“Stub and Point.” These were the first two words to come out of
Carinne Binda’s mouth any given day she would teach “The Sacramento Ballet’s” company
class. Never, “Hello dancers” or “Let’s
start,” just “Stub.” When I was facing
the barre in first position I always got the sense she was surveying my body
from head to toe. I felt this was her
silent way of saying, “You are going to work very hard for the next two hours
and fifteen minutes, starting with your feet.”
As you could gather, her ballet classes were long and grueling. Someone I knew had come to view Carinne’s
company class prior to a performance, and they expressed they were exhausted
simply by watching the class in session. She had other key words that she would repeat
during her tiresome classes. A few of
her favorites were, “Bing, one, up, and go.”
They may not mean much to just anyone, but to a ballet dancer in her
presence, it gave a resounding motivation for all to work harder. Her instruction to “point your feet” was
also conveyed often. When the dancers would
execute a tendu, or achieve the
height of a grand jete, or push
through a corps de ballet rehearsal
for women in the company, you would most likely hear Carinne project these
three relentless words, “Point your feet!”
Having
been ‘bindasized’ I will forever be indebted to Carinne mostly for her ability
to transfigure my feet. All the top
dancers of the world have the best feet, are expected to have the best feet in
order to show a good line, and in my opinion, is partly what makes them
famous. No one in the history of ballet
had been able to help me transform my feet like Carinne had, all without going
to an extreme such as having surgery performed on the feet. From the first class I took to the last
Carinne was besotted with the process of making my feet better. Her diligence in the classroom setting, the
rehearsal process, and overall obsession with good feet provoked my desire to
please her instructive wishes.
Although I knew the
most important things for reaching a professional level in ballet are great
talent, dedication, and passion, good feet are also an important part to a
ballet dancer’s success. When I served
two years as an apprentice with “The Sacramento Ballet,” I never once thought
about my feet being the flaw on my body that could possibly keep me from
pursuing my dream. However, I think my
strong desire to be a part of the company and her investment in me is what made
us a good match; and we both benefited with the results.
By the way, have you
ever seen Carinne point her
feet? Ask her next time you see her,
because they are magnificent.
Overall, she always
knew how hard I was working, and likewise I knew how much I had to keeping
plugging away at improving the arch in my foot, alongside many other things. But one day, I think it might have been a
Tuesday during one of her demanding half hour point classes, she highlighted me
in front of all the company women. At
this moment she shockingly complimented me on how much my feet had improved
over the past two years. At this time I
was an apprentice, and as one could imagine I was overjoyed because I had spent
every day in the studio with her overseeing me painstakingly working my feet in
hopes to get a company position.
In my opinion, being
‘bindasized’ means that Carinne had been able to physically change something
about someone as a dancer that will help carry one through their dancing career.
Whether one stayed with “The Sacramento
Ballet,” or pursued other avenues of their dancing career, Carinne was a major
factor, contributing something good that is recognized by others. My example was my feet. For others it may have been their turn out or
the way they used their upper body. Over
the five years including one season of sporadic guest appearances with the
company I had seen dancers being examined by her scathing eye and endless
constructive criticism. Safe to say we
all survived and shined at our next endeavors in life thanks to her.
Carinne, you are an
amazing teacher and artistic director, thank you so much for everything you
have taught me over the years.
Sincerely,
Ilona Pociunas
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