Editor’s Note: I am sorry this issue is coming out a month
late. Unfortunately, the original cover story that we sunk
thousands of dollars into didn’t pan out due to artistic
differences. So, this issue was kind of a scramble as the
original September was going to be a super stunning layout
of fall looks provided by Forever 21. Because of this, the
entire issue’s content had to be killed (editing terms for
unusable). But, the show is back on! This issue is has been
extremely important to me because I decided to refocus it
on teachers, training and the journey it takes to run a school.
As you might know, I recently opened up The Ballet Clinic in
Scottsdale, Arizona. We are now full time under my direction
with an amazing faculty, including A Ballet Education’s (and
the former School of Ballet Arizona’s Manager) Ashley Baker,
and former Pacific Northwest Ballet and Ballet Arizona
dancer Eric Hipolito Jr. You can follow this journey via the
school’s instagram: @TheBalletClinic or visit our website
www.theballetclinic.com.
This incredibly journey has taught me ups and downs, but
most importantly I learned from my previous mistakes. If you
have been following A Ballet Education you know that my
personal ballet journey over the past few years has been
quite intense. After Redlands Dance Theatre, I decided that I
was done running a full-time ballet program, in fact, I had
even turned down school director jobs so I could stay
privately coaching and running A Ballet Education. The
problem? People still wanted to train, and I found myself in
the studio even more and more. Kids were flying in from all
around the world to train, and I was having a hard time
accommodating them all. This is what inspired me to open
the Ballet Clinic.
This led me to believe that the journey as going to be easy.
But it wasn’t. Finding the right building, with the right codes,
with the right height of ceilings and the right price wasn’t
easy. Getting permits was painstakingly long. The build out,
that was actually fast because of the contractor. He was
great. I know, hearing of a good contractor is rare, but he did
the entire buildout in 10 days. It was all super great, then the
plumbing decided to go out causing things to flood, and the
list goes on and on. Getting the right the kids was not an
easy task either. Because I am looking for very specific things
in young dancers, and I don’t just accept anyone, it was also
a mission.
Finding the right balance is never easy in life, but when the
ballet community is watching you there is even a greater deal
of stress luring over you. So, this issue brings out some great
ideas, inspiring stories, and more information about the
ballet community.
-David King