Céline Gittens: A Trinidadian Ballerina’s Journey
I've always felt a bit of a contradiction, you know? Here I am, this little girl from Trinidad and Tobago, a Caribbean island known for its calypso music and steelpan bands, and yet I dreamt of pirouettes and grand jetés. Ballet seemed worlds away, a whisper from another time and place. But even in the vibrant heart of Port of Spain, amidst the bustling markets and the joyous sounds of soca, a passion for dance took root within me.
It started with the smallest spark. The first time I saw a ballet performance on television, it was like watching a dream unfold. Those graceful movements, the flowing costumes, the sheer artistry of it all captivated me. I couldn't help but feel a pull, an instinctual urge to dance myself, to embody those elegant stories told through movement.
My journey began at the tender age of eight. The local dance school, the Trinidad School of Ballet, became my sanctuary, a space where my body learned the vocabulary of ballet. The steps were my letters, the barre my guide. At first, I remember the pain, the discipline, the blisters on my feet. But there was also the exhilaration, the feeling of becoming one with the music, of expressing emotions I couldn't always put into words.
My teachers were instrumental in nurturing my passion. Mrs. Seunarine, the school's director, instilled in me the importance of dedication and perseverance. She believed in me even when I doubted myself, pushing me to push my boundaries. I remember her gentle corrections, her encouraging smile, the way she saw a fire in my eyes that I hadn't fully recognized myself.
Life outside the studio was filled with the colourful rhythms of Trinidadian culture. We danced the limbo and the chutney, embraced the warmth of Carnival, and reveled in the shared energy of our vibrant community. I was never far from the sun, the sand, and the rhythm of the island life. It wasn't always easy reconciling this vibrant reality with the world of ballet, but somehow, I managed. In those moments of dissonance, I learned to draw strength from my duality, to find balance between the traditions I held dear and the artistry I craved to express.
At fifteen, I knew I had to move beyond the comfort of my home. My thirst for learning and the desire to expand my artistic horizons led me to London, a city brimming with world-class ballet companies and renowned training academies. Leaving Trinidad was bittersweet. Saying goodbye to my family and friends was heartbreaking, but the allure of the Royal Ballet School proved irresistible. I longed to immerse myself in its hallowed halls, to train alongside the best in the world.
The Royal Ballet School was a universe unto itself. I found myself in a world of rigorous training, demanding teachers, and fiercely talented peers. Each day was a relentless pursuit of perfection, a dance with self-discipline and tireless effort. The pressure was immense, the competition fierce. There were moments when doubt crept in, whispers of inadequacy, the feeling that I wasn't quite good enough. Yet, within me, that spark, that love for ballet, kept burning brightly.
I excelled in my classes, proving my determination and natural ability. My technique began to flourish, the strength in my legs becoming undeniable, my pirouettes growing ever more graceful, my artistry blossoming under the guidance of exceptional teachers. But beyond the technique, I was developing my own voice as a dancer, a distinct identity within the ballet world. I learned to imbue every movement with meaning, to translate the emotions of the choreography into a language that transcended mere physicality. It was about telling a story, not just executing steps.
The transition from student to professional was a challenging one. The competition for coveted positions in reputable ballet companies was intense. Every audition was a test, a chance to showcase everything I'd learned and everything I was striving for. The anticipation, the hope, the potential for disappointment were all part of the process. And then came that day, the email I'd dreamt of, the invitation to join the esteemed Birmingham Royal Ballet. My heart soared. This was the beginning of my professional journey.
Joining Birmingham Royal Ballet felt like joining a family, a vibrant community of dancers, musicians, and support staff, all bound together by a love for the art of ballet. The repertoire was rich, challenging me with diverse roles and choreographers. There was "Swan Lake", a classic with its captivating tale of love and betrayal, where I was privileged to embody the ethereal grace of the White Swan. I found myself dancing in "Romeo and Juliet", embodying the passionate, tragic heroine, letting my body speak the language of forbidden love. There was the exhilarating, demanding "Giselle," where I navigated the duality of innocence and vengeance, portraying a haunting tale of betrayal and love.
The touring life was exciting and challenging, taking me to the great halls of Britain and beyond, from the prestigious Royal Opera House to the majestic Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow. Each performance was an opportunity to share the stories etched within the movements, to inspire and connect with audiences in ways that words could not. I carried within me the spirit of my Trinidadian heritage, bringing a sense of vibrant energy and cultural depth to my performances, weaving the stories of my past into the narratives unfolding on stage.
Embracing the Artist Within: Beyond the Stage
But as much as I cherished the exhilarating world of ballet, a different kind of spark ignited within me. Beyond the grand jetés and the pirouettes, I felt a deep desire to tell stories, to explore the nuances of human emotions through the written word. The desire to write had always been simmering beneath the surface, inspired by the stories I found within literature, within ballet itself, and within the lives of those around me.
With the encouragement of friends and mentors, I embarked on a new journey, one that led me beyond the stage, onto the path of authorship. My first book, a collection of short stories titled "Ballet and Beyond," delved into the complexities of life as a professional dancer, the struggles and triumphs, the joys and sacrifices. The stories were my reflections on the beauty and demands of ballet, on the lessons learned from a life spent pursuing a dream, on the evolving relationship between artist and art. I poured into those stories the same passion and dedication I gave to my dancing, a testament to the creative fire that burns within me.
Connecting to the Roots: A Return to Trinidad and Tobago
In 2019, I returned to my island home after years of living abroad, feeling a profound sense of longing for the place that shaped me. I wanted to give back to my community, to inspire young dancers to dream beyond the boundaries of their reality, to share my journey with those who might never get to witness the magic of ballet firsthand.
I founded the “Céline Gittens Foundation for Dance," a non-profit organization committed to fostering artistic talent within Trinidad and Tobago. Through workshops, masterclasses, and outreach programs, we aim to provide access to ballet training for underprivileged youth. The foundation has brought ballet to communities beyond the traditional centers, exposing children to a world of artistic expression, of graceful movement and emotional depth.
As a dancer, an author, and a community advocate, I continue to find fulfillment in the confluence of my passions. It is through the fusion of my experiences that my unique story unfolds. I am a daughter of the Caribbean, a devotee of the arts, and a dreamer forever searching for ways to connect and inspire. In every step, every turn of a page, every gesture of compassion, I carry the stories of my journey, weaving together the threads of my Trinidadian heritage, my love for ballet, and the power of creativity.
My journey has taught me that art has the ability to transcend boundaries, to bridge cultural divides, and to remind us of our shared humanity. It has taught me that the stories we tell, the emotions we express through movement or words, have the power to heal, inspire, and unite.
The story of Céline Gittens, a Trinidadian ballerina, is far from over. It is a story in progress, a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, the pursuit of dreams, and the power of artistic expression. In this story, there will always be pirouettes and page turns, the rhythmic beat of the calypso mingling with the classical sounds of a Tchaikovsky ballet, a constant dance between tradition and innovation, between the world I left behind and the world I continue to discover.