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Subscribe to RSSWhen Joy Womack arrived at Moscow's elite Bolshoi Ballet Academy at 15, she spoke limited Russian and was one of a number of foreigners allowed to train at the school. Now 17, she is poised to become the first American to graduate from the Russian academy.
By Irina Tkachenko
NBC News
MOSCOW -- Like many of her high school peers in the U.S., Joy Womack keeps an Internet blog and chats with her family on Skype. The 17-year-old devours books on Kindle, listens to music and stresses about end-of-year exams. But this is where the similarities end.
By the end of May she will become the first American to graduate from the Bolshoi Ballet Academy, arguably the most enviable and demanding choreography school in the world.
Clad in jeans and a puffer jacket -- too skinny for this blustery Russian spring -- she looks impossibly delicate and long-limbed, even for a dancer, and speaks with sincerity, focus and poise that would be impressive in an adult. And if she is a tad nervous, small wonder. Having lived by herself for three years in Moscow, Russia, some 6,000 miles away from her home in Austin, Texas, Joy is preparing to take her final exams.
“Nothing can compare to the rigor and the mental strength it takes to train at the top of our school,” Joy told NBC News.
Ballet dancers are never late bloomers. By age 15 Joy had already put away years of preparation in prestigious American ballet schools like the Austin School of Classical Ballet and Kirov Academy of Ballet, when she was hand-picked by the Bolshoi Ballet Academy teachers to train in the Russian dancers department for tuition of $18,000 a year. That in itself was a special and unusual honor since the academy has a separate course for foreign students.
Barely believing her luck -- after all, her love of ballet began with YouTube videos of Russian ballerinas -- Joy left her parents and siblings and boarded a plane for Moscow, in awe of the opportunity of a lifetime. Little could have prepared her for the change she was about to make.
“When I first arrived here, nobody had heard of me. Everybody thought, ‘Here is this new American coming into the Russian class,’” she said. “I was put with the graduation class in repertoire ahead of the other girls in my class … that had created a lot of jealousy and a lot of questions.”
Joy, who did not speak Russian at the time, said she needed the instructors to repeat themselves again and again.
“It was hard the first six months, because the girls did not want to talk to me, did not want to be my friends,” she said.
A far cry from America
The Bolshoi Ballet Academy, also known in Russia as the Moscow State Academy of Choreography, launched in the late 18th century on the order of Russian empress Catherine the Great. Originally conceived as an orphanage, the school has long since established itself as an institution and feeder school for the Bolshoi Ballet troupe, a premier training ground for classical Russian ballet dancers that emphasizes technique and artistic expression. It is rooted in structure and tradition that have outlasted political regimes and many a revolution.
For Joy, life at the academy quickly proved a far cry from her American routine. Instruction exclusively in Russian all but assured a language and culture gap too big to tackle quickly. The school's focus on discipline meant dancing up to 10 hours a day, six days a week. It did not matter if you were hurting or sick: you showed up and you danced through the pain.
A measure of the school's ethos is its strict caps on the students' weight: 96 pounds for those who are 5'6", for instance. Ballerinas tipping the scale at 110 pounds are not allowed to participate in a duet class, but are required to observe it. In a country that spends most of the year waiting for winter to pass, this schedule meant rarely seeing the light of day. In the middle of December in Moscow, the "day" lasts barely six hours.
Asked when she saw her family last, Joy paused before replying, “Ten months ago.” That was the only time her dad had been able to come.
Driven to dance
Then, of course, there were injuries. Joy had surgery on her foot. She broke her wrist. A torqued back once confined her to bed for two weeks, only to make her write in her WordPress blog.
"I feel miserable," she wrote, adding that she could not wait to get back to the studio.
When asked what keeps her going, Joy didn’t wait to consider the answer.
“In order to cope with my rigorous training schedule, my long days I mostly depend on good food and … really the knowledge that after I get through this, I’ll be able to take on anything,” she said. “Of course, there are always those hard moments, especially here in Russia, where in winter it’s really hard … It seems so difficult to keep going. In those moments I rely on God, I rely on Jesus.”
She does not mention passion. But then, you can see it in her dance.
To connect to the outside world and to hold herself "accountable" Joy answers dozens of queries from American fans on her blog. “What do you do not to lose trust in yourself when you think you're no good...?” asked one in an obvious moment of self-doubt.
And from across the Atlantic came the answer from Joy, meant, it seemed, as much for herself as for the person asking:
"Instead of getting upset or depressed if something does not go as you thought it would, God always opens another door. Even if it takes you awhile to find a light switch.”
Blood, sweat, tears, fatigue: 'it is worth it!'
Last December the Bolshoi Ballet Academy showed "La Fille Mal Gardee," one of its signature productions, on the venerable stage of the Bolshoi. It was pronounced best student show in the theatre and landed the school an award from the Russian government (Prime Minister Vladimir Putin was on hand to honor the occasion). And Joy? She danced the lead. A month before she had won the "Youth America Grand Prix" in Paris.
Today Joy speaks fluent and lively, if a bit accented, Russian. She treasures the bond she formed with her Russian ballet teachers and adores them for their "tough love" and dedication to her. She has found her friends, though she once wrote the best one of them may still be the Internet.
Time is a precious commodity, and free time almost nonexistent.
After she completes her state exams in all subjects: acting, classical ballet, character dance, and duet, Joy will dance in one final performance with the Bolshoi Ballet Academy, the lead in "Paquita." Then, after graduation in May, the nerve-wracking wait: will the Bolshoi come calling to invite her to its regular troupe? Joy will find out the answer having barely turned 18.
"A dancer is honest with themselves and faces their flaws and imperfections in the mirror and chips away at them,” she wrote online. “Behind the love is blood, sweat, tears, stress, fatigue! But it is worth it!"
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A Texan doing ballet? Say it ain't so.
I knew an American who moved to France with his French wife who worked for Yoplait. He was a chef in the U.S, he found a job as a chef in a French restaurant in France. That is rarer than hens teeth.
Ignorant.
I'm from Texas, I knew plenty of people who did ballet.
Houston has an excellent ballet company and academy.
just as many girls and boys doing ballet from Texas as from anywhere... and if we wanna keep pushing ignorant southern stereotypes- there are ballet championships held in Jackson, Mississippi, one of the biggest ballet "meccas" in the world...
Reminds me of the movie "White Nights" starring Mikhail Baryshnikov and an American ballet dancer, along with the song Separate Lives performed by Phil Collins.
But having to be so skinny and underweight would be hard during a Moscow winter. It's not unusual for ballet dancers to have eating disorders or take appetite suppressants in order to stay that emaciated. I hope she's managed to stay healthy.
Russians do not easily accept strangers as friends, but once you've been befriended, their warmth, loyalty, and hospitality rivals any culture.
so many aholes on this site.
A Texan in Ballet....and why not? This has nothing to do about the "south"
I think it is wonderful to see one of our own, an American, crack the toughest school in Ballet. And Ballet is demanding enough as it is.... This school is the "NFL" of Ballet, the very top. She has endured more guff in her years of schooling than most of us will suffer in our lifetimes.
Kudos is due to Ms. Womack on her spectacular achievement. I look forward to seeing her in the Prima ranks.
shes a trader
ttmadison, no people in any place accept strangers easily. Try being the new person at any high school in america. Kids are monsters as is bringing up eating disorders and emaciation. Thin doesn't mean starved and that wasn't the topic of this article nor should it be the topic always associated with dancing or gymnastics.
nastybeth unless you mean she is trading over there you make no sense unless you meant "traitor", in which case, you need to get an education before attempting to post.
Cultural Challenge is very inspiring, hope to see more of this......
Really, what does she trade? Baseball cards?
tron88878887
"so many aholes on this site."
No, it's more the case of people not having a sense of humor. Plus, a majority of people hide behind the keyboard and spout off not knowing any facts
A trader?
Yeah, I'd say she traded growing up with illiterate jerks like you for growing up to be something really beautiful.
A Texan doing ballet? Woo! Glad to know I'm not the only "unusual one" by the rest of the state's standards!
And this is front page news how?
It better than another damn story about the plights of gays and lesbians!Haven't seen the atricle de jour on subject at PMSNBC but i'm certain it will appear before the days end!
Fillmore Post no.1. A Texan can damn well do anything they set their minds to, and do it well! It takes pride and self confidence to excel and Texans have a surplus of both.
It must be difficult to do pirouettes with a couple pistols strapped to your waist.
For the record I wasn't offended, just wanted to speak from experience (stating the obvious I guess). I thought the original comment was good-natured.
I hope she doesn't go to college to become a ballet major, I hear jobs for that major is in the decline like every other major.
After perusing the above comments I didn't see one post of encouragement. I wish Joy all the best and hope that she completes what she started. She is a tribute to Texas.
Way to go Texas girl. Proud of you. Wow have to get educated in their native language. Why don't we do that here. Speak and learn in ENGLISH.
BRAVO JOY!! What an accomplishment!! You have made your parents, state, and country proud!
To go to a foreign country alone, learn a new language and come out on top of one of the most prestigious and physically taxing ballet schools in the world is truly astonishing and inspirational.
NOW SHE IS A ROLE MODEL!
To Abby 3258529 I couldn't have said it better, but will add Молодец!
Good for you Joy. Maladyetz. Horascho.
Having trained as a figure skater myself I know where your dedication comes from. The movement, body line, getting your body to overrule your head. Making it happen finally after missing the move so many times. Not leaving until you get it right. The complete, utter bliss in accomplishment.
The often seemingly cruel comments from coaches. After returning from my grandfather's funeral I asked my coach for understanding as I hadn't practiced in a week. He told me he didn't care if my entire family died in a firey plane crash, I was there to skate. And he was right, no excuses. Shut up and skate. A Russian friend of mine told us how his coach in Moscow would sweep his legs out from under him with a 2x4 if he didn't get his figures perfect. I'll tell you what...his body line was fantastic.
"...utter bliss in accomplishment..." probably, but also looks like anorexia in a tutu. Hope she's healthy and not just "accomplished."
It's not anorexia, it's called being in tip-top shape something you don't see much of in this country with most succumbing to a lust for junk food, couches, and television.
Hats off to a young lady with hopes desires that go beyond a smartphones and vanity, I wish her well!
Realitycheck--it is called being an unhealthy weight because the aesthetic of the ballet is, at present, anorexic. Anna Pavlova, in contrast, would probably never have been allowed in the troop because she would have been "fat." So would Maria Tallchief.
If you can't tell that a young lady at 5'6" and 96 pounds is dangerously underweight, please note that most charts give the "ideal" weight for a woman 5'6" as 117 - 143 lbs. A woman who is 96 pounds is, in fact, dangerously underweight.
I always love it when people give themselves ironic handles--perhaps a reality check is in the cards for you?
Yes, it is anorexia that they are pushing, unfortunately. The ideal weight for a woman who is 5'6" is about 125-130 lbs. Even if you're small framed you'd only take about 5-10 lbs off of that. So if 96lbs is the MOST they can weigh that means that many of them weigh less than 96 lbs. And because they have a lot of muscle mass and very little body fat, their ideal weight would actually be higher than a normal woman, because muscle weighs more than fat. A person is considered anorexic if they are 20% underweight by choice, so yes, they are pushing these girls to a very unhealthy weight, and that's sad because being that underweight can cause a lot of problems down the line, including coronary issues, brittle bones and a host of other issues related to malnutrition. There's really no reason for it either as a dancer that weighed 105 lbs could do all of the same things. The problem is likely that they make the male dancers also adhere to being too thin, and that makes it difficult for them to do lifts if the female dancer weighs very much.The bottom line is that they make them stay this thin because they think it makes them look better on stage, not because they couldn't do the moves if they were a little heavier, and that means they care more about the dance than the dancers.
Still, the fact that the people at the school don't seem to care that thay may be hurting their students for many years to come doesn't in any way take away from the accomplishments of Joy. I'm sure it has been a very long, lonely, difficult journey for her and she has done remarkably well for someone so young. Hats off to you Joy!! You have perservered through hardship and have accomplished through hard work what few others ever accomplish. May all of your dreams come true!
A friend of mine toured with Ice Capades. They would over sign skaters and then line girls up before first rehearsal and tell some, "You're fat, you're fired."
Anyway, sorry reality check. The reality is, eating disorders are the norm. I've seen it so many times. And it's unlikely to change. If you think choreographers care one iota about a dancers health, you're kidding yourself.
Still, I love my sport. I love what it allowed me to do in life. Namely travel and meet great friends from Russia that taught me to speak Russian (though I speak it better when I'm drunk).
I stand corrected on the weight issue, my comments were based on the assumption (I shouldn't do that) that the original comment on anorexia was made based on a few ribs showing through a layer of thin material. While this illness may prevail in the realm of ballet and I don't condone it, I'd still rather be a little underweight than grossly overweight. Moderation is the key in anything, even in terms of being charitable to fellow bloggers.
Actually, Realitycheck you are right. The "normal" weight for American woman is higher than the normal weight for fit young women worldwide. She is a teen, fit, very fit and very healthy and likely will gain weight and mass on a regular rate as humans do, each decade.
I am an American living in St Petersburg Russia where the highest esteemed ballet schools are located and know many ballet dancers and students, not one of them is unhealthy or anything but very poised, strong and intelligent. There is a vast difference in fitness, education and weight between typical teens in the US and here in Russia. It seems that too much fatty processed foods and the resulting poor condition coupled with lack of exercise has distorted body forms and norms such that size standards for clothing keep increasing in dimensions, over the last 50 years a size 8 is two dress sizes larger.
The interesting thing about the weight issue is not lack of eating, but eating enough to maintain their size and strength. As active not only in training but in daily activity, no one needs to starve themselves to make the limits since as normal active young people, few people need to limit intake at all.
The weight limits are for pairs dancing. It is very difficult for lifts by young boy partners, but weight naturally increases for the girls as it does for the boy as they become adults with more muscle mass. There is the well known situation with the principle dancer who gained weight until she was fired by the Bolshoi since several male dancers were injured by her 125lbs and others refused to work with her. She went on to became a solo dancer putting on exhibitions and a TV celebrity general celebrity. When dancing with partners in exhibitions, she picked male partners who were unusually large. Now she is almost 134 and it has adversely impacted her dance.
If one has a typical fast food American diet, it is really not healthy to drop a lot of weight or go on starvation diets, eat well and lead an active daily life and staying fit, slim and healthy is not such a rare or unusual state to be in. In fact it is the norm. My Russian friends are often surprised by how out of shape people are when they visit the US, and it puzzles them how there are fat children and teens. It is common to see people over 45-50 with added weight here but children and teens? No. I have only see one fat child in 8 years here, and only a couple teens. My GF is 55yo, 5'5" and 103 lbs, fit, shapely, active and healthy and have never been to a gym or health club, but has an active manual life, uses stairs, walks, everywhere and eats anything she wants without concern of calories, makes prepares all her meals from basic fresh ingredients.
Am- Expat I agree with you in Europe people eat much better than in the US. too many slobs here.
Thanks Am-Expat
I found it interesting that the two experts above provided vastly different ranges percentage wise in weight for the same height. You are also correct about folks abroad being more conscious about their weight and general health. Another consideration is some folks have a heavier frame and bone structure adding extra pounds to the formula.
I know one thing, the last time I went to a large retailer and really kept track I was amazed at the number of fat children some who could not even walk properly wearing sweat pants and shirts as they probably could find little to fit their over-sized bodies. Sadly I would guess they are no longer the minority but nearing the 50% mark as far as numbers go. Most of them mirrored their parents as far as size went.
I am sorry but 96 lbs at 5'6" is anorexia. I weighed a 100 at that height as a teen and I had counseling over my weight. I ate a tiny breakfast, no lunch, no snacks, drank only water and the smallest amt possible for my parents not to be on my case for dinner. I also did the occasional bulimia when I had to eat out w/ friends to keep up appearances. Looking back at pictures, I looked awful :( In my 30s I now weigh a normal weight of 135 and I have never felt better physically or mentally - oh and I finally have a few curves lol. It's not about being beautiful, it's about control and never feeling perfect enough.
I am now at a crossroads w/ my own daughter. At 10 she is 4'10" and 62 lbs. She naturally is very slim and gets a lot of praise and attention from her fellow ballet dancers:( She loves it but I do not want her following in my footsteps.
You said it. You ate a tiny breakfast nothing else. I guess you weren't able to dance 10 hours every day. Well the ballet dancers eat TONS of food. Good and healthy food because it gives them the energy to dance. Without food no dance.
Amazing...now this will definitely end up being a movie in the next five years or so. To think they chose her and not the other way around.
Yep -- you have to go overseas to get that kind of education these days. It ain't about the money, the number of extra-curricular activities, the number of computers in the classroom, how many class trips you take or the number of chicken-dinner circuit guest lecturers you have -- its about dedication to getting the student to learn -- not sort of -- not 'understand the principles' -- KNOW IT COLD. And to get that -- it takes the parents and the community, not just teachers' unions. In many Asian public schools -- everyone is 'not a winner' -- there is a class roster posted by the door with your class rank -- updated daily or weekly.
pzgren- no you don't, but for some reason, she didn't go to the school of American ballet in NYC, which trains just as many world class dancers...
pzgreens:
Your comments may not apply to the school of American ballet and with the exception of the statement it takes parents and communities----(when in fact it takes more self-discipline and personal responsibility than anything else) your comments fit like a glove in reference to the average public school in America, the NEA has destroyed our educational system! I takes more than a village, it takes hard work to succeed!
realitycheck--the NEA has no control whatsoever of "our educational system." All they do is handle issues for teachers. Given that the average teacher lasts only 3 years--they used to last 5, but now they only last 3--it isn't tremendously likely that any "seniority" system involving the NEA creates issues. People love to complain about how people can't be fired though they are bad teachers--ummm, they only last 3 years, on average. This means that some last less than that, and there can't be many that last more than that or the number would go up. Well, unless a tremendous number do not last out the first year (which could be the case).
"Our educational system" has been ruined primarily by administrators who are protecting their high salaries while mostly being concerned with warehousing children in urban schools--most urban schools are, essentially, juvenile prisons. "Our educational system" has also been ruined by parents who keep demanding that everything children are taught should have a parallel in the "real world"--no, geometry proofs and parsing for grammar do not have a parallel in the real world, but they do teach children the critical thinking skills they need to do math and write well.
Why it is that people think that teachers somehow rule their classrooms is beyond me--they do not pick their books, they do not pick their curriculum, they do not pick their disciplinary methods (for the most part), they do not pick the amount of homework they give (in some schools), and they do not come up with the tests by which students are assessed (well, not for "achievement" purposes). Teachers are like servers in a restaurant--they are the ones who serve up the "education," but not the ones who create it or the atmosphere in the restaurant or the restaurant's practices. And, if parents don't have some interest in the children's educations, they also do not define children's attitudes towards education.
It was parents who lowered standards so that little Johnny and Janie could keep progressing with the class and so that little Johnny and Janie would feel "good" about themselves. The parents work with the administrators--teachers have pretty much zero to do with any of this.
This is why the average teacher lasts 3 years--they think that they are going to make a difference, and then find out that the administrators (who actually run things) use them as cannon fodder to keep the parents off their own backs. How, exactly, do you think the NEA (which only protects teachers from lawsuits from parents and makes sure that their salaries at least stay a bit over twice minimum wage--minimum wage is about $15K in my state--because teachers cannot go public with what they make as all teachers have to sign confidentiality clauses about practices in the school) is controlling things?
Oh, and by the way, before you start whining about how much teachers make--go to your local school district, look up "jobs," and then look at the teacher salary scale . . . bearing in mind that most teachers only last about 3 years, and the majority who do get to retirement age retire as soon as they stinking can (about 25 years) and have a masters. Look it up--in my local school district, a person with a BA and 3 years of experience makes a bit under $33K and a person with an MA and 25 years of experience makes $47K--of course their "total compensation" (including the amount of money the district would spend if they have to hire a substitute and the amount that they theoretically put aside for retirement--money which actually is used as a slush fund by the legislature because so few teachers actually make it to retirement) puts those figures at about $35K and $50K.
Let me put that in proportion--an RN (an associate's degree is the entry level) median pay in 2010 was $65K. The lowest 10% earned less than $44K and the top 10% (who probably have master's degrees) earned more than $95K. Nursing is also a female-dominated profession. The lowest-paid nurses with only an associate's degree make about $35K--what the average teacher in my district makes.
No--it isn't the NEA doing anything. Anyone who is stupid enough to buy that excuse is stupid enough not to see that the money goes principally into the pockets of administrators--who are not accountable to the parents, whom the parents do not even know exist and certainly do not know how much they make or how they control what the teachers do--and into the pockets of textbook publishers and those who bilk money from teachers (you should see how much they pay for insurance for their family members--it's pretty absurd). As long as the public wants to blame the servers for the quality of the food and the atmosphere of the restaurant, I doubt that they will get any results because they are focusing on the wrong people. Have a great day.
Oh, and get that reality check, because you can use it.
bean
Just who is it the that determines the curriculum and sets mandates for public schools. All of what I inferred was told me by a teacher in the public school system, maybe she needs to go back to school.
I agree with most of what you say but would like to know what your opinion is on what has happened to our public schools. The average student cannot engage in normal conversation or make change for a dollar. And don't tell me it takes a village we didn't have that concept in place years ago when this country was on the cutting edge in technology......what happened?
Beanathome: The last time I checked your union or organization also represented those big bad administrators.And from what ranks do the typical administrators come?Teachers!I don't know where you live but in Mexifornia,the get a damn nice salary considering there is a 60% dropout rate in high school!Teachers here have a lot of imput unfortunately,it mostly about their bloated pay,retirement and benefits package.They run this state! One has little or no chance of getting elected unless you are willing to bow down to the teachers unions!Nor will you stay in office for very long if you try to unset the exisitng "apple cart".Teachers' unions in Mexifornia have run amoke at the expense of every other citizen.They have been and will continue to be the most predominate reason ctites in Mexifornia go broke!If your co-harts are so good,why then do 60% of thre high school population choose to leave before finishing school!The answer is most of you cannot teach and inspire students!
this story has nothing to do w/ your average public school. Doyourhomework is 100% correct - SAB in NYC is every bit as competitive - those girls do nothing but dance all day long. Pls all of you quit making such ignorant comments. The tennis world is the same thing - those kids do nothing but play tennis for a minimum of 6 hours and have to fit academics in. Do your homework indeed. And ftr, a good, in demand, lottery driven public school is dang hard, I doubt any of you were doing pre algebra, writing 3 page stories and knew all of your multiplication tables through 12 by 2nd grade like my son does...
Dont foget a teacher makes an average of 35k?? doubtful but even if it is they only work 9 months a year, get a job over the summer and make more then.
This is my 4th year teaching, I net 35K after taxes, DO get a Summer job, a big part of my Summer (every Summer) is spent doing mandatory Professional development or on my own researching, developing, and planning for the upcoming year. I do not pretend to know all of the answers on how to solve educational problems but it is a fact that teachers are underpaid based on the required Masters degree and comparable professions. Teaching (when done to the best of one'e ability) is a very difficult job that (like mothers) gets blamed for every ill of society. If we supported teachers as much as we support sports figures and other forms of entertainment...we just have our priorities in the wrong place. I think all of us can share the "blame," what we need to do is share the responsibility. This is too hard unfortunately for many of us to do. It is easy to criticize, hard to be part of the change because it requires one to do something. I am trying to do something by teaching despite the pay and criticism by trying to elicit change from within.
THANK YOU.
To be the best at anything takes incredibly long hours of training, training, training and complete and utter dedication. I have two sons who were involved in snowboard race and can attest to that. They decided that there was more to life than snowboarding but those years will always be precious to them and me and have established a life pattern for them. To all parents of athletes who make big sacrifices in both time and money I salute you.
Joy, this would make a great movie, so please write the book!!! Keep your diary & blog and hopefully we will watch it on the big screen.
Ballet is beautiful to watch, but horrible for women.
no more horrible for women than sports are horrible for men...
Wow...what an amazing experience! Of course there are up sides and down sides to everything, but if she is happy and healthy ...wow.
a white person in texas. wow!
Madcitizen I don't understand your comment. My son lives in Texas he is Caucasian.
It's a very large state what do think lives there? There is a lot more than cows and horses.
People live there.
A total moron who lacks basic grammar skills making ignorant comments on a news site. Wow!
This seems less than news worthy...
Obviously you can't grasp the subject, then.
I know Jag, this is the miracle en pointe, the ballet equivalent of the US Hockey victory in 1980 at Lake Placid.....Sad, but let's celebrate Joy's achievement in May!!!! USA!
Yeah less than news worthy. I guess you love reading all the depressing @!$%#. 2 people murdered today in a murder suicide, man commits suicide, family of 5 killed... I guess that's considered news worthy?.
I love reading something GOOD for once. The news almost never gives you anything good, if they gave good all the time people would quit watching/reading.
Just like Van Cliburn did with the piano, this little lady is for ballet. More power to her!
Yes, my thoughts exactly. But it is apparent from the comments here that not many people know who he is.
Of note......Van Cliburn is from TEXAS
Looks like they paid for the Value Plan instead of the Gold Everything.
Look at those ribs.
Something is really wrong with this picture.
Wow, am I the only one who counted her ribs and vertebrae? Her poor back looks like a xylophone. Scary.
96 lbs at 5'6". That is crazy but if she can dance 10 hours a day she must be eating.
Yes, I am sure she is eating, 10 hours of that regimen probably burns 2,500 calories easily, if not a lot more. Couple that with the basic body functions along with 6 other hours of walking, talking, chores, etc. I bet there is a good 3,500 burned each day which requires replenishment.
T.R,
Your estimate is really close to the calorie burn calculator I used to figure it out. It came up with 2,619 calories burned using a weight of 97 lbs. times 600 minute's of dance. Pretty good figuring on your part.
http://www.healthstatus.com/cgi-bin/calc/reload.pl
We Americans are so fat these days, that what we consider to be "too skinny" in this country is normal in some other countries/cultures. Especially for ballet dancers. There's a reason why Bolshoi is Bolshoi - they do not pretend like it doesn't matter what you look like or how much you weigh. To uhold their reputation of great ballet, they've got to make sure their dancers are super slim, light and agile. Sorry but that's how it is.
So what, she is not fat with blob hanging off of her and this is a surprise to people?
Great story, but too bad her Twitter description is "I'm a dancer for jesus." She makes Americans look like a bunch of backward hicks. Oh right, she is from Texas.
You make yourself sound like one with such intelligent comments. What is so wrong with her having faithful beliefs?
Oh and "a white person in texas. wow!" is a really intelligent comment. LOL You're obviously one of the "hicks" I was referring to in my comment.
@snoot
I guess you think No-Limit_Nigga would be a better Twitter description of American Culture? No one reveals backwards mentality than your close minded mentality. I'll bet you think of yourself as an intellect to? BTW... Christianity was all but outlawed by the Soviet Union. However no matter how repressive the regime the more Christianity grew.
If you are truly worried about how Americans are seen world-wide, the next time you have a comment.. leave it to yourself.
Yawn.
runaway from Coward. Fat slob on the couch commenting on a teen with ambition. You must be OWS.
So Snoot.... What's your beef with Texas? How the hell does she ( someone doing something no other American has ) making ALL of America look like backwoods hicks?. I swear ignorance runs a F'ing muck on these comment sections.
And you say Hick like it's a bad thing.
My "beef" with Texas starts with the obnoxious Governor and the entire uber-conservative political structure of the state, down to the "Don't Mess with Texas," yee-haw attitude of much of the citizenry (especially outside of the big cities). The state's hostility to environmental concerns and apparent pride in being the "execution capitol" of the nation doesn't help. Texas is also near the bottom of the list of states providing a quality education for its children.
hick [hik]
noun
1. an unsophisticated, boorish, and provincial person; rube.
adjective
2. pertaining to or characteristic of hicks: hick ideas.
3. located in a rural or culturally unsophisticated area: a hick town.
Yep, that's something to be proud of TexasLaw.
Snootmonster, THANK YOU! I've lived all over the U.S. with my work; Arizona, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Colorado, Georgia, Ohio, Oklahoma, Nevada, Washington (state) and Texas. Living all those places has given me the perspective to say that without a doubt TEXAS IS THE WORSE PLACE TO LIVE IN THE U.S., IF NOT THE WORLD.
The people, while outwardly friendly, are elitists. In their opinion, if 'y'all ain't from Texas y'all ain't worth spit.' Okay. Couldn't wait to get transferred the hell out of there.
Several years later I was on vacation in Germany and heard a loud conversation between a shopkeeper and several Americans. Basically, the Americans were trying to shout what they wanted to the shopkeeper. They figured if they shouted, the shopkeeper would understand them better. Go figure? They kept saying: "DO YOU TALK AMERICAN? WE WANT TO BUY FOOD." The German shopkeeper just shook his head. I walked over and asked the Americans if I could help because I am fluent in German. They quickly accepted my help and I recognized their twang. You guessed it... Texans. I told the shopkeeper what they wanted (in German) and he replied (in German)... I speak English very well, my wife is American. But I do enjoy watching them make fools of themselves." I laughed and agreed. They bought what they needed (and complained about the funny looking money the entire time) and went on their way...grumbling and complaining that no one 'talked American.' Arrogant fools. The education system is so bad in Texas that they didn't even realize that the proper phrasing would be "speaks English."
How is that? She makes Americans look like solid human beings with values, goals, and the determination to reach them. She makes Americans look very intelligent.
So I guess a state having pride, whether you deem it ridiculous or obnoxious, is unheard of anywhere else?.
An Artsylady... I love how You and Snoot both categorize all Texans as these people you have encountered. For 1 Fk the Governor of Texas he's a major dip @!$%# who needs to leave. 2. You went to Germany and just happen to run into, 2 arrogant "texans", well I'll be goddamn, I didn't know only arrogant @!$%#s came from Texas.
Your argument is crap. I have run into alot of @!$%#s while living in WV, Ohio is a joke and Washington don't get me started. But I don't categorize EVERY person from that state based off of the way a few individuals act or what they say or do.
Talk about childish.
You have no reason to categorize every Texan as a whole based off of the few idiots you have run into. You have jerks, @!$%#s, bigots, rude people, hateful people ALL over this world and especially the wonderful United States Of America. Although the Wonderful is slipping away at a fast rate.
Thanks for the reply artsylady! Your Texans in Germany anecdote made me laugh, but it's so accurate. I lived in Texas for nearly 10 years, mostly in Houston. When I first moved there in the 80's (from PA), it was to a small town outside of Houston. From day 1, the word "yankee" was hurled at me like I was some kind of criminal. When I used the word "pop" instead of soda, some people actually seemed to get angry. I had just graduated from college, so was pretty young and not used to the hostility I experienced for no apparent reason. I eventually made some friends, but had very little in common with them. After about a year, I moved into the "big city" and met plenty of educated, intelligent people; most were transplants from other places. That Texas attitude never disappears completely though, no matter where you are in the state. I eventually moved away and I would never go back to Texas! It seems to have gone backwards in time, instead of moving into the 21st century.
You two are class acts.
Good for her! I wish her the best. At least, she is proof that not all Americans from Texas are beer swilling slobs driving picks up with Stars and Bars on the back window.
The really embarrassing ones are the ones with Obama/Biden bumper stickers. Thank goodness Cash for Clunkers got rid of the majority of this.
Her story just shows that t is more than just talent to reach your dreams but devotion, commitment and sacrifice.
navyvet98 What's more embarrassing are the ones with McCain/Palin bumper stickers, as well as Romney or Santorum bumper stickers. As you said, thank goodness for the Cash for Clunkers program.
navyvet-
exactly. mom and dad have to be extremely rich, too...
What is embarrassing are the idiots who make every news article no matter how unpolitical it seems into them against us. Any fool who follows any political party are lemmings. Would it kill you @!$%#s to wish the girl well and end it?
to be fair, in this case, mom and dad are not extremely rich, just better off than average...
Actually her parents paid the first year but they have financial troubles and all of her expenses since then have been covered by donations and ballet patrons in America and Russia.
This is an amazing feat, and should be made into a movie!! I hope that she gets to dance with the troupe...what a dream come true!! Even more amazing is that an American could not only get picked to go to the school, but could finish! We don't have the best track record of raising kids that could withstand the brutal dedication required. Congrats to this young woman and her family!
Congratulations to Joy! What an amazing accomplishment.
And the rest of you, come on, BE NICE!
This reporter just proves how stupid and uncultured people have become.....It's a BALLET ACADEMY!!! Not a frickin' choreography school, oy!
The Moscow State Academy of Choreography is also commonly known as The Bolshoi Ballet Academy.
No, your comment just proves how in the dark YOU are. In Russia, "choreography" is a word that is used more synonymously with "dance" or "ballet". You will even hear people say they have a "choreography" lesson - or they are taking a "choreography" class - to denote a dance class.
Did people actually read this article? The school doesn't allow people 5'6" to weigh more than 96 pounds. This isn't art--it's abuse! Maybe the state should have taken her away from her parents.
Maybe the state should have taken her away from her parents.
Great thing she is training in a former communist country instead of living in one that is fast becoming one.
Want to wager a bet that she is in better physical shape than you? What about the female athletes that train constantly. Guess you vision of ideal women is Roseanne Barr and Rosie ('she's built for comfort not for speed) ODonnel.
Actually they will allow variations in weight. The charts are used as a guide to motivate students, not a strictly adhered to formula. As long as the dancer has a good line and not close to or at 110 then they don't really worry.
Almost all of the dancers are less than 5'4". 5'6" is kinda tall for a ballerina.
The Bolshoi Ballet Academy. Sorry Mr. or Mrs. NYC, the Bolshoi Ballet Academy is the best of the best. This young lady to stick with it is an inspiration to all young Americans. I sincerely hope that people in Texas take a look at this young lady and maybe adjust some of their habbits. It is not just about oil and money.
ballet is a lot about money.
btw, the Bolshoi is a great academy, but they all come to American sooner or later. Look at how many of ABT's principal roles are full of guesting Russian dancers.
also, it isn't like David Hallberg isn't kicking ass in Russia...
also, I find it interesting she attended American Ballet Theatre's summer intensive program in 2007. Some might say that helped prepare her for her future role in the Bolshoi academy...
You mean she had to attend other ballet programs to prepare?? Thank you captain obvious.
Congratulations Joy. Other people would have quit, but you did not. I hope other Americans can do what you did.
Amazing accomplishment and I hope she's accepted by the Bolshoi if that is her wish. If she earned it, she earned it.
It sounds like she worked incredibly hard to follow her dream. I'm sure she'll love traveling back to the States to dance here.
I hope the Bolshoi accepts her as well, but I am sure the American Ballet Theater will pay, and should rightly so, top dollar for her talent if they can. They would be stupid not oto...
that's assuming she's worth a damn. How many kids graduate from high school and never grow up to be successful?
ABT isn't a flavor of the month organization. If this girl is truly talented, then soon her dance will be making headlines, and not just the fact that she's from Texas. And then maybe ABT will want her...
...
actually, she does appear to be gifted, and has prior ABT experience... who knows...
For those that question the 96 lbs, these young women are not sickly, they are strong athletes. For those that commented on being able to see her vertebrae and ribs in the pic, if a healthy person (not obese as most of America) stretches in this position you are able to see the same thing. When I was younger I danced at the Hocstein school of dance (associated with Eastman school of music)for many years and those were some of the most memorable years of my life. Next time you attend a high school wrestling match and see the < 100lb weight class, or any weight class for that matter, I could fill you in on just as many disturbing rituals that I witnessed while my son's friends tried to make weight. So America, lets applaud this young women for this amazing accomplishment. She is an inspiration and a lesson on determination. JOY GO GET'EM !!!!
Yikes you can see every rib in the poor little thing's back.
I cannot say for you, but I am sure Ms. Womack's 96 lbs. could carom my 217 lbs of sorry fat lard off the floor, walls, and ceiling, like those super balls they sold in the 1970's.... She has more muscle than most Americans.... she just looks bony.
TR Hendricks...And you know this how?
T.R. is right. My daughter has been dancing ballet since she was very young and she is slinder but all muscle.