Monday 23 May 2016

Ballet Teacher Gifts

I'm under pressure from one of my friends - who apparently has nothing good to read on the toilet anymore -to get back to writing here! So this is for you, I'm staying up late to try and make it happen!

For the past 6 years we've been going to a wonderful, local ballet class. First with Venetia and then Maria too (sadly I could never persuade the boys to give it a go!). The 2 teachers there were lovely; relaxed, warm and very inclusive. They were all about the children enjoying their dance and being creative, but they still made lots of progress. Both my girls were involved in several amazing shows, these were experiences I'm sure they'll always remember and it did lots for their confidence. But sadly this weekend saw the final performance from our ballet school. One teacher is retiring and moving away to be closer to her family, and the other is soon to have a baby .

Of course we had to make presents. Venetia has been crocheting away for the past couple of months now here and there, and the big day looming gave her the final push to finish a baby blanket.



It did look amazing to me, still struggling to make any progress at all with crocheting, and Venetia was very proud of it.

For our other wonderful teacher, I made a cushion with a dancer machine embroidered/appliqued on to it.


Her skirt was made from tiny Liberty scraps patchworked together.


The final show was very special, but also emotional. After only 6 years I felt we were part of the family, but there were girls who have been dancing there for 15 years, Mums who started ballet there years ago and now have little ones of their own dancing there. We are very grateful that we had 6 years, and that they gave both Venetia and Maria a love of dance, but we're sad it's over. I think I will remember this last performance, more than any other, not just because of the occasion, but also because I really loved the performance in isolation. Particularly the last section in which they danced to excerpts of quite a contemporary ballet - 'Still Life at the Penguin Cafe'. It's not one I'd ever heard of before, but I've come to love the music after listening to it during weeks of rehearsals! And the inspiration behind the ballet was to highlight the plight of endangered species on our planet, and in particular our lack of action as humans to prevent extinctions. Sadly a theme just as relevant to our world now as 25 or so years ago when it was first created. Seeing it performed by our children felt very powerful. If you're interested you can see a clip from the ballet (not our version from the weekend!) here on You Tube.

And I have got a few more bits and pieces to catch up on here, so I will try to get back to a more regular pattern round here, or at least a brief flurry of posts!

Sally.

11 comments:

  1. Wow, Venetia did an amazing job! It sounds like the ballet school / classes were really wonderful and like a wonderful extension of family. I hope there will be moments when your paths will cross again one day in the future.

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  2. What beautiful gifts, I know just how much they will be appreciated. I can totally understand the emotion involved with this final show. Nine years ago the studio I trained in a as a child and then taught at for twenty years closed. It was time, but goodness so hard to say good bye. Such special connections are made between dance teachers and students.

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  3. Read whilst sitting on the bed whilst ignoring children and washing. No toilet in sight! Good to have you back x

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  4. Oh...the end of an era, as they say. It's always sad when good things come to an end. Venetia's crocheting looks amazing! And your pillow does, too. Both are sure to be treasured. Enjoy the sweet memories as you endeavor to find a new outlet for creative movement.

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  5. Oh...the end of an era, as they say. It's always sad when good things come to an end. Venetia's crocheting looks amazing! And your pillow does, too. Both are sure to be treasured. Enjoy the sweet memories as you endeavor to find a new outlet for creative movement.

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  6. Well done Venetia! What a beautiful, bright, cosy and colourful blanket for the new baby. Love the cushion too. The grace and movement in the figure is just lovely X

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  7. Venetia should be proud of her work, it's incredible. If I lived closer, maybe she could give me lessons. I adore the pillow, it shows the motion and beauty of ballet. I agree with Carole, I hope they find a new outlet for creative movement.

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  8. How kind and talented you both are! Both teachers will be so touched and happy.
    Amalia
    xo

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  9. What a lovely story, and lovely gifts for both teachers. Sad when such things come to an end, as they inevitably must. xCathy

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  10. What a lovely story, and lovely gifts for both teachers. Sad when such things come to an end, as they inevitably must. xCathy

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