By Jordan Hammond member of the corps de ballet of San Francisco Ballet June 10, 2009
Hi Everyone! My name is Jordan and I am a Trainee in the San Francisco Ballet School’s Trainee Program. I just completed my first year here in the program and am honored and greatly looking forward to returning for my second year this fall! In the meantime, I am so excited to be given the opportunity to write for SFB’s Open Studio 455 blog and hope that I can give everyone an inside look at what the Trainees have accomplished and what we will be up to in the future.
We began the year at the end of August, after a short break from the San Francisco Ballet School’s five-week Summer Session. Right away, Trainee Program Supervisor Jean-Yves Esquerre informed us of the repertoire that had been selected for the year, and we headed straight to the studio, learning and rehearsing our new material which included: Helgi Tomasson‘s Menuetto, Handel: A Celebration (Quartet and Pas de Deux), 7 for Eight (Pas de Deux); sections from John Neumeier’s Yondering; Edgar Zendejas’ Crumbling; Balanchine’s Tchaichovsky Pas De Deux, and an exciting new contemporary piece choreographed for the Trainees by Parrish Maynard called Fractals.
SF Ballet School Trainees in Tomasson’s 7 for Eight at Gateway High School
After weeks of concentrated rehearsal, we had our first performance at the grand opening of the California Academy of Sciences on a beautiful outdoor stage right in the middle of Golden Gate Park. It was such a unique experience because we were able to actually see the audience while we were dancing, which allowed us to connect with them on a different level. I remember feeling so exhilarated after our first performance, and immediately yearning for more!
Trainees in Tomasson’s Menuetto at Golden Gate Park.
Well needless to say, my “yearn” was quickly fulfilled because the Trainees were scheduled to perform at least three or four times per month at a variety of venues across the Bay Area and Northern California. Many of these performances were meant to introduce the art of ballet to elementary or high school students, while others were for different communities that just respected and enjoyed attending the ballet. In addition, following most of our performances, a Q&A session was held with the audience which enabled us to share more about the concept of the Trainee Program and what we do as ballet dancers everyday. Questions asked included how many hours/days a week we rehearse, why we love to dance, how old we were when we started, and a popular one from the elementary school kids was if our toes hurt when we are up on pointe!Being able to perform so much this year was such a blessing, for it taught me the importance of having to adapt to a new environment each week and still perform to the best of my ability. It also gave each of the Trainees a chance to perform roles that are typically danced by principals and soloists, and the ability to grow in those roles performance after performance.
Trainees outside of the Raven Theater before a performance for the community of Healdsburg, CA
Overall, this past year in the Trainee Program was more than I could have ever dreamed of and has been such a growing and fulfilling experience. I know on behalf of myself and the other Trainees, we cannot thank Jean-Yves Esquerre and Wendy Van Dyck enough for all the hardwork they have done for the program and how much they have influenced our lives. I can’t say again how much I am looking forward to continuing to share more about the Trainee Program with everyone through blogging! Until then, have an enjoyable summer break!!
Our last Trainee group picture taken after our Choreographic Showcase in Lew Christensen Studio
Introducing… Jordan!
member of the corps de ballet of San Francisco Ballet
June 10, 2009
Hi Everyone! My name is Jordan and I am a Trainee in the San Francisco Ballet School’s Trainee Program. I just completed my first year here in the program and am honored and greatly looking forward to returning for my second year this fall! In the meantime, I am so excited to be given the opportunity to write for SFB’s Open Studio 455 blog and hope that I can give everyone an inside look at what the Trainees have accomplished and what we will be up to in the future.
We began the year at the end of August, after a short break from the San Francisco Ballet School’s five-week Summer Session. Right away, Trainee Program Supervisor Jean-Yves Esquerre informed us of the repertoire that had been selected for the year, and we headed straight to the studio, learning and rehearsing our new material which included: Helgi Tomasson‘s Menuetto, Handel: A Celebration (Quartet and Pas de Deux), 7 for Eight (Pas de Deux); sections from John Neumeier’s Yondering; Edgar Zendejas’ Crumbling; Balanchine’s Tchaichovsky Pas De Deux, and an exciting new contemporary piece choreographed for the Trainees by Parrish Maynard called Fractals.
SF Ballet School Trainees in Tomasson’s 7 for Eight at Gateway High School
After weeks of concentrated rehearsal, we had our first performance at the grand opening of the California Academy of Sciences on a beautiful outdoor stage right in the middle of Golden Gate Park. It was such a unique experience because we were able to actually see the audience while we were dancing, which allowed us to connect with them on a different level. I remember feeling so exhilarated after our first performance, and immediately yearning for more!
Trainees in Tomasson’s Menuetto at Golden Gate Park.
Well needless to say, my “yearn” was quickly fulfilled because the Trainees were scheduled to perform at least three or four times per month at a variety of venues across the Bay Area and Northern California. Many of these performances were meant to introduce the art of ballet to elementary or high school students, while others were for different communities that just respected and enjoyed attending the ballet. In addition, following most of our performances, a Q&A session was held with the audience which enabled us to share more about the concept of the Trainee Program and what we do as ballet dancers everyday. Questions asked included how many hours/days a week we rehearse, why we love to dance, how old we were when we started, and a popular one from the elementary school kids was if our toes hurt when we are up on pointe!Being able to perform so much this year was such a blessing, for it taught me the importance of having to adapt to a new environment each week and still perform to the best of my ability. It also gave each of the Trainees a chance to perform roles that are typically danced by principals and soloists, and the ability to grow in those roles performance after performance.
Trainees outside of the Raven Theater before a performance for the community of Healdsburg, CA
Overall, this past year in the Trainee Program was more than I could have ever dreamed of and has been such a growing and fulfilling experience. I know on behalf of myself and the other Trainees, we cannot thank Jean-Yves Esquerre and Wendy Van Dyck enough for all the hardwork they have done for the program and how much they have influenced our lives. I can’t say again how much I am looking forward to continuing to share more about the Trainee Program with everyone through blogging! Until then, have an enjoyable summer break!!
Our last Trainee group picture taken after our Choreographic Showcase in Lew Christensen Studio