Archive for madison keesler
October 10, 2008 at 12:35 am · Filed under dance, welcome, wingers, san francisco ballet, madison keesler, DYLAN, dylan ward, helgi tomasson, lola de avila, jean-yves esquerre
Hello Wingers!
I’d like to introduce you to our newest contributor, Dylan Ward.
As a new member of San Francisco Ballet’s Trainee Program, Dylan will continue the conversation from San Francisco, as his friend and fellow contributor Madison embarks on her new journey with the Hamburg Ballet.
Comprised of students from the most advanced level at the school, trainees are chosen by SFB Artistic Director Helgi Tomasson, School Associate Director Lola de Avila and Trainee Program Supervisor Jean-Yves Esquerre. Dylan and his fellow trainees will have the opportunity to perform throughout the San Francisco Bay Area, including understudying and dancing with the San Francisco Ballet.
We wish Dylan all the best for this exciting year and look forward to sharing the experience with him.
Welcome Dylan!
Recent Posts by Dylan
September 28, 2008 at 1:36 pm · Filed under dance, MADISON, gifts, madison keesler
I am a firm believer that we attract and control everything within our lives.
A friend of mine from Central Pennsylviania Youth Ballet sent me an e-mail explaining how one of his friends has started a dream. Her dream is a “29-Day giving Challenge”. I think it is a wonderful idea, so I wanted to help spread the word.
Her website is www.29gifts.org and there is a video on the opening page that explains everything. I have also attached that video below…
click here to view the video on youtube
“Why? Because to see the world change, we have to do something to change the world. Plus, the best way to attract abundance into your life is to be in a perpetual state of giving and gratitude. Be an important part of the global giving movement that inspires more generosity on our planet.” - from www.29gifts.org
Recent Posts by Madison Keesler
September 18, 2008 at 3:10 pm · Filed under dance, germany, hamburg ballet, MADISON, farewell, madison keesler
(This is a little out of order now but I wrote this on the airplane when I was first coming out to Germany.)
Right now I can’t help the tears that are starting to very, very slowly leave my eyes and roll over my cheeks. These aren’t the tears you cry when you feel despair, or the tears you cry because you are bursting with joy…I am not sure if I could tell you what these tears are from. Maybe they are from a little fear mixed with pure excitement. These aren’t the kind of tears that come with a simple explanation–that is for sure. I do know that as they come, I let them fall right past my cheek onto my orange scarf, and down past that to the blue-stripped pattern of the chair I am sitting on. I used to try to hide emotions such as this, but I think I have given up hiding. There are things that sometimes we aren’t meant to have complete control over, and emotions are one of those things. I believe that while we do have the ability to control many things in our lives we also have to be brave enough to close our eyes and just let life happen. Right now, I definitely feel that I am ready to close my eyes for a little while.
I was in a light sleep dreaming about all of the exciting things I have to look forward to when I heard a voice tell me that we were flying over the state of Colorado. The pilot said that to the left you could clearly see the Rocky Mountains. Pikes Peak and Cheyenne Mountain were in clear sight and we were right over Colorado Springs. Memories suddenly flooded my mind. I lived in Colorado Springs on Cheyenne Mountain for four years of my life. I was six when we first moved there and it is one of the first places that I feel attached to. Many of my wonderful childhood memories happened miles below me now and they still bring a grin to my face. We continued miles forward because just like I had to, after those four years in Colorado, I am moving on. This will be the seventh time I have moved in my life but it doesn’t make it any easier. I think that change is hard for anyone, but I also believe that it can be an amazing thing. After you go through the hard parts, you will undoubtedly learn some of the most important life lessons along the way. I have found it helps to keep that in mind during the hardest adjustments.
Without question this move will be the biggest, and most difficult change I have ever been through. Not only am I moving to a country where I don’t speak the language– I am starting my very first job! I will be paying my first bills for my first apartment; I will be getting my first paycheck, and I will be budgeting my own earned money for the first time. I finally have reached the starting point in a career that I have been dreaming about since I started taking dance classes once a week at miss Nancy Derby’s Dance School in the place that I just flew over not five minutes ago. Life is an amazing thing. I am so excited and grateful for everything I have had, as well as, for everything coming my way…whatever that might be.
Recent Posts by Madison Keesler
September 12, 2008 at 9:10 pm · Filed under dance, MADISON, madison keesler, hamburgh ballet
Guten Tag!
I am so sorry that it has been so terribly long since I have posted. I am currently writting this post from Germany! As I am sure you can imageine things have been very crazy recently. I am currently on my third week here but so much has happened that it feels more like my thirteenth week. In short, everything is going well over here.
I have a lot to tell and I will be posting about it soon…I have a short day tomorrow so be expecting more news soon!
Recent Posts by Madison Keesler
July 10, 2008 at 9:29 pm · Filed under dance, magazine, magazines, dance photography, MADISON, cpyb, sanf francisco ballet, dance spirit, madison keesler
Hello again everyone!
First I just wanted to thank everyone for the many congratulations about Hamburg. As the time comes closer it is becoming more and more real, I don’t think it will fully hit me until I actually arrive though.
Ok now for the main reason of this post…..
A couple of months ago I was contacted by Dance Spirit Magazine and was informed that I was a finalist in their Cover Model Search contest. I would have to leave San Francisco for a week and go to NYC with the other contestants where we would stay in a hotel, take classes at STEPS and Broadway Dance Center, have a professional photo shoot, see some shows, and have fun. Once I got the OK from my artistic director it was not a hard decision to go. The entire trip was a really good experience. I also learned that if I ever need photos Eduardo Patino is the man to go to. He is an incredible photographer and I loved working with him. It was really great to make the connection with not only Dance Spirit but the other contestants as well. Amanda was a tapper, and Lee does contemporary dance. They are both wonderful people and very talented in their field of dance, as well as other styles, so I knew that I had some tough competition. Even though the entire trip was technically for a competition there was nothing competative about it. We were all supportive of each other and appreciated what the others could do so it was a very relaxed atmosphere which made the trip much more enjoyable.
The magazine finally came out this past month (the July/August edition) and it was exhilarating to see it all put together. If you wanted to check out the magazine i know you can find Dance Spirit at book stores sometimes. Otherwise you can check out the website at www.dancespirit.com/cms . Here you will be able to see videos and a little information about all of us who are up for the cover. After you look at everything you can vote as many times as you want for your favorite.
Recent Posts by Madison Keesler
June 6, 2008 at 3:09 pm · Filed under dance, hamburg ballet, san francisco ballet, companies, MADISON, cpyb, sanf francisco ballet, san francisco ballet school, madison keesler
I have some very exciting news! Starting sometime in late August I am no longer going to be a student. A little while back I was offered an apprenticeship with Hamburg Ballet in Germany! I can’t believe that I got so incredibly lucky, but I am very, very thankful. After working with John Neumeier in SFB’s 75th Anniversary Gala things just developed over time. The season starts August 25th so I will probably be moving out to Germany about a week before. Until then I will be taking a much needed break, followed by San Francisco Ballet’s five week summer program.
I know that it is going to be very different and probably very difficult for a little while but there was no way that I could turn down an opportunity like this. There is no guarantee that I will make it into the corps after this year so I am going to make sure to enjoy and explore everything in Europe while I have the chance. I am also going to make a point to tell you about all of it. So, be expecting more post and while I will be talking a lot about my experiences at Hamburg Ballet I am sure you will be hearing a lot about my new life and experiences living in a new country.
If you would like more information on the company go to www.hamburgballett.de
Tags: Germany, Ballet, Bio, Hamburg,
Recent Posts by Madison Keesler
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