An Introduction

Hello!

This is my first attempt at blogging and I suppose I should start by telling you a bit about myself...

My name is Rebecca Jones, I am 19 years old and from England. I started ballet when I was 3 years old and have been dancing ever since! I trained at a local dance school in Winchester ('Lewis Allsopp School of Dancing') along side "normal" school and life. I was also a Senior associate at The Royal Ballet School and was a part of many youth dance companies and projects over the years including; London Children's Ballet, English Youth Ballet, Centrestage Productions Youth Theatre and Hampshire Youth Dance Company.

At the age of 16 I left home to train on the professional classical dance course at Tring Park School for the Performing Arts for 3 years. At Tring I had intense training in classical ballet, contemporary dance and jazz which helped prepare me to be a versatile dancer and all three genres have challenged and moulded me as a performer. In my 3rd year I began auditioning for dance companies and placements and graduated with my Trinity National Diploma in Professional Dance. After submitting a video audition application in July I was offered the position of being a trainee with Atlantic City Ballet in New Jersey.

I have been in America for almost 6 months now and I am really enjoying my experience over here so far. I live in a house with the 4 other trainees. I have an intense training schedule at the studio in our home which has really helped me with furthering my classical technique. I also have the opportunity to perform with Atlantic City Ballet. In October I performed in 'Dracula', November a holiday 'It's a Shore Holiday' and at Christmas 'Nutcracker'. Being able to dance with the professional company is amazing and has enabled me to develop my performance quality and professionalism which dancers don't always get to do in dance school environments.

In addition to performing and training I have also had the opportunity to be involved in promotion events and outreach programmes for the company. Over the Nutcracker season I did a number of 'Meet and Greet the Sugar Plum Fairy Events' and went to a local children's nursery to bring the magic of ballet to their classroom. I am very excited by companies and dance projects that have outreach programmes and community involvement. I think it is very important to help make the world of dance accessible to as wide and varied an audience as possible. I have personally benefitted from companies with similar intentions and this helped to ignite and fuel my passion for dance. I really value the opportunity of being part of a company that inspires and informs others in the same way as communicating and encouraging a passion for dance is one of my main motivations.

I have started this blog partially to track my thoughts and progress as I convert my diploma into a BA Degree by studying on the BAPP course through distance learning with Middlesex University.

I had quite a tough time during my training and was discouraged to continue dancing at some stages but I was determined that I would not give up on my dreams and aspirations.  I am so grateful to be with Atlantic City Ballet doing what I love and I am very excited about what my future as a dancer may hold.

I am going to write about my journey from this point on, so if you are interested... this is my life...!

R.J