Prix de Lausanne 2011 Blog
Day 6 - Aviana's Blog entry
Sat, Feb 5, 2011
A Prix de Lausanne experience: I must admit it was quite a shock to the system to have a panel of people watch us while there were at least two video cameras and quite a few other photographers all over the place, while trying to learn from a teacher you are not used to.
After a few days of classes, and the stage rehearsal of our variations, I sustained a wrist fracture during a contemporary class and was unfortunately unable to complete the competition.
The jury being so kind and understanding about the accident said they will accept me next year without the video audition as long as my medical papers are okay! So although I was heartbroken, all was not lost. I was still able take the classical classes and watch all the variations being coached. By watching, I felt more aware of every position, line, breath, and expression that we portray as dancers. I was very excited to put my energy into cheering on Anwen and everyone else there. That is one thing that you will most likely not find anywhere else; it doesn't have the pressure or feeling of a competition, it has the feeling of a workshop. The energy and support from candidate to candidate was extremely remarkable and rare!
I'm grateful for everyone who supported both Anwen and me, in general for the opportunity to be there, and the education that has made me who I am today. The support from our friends, family, and even complete strangers was amazing and a big confidence booster.
Day 6 - Anwen's Blog entry
Sat, Feb 5, 2011
This week has gone by very fast! I can't believe it's already Saturday! Here's the somewhat condensed version of my week:
Wednesday: We had classical class with the jury watching and scribbling notes down about us. We had the same classical teacher all week, and I really liked her! She tried to make us really DANCE instead of just working on technique. She wanted us to move our upper body and be "generous" with our movements. The rest of the day we didn't have the jury marking. We had a contemporary class and also a run through of our classical variations on the stage, but without any coaching. I really enjoyed the contemporary class, but my variation didn't go so well...
Thursday: First we had a contemporary class with the jury marking. The contemporary teacher is great! She makes you work so hard, is nice, and is fun, too! We did a fun exercise at the end where she would make faces at us, and we would then make them at the jury. I think it was to test our confidence by having us make crazy faces at a panel of nice, but rather intimidating jurors! After that we had a classical class and coaching of our classical variations. The jury didn't watch either of these. The classes the jury don't watch still require you to be on your toes all the time (not that you should ever zone out in ballet class!) because there are parents, coaches, and directors watching. The rest of the day was jury-free. We had a classical class and classical coaching on the stage. The class went well, but my variation went pretty badly again, which was rather frustrating!
Friday: We had a short warm up and then classical and contemporary coaching. Cathy Marston, who choreographed my contemporary solo, Traces, came to rehearse us. It was amazing getting to work with her! She is so nice and very good at what she does. It was a bit tricky because she sort of changed the story behind the dance from what the explanation said on the video. I actually liked the new version better, but it was hard to change everything in one day! We were supposed to be a kid alone on the beach who is looking out to sea to see if they can see a boat coming in so they can have a playmate and not be so lonely. The kid alternates between longing for a companion and playing happily by themselves. At the beginning of the coaching session, we all marked through the piece and she gave us some pointers, which were very helpful! Then we went one by one and had exactly four minutes each. When it was our turn, we did the variation and then she would give us corrections until our time was up. She only gave corrections on the first part of the variation to most people, including me, because we had so little time. It was such a special experience to get to work with her. I feel so lucky! We had classical coaching after that, and it went better that time. I got through my variation without completely messing up my Italian fouettes, which was an improvenemt from the rest of the week!
Saturday: Today we had the selections. We had a short warm up class in the morning, and then we each did our classical and contemporary variations on stage. The jury was marking, and there was quite a big audience, including parents, directors, coaches, and members of the public. I'm happy with how my variations went. I made a few little mistakes, but nothing big. I'm very happy that I can feel pretty good about the show, because no matter what the results are, I had a great time and learned a lot! We find out at seven o'clock tonight! I watched the older groups' classical variations this afternoon after I was finished, and they were very good. I was very impressed! It's just really nice to be around such a talented and very nice group of people.
I'm sure most of you know, but Avi had to withdrawl from the competition because she broke her wrist. I feel so bad for her and it's just so sad! I would like to thank her, though, for the immense support she's given me.
Thank you for all your continued support. It's really nice to know that you have people routing for you.
Have a good day!
Anwen
Video Blog from Prix de Lausanne Day 3
Click the image below to watch another Video Blog from Prix de Lausanne, you can see Anwen's acting abilities at 2:37!
Prix de Lausanne Update
Due to a wrist injury during class on Feb 2nd. Aviana will not be able to complete the competition. We wish Aviana a quick and speedy recovery!
Video Blog from Prix de Lausanne
Click the image below to watch another Video Blog from Prix de Lausanne, you can see Avi quite a bit!
Catch a few glimpses of the girls in the Prix de Lausanne Video Blog, you can see Anwen at the barre in the beginning and dancing in contemporary class at the end!
Day 3 - Classical Ballet Class & On Stage Rehearsal
To view all of the photos, click here.
Day 2 - Classical Ballet Class
To view all of the photos, click here.
Day 2 - Anwen's Blog entry
Tue, Feb 1, 2011
Hello from Lausanne, Switzerland! After a few months of preparations and anticipation, we've made it to the Prix de Lausanne! It's very exciting to actually be here and see the theatre after looking at all of the photos and watching last year's video blogs! We registered yesterday (Monday) and warmed up on the raked stage, which I was a bit nervous about! It's going to take some getting used to, but it wasn't too bad. It actuallly made a few things a bit easier!
Today (Tuesday) we had classical class first. The jury watched us, but weren't officially marking us. Tommorrow they will do that. After that we had lunch and then comtemporary class. Both classes were good, but a bit stressful and exhausting! I'm trying not to be stressed and not worry about the "competition" aspect of the competition, but it is a bit hard when you have a teacher, nine judges, and various directors of the Prix de Lausanne partner schools watching you! Tomorrow we have classical class, a quick run through of our classical variations, and then contemporary! It will be very exciting!
Thank you for all of your good-luck wishes. It's great to have all of the wonderful support from everyone at PBT!
Anwen
On the bus to the theater reading their packets from Prix de Lausanne!
The girls entering the theater for registration!
The girls having a sewing party in the hotel room, Aviana is #110 and Anwen is #125
Entering the theatre for the first day!
Prix de Lausanne Send off Party
Photos by Aimee DiAndrea
Prix de Lausanne Rehearsals at PBT
Photos by Aimee DiAndrea
