Seasons change but some things stay the same

I have 1,5 weeks of Summer vacation left before flute stuff continues, but today's the day that I'm going back to the barré! Yay :)

Last season (school year 2013-2014) was quite tough, lots of work and travelling. It all made me very tired often, but I managed to take Most of my ballet lessons. There was one on Monday & Friday evening, Saturday morning and Sunday afternoon. Weekends were a bit difficult with all the flute gigs I got, especially during Spring. Well, I Love playing so it wasn't that bad in the end, but still it's annoying when one has to give up one of the two passions. Even for a while... ;)

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Winter was lovely, snow and Christmas and all. We had an "all white" number at the Christmas recital with the Monday-Friday class. Something I feared beforehand but something that turned out nice! :) Even bigger worry was the fact that none of the tutus at our school's costume wardrobe fit me... That's what you get for being tall and chubby. Luckily for me, they were going to order 3 new ones Anyway, so one of the new tutus was a bit bigger - my problem solved.

For the Holiday recital I had to get a white leotard. Seemed like a problem again, but eventually the answer was Porselli's webstore and WearMoi's Tamara -leo. It's a comfy model for someone a bit bustier, like me.  You'll find a picture here -> https://dancewear.co.uk/products/details&prodid=3057

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Spring recital was the 30th Anniversary of our school. It didn't have a clear theme at first, but then it became "The Wonderland of Dance". So, there were all sorts of numbers... Ours was about the seasons of a year. We had 4 small groups, 3 trios and one duo, which was our Autumn duet (with E). It was my first time on stage en pointe since I quite dancing as a teenager, but I felt much stronger than ever. Well, before the actual show at least. It didn't go as smoothly as the rehearsals (for me), but it's really no use mourning about it anymore. But in my defence, I had some issues with my shoes in general rehearsal & performance... :P

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Summer started with an intensive dance week, first ever in my hometown! I took pilates in the morning, samba & chacha in the late afternoon and ballet in the evening. It was Mon-Fri, lovely weather and happy people - not to mention the great teachers also. After that week our "summer regulars" continued = ballet on Mon & Wed evenings. But I got a problem with my right leg & there were some flute gigs (again), so I couldn't take all them classes.

Aaaaaanyway... July's been Super Hot in Finland. I mean really. I've found a Summer person inside meself, although my appartment is almost too hot to stay in during daytime. This week is supposed to be still with some 25 up to even 30 (celsius) degrees, but I'm still going to enjoy it. Autumn is soon here with the darkening days and rain etc.

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So, in 3 hours I'll be at the studio, with my dance gear on and (large) waterbottle by my side. It's going to be hot, sweaty and, most of all, fun.

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p.s. I got a new (used) phone from my brother and joined instagram & twitter. You'll find me in both by the name iepukka.

instagram.com/iepukka

One private d.i.y. ballet camp!

Oh dear, it's been a very long while since I last posted. But it's also been one very hectic Autumn (my word load doubled from last school year - only a positive thing!) and I've had lots of ballet classes, too. Currently my dance schedule is as follows:

Monday - 90 minutes (advanced) with P
Friday - 75 minutes (advanced) with P
Saturday - 90 minutes (intermediate) with P
Sunday - 90 minutes (interm. - advanced) with K

P was my teacher also last year, K is new. Last year I had also L & D, but this year L's classes are at the same time with my work and D doesn't teach here anymore. So, one new style to learn also this year with K. And so far I've liked it. :)

This week I have my "Autumn vacation". Almost a whole week. One week that is very very welcome. As the school year began, I planned taking at least one class with M-P (in Helsinki) and soon it became obvious that I'd have time for Only one. And this week would be the time for it. Started thinking about spending couple days in the City, since I really like it and haven't had too much time to visit for many months. Also 2 ballet friends asked if I'd be interested in taking a class at the Helsinki Ballet Academy with Mr Juha Kirjonen - well, yes of course! And since we don't have our regular classes this week (besides Sunday)...

Result:

My feet & our romantic tutu in April, at the dressing room :D

Wednesday is tomorrow and I'm excited! It's so much fun to pack my bag and choose shirts and tights and shoes. Friday classes are also in Footlight (like Wed), and the last one is a pointe class. That's pretty scary, as I've done pointe only with my regular teachers and I know that Madame G is quite strict. But in a good way... :) I've been only once before in her class, so it's a nearly new experience also.

And on top of these, I might go and see the Sleeping Beauty on Saturday afternoon (at the Opera, by our National Ballet). Haven't decided yet. But that show has an interesting cast, so I keep thinking... ;)

I decided to stay in this fairly cheep hotel and it happened to have an offer of 3 nights for the price of 2. It's in the center, close to both schools I'll visit etc. This is a ballet camp of my own, my "holiday in South". A chance to dance and meet some friends, to rest in between and see the town. Yay indeed!

My Ballet Summer, vol.1

I had a nice and long vacation, ended just yesterday. Today we had the first meetings at work, was almost as nice to meet the colleagues again. But I wouldn't have minded if there would indeed have been a bit more.

More time to take summer classes, to visit our cottage in the countryside, to bake or cook whenever feel like it, to sleep or stay awake as long as one wants. And so on. Managed to read some books, which is always great too.

The vacation began in the end of May and very soon there was something fun to see in Helsinki, at the Kasarmitori square to be precise. For couple of years the Finnish National Ballet has been touring in Finland during the first weeks of June. I've seen them even in my hometown and twice in Helsinki. This year we had to stand for the whole show, but it was worth it! :) Here are some photos, or actually the first batch...

Sauna scene from The Snow Queen

Lilac Fairy from The Sleeping Beauty

Mai Komori was very graceful.

:)

Collection of endings - choreography by Emrecan Tanis

Linda Haakana in violet & Emmi Pennanen in "gold" with Johan Pakkanen

It was the premiere of this piece!

The dresses were lovely.

Timo Sokura, host of the evening.

Don Quijote - chor. Patrice Bart after Marius Petipa

Pas de deux (from the Gypsy scene)

Anna Sariola with Eemu Äikiö

The sky was Blue and the buildings were Beautiful!

Linda Haakana in her next costume... :D

Mai Komori and Terhi Räsänen, some grand piano and guitar I say!

La Banda Sonora - chor. Anandah Kononen

And the leg is still going up...

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More to come... :)

Bloglovin

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Just to let you know and if anyone's interested, I'm adding this ballet-adventure blog of mine to Bloglovin.

Summer Break

Bohoooo, the vacation is almost over for me... I've been relaxing a Lot. More than enough, dare I say. I have photos and thoughts to share, but today I'll only show this picture. It's a screenshot from one of our choreographies in Spring Recital. Don't probably need to tell the name.