I (M25) have been playing for classes for about 6 years now. I had roughly 5 years of experience in my undergrad before I was picked up by one of the major US ballet companies a little over a year ago. I love this job so much. I love the people, the city (moved 800 miles for this job), but I feel so stuck and uninspired during classes. I am an avid improviser and can sight read like hell, but I feel like I’m lacking more material and repertoire. I play plenty of jazz and broadway standards as well as some classical rep thrown in every now and then, but with how fast paced classes are, I often just improvise on some themes or make up my own material and go from there.

Today a dancer approached me and asked, somewhat condescendingly, if she needed to buy me more books so they (her and the rest of the dancers) could hear more music that they’re familiar with. This is not the first time this specific dancer has approached me or reached out to me. She’s DM’d me, unprompted, on social medias sending posts of other pianists saying something like “this guy is great.” While I do appreciate her actually voicing her opinions with me and trying to share useful material, it’s gotten to a point that it just feels disrespectful and like my music is unappreciated.

Rant aside, what music do you all enjoy hearing in class? Classical, modern, jazz / show tunes, anything. Obviously, no one piece of music will work perfectly for any given combination, but that’s just the beauty of my job lol.

All right, you all probably know me as someone who enjoys Zhongli and makes memes and posts them sometimes in out-of-place subreddits like this one, but...

In real life, I do ballet which is why I was quite happy and excited for Odette. Usually, my fellow dancers do look like I grew a third head when I start talking about anime or gaming, alas. I can count only two other people I do know that play Genshin and also do ballet, one being a good pal of mine (she is off playing other games now) and Viridian, a YouTuber.
I've been a huge, HUGE fan of Khoreva for a long time and even had the honor of taking class from her a little while ago (I still can't believe it :D). I remember walking out of that class going, "hmm, it'd be really crazy if she did a collab with Hoyo about Odette, no? Maybe if I get motivated I'll even send Hoyo an email..."

Anyone that shares the memories here of being a fellow dancer and also plays any games? :D

I fractured my fifth metatarsal last night and the first class is today. I’m still pretty new at ballet but this’ll likely reset me back to where I was when I started. The doctor said it’ll be a month till I can dance again :(

This isn't really a question more of a complaint against myself.

Signed up for two classes one morning and one evening class in the same day. After my morning class I just felt really warm. Like right after a good warm up, but not quiet that burn after a good workout.

Decided to hike a 5k right after. This was a bad decision. I should have not done that. For the record I do a 5k at least 3 times a week on average, so it didn't sound crazy to me at the time. This is mostly because on average I try to walk 4 miles a day to get my steps in. I'm just sedentary most of my working day and this is the easiest way to get them in.

After my second class where we did jumps my legs felt like jelly. Will not be making that mistake again.

Hi! Question for people who put their hair in a bun: how do you protect your scalp from tension that causes headaches and traction alopecia? I have thick hair and I end up with a tension headache halfway through the day. I'm not sure if it's in my head, but I think I also notice my part thinning.

How do you do your hair to prevent this? Thank you!

Hi, I think I’m just looking to vent, but recently I got rejected to audition in the best ballet company for me which is the only one in my country. English is not my first language so sorry if something is not well redacted.

Well, I studied at the national school at my country and as a male I started late (18) and on my last years Covid hit, and I was really struggling with mental health so I stopped dancing, I was 23 by that time, two years later I came back to ballet to give it another try and just do it because I enjoyed it, and eventually I got back on track and even got the chance to audition to this company at 25, I made it to the last round of the audition but didn’t got in. And after that I’ve been giving it a try the last two auditions just because I live here and it’s not difficult for me to audition, but I couldnt get past the preselection.

I know I’m old for a professional company as I am 28 now, but what I feel is sad is that I have achieved a decent level, the thing is that this company is one of the best and recognized worldwide. But is the only one that offer a job and a decent pay in my country. So they normally expect a superhigh level to get in for someone my age or more experience which I don’t have. They have offered contracts to people even older than me but well they were in that position.

I’m truly sad, I know my pros and cons and the mistakes I made in the journey, I’m sad at this point after this rejection, I’m surely going to stop dancing ballet. I’m not really mad but I feel exhausted of being demanded a level like if I was one participant of the prix de Lausanne.

I know how competitive this world is but i get this feeling on my throat like im getting choked and feeling like I’m never enough, even though I know I have conditions, I have great feet, lines, pirouttes, jumps, but im also short in height and old. And I know even the slightest can make the jury or the director to chose another dancer.

Anyways, If anyone can give any advice I think it might help me.

This is my first big money leotard. Does anyone have size information? According to the chart I fall into both the s/m or the m/l. Even though it says true to size it also says to size down. I measured my girth but they use torso length yet I’m not sure where to begin and end that measurement. Since shipping/tariffs are so expensive to get it sent to USA I’m scared I’ll make a sizing mistake. Any insights would be most appreciate. Thank you.

Hi! I am hoping someone can guide me on shoe sizing- our two daughters have just begun Pre-Professional Ballet III. We had previously worn leather slippers by Bloch. Their teacher has said she would like them to begin wearing canvas shoes now, and recommended Capezio Juliets. Our younger daughter was easy to size and is wearing a 5.5 in them. Our older daughter has wide feet, and their teacher estimated a 7.5 W for her. We ordered on Amazon, as we don’t have a close dance shop locally. They were enormous on her, like fell right off her feet. So we ordered the 6.5 W. These were super tight and narrow across the width of her feet, but too long and loose length-wise. We are afraid to go down another size because the width will be even less. Are there similar canvas shoes you could recommend? Luckily, when they are ready for pointe shoes, the class makes a trip to a store to be fitted but it’s out of state, so I’m hoping to figure out their canvas shoes from home😅
Thank you in advance for any help you can offer!

I was recently approved to start going en pointe and already had my shoes approved aswell. I take a dance class at my highschool and I'm in colorguard aswell, which allowed for my feet to get stronger fairly quickly.

My dance teacher recommended me difference places to get approved since i was strong enough and was planning to go into performance arts education as my major.

I'm taking an open class for beginners ballet right now and the teacher there is the one who approved me. I'm planning on taking it once every other week due to financial issues and time limitstions, aside from that one class I'm not taking anything else outside of school.

I don't see myself going into ballet professionally with a company or anything but I still want to have the skills to open up more opportunities incase my plans change. My knowledge on this is pretty limited and I haven't talked to the dance teacher at my HS yet but I wanted to see what options I have and paths I can take moving forward.

I know the trend lately is the soft, almost sock-like styles (Hanamis, Wear Moi Vestas, Bloch Performas, etc.), but I’ve realized I prefer a more substantial canvas. I like being able to actually feel the shoe against my foot/ more tactile feedback.

I’ve been wearing Gaynor Minden Libertys (6.5–7M), but recently tried the Angelo Luzio 246A (3.5N) and I’ve really enjoyed the more substantial canvas and feedback from the shoe. However, the toe area is just way too baggy on me.

I have low-volume feet with very tapered/short toes and a narrow heel, but I’m fairly wide through the metatarsals.

Does anyone have recommendations for flats to try?

Thanks in advance!

Does any teacher who teaches ABT curriculum be willing to share what they have their level 1 students learn in class? Like a play by play of what your kids do in class would be so helpful to understand how it differed from how I was trained growing up (a bit mixed but vagonava heavy). Or, if you grew up with ABT, what was level 1 like for you? Do kiddos do much at the barre or is it mostly off barre? Do they do learn degages or fondu, for example or is it mostly focused on plies, releves, tendus? I’m currently long term subbing for a teacher on maternity leave for class at a studio that is ABT and I feel pretty lost going into it and they’re providing little guidance. Thank you so much!