The title or rank of Prima ballerina assoluta was originally inspired by the Italian ballet masters of the early Romantic Ballet and was bestowed on a ballerina who was considered to be exceptionally talented, above the standard of other leading ballerinas. The title is very rarely used today and recent uses have typically been symbolic, in recognition of a notable career and as a result, it is commonly viewed as an honour rather than an active rank.
OK, OK....maybe I am getting a little ahead of myself. Nobody has been named Prima ballerina assoluta....yet. But for her birthday, Jillian received dance lessons from Grammie so the title of Prima ballerina assoluta cannot be far away. Is it disturbing how much this pleases me?
For my entire life, dance and music has been extremely important to me. I started around age 3-4 with a brief appearance as a butterfly in a dance recital. Then I met Toots. Anybody that was anybody in SA took dance lessons from Toots Johnson. Even when I was 5, Toots was old. When she was young, she danced on Broadway and was a firecracker. She taught tap, ballet and jazz. In SA, Tim Duncan is known as Mr. Fundamental. If there was a female equivalent, then it would be Toots. She was all about no-nonsense discipline and practice. I started with ballet then added tap and then jazz. I was at dance school a minimum of 2 nights a week for a couple of hours. I LOVED IT!! In 8th grade, I left and by then, Toots was really old. In 8th grade, I made the decision to try out for cheerleader and realized I needed different training with more emphasis on gymnastics and cheer. BUT I always missed Toots and the contests she would hold for the most perfect splits (which I never won by the way)!
Now my little girl is starting her dance adventure and I hope she finds as much joy from it as I did!!!!
Her new outfit....
Showing off her new pose.... 
Her teacher, Ms. Norma, and the rest of her class...
She is the only one following directions and kicking (Don't you love the other kid with the finger up her nose??)...... 
Learning to balance (with a magic wand. Because doesn't every ballerina need a magic wand??)..... 
To finish off, a little fun with the parachute.... 
Happy Friday!!
2 comments:
How adorable! Isn't it fun to see them involved in stuff like this? I love watching Allison and the joy she has on her face. Jillian is definitely headed towards "Prima Ballerina Assoluta"
You can guess how much I love this post! I hope she enjoys it too just so I can see more cute pics of her in dance outfits and hear funny recital stories. :)
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