When most people picture a ballet dancer, they probably imagine someone with perfect lines and oversplits who went en pointe upon entering their teenage years.
That’s not me.
I’m fifteen, about to start my sophomore year, and I only started dancing a couple of years ago. Between scoliosis and two big moves, learning ballet hasn’t been easy, but it has ended up being one of the best decisions i’ve made.
Living with Scoliosis
When I was younger, I found out I had moderate scoliosis (an S-shaped curve in my spine). It wasn’t severe enough to require surgery, but it was serious enough that doctors recommended a brace to help prevent it from getting worse (I designed mine with a galaxy pattern!!). At its largest, it was a little under 30 degrees. At first, doctors said I’d only need it for six months, but… I didn’t wear it the full prescribed sixteen hours a day, so those six months extended into two years.
I was anxious about how it might limit me, and I often Googled things like “Can you do ballet with scoliosis?” The answers were all over the place. Some said ballet improved posture and flexibility, while others warned that the twisting and backbends might make it worse.
Thankfully, after another exam near the end of sixth grade, my doctor cleared me to dance.
Making the Decision to Dance
At the end of seventh grade, I told my mom I wanted to do ballet. I took inspiration from Misty Copeland for my decision. She is a world-renowned African-American ballerina who also started at thirteen. My parents have never forced me into anything. They just wanted me to be sure. At the time, I was living in Massachusetts after moving from California on an eight-day car trip. Starting dance as a new teenager was… intimidating. Most dancers my age had been training for years.
Finding My Place
I started at one studio with the British Royal Ballet style, but the group classes weren’t the best fit. I was older, less experienced, and surrounded by younger dancers who were way ahead of me. Most of them had already been training for eight or nine years! It was pretty discouraging. It made me wonder if this was really what I wanted to spend my time on, because I felt out of place, and it didn’t seem like I was getting anywhere.
But then I found Dancing Arts Centre in Holliston, MA, and began private lessons with Miss Renee, who taught in the Russian Vaganova style. She gave me the foundation I needed and helped me slowly join group classes, even though I absolutely hated center at first (that’s the part of class where you leave the barre and dance in the middle of the room). Over time, I got to know a few of the other dancers, saw their amazing performances of The Nutcracker and Coppélia, and found my footing.
Another Move, Another Beginning
Just as I was finding my rhythm, we moved again in 2024. This time it was because my twin brother and I chose to attend high school at the Loomis Chaffee School in Windsor, Connecticut as boarding students. Miss Renee made my last classes so meaningful and fun. She taught me a dance from The Nutcracker and the Lilac Fairy variation from Sleeping Beauty (off-pointe, of course). I cried so much at the last class, but I left proud of how far I’d come.
At Loomis, I focused on theatre and track and field during the school year, but I kept ballet in my life through the Massachusetts Academy of Ballet in Holyoke, which I have been working with for about one year now. There, I train with Miss Rose and Mr. Charles (pictured with me in the photograph), who are married and run the studio together. They’re both strict but very kind: tough in the way that makes you better. (Mr. Charles can be a little intimidating sometimes, but only because he wants you to succeed!)
Summer at Massachusetts Academy of Ballet
Rose and Charles Flachs, the owners of the Massachusetts Academy of Ballet, are honestly some of the best ballet teachers you could ever ask for. I’m not exaggerating! They have this perfect balance of being really disciplined and serious while still being kind and encouraging. Both of them have danced professionally with companies like Nashville Ballet, Ballet West, and Cincinnati Ballet, and they’ve performed leading roles in classics like Giselle, Sleeping Beauty, Swan Lake, Coppélia, and Cinderella, as well as other works by famous choreographers like George Balanchine, Paul Taylor, and José Limón.
When I walked into the Massachusetts Academy of Ballet in Holyoke for my first group class this summer, I was excited but also really nervous because of the awkward experiences I’d had before. Now I always look forward to going. I’ve pushed myself, learned a lot, and grown in ways I didn’t expect.
My Training Schedule
At the Massachusetts Academy of Ballet, a typical class includes:
- Barre work: warming up with slow, controlled exercises while holding the barre for balance
- Center work: more challenging movements without the barre, like turns, jumps, and combinations
- Across the floor: moving combinations that build coordination and performance skills
This summer my week revolves around three precious days with 1 1/2-hour classes: Wednesdays for private lessons with Ms. Rose, and Tuesdays and Thursdays for group classes with either Ms. Rose or Mr. Charles. This schedule has become the rhythm of my summer, with each day bringing new challenges and breakthrough moments.
I used to dread group classes, but Ms. Rose thought that I’d grow quicker with a combination of the group classes and private lessons. She was right. And the dancers here, of all ages and levels, are incredibly supportive. They look out for each other, make me laugh, and I’ve been getting to know some of them as actual friends. I’ve gone from fearing center to (almost) liking it. Okay, barre still has my heart, but center isn’t my enemy anymore.
Looking Forward
I haven’t performed in a full production yet, but over the past year, my form, technique, and confidence have grown so much. More importantly, I’ve learned that it’s never too late to start, whether it’s dance or any new passion you want to explore, as a hobby or even professionally. Challenges, like my late start or experience with scoliosis, can make the journey harder, but if you’re willing to put in the work, stay patient, and keep showing up, I promise you can make incredible progress. (Of course, everyone’s journey is different, but I hope this message comes across well!)
One day, I hope to audition for a performance and then return to the Academy to sign the wall of graduates who have been cast in professional productions. For now, I’m proud of how far I’ve come and excited to keep going.
