backstagemom Posted March 31 Report Share Posted March 31 Yesterday, my DD signed her first apprentice contract. This post is about perseverance and working hard. I hope it will give you some encouragement. DD started ballet at age five, but by age eight, she decided she didn't like tap, so we left. She did cheer for one summer before going back to ballet, but unfortunately, at a Dolly Dinkle studio. You don't know what you don't know. Fast forward... At age 13, she decided she wanted to dance professionally, but she knew she needed to change schools, so we went to a local studio connected to a regional company. The first thing we learned was that she wasn't trained properly. She didn't know the French terms and danced on a hard floor. Over the next several years, she worked hard, overcoming some tough obstacles, and taking extra classes and pilates. At 18, she still wasn't ready, so instead of college, she left to attend a ballet school year round for the next four years. When Covid happened, she thought she'd have to stay at her school for one more year, but she landed a trainee spot in a mid size company. There were so many times when she could have given up, in fact, most dancers would've given up, but she persevered. When she was disappointed, she would ugly cry, then the next day, she pushed herself harder and worked. If your DD is coming from behind, please know, that with hard work, perseverance, and talent, dreams do come true. This is one proud Mama today. Quote Link to comment
AB'sMom Posted March 31 Report Share Posted March 31 Congratulations to your daughter and thank you for sharing her journey. The path to a ballet career is so difficult and filled with uncertainty. It is wonderful to hear stories of success, particularly the sometimes winding road it takes to get there. Quote Link to comment
Cuckoomamma Posted March 31 Report Share Posted March 31 Congratulations to your daughter! Quote Link to comment
CourtneyP Posted March 31 Report Share Posted March 31 I wish there were a "love" button. Congratulations, what an incredible path to achieve her dreams! Quote Link to comment
picardythird Posted March 31 Report Share Posted March 31 Congratulations! I am so happy for her! And you! Quote Link to comment
Ballet_Mage Posted March 31 Report Share Posted March 31 Thank you for sharing your DD journey and success. Congratulations for her and I know how proud you must be. My DD is still in the ugly cry stage, this is heartening. They are a determined breed. Quote Link to comment
InTheWings Posted April 1 Report Share Posted April 1 Congratulations to her and to you! Way to go! 🎉 Quote Link to comment
mommamoni Posted April 1 Report Share Posted April 1 Congrats to your daughter! And this is coning right on time as my DD(13) has been struggling. Was at a dolly dinkle but now feels so far behind at her pre-pro studio. She literally had an ugly cry moment just this week but is pushing through. Will be sharing this story with her Quote Link to comment
Ballerinamom2girls Posted April 1 Report Share Posted April 1 Congratulations! It's wonderful to hear success stories during such a difficult time for the arts. Quote Link to comment
Derin's Mom Posted April 1 Report Share Posted April 1 We all hear you, you must be a proud mom 🙂 Congratulations for your DD, hope she feels at home in her new company. Quote Link to comment
AlwaysMore2Learn Posted April 2 Report Share Posted April 2 Congratulations to both your DD and to you for seeing her through this far! It's so wonderful to hear a story that's incredibly relatable that is going well down the road from where my DD currently is. Best wishes for your dancer's continued success and happiness! Quote Link to comment
lotstolearn Posted April 2 Report Share Posted April 2 Congratulations to your DD any to you - supporting a child with aspirations of dancing professionally is no easy task either! Your story is so inspirational and full of hope for those of us in the middle of it all. Thank you for sharing, and best of luck to your DD for a long and fulfilling career Quote Link to comment
balletmomcuriosa Posted April 3 Report Share Posted April 3 Congratulations and thank you for sharing your daughter’s story - a wonderful example of resilience! Quote Link to comment
Ballet Meet Modern World Posted May 13 Report Share Posted May 13 @backstagemomThank you for sharing your daughter's story and your story as well. Congrats to both of you! As a parent you always want and hope for the best - looks like she found her home! I have a daughter who started with humble beginnings when it came to training and she has been playing catchup for about 4 years now. Would love to learn more about your child's journey, how you helped her to stay mentally tough if/when needed? My DD is on the shorter side and was told at a young age (10) that she would never make it because of this. This comment has stuck with her, it has driven her to prove them wrong. However, I know it lingers in the back of her mind. Quote Link to comment
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