much for sharingBarbara Sheehanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14320768332816464502noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1930726877580854026.post-42799891650001013522014-02-04T11:56:53.923-08:002014-02-04T11:56:53.923-08:00Hooray for your new blog! And what a wonderful way...Hooray for your new blog! And what a wonderful way to start things off. It's so easy to assume that just because we see someone who is successful and professional that things have somehow been "easy" for them. It's great to be reminded that everyone's journey is different and that success takes choices, hard work, and dedication. Congratulations to you on your continued success! I'm sad that we won't get to watch "Breaking Pointe" anymore, but I'm glad that we can still keep informed via social media. All the best to you, Allison!Julie Coleman, Freelance Editorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15923595386766147743noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1930726877580854026.post-88603506400823771352014-02-04T10:57:02.729-08:002014-02-04T10:57:02.729-08:00I didn't start dancing until I was 24. I was t...I didn't start dancing until I was 24. I was told I couldn't do pointe because I have a limited flexibility in my big toe and I don't have great flexibility through my ankle point. I found another instructor that thought I could and I have been doing pointe for 4 years. I'm not great since I only take the pointe class once a week, but I am as good as any of the other girls in my class. I don't think many adults would want to start pointe at 28. <br /><br />PS, those are my feet in my profile pic. It was taken 6 months after I started pointe. <br />Aballetdancergirlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11779641805259897731noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1930726877580854026.post-13819998963702198492014-02-04T10:53:13.800-08:002014-02-04T10:53:13.800-08:00This comment has been removed by the author.Clarehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03010877937180536597noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1930726877580854026.post-15069973933074457802014-02-04T10:51:31.103-08:002014-02-04T10:51:31.103-08:00This comment has been removed by the author.Clarehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03010877937180536597noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1930726877580854026.post-14628528124432602202014-02-04T06:28:02.812-08:002014-02-04T06:28:02.812-08:00Thanks for sharing your amazing journey to Ballet ...Thanks for sharing your amazing journey to Ballet Soloist. I already admired you in Breaking Pointe, now I still admire you more, since I know how hard you've worked to achieve your dream. You have to be really strong, passionate and determined to never give up like you. I wish we all had a bit of your determination :)) and thanks for starting this blog, I love it!!Junehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15041410647955760468noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1930726877580854026.post-68572885447259389422014-02-04T01:45:41.940-08:002014-02-04T01:45:41.940-08:00Very inspiring, I love how you shared your struggl...Very inspiring, I love how you shared your struggles of dance too. It just shows that if you work hard and dream big, it can happen. ♥Rayleehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11810887097525375473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1930726877580854026.post-26109249886161861802014-02-03T21:34:01.392-08:002014-02-03T21:34:01.392-08:00I'm honored you kicked off your blog by answer...I'm honored you kicked off your blog by answering me! LOVED reading this story, you're definitely an inspiration. Great lesson on attitude and determination for dancers and anyone else chasing a dream career! Thank you Allison!! xoxo!Chloe Mikloshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17864529290331590752noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1930726877580854026.post-50347368014745441902014-02-03T20:58:01.440-08:002014-02-03T20:58:01.440-08:00Thank you so much for posting your inspirational s...Thank you so much for posting your inspirational story. I also started dancing at age 3 but I had to stop in high school when I fractured my spine. This past summer I had spinal fusion surgery, and it feels like I'm starting over in ballet class. Seeing Ballet West perform in Chicago and reading your story inspired me to continue dancing and taught me that my dream isn't dead just because it got sidetracked. Thank you <3Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03797063498149872493noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1930726877580854026.post-48339744342753074582014-02-03T20:54:56.769-08:002014-02-03T20:54:56.769-08:00This comment has been removed by the author.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03797063498149872493noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1930726877580854026.post-82754789098205945572014-02-03T20:54:38.007-08:002014-02-03T20:54:38.007-08:00Hi, I'm from Germany and my English is not rea...Hi, I'm from Germany and my English is not really good, so please look over my mistakes away.<br />Thank you for this honest insight how you became a ballerina. I dance ballet since I was 5 years old, but I never had the body for a Profesional career. However, I can´t imagine a life without dancing.<br />It´s my passion and when I´m at class, i can forget everything else, just focus at me and my exercise. I´m exsited to read more from you Alison.<br />Greetings from GermanyAnnikahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03598098252367293312noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1930726877580854026.post-18537963778964010202014-02-03T20:46:22.872-08:002014-02-03T20:46:22.872-08:00<3 Thank you for coming out of your shell and i...<3 Thank you for coming out of your shell and into Ballet West xoxoAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1930726877580854026.post-33346442897206829972014-02-03T20:40:42.766-08:002014-02-03T20:40:42.766-08:00Congratulations on how far you've come. I danc...Congratulations on how far you've come. I danced when I was younger and had to give it up. Ballet is such a beautiful art form and I have so much admiration for artists like yourself and how you pour your heart, life, and soul into something that you know you were meant to do. It's rare to find something in life that you can truly be so passionate about. I'm currently struggling to find my place in the world in my mid-20s and wish I had something in life that I could pour my heart and soul into, something that brings me the joy that ballet brings you. I hope to get a chance to watch you dance in SLC one day!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07316827302143163849noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1930726877580854026.post-8124877824028233402014-02-03T20:38:25.089-08:002014-02-03T20:38:25.089-08:00I love "Roads Less Traveled", I take the...I love "Roads Less Traveled", I take them all the time. I see students who do the same, some choices are good, and some we learn from. It is nice to know that one or two less favorable decisions did not stop you from following your dream. I think I will have to save a copy of this for use in my classroom. Thanks so much.<br />Wheezy Wanderingshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04828222934702475313noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1930726877580854026.post-42752307197877846482014-02-03T20:35:39.625-08:002014-02-03T20:35:39.625-08:00Thank you! :)))Thank you! :)))Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01370929762161277843noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1930726877580854026.post-85809370773883501292014-02-03T20:35:21.084-08:002014-02-03T20:35:21.084-08:00Good luck to her and you!!! She'll will be gre...Good luck to her and you!!! She'll will be great! :)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01370929762161277843noreply@blogger.com