the ballet love story

love at first sight

Erika Lynne was one of the most talented ballerinas in the United States. Yet, she was one of the least known ballerinas. She was always very quiet and shy, anxious to put her talent and work out into the world for everyone to see. She spent her days dancing to her favorite ballets or getting tips from her private ballet tutor Katherine. All she has ever wanted was to perform with the San Francisco Ballet at the San Francisco War Memorial. It had been her dream since she was a little girl yet she was just too bashful. However, when she heard that the San Francisco Ballet was having open call auditions for the Nutcracker she just couldn't resist auditioning. So there she was driving to the San Francisco Ballet School where her future will change everything for her.

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Brandon Skyler was one of the most talented ballet dancers in the United States. Yet, he was one of the least known ballet dancers.  He never felt that there was a good opportunity for him to let his power shine. He spent his days giving himself pointers and doing online calls with a professional ballet dancer Kevin. All he had ever dreamed of was to perform the San Francisco Ballet at the San Francisco War Memorial. It had been all he wanted since he was a little boy yet he just felt like he wouldn't get chosen at an audition, or that he wasn't good enough. However, when he heard that the San Francisco Ballet was having open call auditions for the Nutcracker he just couldn't resist auditioning. And, then there he was in his car driving to the San Francisco Ballet School where his life will change forever.

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Once, Erika walked through the doors of the San Francisco Ballet School's doors and was greeted by a friendly woman who she later learned was named Sasha. She was already a principal dancer and had been heard of by Erika before. She had always liked to watch the other dancers audition and see what they could do. They actually ended up hitting it off rather well and grew close before it was even time for Erika's audition. Sasha sat with Erika while she was breaking in and putting her pointe shoes on. "Wow, you're already on pointe? Why haven't you auditioned before?" "Oh, I don't know. I've always been the bashful type and I don't know- I guess I just- I always loved coming to watch the Nutcracker here as a kid and always dreamed of being on that stage. I guess when I heard they were having auditions I couldn't say no." "They're gonna love you Erika." "You really think so?" "Of course!  You have the perfect body and you're already on pointe! They love it when dancers have had lots of previous training." "Thank you, I could really use that encouragement." "Of course." Sasha gives Erika a light hug. An older man walks through the door and Erika immediately recognizes him. "Oh my God! Is that Helgi?" "Yea! He loves watching the auditions. As a matter of fact he has the final say." "Are you kidding me?! There's no way I'm gonna get in now." Erika puts her face in her hand in defeat. Sasha puts a reassuring hand on Erika's back. "Don't say that. He's gonna love you. Everyone is Erika. I promise. You're gonna knock this out of the park." Erika takes her face out of her hands and turns to look at Sasha. "Thank you." Sasha gives her a smile. She finishes putting on her pointe shoes and watches the other auditions. "Thank you, very nice. Ok, next up... Can we please have Erika Cooper on the floor please?!" "Here we go." Erika whispers to herself. "You got this!" Sasha whisper yells to Erika as she goes to the floor. Helgi stands up and walks over to Erika to tell her what she will be dancing to. "You will be improving to 'Marzipan'. However, you must include a pirouette sequence, an fouette sequence, a ballet run, balancing at least twice, and at least one type of battement on pointe. Is that ok with you?" "Yes, thank you Mr. Tomasson." Helgi gives Erika a reassuring smile and walks back to his chair. Erika gets into fifth position and looks over at Sasha who gives her two thumbs up with a wide smile. Erika smiles back and listens for the music. The music starts. She starts off with an arabesque on pointe and goes right into her pirouette sequence. She wasn't known much at all but for what she was it was for her turns. She nailed 50 pirouettes right there on the spot, able to do more. She then continues to impress Helgi and everyone else in the room with doing battements across the floor easily. She then goes into her fouette turns yet again impressing everyone by doing 60. She gets an applause but she's not done. She gets across the floor with one amazing over split leap. She then goes on pointe and uses her arms for the dancing balancing stunningly. To end her dance she ballet walks into a ballet run around the floor ending with a curtsey. She gets a standing ovation from Helgi and Sasha and a round of applause from the other dancers auditioning. She did it. Before she can catch her breath she is embraced in a hug from Sasha. After being released Helgi walks up to her and a paper is placed into her hands.
'Principal Dancer Contract'
She looks up at Helgi with tears in her eyes. "You are one of the best dancers I have ever seen! Those turns, that leap, the balance! Magnificent! Please, please sign the contract! We need someone like you in our company!" "I- uh. I will! Th-thank you, Mr, Tomasson, thank you!" "No, thank you! And, please. Call me Helgi." He walks away and Sasha is looking at Erika smiling from ear to ear. "I told you, you could do it! Ahhhh, I'm so excited we get to dance together!" Erika and Sasha interlace their fingers and jump up and down squealing with excitement. "Come on, you're gonna need a pen to sign that!" The two girls run over to their corner and continue to excitedly chat.