25 life lessons I learned from ballet - #4
Beyond the arabesques and grand jetés, ballet is an abundant source of priceless life lessons. With the rigorous training and intense discipline it requires, ballet can teach one how to deal with pressure, disappointments, challenges, and ultimately, success. On her 25th anniversary as a professional dancer in 2009, prima ballerina Lisa Macuja-Elizalde took the time to list down 25 key lessons she learned from ballet and which she felt both dancers and non-dancers can apply in their own lives. This series shares those enduring nuggets of wisdom – one lesson at a time.
Posing in front of the Hermitage Museum was one of the many bonding moments that the Macuja family shared during Lisa Macuja’s four-year stay in Russia, from 1982 to 1986. Those precious visits helped Lisa cope with her homesickness, doubts and fears. Photo from the Ballet Manila Archives collection
By Lisa Macuja-Elizalde
4. Family support is essential! Had I not had the full support of my family – most especially my parents Cesar and Susan Macuja – I would never have achieved my dream. Every dreamer needs a cheering squad and your family is the best cheering squad around.
Greeting Lisa at the backstage after performing her first full-length Don Quixote was her family who flew to Russia to celebrate this milestone. In this photo were brother Julio, mentor Gabriela Komleva, mom Susan, dad Cesar, and teacher Tatiana Udalenkova. Photo from the Ballet Manila Archives collection
The young principal dancers of Ballet Manila – (clockwise from top left) Joan Emery Sia, Katherine Barkman, and Abigail Oliveiro – also credit the strong support of their families in achieving their ballet dreams. And after over three decades of dancing, Lisa continues to enjoy the unconditional support of her parents (top right) as she moved on from dancing to managing her own company. Photos from the Facebook pages of the dancers
Top photo: Basking in the company of her parents, Cesar and Susan Macuja, and mentors Sergei Vikulov and Tatiana Udalenkova, Lisa Macuja enjoyed a strong support system that allowed her to power through the many challenges of learning ballet in Russia. Photo from the Ballet Manila Archives collection