25 life lessons I learned from ballet - #9
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.
Picking herself up after a fall is a lesson that prima ballerina Lisa Macuja-Elizalde learned at a young age, and from a legend of Russian ballet, no less. In 1984, she performed Harlequinade with Bhakytgan Smagulov at the Kirov Theater quite flawlessly except for the end. Stepping on a slippery spot on the stage, she found herself in an ungraceful heap on the floor. She quickly pulled herself together and managed to complete the final pose before the curtains fell. Near tears, she found herself in the arms of the legendary Natalia Dudinskaya who told her that it was more acceptable for a ballerina to fall while dancing beautifully than never to fall but dance terribly. That lesson changed her life. Photo from the Ballet Manila Archives
By Lisa Macuja-Elizalde
9. Falling down is part of dancing, part of living! I can’t remember how many times I have fallen down onstage in front of hundreds of people. But, you just have to learn how to fall gracefully, then pick yourself up, and rally through the rest of the show!
USA International Ballet Competition Jury Encouragement Awardee Nicole Barroso received much applause and positive feedback during the recently concluded competition in Jackson, Mississippi. Her journey to this prestigious international competition, however, had its fair share of challenges that taught her to become a stronger dancer. Only two years ago, she participated in the CCP Ballet Competition where she won the first prize in the junior category. But her performance was marred by a slip. Instead of giving up, however, she quickly recovered and danced better than ever – getting back the points she lost from the error. Photo by Kiko Cabuena courtesy of the Cultural Center of the Philippines