Have you ever fancied yourself as a prima ballerina, pirouetting elegantly across the dance floor to a soundtrack of enthusiastic applause? Then you’ve come to the right place – because ballet expert Brittany O’Connor, a lead dancer on the Andrea Bocelli World Tour for the past six years, knows just what it takes to get into the industry and see success.
This traditional art form, which dates all the way to the 15th-century French courtesans and royals, has long been associated with refinement and sophistication, and today, it is taught at many studios worldwide. A beautiful form of art and creative expression, it requires immense skill and expertise to get to the very top – and, as you’ve imagined, it isn’t something that happens overnight. But for those dedicated enough to the dream, it’s certainly possible.
According to Brittany, many budding dancers find ballet intimidating, but as a mentor, she helps her mentees to connect with it in a way that eventually allows them to be able to perform flawlessly.
At the Youth American Grand Prix, Brittany advises young dancers to stay positive and confident to make it in the dance industry. We asked her to share some of her tips and tricks to anyone looking to get into the industry and make their dream a reality.
Start young
Although Brittany started her ballet career at 14, she had ample experience in the dance industry beforehand, and today, she helps young people and adults get into ballet with her talent and unique coaching abilities. She says that although starting young is not essential, it certainly helps, as doing so will mean you have plenty of time to learn the basics and develop your skills so that dance becomes a muscle memory rather than a trained performance. Then, when opportunity comes knocking later on, you’ll be ready to give it all you’ve got.
Practice, practice, practice
As the saying goes, practice makes perfect – and this is certainly true when it comes to ballet. One needs to practice wholeheartedly – and often – to learn this fine art and make a name in the industry as a refined dancer. Many dance moves, like Grand Jete, En pointe, Pirouettes, and Fouette, become impossible to perform without significant practice, so the more time and effort you can dedicate to perfecting them, the better.
Brittany found practicing hard was enough to catch up despite starting relatively late compared to some, and says that at one point, she was the worst dancer in her class. She only got to attend classes twice a week, but made a point of staying late to practice. Seeing her hard work and dedication, her teachers stayed with her to help her achieve her goals – and the rest, as they say, is history.
Research and attend auditions
There are numerous respectable dance companies across the globe that hold auditions for new ballerinas and dancers each year – so if you’re eager to be discovered, then be attentive and be sure to do plenty of research to ensure you’re always up to speed with the latest opportunities on offer. Although auditions can be daunting, they are the best way to put yourself out there, and will force you to refine your technique and improve your skill each and every time you perform at one. Brittany herself was chosen at one of these auditions for the Dresden SemperOper company in Germany, and it was a major moment that paved the way for the glittering career that would follow.
Be confident in your ability
It’s normal to be rejected by a few companies before you find one that accepts you and recognises your talent. Rejection is not the same as failure, and Brittany ensures her students and mentees know that failure is only the first step toward success. Each time you fail, there is something to be learned, so use it as motivation to become better and better – and don’t lose faith in your ability. With the skill and determination to succeed, it’s only a matter of time before you do, so take it all in your stride and keep going until your moment finally arrives.
To learn more about Brittany O’Connor and Youth American Grand Prix, click here to visit their website.
