Zn_ballet

Last year’s photoshoot became a space where many voices reflected on what ballet means to them.
This time, it feels right to add a more personal note.

Standing here, surrounded by my students, this feels like the most honest way to speak about it.

The work turns inward.

EXPRESSING WHAT I FEEL WHEN I HEAR THE WORD BALLET IS DIFFICULT TO DESCRIBE IN WORDS, ESPECIALLY FROM AN INTROVERTED PERSON. DANCING IS A WAY TO SHOW OTHERS WHO YOU REALLY ARE AND WHAT YOU ARE FEELING. FROM A YOUNG AGE, WHEN I STARTED BALLET, I KNEW THAT IT WAS SOMETHING THAT I WOULD NEVER STOP BECAUSE IT WOULD BE LIKE CUTTING OUT A PIECE OF WHO I WAS. AS IDEAL AS IT SOUNDS, IT IS THE MOST DIFFICULT KIND OF ART. BUT SOMETHING THAT YOU LOVE WITH ALL YOUR HEART WILL NOT TIRE YOU ONE BIT. THE TIMES I HAD TO LEAVE DANCE TO DEVOTE MYSELF TO SOMETHING ELSE, I REALIZED THAT I WASN’T MAKING USE OF SOMETHING I WAS GOOD AT AND ADORED. THUS, WITH BALLET I FEEL THAT I AM “FINDING” MYSELF AND DEVELOPING MORE AND MORE. SOMETHING THAT CAN NEVER BE STOPPED.
A.K.

Hands held, weight shared

Strength in stillness

THE UNSOLVED MYSTERY OF THE HUMAN NEED TO EXPRESS FEELINGS AND EMOTIONS, TANGLED IN LEOTARDS AND RIBBONS. SWEATING, LAUGHING AND DREAMING. WHO YOU WANT TO BE, WHO YOU ARE. ALL MIXED UP, DANCING THROUGH THE MUSIC
S.R.

Silence in costume

FOR ME, BALLET IS A WAY OF EXPRESSION, A WAY TO LIVE AND CALM DOWN EVERY TIME I HOLD THE BARRE. IT IS NOT EASY IT REQUIRES COMMITMENT AND DEDICATION. NOW I HAVE REACHED WHERE I WANTED WITH A LOT OF HARD WORK AND EFFORT. AS DOSTOEVSKY ALSO SAID: “POWER IS GIVEN ONLY TO THOSE WHO DARE TO LOWER THEMSELVES AND PICK IT UP. ONLY ONE THING MATTERS, ONE THING: TO BE ABLE TO DARE.
E.K.

DON’T ASK ME WHY I DANCE . I DON’T ASK YOU WHY YOU BREATH OR SLEEP OR LIVE DO I ? DON’T ASK ME WHY I JUST NIT QUIT DANCE BECAUSE I LIVE FOR THOSE SLEEPLESS NIGHTS LAYING IN BED AND SINGING EVERY STEP I LEARNED SO I DONT FORGET . I LIVE FOR THE EARLY MORNINGS MAKEUP , GLITTER AND BOBBY PINS . I LIVE FOR THE BLOOD AND BLISTERS AT THE END OF THE CLASS . I LIVE FOR THE NIGHTS WHERE I JUST WANT TO GIVE UP BUT I KEEP PUSHING ON . I LIVE FOR THOSE SUSPENSEFUL MOMENTS DURING RESULTS . I LIVE FOR THE AMAZING FEELING GET AFTER I WIN BECAUSE OF ALL THE HARD WORK I PUT INTO DANCING . SO DONT ASK ME WHY I DANCE BECAUSE I LIVE FOR IT
R.