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 A personal statement from Oscar Hawkins, Artistic Director of the Ballet Arts Academy at the Old Waldorf School After spending an extensive amount of time training in the Vaganova technique at the Kirov Ballet Academy, I left the school confused as to what to do next: how could I stay near my family and friends and still have a Classical Ballet career? I was immediately contacted to dance in many companies abroad, and I decided to go and explore different styles of dance in Europe and Asia as well as dance companies here in America. I was very happy to learn about so many different cultures and styles of movement along with classical and romantic period ballets that as a growing dancer one can only dream of performing. Every night as the lights went out and the applause silenced I would call home from wherever I was in the world and share my triumphs and failures with friends and family. I would always leave these conversations wishing that there was a dance company at home that would satisfy me as an artist, so that my family could be closer to me and I to them. Finally I arrived to take class with a good friend (Devin Krahling) who told me of a place called the Ballet Arts Academy that was full of talented students and was Vaganova based. I thought to myself, “What a dream!” The children were so well disciplined, and the training that Jayne, who was teaching at the time, was so pure and humbly taught to the students. I believed then what I know to be true now; the BAA could be the place that delivers a true classical experience and even a classical ballet company to Southern Maryland. A place where I could share all of my dance experience with students and where they can learn how hard work, patience, a good work ethic and intelligent decisions are the tools for any successful career whether as an artist, doctor, lawyer, painter, or farmer for that matter. The Ballet Art Academy is a place where our youths can learn that, yes, it is important to be an independent thinker, but the greater gift in life is to share one’s knowledge and experience to better the growth of our community. The principles that the BAA's founder (Jayne Stefani-Keating) and I share are driven by the same Classical Ideal: Know Thyself Nothing in Excess The Good and the Beautiful I have also found in my career that Humility, Commitment and Compassion are principles to live by. Here in Southern Maryland, 'my home town,' I believe we have been raised with pride and the belief that helping out one’s neighbors is getting to know them and creating an extension to the family. As Director of the BAA I can think of no better place than here to help out my neighbors by sharing my love and knowledge of the Classical Ballet art form. I can think of no better place to call home and to create an extension to my family. Here is where we can all grow, create and discover the depths of our community. Sincerely, Oscar |
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The Ballet Arts Academy at
the Old Waldorf School is funded in part |
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