Hello my darling dancers! Emma here, back from a whirlwind adventure in the beautiful English countryside, and oh, what an adventure it was! It’s all a bit of a blur, but I’m determined to document it for you all. After all, this is what you love, right? The juicy details of my glamorous ballet life? 😉
So, imagine it, a balletic beauty like myself, arriving at Kingswood station, all bright-eyed and eager. My trusty pink case (of course) was by my side, holding my very own, specially commissioned, European-style tutu. This tutu, darling, was something special. It was all shades of softest pink, layered and layered with exquisite lace and tulle, it twirled like a dream, it floated like a feather, it practically screamed, "Emma's in the house!".
As soon as I stepped off the train, I could feel the excitement buzzing. It felt magical. The air was fresh, filled with the sweet smell of springtime. The locals were friendly, stopping to compliment my beautiful tutu. I even had one little girl skip up to me and say, "Wow, you’re like a real-life ballerina! Can I touch your tutu?" Sigh These moments are pure joy!
But this wasn't a simple countryside jaunt, darling, oh no. I had a mission. It all started with an email from the lovely folk at Kingswood Performing Arts School, a real hidden gem in this part of the world. They were planning a huge ballet showcase, and they were desperate to inject some excitement, some magic. They'd seen my blog (who hasn't, right?!) and they wanted me! Of course, I jumped at the chance, what else could I do? 😉
So, I waltzed into their studio, my tutu fluttering, my smile wider than a sunrise. I was ready to bring some real-life pink tutu magic to these budding young ballerinas. I began my work by leading a special masterclass, focused on a mix of ballet styles, and I introduced them to the wonderful world of ballet street! You should have seen their faces, it was like watching a hundred pink-hued stars light up! The studio, all wood floor and mirrored walls, became our own little ballet haven.
And let me tell you, those young ladies were amazing! They were incredibly talented, enthusiastic and dedicated. The atmosphere was electric as I demonstrated different moves and encouraged them to embrace their inner artistry. I’ve got a feeling I’m going to be seeing a few of them dancing on stage soon. Watch this space, dear readers!
Of course, the masterclass wasn’t all work. We had fun too! After the class, we all gathered in the lovely tea room (don't even get me started on their Victoria Sponge, heavenly!) to discuss all things ballet. There were so many incredible conversations, and of course, I encouraged all of them to wear a pink tutu at least once a week – we all know the magic of a pink tutu, darling. 😉
The highlight of my visit, however, was the opportunity to watch their performance. The theme was ‘Journeys’ - very fitting, wouldn't you say? They told their stories through dance, every move speaking volumes. From whimsical pieces that had me daydreaming about woodland nymphs to high-energy pieces that had me wanting to leap onto the stage and dance alongside them! Their energy was incredible. I honestly couldn’t help but clap along.
You know, it’s so important for the younger generation to get involved with ballet, to understand the power it has. It's about passion, dedication, expression, creativity and finding beauty in movement, whether you’re on the stage, in a street performance, or simply dancing in your living room with your pink tutu. I've always believed everyone deserves a little pink tutu magic in their life.
But it wasn’t just about ballet, darling! I was absolutely charmed by the village of Kingswood itself. It’s nestled amidst rolling hills, a place where time seems to slow down. The sun was shining, the birds were singing, and there was an air of peace that instantly relaxed me.
One afternoon, I found myself lost in a beautiful wildflower meadow. The colours were dazzling – the lavender was in full bloom, and the yellow dandelions dotted the landscape like miniature suns. A pair of butterflies danced above me, as I lay on the soft grass and simply watched the world go by. I even had a delightful encounter with a family of rabbits, so cute! Those little fluffy noses peeked out at me from behind a hedge – they seemed to be as curious about me as I was about them. It felt as though the world paused just for that moment, and it was magical.
It was like stepping into one of my favourite children's story books! My heart was full of joy. Honestly, there's nothing quite like it. A pink tutu in a meadow of wildflowers, with a family of rabbits peeking out from behind the hedge, and me dreaming of my next balletic adventure.
Now, it’s time for me to plan my next big escapade. I'm already dreaming about galloping through the French countryside on horseback (a little bit of dressage in a tutu? Yes please!), followed by a performance at the iconic Palais Garnier. Maybe I'll even take a detour to a fabulous ballet festival in the heart of Tuscany.
Remember my dears, never be afraid to chase your dreams, to find joy in every step, to let your heart lead you!
Until next time, my darling dancers,
Love, Emma 💖
