How to improve turnout? What was Vaganova like? How did I get in?

[@balletwithisabella]

Hope you enjoy the video! Let me know in the comments if you have any more questions for me :-)

[@enchantingandethereal]

hi isabella!! i’m a big fan from austria!! i started ballet aged 13 in january of 2023. my teachers have said that it is not too late to become a professional, but i feel like i’m not catching up fast enough. i heard somewhere that if you start at my age, you should be en pointe in around a year. now i’ve been dancing for close to 10 months, with a summer break, and my teacher told me back in july that i can get demi-pointe shoes soon, if my foot articulation is alright, but since then i feel like i’ve made zero progress!! what can i do to get en pointe as fast as possible so i can start pre-professional training soon? also sorry that this is such a long comment, but i’ve admired you for a long time now and was wondering what your advice might be. best wishes from austria!!

[@IrisBarnesBalletDiaries]

Hi Isabella! Have you always had a flat frog stretch? It's quite hard for me but I am close to being flat. And if I get flat in the stretch will I have flat turnout range?

[@Minimeowzilla]

Sorry u were bullied at the Royal ballet school but glad u enjoyed Vaganova! How'd you learn Russian? Did you do it on your own in addition to the ballet classes and school work or did you have a tutor and other help? I'm trying to learn but it's so much harder than English!

[@elisaserrano1807]

Love u ❤❤ THX for Ur Job..Is so usefull listen to u

[@dindinhsiao]

Thank you for the Q &A video, love it. I always wanted to know how you made the decision to go full on teaching instead of being a performer.I know injury was a reason of course, but many dancers go back to the stage after a long recovery road. I guess what I am trying to say is , after all years of efforts, the loneliness been away from home, all the pain and tears, what made you finally decide to quit performing? After all, teaching can be a career choice after retirement.

[@brendastevens9077]

I Love that you talked about having your parents on Skype for 4 hours. I think that's Super Great advice for anybody missing their loved ones when their away.😊❤

[@Jesskc]

i’m not a dancer but i’m so obsessed with your youtube and podcast, getting me though uni honestly!!!!!🩷

[@balletwithisabella]

Yay!! It’s totally relatable ❤❤️

[@chazex_9718]

would it be possible to clarify specific differences between vaganova technique used at mariinsky and the “vaganova based curriculum” at bolshoi? and maybe other places that base their syllabus on the vaganova method, i’m pretty sure china and japan are taking on something similar, yes? but i feel like there are such noticeable differences between the companies but it’s hard to pick out all the nuances.

[@seaofglass77]

Amen, that would be fascinating.

[@orca1717]

Mariinsky is said to be more lyrical, whereas bolishoi is more focused on explosiveness and grandiosity. M’s expression is characterized in use of upper body, preciseness of the style /shapes, and coordination/harmony in slower manner (speed-wise). B’s expression is through big jumps, passionate actings, fast turns, resulting less precision, but more drama. Their school training also reflects those aspects even though they are both based on the same Vaganova method. China, South Korea, And Japan have all tried to incorporate Russian/Vaganova method in different manner, and in general, they all respect Russian/V method. However, they are not quite the same or as strict as Russian/V method (as they should). You can see their aesthetics, physicality, and cultural differences in their training and company productions. For better or for worse, they all have their own characteristics and problems respectively.

[@gonefishing167]

Thank you Isabella. You know, I watched a video when a very young Natalia Osipova went on stage. She came off and she was so disappointed with her performance! Crying etc. but she went out snd did it again and again. Look how she turned out. I think everyone must have performance anxiety but to just realise that even the great ones had it as well. You are not alone 🙏🙏🙏👵🇦🇺

[@user-ds4se2ku9m]

Enjoyed it🙏🏻 thank you for the video and your honesty!

[@user-mv2ub1ge1u]

Thank you very much!!!❤❤❤

[@charlesTBear]

You’re so adorable with your Russian doll. ❤

[@kaykomckayface1097]

Is it possible to have a intensive program on your platform? With the time difference even if there is live adult intensive my local time would always be 2 or 3 am 😅 I can power through but I just can’t rent studio at that time and if I do it at home my neighbors would not be happy…thanks for the video/podcast. ❤

[@pauljames907]

Ballet seems to be quite traditional and rigid, though your artwork on the wall behind you seems to be more modern. Would you describe yourself as a traditionalist, a modernist, or a bit of both?

[@mathildewesendonck7225]

3.40 Josephine from the Point Shop has a lot of videos about this problem!

[@peterhvan]

Hi Isabella, thank you for the video, it really helps me every day. I've been having problems with my pointe on both legs since I started doing modern dance. I have been doing ballet for about 11 years now and every time I do ballet moves and tense my legs to do a beautiful lift, the coach says that the instep on my feet is clubbing , then I watch the video and just cry because it never happened and the bird is no longer there as my feet are not consciously doing the lift the other way , maybe I have developed other muscles after modern and other technique, please advise me or maybe we can chat.

[@susanpaul4752]

Dear Isabella, I have enormous regard for your expertise, intelligence and what you are now endeavoring to accomplish. I am a Ballet Nerd from way back. I want to not offend in any way, and I say this with complete respect for you, and because of that, actually. I just watched the Miko Fogarty interview..and was aware of the frequency of the word "like" which went on and on...and which , actually never adds significant meaning to any sentence..(if you remove it, the sentence has only more significance). I write this only as a personal note, since your personal presentation is so elegant and you know exactly what you are doing...but perhaps, in conversations, the "L word" slips in, and may be a detraction to your message, which can well stand much better on its' own. Thank you for what you offer and teach. Your ongoing contribution is unique and very much needed.

[@tiffcat1100]

Its’ = its (its only takes an apostrophe when it is short for it is) ;)