Dancing with the stars (of the City Ballet).David Prottas, 19, who grew up near Boston and graduated from the National Ballet School The National Ballet School of Canada is located in Toronto, Ontario. The National provides a full-time program which combines classical ballet training with academic education from Grades 6 through 12 at its boarding school. of Canada in Toronto, started an apprenticeship with the New York City Ballet New York City Ballet, one of the foremost American dance companies of the 20th cent. It was founded by Lincoln Kirstein and George Balanchine as the Ballet Society in 1946. last fall. He regularly puts in 12-hour days training, rehearsing, and performing with the company, and hopes to be invited to join this year. So far, he has appeared in The Nutcracker nutcracker, common name for a small crow of the genus Nucifraga in the family Corvidae (crow family). The Old World nutcracker (N. caryocatactes) is found throughout the colder regions of Europe, including high mountain forests. and The Sleeping Beauty Sleeping Beauty sleeps for 100 years. [Fr. Fairy Tale, The Sleeping Beauty] See : Enchantment Sleeping Beauty enchanted heroine awakened from century of slumber by prince’s kiss. . Upfront talked to Prottas, who's been studying dance since he was 7, about his passion for ballet. (Q) How does it feel to be surrounded by such talent? (A) It's really inspiring and an amazing a·maze v. a·mazed, a·maz·ing, a·maz·es v.tr. 1. To affect with great wonder; astonish. See Synonyms at surprise. 2. Obsolete To bewilder; perplex. v.intr. learning opportunity. But at the same time, it's a little bit intimidating. (Q) What have been the biggest challenges so far? (A) Just feeling comfortable dancing with, and integrating myself into, such a large and established company like the New York City Ballet. And then also just the [number] of ballets that we have to learn and remember. I have about 10 ballets in my head right now. (Q) What do you love about dancing? (A) First of all, performing. I find it pretty scary, but I enjoy the thrill of it. And it's such an amazing feeling to move to music and feel connected to it, and to work with other dancers. (Q) What do you like least about it? (A) The injury aspect of it. Every dancer has injuries that they're dealing with and problems with their bodies. That's the hardest part, because you really have no control over that, and it can be incredibly frustrating frus·trate tr.v. frus·trat·ed, frus·trat·ing, frus·trates 1. a. To prevent from accomplishing a purpose or fulfilling a desire; thwart: . |
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