Monday started out with a bang. Kuznetsov had the boys doing about 1 million push-ups--and these are not push-ups like you and I do push-ups! Sometime I'll have Isaac post a video of the men's ballet push-ups. He then worked their legs by having them jump . . . and jump . . . and jump some more! Janos' mother and I were conspiring to come and take our boys out of that mean school. (Not really, but kind of.)
In addition to the terribly difficult ballet classes, the Russian language is giving Isaac fits. He takes class for 1.5 hours every day, then has at least 3 hours of Russian homework. I had been concerned about him neglecting schoolwork while he was in Russia for the year, but realize that he does not have any time to complete extra classes. He may, after he gets a handle on the language, but we'll leave it for now. his education this year is definitely non-traditional, but is still education!
Homesickness struck this week. Isaac's baby brother began eating solid foods and I posted pictures on my blog. It is hard for all of us to have Isaac living so far away.
Two experiences of note:
After an especially difficult class, Isaac's teacher Ilya Kuznetsov, had the boys all sit down for a lecture. He spoke in Russian so Isaac couldn't understand much of it. Then, Kuznetsov turned to Isaac and Janos and said, "I'm hard because I care. I was soft on my last class and they are bad. They are weak and have no character." This short explanation makes it so much easier to take the abuse!
Then, a few days later, they had a variations class. Variations is when they learn or rehearse short (usually under 1 minute) solos from existing ballets. A variation is what a person dances for competitions, so Isaac has a few under his belt. He knows many, many more that he's never performed and many of those he's never danced for a teacher (again, with the YouTube
He then gave Isaac the assignment of teaching the other boys how to do a menage*. Yes, it took three weeks, but Stupid America is finding his place.
*For those of you who don't know, this is a video of Isaac doing a menage at a local park before he left for Russia. He must not have done it exactly right. I only know this because of his "shoot!" at the end.
--Emily
So amazing that he's having this experience!! Glad you're able to be in contact. He is definitely getting an education beyond what books could teach him.
ReplyDeleteSo awesome that he is there. He is learning tons even if it is non-traditional and will serve him well both in and out of the ballet world. It's so great for Bethany and I to be able to hear about his experience first hand.
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