A classical representation of the art

By Chrisoula Baroudos |Staff Writer|

As one of the first formal styles of dance, ballet is a classical representation of the art.

I have been recently teaching ballet for three years at Krystle Beck Dance Company (KBDC) in Apple Valley on Wednesdays from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.

I started dancing ballet at age four. I have been dancing ballet for over 15 years. It has helped form the person that I am today.

Ballet is a great way to show discipline and grace. It shows how something so difficult can look so effortless.

There were times when I wanted to quit because I found it too difficult. My mother kept me motivated to never give up, and to keep dancing.

I love that I had the opportunity to dance for as long as I did, but due to a knee injury I had to quit.

Teaching came along a couple of years later. It was a great way for me to still have ballet in my life, even though I couldn’t dance anymore.

I teach two classes at KBDC. I look forward to teaching these young girls every time. They walk away with the knowledge of grace, discipline, and class.

I show them bar work, stretches, and across the floor exercises.  They learn how to do proper turns, leaps, and the correct way to do pointe.

My students before did not know the meaning of ballet. They looked at this art form as being boring, and something that their mothers wanted them to do. I assured them that ballet is something that you will be thankful for.

You will learn how to carry yourself when you walk into a room. Your posture will stand out, etiquette, and above all hard work.  At a young age, it might be difficult to understand this, but as you get older you start to appreciate what you have learned.

The dancers that I teach inspire me to keep doing what I do because of how it affects them.

“I love ballet because it gives me a lot of self-confidence, and it teaches me discipline. Ms. Chrisoula makes ballet so much fun and helps me grow as a dancer every week,” said Alli Mclean, dancer at KBDC.

I wouldn’t be teaching ballet if wasn’t for what I gain from my students. They are the reason why I teach. I go in knowing that I am not only helping them to be a better dancer, but a better person.

Brittany Napoles is a dancer of mine that never wanted to come out of her comfort zone. She has always been timid and shy. After taking my class for three years, she is now one of the best dancers in the entire studio. She exudes confidence that wasn’t seen before. I am proud of the dancer she has become.

“Ballet would have to be one of my favorite classes because I always learn something new. I never get tired from learning. I have grown so much as a dancer because of Ms. Chrisoula. She is always happy, kind, and patient with us when instructing. She is one of my overall favorite dance teachers at KBDC,” said Napoles.

I am always open to teach all levels of dance. If you want to take a class from me, please visit iluvdancing.com for more information.