Testimonials
These are our top 100 essay submissions for our 2014/2015 Essay Scholarship Contest that ran from July through November 2014. We absolutely loved reading all 1000 submissions this year and they were all well received.
Want to leave a testimonial? Email us at: [email protected]
Madison Pineda
“Dance allows you to find yourself and lose yourself at the same time.” Last summer, I returned to the Joffrey Southwest Summer Intensive. Coming back was one of the best decisions I have ever made. It allowed me to find my passion and lose myself on stage. From the beginning, the teachers observed me closely to see my improvement. They welcomed me back with excitement and pushed me even harder than before. I excelled in my dancing and studied a large variety of styles. Training in this broad selection of dance styles educated me and let me become well-rounded in dance. Joffrey Ballet School is the world premier dance school in the USA, because they focus on all of these styles and never lose sight of dance’s history. Their inspiring instructors, especially Ms. Alice Alyse, watched closely and pushed me out of my comfort zone. Ms. Alice always gave us advice and even asked me to perform in a trio at the performance. The feeling I got on stage was indescribable and learning from a world-renowned performer like her, taught me so much. To be given a scholarship and opportunity to work with Joffrey’s choreographers again would be unbelievable.
Maile Santora
When I was 4 years old my mother bought me a Bella Ballerina ballet set. It came with a ballet barre and a DVD with instructions on how to learn ballet. Mom said I would stay in front of the TV for hours trying to master the positions. Nine years later, I am still dancing for hours. Always wanting to learn something new and trying improve my technique. At the age of 6, Mom showed me her old pointe shoes. My little feet were swimming in the big shoes but when no one was looking I would try them on. There are no rules when I am dancing. Although the choreography may belong to someone else, the dance is mine. I own it! It’s my freedom and a feeling beyond words. This is why I believe Joffrey Ballet School is the place for me. If I am fortunate enough to be accepted, I will have the opportunity to train with the very best. Joffrey Ballet School will not only help me perfect my form and technique, they will bring out the true dancer within me. This is what makes Joffrey Ballet School a World Premiere Dance School.
Margaux Natiello
“Dance enables you to find yourself and lose yourself at the same time” Peter Townsend. Throughout my dance career I have struggled with the transfer skill: I understand what I have to do to apply my technical corrections, but I cannot make it happen in my body. Throughout my time at the JBS intensive I was exposed to many instructors point of views on technique and musicality, ways of thinking about applying corrections, and images and parts of my body to think about when adjusting body placement and improving technique. During this time everything fell into place and my corrections were solved. I have never worked so hard in my life and been so strong, or learned so much in such a short period of time. Joffrey faculty are inspiring and determined to nurture technical and artistic growth, and give you helpful advice on how to “get the job” in the industry. I was offered amazing choreography and opportunities to succeed. During my time at the Joffrey NYC Jazz Contemporary Intensive I was able to find myself as an individual in the dance world and lose myself in the choreography given and learning process through the exquisite art of dance.
Maria Eugenia Garibotti
A few days ago, I was reading a poem about dancing that ended with the quote: "We are the dancers, we create the dreams". I felt really identified with that quote, since it resembled part of my feelings for dancing. As cliche as it may sound, dancing has always been my escape from daily life problems, but at the same time it has always been the only idea of my future that did not scare me. Dancing has given me endless times of happiness and joy, but most importantly, it has given me a dream. My dream is to become a dancer in NYC. I have been looking for different schools and The Joffrey School is the only one with different locations, with programs that enable the dancer to be prepare for a future career, and known worldwide to be one of the best in the world. Your Jazz and Contemporary Program is the most complete program I have found, and it would be an honor to experience your summer intensive before applying for it. I am positive that the experience will be unique and will help me be more close to achieving my dream.
Marielle Frey
Looking back, waving goodbye to my parents made me realize that the next three weeks would be what I made of them. I could let my nerves get the best of me and shy away from this great opportunity... or I could surpass expectations and have the greatest experience of my life. As a determined young dancer, I chose to use Joffrey Ballet School’s Jazz and Contemporary Summer Intensive to grow immensely and, most importantly, have fun. Those three weeks in New York City taught me the importance of treating each class as I would treat a final performance, because each teacher has something uniquely important to share. From my experience, I learned that this is the time to experiment with every style of dance and make connections with everyone you meet. JBS is a dream to dancer’s worldwide. Their impeccable faculty produces beautiful, strong, and happy dancers that want nothing more than to share their love for this art with others. JBS stands out in the dance community because of the company's ability to stay versatile without losing the foundation and core Ballet technique training. JBS finds great potential in dancers and knows exactly how to help them shine.
Marisa Turner
This summer I jumped on a plane by myself for the first time and headed to California for Joffrey West. I had an amazing time getting to meet so many different dancers from all over the country and getting the chance to meet so many amazing choreographers. The teachers at Joffrey West were amazing, and every class I took challenged me to step out of my comfort zone and to really push myself. I loved that we had four classes a day and that every day it was a different style of dance. I had the privilege of being in Allison Holker’s piece as well as Cheon Wespi-Tschopp and Liz Imperio’s piece. All of these pieces were extremely challenging and I believe that being chosen for them has helped me to expand as a dancer. There were days where I would be so exhausted, but it made me realize how hard I had been working and how much the choreographers were pushing us to be more than what we already are. After coming to Joffrey West this past summer I felt myself grow as a dancer, and I know I made the right decision choosing to go to this intensive.
Matthew Zimmerman
My time at the Joffrey Ballet School Jazz/Contemporary Summer Intensive was absolutely two weeks I will never forget. It made me feel like I was in the professional world of dance day to day. The teachers were amazing and gave great corrections. Matthew Prescott and Joyce King's corrections were extremely beneficial. They made me a better dancer by helping me fix the little things that were holding me back. Also, Jessica Batten gave me the confidence I had been lacking and needed to find. Without the unforgettable teachers my experience wouldn't have been the same. Another huge thing that really left an impression on me were the other dancers I met. We spent so much time with each other that we formed strong bonds, like a family. Everyone was so nice and open even though we just met. It felt like we knew each other our whole life. I feel like even the dancers helped each other become better dancers by showing each other what they learned and teaching each other the combinations from their classes that day. I definitely would love to return to the Joffrey Ballet School.
Megan Brooks
My experience this summer was life-changing. I met so many amazing people and learned so much! Every teacher at Joffrey San Francisco taught me something the minute they walked into the room. During my time in San Francisco, I grew so much as a dancer and as a person. All of the faculty was so inspiring and so kind. The entire program had such an encouraging atmosphere of creativity. Because of all I learned, I was invited to join a pointe competition dance! The minute I stepped into class at my home studio, my teachers saw a big change in my dance ability and work ethic. In my entire dance career, I will never forget the phenomenal things I learned and the people I met at this awe-inspiring program. Joffrey Ballet School is the best ballet school that provides amazing instruction and unforgettable intensives.
Megan McEntee
Dance is my passion. The feeling I get when I am dancing is indescribable. When I went to Joffrey San Francisco the summer of 2014, it was an experience like no other. I learned so much in just 2 weeks. It was amazing getting to work with teachers and choreographers like Josie Walsh and Sara Silken. My entire life I have done nothing but ballet, and this past year I started contemporary and modern. This intensive enhanced my training by working with different choreographers and different styles. I got a new insight on contemporary dance, and I would be honored to learn more and continue my training, The Joffrey Ballet School is the premiere dance school because they explore different styles while still keeping that basic ballet training. Joffrey looks deeper into dance than a lot of schools do. The kind, experienced teachers give it a relaxed but professional feel. The Joffrey Ballet School not only teaches students how to dance, but they teach the passion behind it. I am more passionate about dance now than I was before, so that shows you why many kids are inspired every day by Joffrey. I’d be honored to attend another Joffrey intensive.
Mekinna Knight
Mr. Robertson and the Joffrey staff gave me an opportunity to experience fun and rigorous training at Joffrey Denver last summer. Before Joffrey, my training was predominantly traditional ballet. Joffrey paved a way for me to ‘step up my game’. I anticipated the hard work, choreography and professionalism during my two weeks of training. However, I can’t express how much fun I had! My instructors were eager to teach me and expressed value in my success. I experienced amazing teachers, created new friendships, learned enjoyable choreography (that included Prince) – all with the beautiful backdrop of the Rocky Mountains. I cannot wait to have this experience again! Joffrey Ballet School is the world premiere dance school in the USA because one man’s vision and my opportunity to experience it, made me a better dancer! At the Joffrey summer intensive, I was given the opportunity to blend my love of modern dance with ballet. “There is no longer this division, you are a ballet dancer or a modern dancer. A great dancer does both.” (Robert Joffrey, 1963) I returned to my home dance studio – in Texas – with a noticeable change in my skill, technique, and overall LOVE of ballet.
Melanie Olinsky
I am in 11th grade at school. It's a crazy time studying for SAT's, AP's and honors classes while working hard to squeeze in time to do what I love, dance. I like thinking back on my summer and my time at the Joffrey Experience. I was privileged to dance with some of the most incredible masters, Desmond Richardson, Josie Walsh, Abdur-Rahim Jackson, Bradley Shelver, Mike Esperanza, and Greg Dolbashian. Each one gave me something special and their advice inspires me every day. They helped me reaffirm my commitment to dance and realize that I dedicate myself to this art because I truly love it. One piece of advice that motivates me was said by Bradley Shelver; "no matter what you are doing, whether it be a ron de jambe at the barre or dancing an entire piece, you need to feel something." His words have helped me grow immensely as a dancer by inspiring me to explore movement and guiding me to find myself as an artist. I am so very grateful to have had this amazing experience and learned so much from these wonderful people. I look forward to attending a Joffrey program again this summer.
Michela Chiroli
This summer I attended to JBS summer intensive in Florence, with Davis Robertson and Nicole Duffy. It was wonderful: we studied four hours and a half a day: ballet, point and contemporary. I particularly appreciated the way to organize the esercises: leading us to get better results in shorter time. Jbs is the best american school in the world, because it offers the possibility to try different styles: ballet, contemporary, hip-hop, working in a reliable environment, perseverant and worthwhile, but serene, without tension. Students can find and develop their specific peculiarities. Teachers promote dancing as a unique reality, with different sides, merging one another. They teach you to follow music, becoming one with it, using the technical devices you already posses. Theachers work with students, correcting them, and giving special attention to each of them. That's why at the end of the intensive, I felt I have extended and improved my technical and expressive abilities. It was always possible to question the teachers, having explanations. JBSoffers you the possibility to learn Gerald Arpino's repertory, very peculiar and unique in its genre.
Montana Sandoval
I have been dancing since the moment I could walk. The thing I love most about dancing is that it allows me to be unique. I am not in some mold that must conform to certain standards. IT sets me apart from others because I have discipline, focus and a maturity unlike others my age. I am an old soul ready to take the stage to entertain my audience. When all my talents converge acting, singing and dancing there is no other place I would rather be than on stage. I love to dance but more than that I love to perform. It would be an honor to have the opportunity to learn in a well-rounded program like at Joffrey Ballet School that has a proven history of developing dancers to well-versed performers. Joffrey Ballet School is different and amazing because this program realizes that dancers must be versatile and educated. It recognizes that one must not only have a passion for dance but for performance as well. Joffrey won’t change the individual dancer but rather help prepare them for the stage. Joffrey Ballet School is unique not unlike me.
Morgan Goodfellow
If you look up the word “dance” in the dictionary you get several definitions. The one that stand out most to me is “To perform.” Dance is my greatest passion and there is nothing I love more then the thrill and the rush of performing. The sensation I get when I perform is otherworldly, and I get the most peculiar feeling of being both powerful and vulnerable at the same time. It doesn’t matter whether I am dancing for one person or one hundred, when I preform I can truly express myself in ways that cannot be communicated by words. To me there is nothing more beautiful then the human body and how it can be used to convey emotions and concepts. The Joffrey School has always intrigued me because of its artistic innovation and commitment to its dancers. Joffrey’s world-renowned staff creates an environment where students grow not only as artists but also as individuals. With inspirational new works, Joffrey exposes young dancers to new levels of groundbreaking choreography and movement. I want nothing more then to immerse myself in a program were my only focus would be dance, discovery and reaching my full potential.
Muriel Smith
Spending three weeks dancing with the Joffrey ballet was the most beautiful challenge of my life. It was the most true test of my physical and emotional strength I have ever encountered. Each day tears were brought to my eyes; sometimes because of defeat, sometimes physical pain, but what brought me to tears more often than not were the small moments that just clicked. Either my body did something I once thought was impossible, or my eyes were opened to something I always felt, but never truly understood. That is why the Joffrey ballet is the world premier dance school in the USA. You open students body's and souls to the art of dance. You facilitate the path to self discovery and personal inspiration. With hundreds of students, all varying in skill level, age and gender, you still feel as if everyone is there to make you a better, more thoughtful dancer. I not only walked away having been inspired by every single teacher, I walked away with the skills to inspire myself. I am a 23 year old 6"1 woman. I dance with no expectations, simply for the respect and whole hearted love of the art.
Want to leave a testimonial? Email us at: [email protected]
