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.
Now both officially retired, Lisa and Shaz continue their partnership behind the scenes – training the new generation of dancers not just to follow their footsteps but to carve their own path. Photo by Giselle P. Kasilag
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!
Principal dancer Joan Emery Sia and Romeo Peralta have partnered each other in some of Ballet Manila’s most important choreographies. From classical pieces such as Giselle to contemporary compositions like Arachnida and El Adwa, they have been each other’s strongest support through these very difficult performances. Photo by Giselle P. Kasilag
Though still in their teens, soloist Nicole Barroso and company artist Josha Enciso are well on their way to becoming one of the strongest dance partners on Philippine stage. Their recent achievement – a finals finish for Nicole Barroso with a Jury Encouragement Award from the 2018 USA International Ballet Competition – saw the pair power through one grueling elimination after another. The crowd noted the synergy which resulted in explosive performances from the pair. Photo by Giselle P. Kasilag
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.