April 2018

When I began taking ballet classes in 2011, I would have loved to have a haven like Ballet for Adults. Recreational ballet was not as much of a thing back then, and I remember scouring the internet for anything that could help me process this budding obsession. There were a few blogs and forums, but nothing as comprehensive as balletforadults.com, which is a beautifully curated collection of resources on technique, artistry, mindset, etiquette, dancewear, and just about anything else the adult student might need.

“JUST BEGINNING, COMING BACK OR NEVER LEFT… BALLET FOR ADULTS IS FOR THOSE WHO LOVE THE PRACTICE, ARTISTRY & LIFESTYLE OF CLASSICAL BALLET.” – Ballet For Adults

As co-owner of Ballet for Adults, Nicole Ozment was kind enough to discuss the amazing work she and her team are doing, as well as share a bit about her fascinating performance background. Not only is Nicole an accomplished dancer, she is also an artist, designer, ballet teacher and mother. But she manages to make time for the website because–like many of us–her love for ballet runs deep.

It is clear that Nicole has a special place in her heart for adult ballet dancers, and she also understands and honors the realities of practicing this art form. Her perspective is refreshing for adult students who experience the constant tension between studio life and regular responsibilities.

“My heart is inspired by every adult ballet dancer’s story,” she says. “Because it takes a lot of effort to get to a ballet class.”

Nicole also sees value in providing performance opportunities for adults–which are normally hard to come by–and bringing more awareness to the accomplishments of adult dance students.

“We want to bring recognition to this niche of unrepresented artists and be a hub for connecting other adult ballet contributors as well. Put simply, we want to help make an impact on adult ballet.”

With the amazing content Nicole and her team have amassed, as well as their brand new podcast (which I’m particular excited about!), I’ve no doubt that their impact has already begun. Ballet for Adults reminds us that there is much support to be found within this ever-growing community, and that we can also be that support for others.

Now, let’s get on to the interview!

 

Q & A with Nicole

Q. Tell me a little about your background and involvement in dance.

I’ve been dancing for over 40 years. I met my childhood teacher Judith Svalander when I was less than two years old. It’s one of my earliest memories. In high school, I would take the train into Chicago to study with Royal Ballet teachers Richard Ellis and Christine DuBoulay. From there I got a summer trainee scholarship with Milwaukee Ballet and after that danced with the original company of the National Tour of The Phantom of the Opera.

Years on the road and twenty apartments later, I moved to L.A. and joined the Screen Actors Guild to work in television and film. I moved back to Chicago to be near my family and start a family of my own. I finished my undergrad at The School of The Art Institute of Chicago where I explored performance art, photography and design. I have been working with a co-artist, Linda Oeffling, for the past ten years and together we own the blog Ballet For Adults. I have been taking adult ballet classes for over 12 years now and, when I find time, I teach workshops specifically designed for adults in ballet.

C&O artists Linda Oeffling and Nicole Ozment

Q. What first drew you to ballet in particular? Has your perspective or appreciation changed as an adult?

I was first drawn to ballet because of its beauty. The older I get the stronger I want to express what connects ballet to fine art – my own journey as an artist and unexplored ways to highlight the creative aspect of ballet; what makes it art beyond exercise.

Q. Do you have a favorite ballet or company to watch?

Ballet that amplifies emotion is the most appealing to me. I am often reminded that the small town studio recital can take me away to places in my soul that maybe the big city company on a certain show failed to reach. Also, along with classical ballet, I especially like watching trained dancers as leads in musicals, performance art and dance theatre: such as A Chorus Line, Bauhaus Dance, Pina Bausch.

C&O, Dancer in my Dreams

Q. As a teacher, what do you appreciate or look for in your adult ballet students?

My heart is inspired by every adult ballet dancer’s story because it takes a lot of effort to get to a ballet class. With the older students, you can appreciate their life history as they as they recount why they love ballet. For example, we were doing an interview and one adult student told us she started dancing because her mom loved ballet but had polio and couldn’t dance. I also look to the young adult dancers who may want to matriculate into performing and give them extra attention.

Q. What should a student look for in a teacher?

Adult ballet teachers must be advocates for adult dancers and see their students with this understanding. It is not about the instructor’s age, experience, or even ego. Teachers who are able to master an adult ballet class that have returning students from beginning to post-professionals are the most aware of this component for teaching adults. These classes are designed to flow with energy that feel similar to all levels of studio classical ballet classes. Without it, there is a subtle disconnect that leaves dancers lost or cold.

Q. What advice do you have for dancers facing physical limitations or to those struggling to balance ballet training and adult responsibilities?

I would tell them that the opportunity to grow is still there. If you are facing a tough physical limitation or relentless adult responsibilities, try to find time to work on ballet three days a week. (haha. I laugh, with three young boys right now, I am able to schedule about one class per week.) Your ballet training may present itself in a different forms than traditional ballet class, such as a podcast on ballet, where we just started Ballet For Adults on iTunes with The Premiere Dance Network, or a ballet book, like Cantique! Support adult ballet and enroll in a class, and even if you have to only do port de bras because of weakness or injury, become a part of your local adult ballet community. Finally, being a part of the online adult ballet community, like Instagram, is a great place to find that spark of support and inspiration when you need it the most.

C&O, Inc. Adult Ballet Sunday Funnies

Q. You recently celebrated your one year anniversary with Ballet for Adults after acquiring it from founder Bethany Leger. Why did you and your team want to be involved and expand the site?

We were working at the time on a ballet and lifestyle blog, and struggling to find a focus. When we found Ballet for Adults, it immediately became clear that we did not want to be a personal blog, but wanted to focus on the larger vision, connecting with and inspiring adult ballet dancers from different backgrounds and various levels of experience. We want to bring recognition to this niche of unrepresented artists and be a hub for connecting other adult ballet contributors as well. Put simply, we want to help make an impact on adult ballet.

Q. In your mission statement, you refer to adult ballet as a “growing genre in the ballet world.” How have you seen it grow over the years? Why do you think so many adults are discovering or rediscovering an interest in ballet?

Oh yes definitely! For example, we are finding that more studios, especially the larger, established ballet company schools, are developing and encouraging the adult programs that can include workshop intensives which often incorporate connecting performance, variations and company interaction. The ballet world as a whole will benefit from this support and as this generation becomes more aware of the benefits of dancing as we age, respect is growing.

Q. Do you have any plans for Ballet for Adults that you can share with us?

We are always striving to be more creative in our work and provide content that is helpful and artistically satisfying. With Ballet For Adults, it has been our dream to have a blog for a very long time and we are grateful for the opportunity to do this work that is speaking to us very strongly. We are always trying to be a bridge that helps expand adult ballet. We would like to make an impact on curriculum, classes, performance opportunities, cross training, attire… the list goes on and we are very motivated to keep going and growing.

Q. Finally, what are your hopes for the future of the ballet world?

That the art form continues to broaden into all backgrounds, all levels and all genres. That there continues to be movement toward gender and racial equality and opportunity in dance. That adult ballet dancers are respected and valued for their experience and their stories as individuals.

Merde!
Nic ~ The Last Dancer

Find Nicole on Instagram @nicoleozment
http://balletforadults.com/ @balletforadults

Photos by: Chelini & Oeffling (http://co-designstudio.com/)