Remember your roots.

Having to say goodbye is hard, especially to something which holds some of the best memories. A place where you have spent so many hours; a place where you have experienced so many emotions all in the same room. This place, for me, is my local ballet school: Broomfield Academy of Ballet.

As a result of lockdown, Broomfield was forced to close for the foreseeable. Since then, due to the circumstances, it has had to completely shut down. 
 Regardless of the fact that I had 'left' the school to pursue my current life in Birmingham, I spent many of my days at home there, during holidays and the odd mid-term weekend. Hearing the news that the school was officially closing was a hard one but inevitable knowing that even the best things have to come to an end.

 Spending seven days a week there prior to moving away, it was only natural, this place became my second home. They took me in as their own. Nurturing not only my passion for ballet but also my growth and development into the person I am today. Apologies- I wasn't aiming to be that cheesy but it's happened and it's true. Whoops:)

Walking into the school for the final time, I didn't think it would happen but it did. All the memories came flooding back. Every story, every tear of laughter, of stress and of pain, every incredible soul I had met came back to me. Without this place, I would not be where I am today. Never have I had coaches and mentors who believe in me the way Mrs Broomfield, Mr Grimm and all of the wonderful teachers there have done. 

 So many beautiful moments were shared in those small studios. So much care, grit and determination. I would not be allowed to give up, it was not in their vocabulary. It was the place where I was taught that no matter how tired you are, you always have enough energy to carry on if you really want it. That is what makes you strong. If your muscles are aching, good!! It means you're working.

I am extremely grateful for my training at Elmhurst and look forward to what the future holds but I am also so grateful to have engrained into me the importance of never forgetting your roots. The foundations of every journey. Broomfield may not have been the very beginning of my ballet journey, but it was the foundation of my personal successes.
 I learnt so much by juggling GCSEs and having to travel to classes- working for every single possible opportunity. Being the kid at a vocational school from a little studio in Wigan is amazing! There's a sense of perspective and gratitude every day for where you are.

Often, I catch myself, though, falling into a sense of complacency for where I am. It's natural. You are constantly surrounded by elite dancers and facilities, it's a common feeling to become overly familiar and comfortable. By reminding myself of the hours and how much work that took place at Broomfields just to get to this point in my training is so significant; an absolute kick up the backside to stay motivated and focused. As well as phone calls with Mr Grimm and the Natalia Makarova DVD 'In a class of her own' given to me by him to keep me focused!!

 I could quite comfortably recite you nearly all of Mrs B and Mr Grimm's iconic stories of their life, career and helpful hints to dancers but I thought it may be a little more special if they could do it through the platform of my blog. During this time, it is important to do something you love; they love teaching and sharing their valuable knowledge to the next generation of ballet. Therefore, each week I will be interviewing either Mrs Broomfield or Mr Grimm and posting a new 'episode' of Broomfield's helpful hints to dancers. The standards of their teaching through the Vaganova methods are exceptional and worth knowing. 
To whoever believes that 'old' ballet teachers aren't as good, I believe you are wrong. These are the teachers with a whole host of wisdom and knowledge. If the journey of life is about learning, surely if they're further into their journey, they know more? Also, if you say teachers can't demonstrate at a certain age- you're also wrong. At the fine age of 83, Mrs Broomfield is still demonstrating Grands Battements with square hips. Never be narrow-minded in this world. Ballet is created through traditions and evolving. We must understand the 'old-fashioned ways' in order to ground our basic technique as a foundation to develop.


Thank you to Broomfield Academy of Ballet for everything. It was one of the best things to ever happen to me. 

Always remember where you came from and who was there unconditionally during your greatest knockbacks. 

Maddie x