How to Stay Motivated and Inspired in Dance

Everyone struggles with lack of motivation and inspiration at times, and dancers are no exception!  Dance is an extremely difficult art form, and more demanding than many sports.  Sometimes the long hours of arduous practice and blistered feet can get overwhelming, and it can be easy to get discouraged and loose your motivation.

Lack of motivation can be caused by several factors.  The three most common causes of demotivation are exhaustion, burnout, and beating yourself up over mistakes.  The first most important step towards motivation is to address the cause of the demotivation or discouragement.  Sometimes this can be hard to do, but you have to find the root of the problem and not just address the surface symptoms.  Remember that even the best dancers have had times of self-doubt and discouragement.  Don't worry!    Sometimes meditation can help you realize what is causing you to be discouraged.   Try sitting in a quite place, closing your eyes, and letting your thoughts drift peacefully by.  You might be surprised by how peaceful thinking can help clear your thoughts!  Try asking yourself some questions - what are your goals in dance?  Why did you start dancing?  When did you start feeling discouraged?

I see a lot of dancers bringing themselves down for "not being good enough" or "talented enough" or "flexible enough."  Very often, taking yourself down like that can cause demotivation and discouragement.  It is good to be able to look in the mirror in class and know what needs to be corrected, but you have to take things one step at a time.  Don't try to address all your problems at once; try focusing on fixing one thing in dance each month, and will find that you are much more motivated!  I am naturally a perfectionist, so I know how it feels to be overwhelmed by the things that need correction.  For a long time I would constantly come down on myself for not being "good enough." When I finally realized that it is the passion and love for dance that matters, I was able to relax, and I improved a million times faster!

If you have been dancing a lot and recently started feeling demotivated or discouraged, it is possible that you are exhausted and overworked.  If you think this might be why you're feeling down, try taking a little break!  Sometimes a week or two off from dance is all you need, and you will come back to dance refreshed and motivated to work even harder!

No matter what is causing your demotivation in dance, it is important to get re-inspired!  A great way to refuel your zest for dance is to watch some ballet or dance videos on YouTube.  Misty Copeland, Maria Kotchetkova, and Miko Fogarty are some of my favorite dancers to watch for inspiration.  Try starting by watching a few of these videos:

My best tip for all of you is to work hard, and don't bring yourself or others down. Don't beat yourself up over your mistakes... work to correct them!  Dance takes time, and patience is important.  We all have bad days... keep going, and follow your dreams. Hard work, positivity, and perseverance will get you everywhere!

Love,

Clarissa May

Find me on Social Media:
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Clarissa's Day at the Fair (behind the scenes at a photoshoot!)

Have you seen my most recent video? It is a peek behind-the-scenes of my photoshoot and flash-mob performance at the fair!  Watch it, and let me know what you think!  

Love,

Clarissa May

Find me on Social Media:

Instagram: @clarissamay

Facebook: Live On Pointe

Twitter: @clarissamay09
Youtube: Live On Pointe & Clarissa May

Backstage and Pre-Show Routine

You guys have been asking me for pre-performance tips, so I just uploaded a video of my backstage and pre-show routine! I hope my tips and tricks help you… feel free to comment with some of your own! 

Love,

Clarissa May

Find me on Social Media:

Instagram: @clarissamay

Facebook: Live On Pointe

Twitter: @clarissamay09
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Exclusive Peek Inside Open Class!

Many of you have been asking to see me dance, so I figured I would share some barre with you!  I am very aware that I have MANY things I have to work on.  There is an infinite list of things that need work, and I work as hard as I can in each class to correct them!

Click the link below to watch, and don't forget to subscribe!  Leave me a comment, and let me know what you think!

Love,

Clarissa May

Find me on Social Media:

Instagram: @clarissamay

Facebook: Live On Pointe

Twitter: @clarissamay09
Youtube: Live On Pointe & Clarissa May

My Daily Stretch Routine

You guys have been asking what stretches I do everyday, so I made a video of my daily stretch routine!  I stretch for about 30 minutes every day, and I hold each stretch for 2-3 minutes.  Enjoy, and let me know how my routine helps you!

Love,

Clarissa May

Find me on Social Media:

Instagram: @clarissamay

Facebook: facebook.com/LiveOnPointe

Twitter: @clarissamay09
Youtube: Live On Pointe & Clarissa May

The Tale of Many Tails (Jenna's Story)

First of all, I would just like to say that I am so humbled that my story has inspired so many people!  I have met so many amazing people through my journey, and I have been searching for a way to share more inspiration with my readers.  So, I have decided to start interviewing other dancers who have overcome hardships, in the hopes that they will inspire you too!  I always say, everyone has a story!


My first interview in this series is with Jenna.  Jenna is 14 years old, and she is living with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome type 3.  EDS type 3 effects the joints, causing severe joint pain and dislocations.  Jenna was a dancer until this past January, when EDS forced her to stop dancing.  This is her story...

"I have always been double jointed. Starting in 5th grade, I had constant pain in my joints, and sometimes felt like joints were going out of place, then going back in. I ignored these symptoms, thinking they were the result of dancing 6 days a week.  The pain in my knees worsened, so I told my mom.  I was mis-diagnosed with tendonitis. The next year, I started to become extremely injury prone.  It seemed like I always had one injury after another. If you were to look at our photo albums, you would see that I always had some sort of brace on some part of my body.  Because of all my injuries, I missed a lot of dance.

"On July 5, 2013, I dislocated my left knee while doing a lunge in class.  It was out for two hours before the doctor at the hospital finally put it back in.  Recovery was tough.  I used crutches and an immobilizing brace for a month or so.  Then, my friend accidentally sat on my knee and I had to start the recovery process all over again.  

"Once I recovered from that, I started to dance again.  But I started to get severe vertigo daily.  After Christmas, I was so sick, I went from being 111 pounds to 104 pounds (my height is 5'8'').  In January of this year, I was diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. 

"In March, I was hospitalized for a week.  My mom told the doctors that she knew I wasn't dying, but it felt like it.  I would take a bite or two of food, then get too nauseous to eat.  I drank Ensure nutrition drinks to help gain the weight back.  During my hospital stay, I was diagnosed with dysautonomia.  I also met my great friend, Brooklyn, who has the same conditions as me. 

"I am now taking chromolyn sodium for dysautonomia & low dose naltrexone for EDS. The chromolyn sodium is working very well for my dysautonomia (although I still get sick).  The low dose naltrexone isn't quite working for me yet, but people with EDS have had good results with it. It's supposed to bring pain levels down to a 3-5. I'm also trying The Maker's Diet by Jordan Rubin. He basically cured himself from Crohn's disease and 17 other illnesses by eating healthy and praying. Although he did not have Ehlers-Danlos, I'm trying the diet. 

"My mom and I are expecting me to have a better quality of life than I have now. We know that I'll still have dislocations etc, but that's okay. You have to accept what you can't change.  I have a wonderful mom, and I know she'll always take care of me.  I also want to point out that I have amazing friends who support me every step of the way.  I don't know what I'd do without them. I am also writing a book called 'Only Time,' about a girl who has my conditions, and I am basing her experiences off mine."


Q & A with Jenna!

Q: When were you diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome?
A: I was diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome type 3 in January. 

Q: When did you stop dancing?3. I stopped dancing around late January or early February.

Q: What is it like to live with EDS?
A: With EDS, I always have joint pain & frequent dislocations. I was also diagnosed with dysautonomia (a malfunction of the Autonomic Nervous System) in March (during a hospital stay).  The dysautonomia makes me feel sick a lot. I'll feel as if I'm getting the flu, but I'm not contagious at all. It's very hard with EDS and dysautonomia, because I never know how much I can do everyday. If I do too much, I pay for it by having more extreme pain, or feeling sick.  I look normal even when I feel terrible, and it really is hard to hear someone say, "Oh you look so good!" when you feel so bad.

Q: If you could tell someone only 5 facts about EDS, what would you tell them?A: If someone were to ask me to give them five facts about EDS, I would say:

1. People with EDS have high joint pain & frequent dislocations.
2. We have a much higher pain tolerance than most people. Our 6 would be a 8, 9, or 10 to others without an illness.
3. Zebras are the EDS mascot because when doctors hear hoof beats, they think horses and not zebras.
4. It is very easy for us to dislocate without trauma. Ex: Picking up a milk carton, getting off the floor, opening the refrigerator,  etc.
5. We are not lazy, not crazy, just in pain.

Q: How does EDS effect your everyday life?A. I am mostly bedridden, but I am able to go places sometimes. I do physical therapy in a pool. My mom is doing a lot of research so I can live a better quality of life, but I will always have to be careful with my body.  There is no cure on Earth for EDS, but I will be cured in Heaven.


Although Jenna is currently bedridden, she hasn't given up on dance.  Her current goal is to be able to do barre, and someday teach dance.

This is the first in a series of interviews I will be doing to help dancers share their inspirational stories.  Everyone has a story, and it is important to share them!  If you or someone you know has an inspirational story to share, please email me: liveonpointe@gmail.com

Love,

Clarissa May

Find me on Social Media:
Youtube: Live On Pointe & Clarissa May
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Twitter: @clarissamay09

How To Improve Arabesque, Penché, and Needle

Many of you have been asking me to share the exercises I do to stretch and strengthen my back for Arabesque, Penché, and Needle.  So, my most requested video is up on YouTube!

Don't forget to subscribe!

My back is naturally flexible, but I still stretch everyday to maintain a high arabesque and overextended needle!  Always remember that the path to success is through dedication… stretch consistently everyday, and you will see results!

Good luck with your stretching, and let me know how it goes!

Love,

Clarissa May

Find me on Social Media:
Youtube: Live On Pointe & Clarissa May
Instagram: @clarissamay
Facebook: Live On Pointe
Twitter: @clarissamay09

Click here to leave me a comment!

How to Break In New Pointe Shoes

I just uploaded another requested YouTube video!  Several people have asked me for tips on how to break in their new pointe shoes, so I made a video to help you out.  Click the link below to watch!

I hope you've had a great weekend!

Love,
Clarissa May



Find me on Social Media:
Youtube: Live On Pointe & Clarissa May
Instagram: @clarissamay
Facebook: Live On Pointe
Twitter: @clarissamay09

Click here to leave me a comment!

FAQ: How Have I Improved so fast?

A lot of people have been asking me how I have improved so fast, having only danced 1 1/2 years.  This is actually a very interesting question.  Many people have said it seems impossible to have improved as quickly as I have, and I absolutely agree!  

I think there are several factors that helped me pick everything back up as quickly as I have.  First of all, I had a solid foundation when I was young.  I was very young, but it still helped to have the foundation of ballet in my muscle memory when I was coming back.  During the years that I wasn’t dancing, I still kept the artistic part of my brain alive, through other forms of art.  I started playing piano, and had time to draw, sing, sculpt, and write two novels.  Keeping the artistic side of my brain active was a huge part of being able to come back to ballet so quickly.

The Riggs Institute has an interesting article on the young child’s ability to learn.  A quote from this article is applicable to my rapid improvement upon coming back to dance: 

"Once a child has learned an instrument, he or she can stop playing, then pick up the instrument 20 years later and do much better than an adult just starting out."  

This quote also applies to other skills that a child may learn, including dancing.  You can read the whole article here: http://www.riggsinst.org/brainpower.aspx

Picking up piano had a huge impact on my ability to hear the music, and adapt to unusual rhythms while dancing.  The National Institute of Health says:

“...musicians offer an excellent human model for studying the brain effects of acquiring specialized sensorimotor skills.  We argue that training of this neural network may produce cross-modal effects on other behavioral or cognitive operations that draw on this network. This may explain some of the sensorimotor and cognitive enhancements that have been associated with music training.”

This quote explains how learning piano in my years off may have enhanced my ability to re-learn ballet so quickly.  You can read the rest of the article here: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2996135/

It was very hard to come back to dance after a severe concussion, with no muscle left thanks to Anorexia. I had digested some of my heart and lung muscles, so those were the first things I had to build back, before I could even think about building a dancer’s body.  My teacher thought I was a hunchback when I first started dancing again, because my body had absorbed all my back muscles when I was Anorexic... I couldn’t even stand straight!

I still have days where I look in the mirror and can only see how far I have to go, not how far I have come.  Looking back on the past year and a half, it is truly a miracle how far I have come in such little time.  Just two and a half years ago, I was one meal away from being rushed to the hospital.  For four years, I dreamt about dancing almost every night, and always woke up crying.  I still have an overwhelming amount of work to do, but I am so grateful to have improved as quickly as I have, and so honored to be able to inspire people!

I hope you all are having a wonderful weekend!  Happy Spring!

Love,

Clarissa May

Find me on Social Media:
Youtube: Live On Pointe & Clarissa May
Instagram: @clarissamay
Facebook: Live On Pointe
Twitter: @clarissamay09

Click here to leave me a comment!

How to do a Ballet Bun

Hey everybody!  Happy Easter!  I hope you are all having a fabulous weekend!

Some of my followers on Instagram have been contacting me to ask for tips on how to make the perfect, whispy-free bun for performances.  So, I donated my one bun-free day of the week to make and post a video showing you how to make sure your bun is flat, tight, and slick.  Here are 7 most important tips I always follow when making my bun:

Tip #1: Start off with wet/moist hair.

Tip #2: Use a fine-toothed comb to make your ponytail.  This minimizes bumps.

Tip #3: Comb back bumps (using your fine-toothed comb) while your hair is still in a ponytail, before you pin it up into a bun.  That way, the bumps wind up hidden under your bun.

Tip #4: Divide your hair into two sections, and pin them up individually.  This creates a flatter bun. (I show this in more detail in my video)

Tip #5: Use extra hairspray to slick up whispies under your bun, for the illusion of a longer, slimmer neck.

Tip #6: Use your spare time to practice and perfect the art of the ballet bun!

Tip #7: Accessories can always fix up a lopsided bun!  If your bun is off to one side, you can pin a bow or flower on the other side to balance it.

Did you know that long earrings can help give the illusion of a longer neck?  I always wear dangly earrings to class.  Be sure to check that your studio allows long earrings before doing the same!

Watch the video, leave me feedback in the comments, and be sure to subscribe!

Love,

Clarissa May

Find me on Social Media:
Youtube: Live On Pointe & Clarissa May
Instagram: @clarissamay
Facebook: Live On Pointe
Twitter: @clarissamay09

Questions or suggestions?  Email liveonpointe@gmail.com!

Click here to leave me a comment!

Pointers for Pointe

Several people have been asking me for tips on how to prepare for pointe work, and how to strengthen your feet once you are en pointe.

When I first started dancing after my Anorexia and concussion, I was really far behind all the other girls my age.  All the other 13-year-olds were busy with pointe work and variations, and I didn't have my splits, and didn't even know all the names of the steps!  I was determined to catch up to my peers, so I stretched everyday, and did a ton of exercises to strengthen my weak feet.  In only 2 months, I was en pointe!  I still stretch and strengthen my feet every day, using the same exercises I did when I was first starting out.

Relevés are the most simple, yet most effective foot-strengthening exercise.  Whenever you have a moment, do some relevés.  As part of your daily stretching, do 32 relevés first on both feet, then 32 on the right and left feet separately.  If you still don't feel the burn in your calves, keep going until you do! It is amazing how much this will improve your demi pointe and pointe work!

My go-to strengthening tool is my heavy weight Theraband!  If you don't already have a Theraband, it is a great long-term investment in the strength of your feet.  It can be used to strengthen other parts of your body as well!  Therabands come in different resistant strengths, and can be purchased using one of the links below.

Medium Weight
Heavy Weight
Super Heavy Weight

Therabands are great for many different exercises.  The simplest is just pointing and flexing.  Make sure to extend through your ankle into full demi pointe, then press slowly through your toes, and use resistance when coming back to demi pointe, then to a flexed position.

To create mobility and strength in the ankle joint, draw the alphabet with the Theraband over the ball of your foot.  Be sure to move your ankle through its whole range of mobility, and make each letter slow and controlled.

Another simple but effective exercise to create mobility and strength in the ankle is simple ankle circles, with the Theraband over the ball of the foot.  Do 30 clock-wise, and 30 counter-clock-wise on each foot.

In your everyday classes, be sure to focus on working through your feet in every movement, especially the simple tendus and jetés in the beginning of class.  Teachers and directors are not looking for perfect banana feet… they are looking at the quality of your footwork, how high and lifted your demi pointe is, and the way you work through your pointe shoes.

If you only have time to add one exercise to your daily schedule, add some simple one-legged releves on each foot.  This was the main exercise I did when preparing for pointe work, and it will make a huge difference in the strength and shape of your feet (and how soon you get your pointe shoes!)

Here is an interesting article on the importance of relevés: http://balletpages.blogspot.com/2011/07/if-i-could-only-add-one-exercise-to.html?

If you are looking for more help with the strength of your feet, turnout, and core stability (all necessary to begin and/or excel at pointe work) this book is a great resource to help: Perfect Pointe Book

Here are a few helpful videos of strengthening exercises:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QY5FW9BPbBg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-J4945XQG7s

Also, you might consider investing in a foot stretcher.  I own both the Ballet Foot Stretch, and the Pro Arch, and they are great for gaining flexibility in the arch, ankle and metatarsal area.  However, you have to be extremely cautious when using a foot stretcher.  It is very easy to over-stretch your feet and ultimately injure yourself if you do not follow the accompanying directions. Always use foot stretchers with caution, while warmed up.

You can purchase the Ballet Foot Stretch HERE, and the Pro Arch HERE.

Thanks for reading, and good luck in your journey towards and through pointe work!

Love,

Clarissa May

Clarissa May

Find me on Social Media:
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Click here to leave me a comment!

How to Improve Turnout for Ballet

Ever since I posted this photo on Instagram, people have been asking me for turnout tips!  To help you guys out, I decided to make a video of all the stretches and exercises I do for turnout.  Always remember to stretch when warm, and stretch everyday to see improvement.  I hope this helps… feel free to leave suggestions!

Love,

Clarissa May

Clarissa May

Find me on Social Media:
Youtube: Live On Pointe & Clarissa May
Instagram: @clarissamay
Facebook: Live On Pointe
Twitter: @clarissamay09

My Story

My name is Clarissa May, and I am a dancer, dreamer, and survivor of a severe concussion and Anorexia Nervosa.  This is my story...

I began dancing in 2005 at the age of four.  My mom put me in my first ballet class because I wouldn't stop pirouetting around the house.  I loved it, and kept dancing from that moment onwards.  As the years passed by, my schedule's intensity increased, until I was dancing 20 hours a week at the studio, when I was only 8.  I soon became my Russian teachers' favorite, which was a blessing and a curse.  The other girls in my level, who were mostly at least a year older, became jealous, and started to bully me outside of the classroom.  I hid in the bathroom at breaks, and started to get chronic stomachaches from the stress.  My schoolwork began to slip by the wayside, along with everything else outside of dance.  The car rides to and from dance began to fill with lectures on my unfinished schoolwork, and our family life began to deteriorate.  I was cast in the lead roll of Dorothy in the spring recital of 2009, but as the rehearsals progressed, the situation at home worsened.  

Age 8, stretching at PCAD

After the show, my mom pulled me out of ballet. She felt the environment at my studio was not emotionally healthy for me, and that I needed to explore other options and interests before continuing my then-current level of commitment to dance. Additionally, I would have been en pointe at age 9, which was not something my parents felt good about. So my mom gave me 6 months to see if I could be happy without dance. 

Eight months later, in February of 2010, I was still terribly missing dance.  I discovered fencing, which I greatly enjoyed. Unfortunately, in March I had a series of blows to the head (2 to the chin in fencing warm up, and one very hard hit to the top of the head getting in to the car - so hard my mom thought we’d had an earthquake as she was loading up the car). These knocks to the head occurred 2 weeks apart, and the morning after the last one I woke up with flu like symptoms. Two days later I had a seizure. Over the next 2 weeks it became apparent that I was suffering from a massive concussion with gradual onset - similar to “boxer syndrome” or a football player’s cumulative injuries. The CT scan showed no bleeding, and I could still spell 3 letter words backwards, so the doctors all said I was fine - despite the fact that I could not so much as look at a book or travel in the car or make a choice between 2 different bathing suits without dizziness, headache, and anxiety attacks. I spent the next few months visiting doctors and natural healers, and lying on the couch with my eyes closed, listening to books on tape while my mom surfed the Internet, trying to figure out what was wrong with me….

Ultimately, my mom was able to piece together that I had injured my hypothalamus, which is located just above the sinus cavity and acts as command central for a myriad of brain functions, ranging from hunger and thirst signals to stress response, body temperature control, blood pressure, heart rate, and hormonal function.

The hypothalamus helps control the pituitary gland, particularly in response to stress. The pituitary, in turn, controls the:

• Adrenal glands 
• hormonal production 
• Thyroid gland
• The hypothalamus also helps regulate:
  

• Body temperature
  
• Emotions
  
• Growth
  
• Salt and water balance
  
• Sleep
  
• Weight and appetite
  
  In addition, there are some areas immediately surrounding the hypothalamus which appeared to be impacted as well. These areas control decision making and vision, so I had chronic dizziness and full blown anxiety attacks (including uncontrollable trembling in the legs, racing heart rate, and fear of dying in my sleep) every time I had to make a simple decision between 2 things such as what I wanted for dinner or which bathing suit to wear; and I could not look at a book, a television screen or a computer without developing dizziness and headaches. I was unable to control my body temperature, and reacted to being in a slightly overheated environment for more than a minute by having a full blown anxiety attack (with all the physical symptoms including fear I was dying) and then sleeping for several days at a stretch.
  After several weeks my mom started her own rehabilitation program for me, which consisted in part of looking at picture books for brief periods of time, and going for walks when the weather was cool. After a few months I was able to participate in "normal" activities so long as I did not over exert myself (no running, no jumping, no balls flying through the air) and did not stay in the sun or in a space warmer than 72*. The most alarming latent symptom was the inability to control my temperature - my mom did not yet realize the severity of the problem with my hunger signals. I took up swimming until it became apparent that I had also developed multiple chemical sensitivities and could not tolerate chlorine.

A year passed, with gradual improvement in overall symptoms, but it still was very apparent that my brain had not fully recovered, and my family often wondered if I would ever be my old self again. In the summer of 2011 I became alarmingly thin and refused to increase her caloric intake accordingly. In September I had gastro-paralysis from an upset stomach, and developed full blown Anorexia Nervosa almost overnight. I lost a lb a day for a week, until I was 70 lbs with a BMI of 13, and for several days I was eating less than 500 calories a day.  I am a girl who needs 3-4,000 calories a day to maintain my current weight, and at the time required over 4,000 calories a day. Looking back, we think what happened is that my caloric needs were sky-rocketing in anticipation of 11-year-old growth spurts, but without hunger signals I just kept eating what looked to me like a normal amount of food. 
Anyway, we were back to daily visits to the doctor, acupuncturist, chiropractor and masseuse, and by Christmas I was "out of the woods," which meant I was only seeing the doctor once a week instead of once a day, my family had to spend only 3 hours a day supervising my eating (instead of 6), and I was no longer living one meal away from a feeding tube. At this point I was at 75 lbs (yes, it took me 3 months to gain 5 lbs; every 2 oz was a victory!) and had grown another 4 inches since I started eating again (which meant my BMI was still dangerously low, but at least I was eating and growing). Fortunately my family (and God!) were able to get me well without ever admitting me to a hospital or ED clinic.

At my lowest weight, BMI 13

Here is the crazy, God part of the anorexia.... my mom learned later, after she noticed that the symptoms of my brain injury were finally improving, that a high fat diet causes growth specifically in the hypothalamus! My mom had spent the past 9 months pouring coconut oil, olive oil, flaxseed oil and grape seed oil on my food by the tablespoon, so ultimately, while the head injury lead to the anorexia, the anorexia cured the head injury!!! We are still convinced this was a miracle.

In August of 2012, my mom finally realized I was waking up crying several times a week after a recurrent dream that I was dancing on stage, only to wake up and realize it would never happen. Although she was very hesitant to have dance take over our family and our lives again, she saw that I would never be happy until I could dance again. With the brain injury healed, it was finally an option. 

In late August 2012 we chose a low-key dance studio to get me back on my feet and see how I felt about it. Foolishly, my mom thought perhaps I would just take it up as a minor hobby, but it quickly became apparent that was naive of her! After 2 months, my teachers said I was ready for pointe work, and less than a month later it became obvious to all of us that PBC had little more to offer me, training-wise.

I felt very strongly about returning to my old Russian teachers from when I was younger, who had separated from the studio and formed their own studio.  Although my mom was not overly excited about the prospect, she could see that I felt a need to complete something with them. My teachers were, from the beginning, very excited and supportive of me, and the speed with which I was catching up to the other dancers was exciting. My greatest challenge was that I had lost all of my muscle due to the eating disorder.  I spent my first 9 months back at dance rebuilding all my muscles.

Above, some jumps at the beach after a day at my first Summer Intensive

Me as a princess in Swan Lake, my first show

After dancing with my studio for a little over a year, some unfortunate interactions with one of the teachers began making things uncomfortable.  Holes in their teaching style and technique began to reveal themselves, and it soon became apparent that it was time to move on.

I am now dancing at another Russian Ballet School, one year and four months after returning to dance, and four and a half years after I first left dance. During the ensuing years I took up piano, sculpting, painting, and writing. While I have enjoyed all of the other forms of art, and they have broadened my outlook on life, nothing has been able to replace my passion for dance.

At a rehearsal for Youth America Grand Prix

I recognize the challenging path I have chosen, but after all I have been through, my friends and family can fully stand behind my dreams to become a professional dancer. None of us is under any misconceptions about the challenges such a goal entails; I plan to teach piano to pay my bills while I follow my dream, and I am working diligently with an excellent piano teacher with this goal in mind.

Currently, my dance goal (based on my research and preferences), is to attend American Ballet Theatre's Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School, and eventually dance with American Ballet Theatre. 

Two weekends ago, I performed at my first competition, Youth America Grand Prix, in Denver Colorado.  My teachers and I were very happy with my performances, however, my score didn't qualify me for the semi-finals in New York.  I can't wait for Youth America Grand Prix next year!

I am very grateful to have found a studio with superior technique and an ear to students’ hearts. I would like to thank my teachers for this.  I would also like to thank my family for standing behind me in my hopes and dreams, and my friends for believing in my craziness.  I would like to thank those of you who are following my dance journey, for joining me on this fabulous ride!

I love you all to bits and pieces!

xoxo,
Clarissa May

Find me on Social Media:
Youtube: Live On Pointe & Clarissa May
Instagram: @clarissamay
Facebook: Live On Pointe
Twitter: @clarissamay09

Clarissa May

Clarissa May

Clarissa May

Clarissa May

Clarissa May

Clarissa May

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