As I’ve spent hours and hours in the dance studio, reshaping poses, finding muscles I didn’t know were there and working them to the brink, I’ve come to a simple conclusion… Dance is Eternal. Ballet especially (though not “better” than any other forms, but foundational), is one of the most complex languages I’ve ever encountered – and it speaks only from the soul. With literally thousands upon thousands of possible combinations of steps, jumps and turns….Most people have no idea what goes into the making of a dance – nor do they know why or what it makes them feel, they just know they love it. And this is as it should be. However, it’s my theory that the greatness of ballet is actually in the perfection of body usage that it encompasses. Most sports require usage of a key set of muscles, with the rest as supporting players. Ballet, however, relies on a controlled usage of each and every usable muscle in the body. Ballet, when done properly, allows a person to exercise each and every body part with a series of movements, muscle pathways, that – when complete – enable a dancer to take on any movement he/she could possibly be asked to do. This language means that a simple hand gesture can be formed and reformed to any and all specifications by a choreographer. It lets a dancer.. SPEAK. Choreography in and of itself is rich with history, meaning.. and the unique stamp of every dancer who performs it. The reason the world’s most talented dancers have brought audiences to tears is because their bodies are telling stories that their mouths could not even begin to share. And most dancers go about their entire lives with little recognition, and even less stage time or credit. But the dance is written on their soul. Or so says I. Here’s my tribute to the dancers that make my head spin and heart leap… <3 Jackie
Dancer Looking Skyward, J.Heloise 2015
Ballerinas en Pointe in Gray, J.Heloise 2017
"The Nutcracker" in Color, J.Heloise 2016