The Dancing Queens

Three dancers look to life after high school.Henry BoydCopy EditorMost of us have seen “Black Swan”in which an overdramatized perfection-seeking ballerina drives herself to ultimate self-destruction. Some of us laughed at the lack of realism while others found it to be an accurate representation of the grueling pressure of being a dancer, despite the extravagant melodrama.Juniors Lea LeBlanc, Miku Yoshida and Olivia Roth are only a few of Samo’s most serious dancers, though all three have contrasting opinions in regards to the controversy stirred up by the 2010 film’s portrayal of the dance world. From hip-hop to ballet and contemporary, these girls have dedicated years of meticulous study to their art and passion. And now, as they reach the homestretch of what is notoriously known as the most pressure-laden period of their high school careers, these girls are forced to answer some life-changing and vital questions, as they organize their priorities and begin to decide what they want to do after graduation.At this age for many serious and talented dancers, the big question always pops up: do you go to college or join a dance troupe? While it would be wonderfully ideal (though slightly naïve) to admit that art and expression seem to outweigh potential success and stardom, one cannot help but wonder: don’t you still strive for that spotlight?For LeBlanc, a dancer on the Samo Songs team, dance is something that she knows she will carry with her throughout her life, whether in a professional or recreational setting.“People ask me all the time what I want to be when I grow up and honestly, I’m not entirely sure yet. I just know that I’ll always be dancing wherever I go, whether it be professionally or just for fun,” LeBlanc said. “In college, I would love to dance for an NFL [National Football League] or NBA [National Basketball Association] team because I love sports and cheering.”Originally trained in a more classical context, LeBlanc has found her niche as a hip-hop dancer and has been able to apply those years of technique and inspiration to the dancing she does everyday, though it may more commonly be set to Rihanna than Tchaikovsky.For Yoshida, a profession in dance seems to be a non-negotiable.“If this were a perfect world, I would very much be interested in joining a company right after high school; however, there are so many obstacles to overcome that it’s hard to know for sure,” Yoshida said. “I hope to be a successful dancer or have a job that enables me to travel around the world.”One of the main difficulties in being a promising dancer and student is maintaining a balance between one’s academic and artistic endeavors. While she knows she wants to dance professionally, Yoshida is keeping her doors open though she considers dance her top priority.“I will be applying to colleges with excellent dance programs so that I will still have training when I do decide to join a company,” Yoshida said.Roth, on the other hand, has gone back and forth when trying to decide what will make her the happiest and what is most realistic for her future.“I plan on going to college, but if you had asked me last year, I would have said I would be joining a [dance] company,” Roth said.The competitiveness that is quintessential of the dance world is one that intimidates Roth. However, she claims the pressures are less dire in the world of contemporary, in which she is most comfortable.“As a dancer, you have to decide whether or not you want to be a professional at the age of eight and sometimes younger. At age 15, it is already too late to decide to become a professional,” Roth said. “But in the contemporary world of dance [opposed to ballet], the age limit is a little less rigid and it is more open to different body types.”These notorious pressures – the age cut-offs, the incessant weight control, hierarchy and bribery in the professional world, the tediousness of physical safety and health risks– are often considered with a grain of salt. As for many, dancing is more than competition. Instead, it is the ultimate artistic expression.“I don’t believe that one can ever be ‘too old to dance’ because I see former ballerinas and even adult beginners in class all the time,” LeBlanc said. “The perspective changes – you’re not seriously training for a career, but rather for exercise or for fun. The love hasn’t changed.”This love for dance, though not as maniacal or desperate as the protagonist Nina’s in “Black Swan,” is what brings these girls together. Whether they want to be starring at Lincoln Center by age 22, dancing recreationally or cheering on the Lakers from the sidelines, the love and passion they feel is fluid and consistent. Whether a college or a company is next for these rising Rockettes, one can know undoubtedly that dance will play major roles in their lives as they become the next Anna Pavlova, Martha Graham or maybe even the next Swan Queen. hboyd@thesamohi.com