What You'll Learn
- Understanding that overwhelm is a natural part of learning for dancers of all levels
- Why knowledge of ballet French doesn't always translate immediately to other disciplines
- How to manage your mental load when preparing for advanced ballet classes
- The importance of practicing foundational steps like plié and tendu to build confidence
About This Video
" In this candid "Storytime" video from Broche Ballet, we explore the vulnerability of being a student again. Whether you are at the barre practicing your first plié or an advanced dancer working en pointe, the feeling of being overwhelmed is a universal part of the artistic journey. Our founder shares a personal anecdote about a recent singing lesson involving a French excerpt from the opera Carmen.
Despite being familiar with French terminology used in ballet class—words like tendu, dégagé, and relevé—applying the language to a new discipline like opera proved to be a significant challenge. The struggle to get the pronunciations right and remember the lyrics while performing mirrors the exact feeling students have when trying to memorize a complex combination or a series of pirouettes. The key takeaway is that learning is messy.
If you find yourself frustrated during a center combination or feeling nervous before an advanced class, know that even your instructors go through this. We often put pressure on ourselves to be perfect right away, but true progress in ballet requires the grace to make mistakes. This video serves as a reminder to be kind to yourself.
At Broche Ballet, we believe that acknowledging these "mushy brain" moments is the first step toward overcoming them. We also discuss the practical side of preparation. Just as you wouldn't want to learn a brand-new, difficult skill right before a high-stakes performance, it is important to manage your cognitive load.
Give yourself the space to practice at the barre and refine your retiré or arabesque without the added stress of a tight deadline. By sharing these personal hurdles, we hope to foster a supportive community where adult dancers feel empowered to tackle everything from basic footwork to complex choreography with confidence and a sense of humor. Remember, every master was once a beginner who refused to give up when things got difficult.
