Our Students Tackle Their First Competition
- Cindy Case
- Mar 9
- 6 min read
Updated: 5 days ago
In October, I chatted with three BTM Conservatory students who were just starting their prep for the National Ballet Competition. Since then, they have been hard at work taking the choreography they had learned and turning it into polished solos ready for the stage.
During the last week of February, they conquered their first competition! Lara, Rebekah, and Carolyn all presented their classical and contemporary solos with composure and were all smiles for the experience. I spoke with Conservatory Principal Emily Carey and Conservatory Teacher Isaac Martinez to get their take on the students' success.
This post also features something special: a contribution from our first junior blogger. Reese is a 13-year-old Conservatory student with a special interest in writing and ballet. I interviewed her for one of the blog's very first posts, and she's supported Pointe of View ever since. Keep reading for Reese's interview with our competitor, Carolyn!
Learning through Preparation
Conservatory Principal Emily Carey worked directly with all three of the students we've followed. In addition to coaching Lara and Rebekah on their variations, she also supported Carolyn as she prepared for competition. She sees multiple learning opportunities for students as part of this process.
Emily says, "At the start of our preparations for NBC, the dancers and I had many conversations about what this competition could truly mean for them. We agreed that while receiving a high score or scholarship would certainly feel rewarding, the real accomplishment would be found in the countless hours of rehearsal, the discipline of preparation, and the courage it takes to step onto the stage when the “big day” finally arrives."
"Performing a classical ballet variation and an original solo choreographed specifically for them were entirely new experiences. These opportunities marked a significant milestone in their growth as artists. During our private rehearsals, I coached their variations in the same way professional dancers are coached, giving them a glimpse into that process. Prior to preparing for NBC, they had not experienced that level of individual focus, as they are still students who primarily perform corps de ballet roles in our professional productions. This individualized attention challenged them to take ownership of their artistry and movement."
"We also discussed the practical side of performance preparation, like when to arrive, how to structure their warm-up, trying steps out on the stage, getting into costume, and, the most challenging of all, waiting for their turn to take to the stage. This order of preparation mirrored the reality of the professional world, requiring them to be fully accountable for their performance."
Emily concludes, "Above everything, I emphasized artistry. While technique will always be important, it is not always what ultimately moves an audience. In my professional opinion, how a dancer approaches the movement emotionally and aesthetically carries greater importance. That is the essence of the art form. As dancers, our role is not only to execute technique but to communicate something meaningful."
Finding Experience, Joy, and Beauty in the Process
Conservatory teacher Isaac Martinez coached Carolyn on her classical variation and choreographed her contemporary solo. He emphasized that he wanted the experience to enrich her love for dance.
Isaac says, "When I was growing up, I did competitions for music and they led to a lot of burnout. I didn't want that to be the case here. I wanted Carolyn to know that it wasn't about winning the competition, but about winning the experience, groove, and confidence."
"Competing helps students realize what other dancers are doing outside of their own school. I really hope that she took away that dance has many forms and everybody has something to offer, including her, and that there is so much out there and so many beautiful people. I hope she is inspired to keep dancing."
"I have a lot of respect for everybody who puts themselves out there on the stage. Competing puts you in such a vulnerable place, and I really admire young students for putting themselves there."
Growing Through Competing
Dancing alone onstage can be a big deal for young dancers in any context. Doing it at your first competition is especially significant! After all the hard work preparing for the big day, our dancers faced a brand-new challenge when they stepped onstage. But as Emily described, they had spent time practicing each step of the competition day to make it feel as familiar as possible.
As the dancers reflect on their experience at the competition weekend, we hope that they feel satisfied with their accomplishments and ready for more. Emily says, "I hope the students not only feel proud of their performances and the work they put forth leading to the competition, but also that they developed as individual artists. They all grew immensely through this process, and I hope they can see these improvements and continue to build upon them!"
I asked Isaac and Emily what they would like to share with our competition dancers, and they were both full of praise. Isaac says, "To those who competed, congratulations on your journeys. I'm very proud of all the hard work you put in, and I am looking forward to seeing how you keep growing. To my eyes, everybody is a star."
Emily says, "We are so proud of you all! Each of you possessed pure joy and professionalism both on stage and backstage and represented BTM better than I could have imagined. You each applied every correction, and the growth in your technique and artistry has exponentially expanded in these last six months. I'm so, so proud of you!"
An Interview with Carolyn
by Reese Poole
Carolyn is 17, and she worked with company dancer and teacher Isaac Martinez on her pieces. For her variation, Carolyn performed the third Odalisque variation from the ballet Le Corsaire. She also performed a contemporary work choreographed by Isaac Martinez called “Beginnings.” At Carolyn’s age, the main reason for going to competitions like the National Ballet Competition is the opportunities found there--some dancers can earn spots at intensives or be awarded scholarships at a dance company.
Different dancers respond differently to the preparation and stress of competitions. In Carolyn’s case, she says, “Before performing, I was nervous, but not as much as I expected to be! Normally I start shaking, and panic spiral, but I very surprisingly didn’t this time.”
Though dancers' thoughts before performing differ, all dancers know the feeling of coming offstage knowing it went well. “After it was over, I was relieved. So, so relieved! Especially after classical was over and it had gone well, I was so happy.”
Dancers work hard on every step in their dances, but everyone has a part they secretly like more. Carolyn says, “I think my favorite part of my classical variation was the attitude balances at the beginning--because when you hit a balance, it is such an amazing feeling! Or the pirouette diagonal.” Even though this diagonal is complex, and, on days when it was not up to her standard, frustrating, the times it did go perfectly she could look back and say, “I just did six double pirouettes in a row!”
Competitions can be scary, and some dancers don’t get to experience one. Carolyn’s advice is to “try your best to take the pressure off. Especially for me, I do so much better when I’m not holding myself to crazy expectations.”
An additional honor Carolyn got to experience was wearing teachers' costumes. Her ballet tutu belongs to Karissa, and her leotard and skirt for contemporary were Vicky’s. She said that this made her feel like a little part of them was there, like they were giving her a hug. This definitely helped her calm down before her performance, especially since Emily could not be backstage.
Thank you to Reese for contributing to this week's blog!
Competition prep is just one facet of what BTM offers to its Conservatory students. Did you know that several BTM students have been selected to perform with us in La Esmeralda? Join us for these performances on April 24 & 25 to support not only the professional company, but also our young students! Tickets are on sale on our Esmeralda page now.
