25 life lessons I learned from ballet - #12
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.
By Lisa Macuja-Elizalde
12. A true partnership is built on trust. I’ve danced with countless of premier danseurs in the last 25 years and I needed to trust all of them explicitly. Juliet needs a Romeo; Odette/ Odile a Prince Siegfried; Carmen cannot be Carmen without a Don Jose – that’s just the way the ballet works!
Top photo: Co-artistic directors Lisa Macuja-Elizalde and Osias Barroso have been true partners in dance – both on and off stage – for over 30 years. They first shared the stage in 1986 when Lisa danced Giselle opposite Nonoy Froilan’s Albrecht. Shaz was Hilarion. Since then, they have partnered in all the major ballets including Swan Lake, The Nutcracker, Don Quixote, Carmen, and as well as Giselle too. Off stage, the pair have jointly steered Ballet Manila through 23 performance seasons. Photo by G-nie Arambulo.