• Home
  • About Nina Amir
    • Rent My Brain
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of Service
  • Contact
  • Summer Intensive Handbook
  • Nutrition for Dancers
  • Certified High Performance Coaching
    • Certified High Performance Coaching for Dancers (GROUP)
    • Certified High Performance Coaching for Dancers (PRIVATE)

My Son Can Dance

One Mom's Musings About Boys in the Dance World

My Son Becomes an Apprentice

May 27, 2012 by Nina 17 Comments

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • Print
  • Email
  • More
  • Skype
  • Pocket
  • Tumblr
  • Reddit

Semperoper Ballett performs in this opera house in Dresden, Germany.

Julian’s long audition process, filled with excitement, disappointment, stress, and happiness, has come to an end. And with its conclusion, he transitions from ballet student to professional dancer. Sort of…

After receiving four other job offers, and (I’m assuming) still being on the so-called “watch list” for a trainee position during the upcoming San Francisco Ballet’s Summer Intensive (which he obviously won’t be able to accept), my son has accepted an apprentice position with Semperoper Ballett in Dresden, Germany. Yes, Germany.

Why Germany and what were the other companies? Ah…well…all in due time. Let me start by saying that my son has big dreams, which is a good thing if you want to be a professional dancer. He always says, “I want to be the best and dance for the best,” but he doesn’t say this with a big ego. In fact, he didn’t want to work for one of the smaller companies that offered him a position and already had large roles picked out for him because the artistic director had seen him perform. He wanted to work his way up from the bottom in a larger company—pay his dues, so to speak. So, when he realized he wasn’t going to dance with New York City Ballet, and San Francisco Ballet wasn’t an option because they couldn’t decide fast enough, he went with the offer that provided him with the largest, most prestigious company he could find—and where he could dance a lot.

Mind you, he could have danced a lot at Kansas City Ballet, where he was offered an apprentice spot as well. They called him early in the audition process, but he missed the call. The artistic director knew him from Regional Dance America, where he’d seen him dance—and liked him well enough to pass his name along to Twyla Tharp, whom he worked with for many years. Unfortunately, Julian missed the call and the spot was given to another dancer. However, later, when a dancer turned down a KCB contract, Julian got another call and another offer. KCB became his top choice…until Dresden showed up at the School of American Ballet.

The artistic director took one look at Julian in class (no formal audition was held), and he knew Julian had contemporary ballet training. (Yep…two full years and those two summers at Complexions!) This was attractive to him because Semperoper Ballett has a varied rep of classical, contemporary and Balanchine. (The rep was attractive to Julian, too.) He said he would have liked to offer Julian a corps spot, but he’d just given away his last one. All he had left was an apprentice spot. (I’ll discuss the difference between some of these positions in another post.) Due to some financial issues related to the position, Semperoper Ballett actually misunderstood Julian’s ability to accept the position; they gave away his apprentice spot to another boy. With much calling and emailing and explaining—and some creativity on their end—they managed to produce one more apprentice spot and to offer it (again) to him. He accepted.

All this time, KCB was kept waiting…while the position and the details were solidified. This was terribly difficult, since Julian did not want to lose this position. He’d been told several times KCB needed a decision. They’d been asked to wait twice beyond their deadline. And this was a good, sound job—good pay, good medical, roles waiting for Julian, an artistic director who had gone out of his way to call us—the parents—to discuss the job and who really believed in Julian and wanted to help him become a successful professional dancer and nurture his talent.

Plus…while all this was going on, the School of American Ballet went out of its way to help Julian pursue a job with a large, prestigious company. (This is something I just can’t get over; he had five, possibly six job offers when some of the boys had just one, yet SAB—one person in particular—continued to help him as if he were a New York City Ballet apprentice who had not gotten promoted into the corps and needed a job.) He was helped to land a two-day audition at American Ballet Theatre. After two mornings spent in company class, (okay…I gotta brag…) he was told by the associate artistic director that they liked him and would have liked to discuss potential options with them, however, with a lot of contracts still out and things changing in the company, they weren’t in a position to offer him a job now. “If that weren’t the case,” he said, “we’d be having a very different conversation.” His name was put in the ABT database so he could be contacted if something changed and was specifically asked to come back and audition again. (Wowie…In the whole audition process, as his mom, I actually thought this was his largest accomplishment.)

So who else offered Julian a position? (Okay, I get to brag again!) He also had:

  • a corps position offer from Los Angeles Ballet
  • a  studio company position offer from Washington Ballet
  • an apprenticeship at Ballet San Jose

Of course, going to Europe was an enticement when it came to the Semperoper Ballett offer (not for me…), but more than that, Julian liked the company, the artistic director, and what the apprentice program had to offer him. I’ll get into more detail in my next post, but for now suffice it to say that he will dance as much, if not more, than some of the corps members in the company (at least that’s what a former SAB student who is now a Semperoper Ballett apprentice told him she gets to do). The artistic director seems to like the SAB/Balanchine dancers. He may or many not get to do the contemporary pieces, because they tend to have smaller casts, but he will get to be in most, if not all the classical and Balanchine numbers—and likely not as a walk on. He’s hoping that since the artistic director wanted to give him a corps spot initially, he will, indeed, dance a lot—and learn a lot. Ballet companies in Europe have long seasons and are well-respected even here in the US, so he hopes when he decides to come “home” it will be easier to get into a large company than it might be if he were trying to do so from a smaller American company. Who knows, though; he might just like dancing in Europe. Time will tell.

If you want to see where he’ll be dancing, check out this link: http://www.semperoper.de/en/haus.html Pretty nice venue, no?

I’ll share more in my next posts—on the actual apprentice program in Dresden, on the difference between first company positions for male dancers, and on letting my son go off to Europe (sniff, sniff). And then, of course, I’ll have posts soon about my trip to NYC to see the SAB Workshop on June 2 and 5, and later this summer on Julian’s experience at SFB’s summer intensive—his last ever (not sure if I should be sad or happy about that…).

Twitter This
Usuario: Password: cargando...

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • Print
  • Email
  • More
  • Skype
  • Pocket
  • Tumblr
  • Reddit

Filed Under: auditions, Choosing a dance company Tagged With: apprenticeship, auditions, ballet auditions, Semperoper Ballet

Comments

  1. Mary says

    May 27, 2012 at 7:44 pm

    Congratulations to Julian! What wonderful news.

  2. RalfLippold says

    May 27, 2012 at 10:56 pm

    Congratulations to Julian, and welcome to Dresden soon. Check out @SemperoperDD & @SemperBallettDD on Twitter
    RalfLippold recently posted..Abundance (in Education) is Floating in Dresden

  3. Immashel says

    May 28, 2012 at 7:02 am

    A big congrats to Julian – Well done!!!! This is a fabulous company and I am sure he has made the right decision though I am sure the transition from the States to Europe won’t be so easy – will he have to start learning German soon?

  4. Nina says

    May 28, 2012 at 11:08 am

    Yes. He has to pass a test in basic German. He’ll be purchasing a Rosetta Stone course very soon! And thank you.

  5. Nina says

    May 28, 2012 at 11:09 am

    Thank you! I noticed I was getting followed by SemperBallettDD and immediately followed back. I follwed SemperoperDD. Who is behind the Twitter handles, if I might ask? Do you know? And who are you?

  6. Immashel says

    May 29, 2012 at 5:01 am

    Looking on the website I see that the apprentice position also means that they get a further chance for structured training which is a big plus – does he get any payment or living allowance? Do they have housing arranged for them? Sorry for all the questions but next year we will be looking at all the options too and I would love my son to be based in Europe and not the USA – much nearer for us!!

  7. Suzanne says

    May 29, 2012 at 5:12 am

    Congrats to Julian! It has been so exciting hearing about this audition process and my DS and I look forward to hearing about the transition to Europe!
    Suzanne recently posted..SPRING RECITAL 2012

  8. Dee says

    May 29, 2012 at 5:24 am

    One of my DDs is in Dresden for fulltime training at the school your son will be “officially” enrolled in for the apprentice position. (if it is the position called “Eleve” in German)
    Perhaps they will cross paths.

    I am also in Dresden several times a year in order to see my daughter. (and her sister, who dances not too far away!)

  9. Nina says

    May 29, 2012 at 9:04 am

    Wow! Diane, I’d love to hear how your DD (Dancing Daughter?) enjoys the school. I hear it is quite good.

  10. Nina says

    May 29, 2012 at 9:06 am

    I’ll be getting into this later…let me get through Workshop, Jane! And my blog tour for my book. Then I’ll offer more details.

  11. Dee says

    May 29, 2012 at 9:18 am

    Nina, yes, I think it is quite good. She likes it. They end up pretty well-rounded, I think one could say. 🙂 (oh, DD is dear or dancing daughter! I have two of them, both inexplicably having gone into the same profession I was in)

    Will you be going over to Dresden anytime to check out the area, housing and all that before he starts, or just send him on over when it is time?
    I imagine the season starts around the end of August? Or?

  12. balletmom says

    May 29, 2012 at 10:07 am

    CONGRATULATIONS! I have been following your son’s journey with great interest as I also have a dancing son. Kudos to Julian. Can’t wait to hear how it all develops.

  13. Nina says

    May 29, 2012 at 11:22 am

    Are you in Europe? Is that why your daughter studies there? How old is she? Why are they both in Europe (assuming you are in the states)?

    My husband will likely take him over and get him settled–unless something changes (which it might). He won’t want a mom sniffling over him as he begins there, a bit like when he started SAB. Also, I need to hoard my FF miles and money to go watch him dance. So, I will make several trips during the year with my husband, who works in Berlin often. We have a free place to stay there and can take the train down (2 hours).

  14. Betty Kuhn says

    May 30, 2012 at 9:05 pm

    Nina, you must be so proud of your son. He has worked hard to get this far. I wish him nothing but the best. You may think he won’t want you around while is getting settled…but you might be surprised to find he will miss your touch at his new home. Keep us posted on his passion. Are you busting your buttons yet? LOL

    I thought I would button my buttons with pride when I saw my daughter sing the lead in the Opera Aida. She was fantastic.

    My Son-in-law was a dancer in London. He traveled all over Europe with the dane company. He gave it up to marry my daughter and went into Banking.

    Betty

  15. Nina says

    May 31, 2012 at 12:20 am

    Thanks for your kind words, Betty! I am very proud. I’ll miss him a lot, but I’ll just have to make lots of money writing and teaching and go see him. Loved hearing about your kids!

  16. Angie says

    May 31, 2012 at 10:13 pm

    Congratulations to your son, Nina! I know he must be filled with much excitement. You have every right to be proud!!
    Angie recently posted..Vintage Pink Bird Cage Giveaway by High Desert Blogging

  17. Nina says

    June 5, 2012 at 9:54 pm

    Thank you, Angie!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

CommentLuv badgeShow more posts

The Dancer's Mom: Nina Amir

My Dancin' Son: Julian Amir Lacey

Search

MYSCD

Click here to join the Facebook Community!

Have questions?
Need support?

Rent my dancin’ mom brain!

http://mysoncandance.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Fotolia_31175717_V_S.mp4
Click here to Purchase on Amazon.com

Popular entries

  • How to Wear a Dance Belt (Or What A Mom Might Have to Teach Her Dancing Boy…)
  • A Dance I Can’t Do Alone: Winning the Top Dance Blogs Contest
  • What Issues Do Your Dancin' Boys Struggle With?
  • Vote My Son Can Dance the BEST DANCE BLOG of 2010
  • How to Know When It’s Time to Change Dance Studios

Recent Posts

  • What You Need to Become a World-Class Dancer
  • Don’t Blame Your Failure on Lack of Dance Talent
  • Dancing Boys Need Our Support
  • 10 Tips to Help You Push Yourself or Your Dancing Son to the Next Level
  • What is High Performance and Why Do Dancers Need It?

Recent Comments

  • Karan Patel on Boost and Sustain Your Dancer’s Energy Levels
  • galaxydanceacademy on 10 Tips to Help You Push Yourself or Your Dancing Son to the Next Level
  • Nia Hayes - ShunCy on Creating a Performance Reel for Dance Job Auditions
  • Mike George on You Can Now Order My Brother Can Dance© Dance-Related T-Shirts! Purchase those Christmas and Chanukah Gifts for Boys/Men Who Dance Today!
  • rose on Empty Green Fields of Raw Talent…After 11 Years of Dance Training?

Categories

Archives

Blogs About Dance and Boys

  • 4Dancers
  • Ballet for Men
  • Boys Ballet
  • Dance Advantage
  • Dance Bloggers
  • Dance View Times
  • Great Dance
  • Tights and Tiaras

Keep Your Son Healthy with Usana Vitamins and Products

  • Usana Vitamins

© 2023 · Nina Amir

loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.