In the Studio with Instructor and Dancer Abigail Carter
Today, we’re going In the Studio with instructor and dancer Abigail Carter. Abigail is a dance instructor at Chesapeake Arts Center.
Abigail Carter began dancing when she was three years old, here, at CAC. Nearly 17 years later, she is now an instructor in our dance department. With a rather impressive resume for someone her age, Abigail has danced at the Washington School of Ballet as well as the City Dance Conservatory and Charm City Ballet. Here’s some of her story:
Please tell me a little bit about yourself.
Hi! My name is Abigail, I am almost 20 years old and a full time student. I go to school at Anne Arundel Community College and I’m studying sports medicine. Currently I have a full time job as well as teaching at a few different places each day. I also dance with Charm City Ballet and have been there for six years. I like to stay on the move and keep busy. When I’m not at school, working, or rehearsal, I like to play video games. I'm a massive nerd so any free time I have is spent indulging in different games or books.
I took my first class ever at CAC funnily enough at age 3! I was terrified and ended up going home half way through class. I went back to dance around five at Edna Lee Dance studio, now known as Artistic Movement Academy of Dance. I joined the competition team as a mini when I was eight. At this point I recognized that ballet was my calling and I took four-five classes of just ballet a week. When I was ten almost eleven I was accepted into the Washington School of Ballet on an almost full scholarship. My amazing mom decided to homeschool me so I was able to take the opportunity I was being handed. I was dancing an hour away in DC twenty hours a week for two years. At thirteen I was accepted into City Dance Conservatory on a full scholarship, unfortunately for my mom this was still an hour away in DC (thanks mom). I danced there for forty hours a week on the pre professional track until I was sixteen. In the middle of my time at City Dance, I started to perform with the company Charm City Ballet and they are who I still dance with now. My senior year I went back home to the studio I grew up in to be with some of the most amazing people I have ever known. I started teaching there my senior year and I still teach there now.
What drew you into teaching?
I have been teaching dance since I was 15. When I started I taught young kids ballet and now I teach kids anywhere from three years old to sixteen. One particular teacher who I met when I was fourteen really inspired my passion for teaching. Pete Commander is the co-artistic director and co-owner of Charm City Ballet alongside Rebecca Friedman. When I met them I was burnt out, and had grown to hate the craft I had spent the better part of my life dedicated to. My mom forced me to go and audition for the spring show (Aladdin) they were putting on. Walking out of that audition I felt the joy ballet had once given me starting to come back. I began taking class with Pete when they expanded their horizons and started offering classes. Pete focused on the health of the dancers and on correct technique rather than forced lines that caused injuries. For so long I had been injured by teachers pushing my body, and suffered from eating disorders. Pete’s teachings showed me that teachers don't have to be mean to be good, and ballet can be beautiful without unbearable pain. I want to be that teacher that never allowed my dancers to feel the way I did, Pete allowed me the space to learn that was possible. I love taking classes with Pete, he is constantly teaching me new things and inspires all of his students with the passion that he brings to class. I wouldn’t be the teacher I am without Pete and Becca, They are absolute legends in my book and I will never stop shouting their praise.
Tell me about the classes you teach.
At CAC I am currently teaching an array of classes, including, Ballet buddies one and two, Lyrical, and Ballet/Jazz Combo. Ballet buddies one is an introductory level of ballet for littles to get a taste of ballet mixed with fun games like freeze dance and stickers (we all love stickers). I think ballet buddies one is such a pivotal class for dancers starting out as that class is the one that's going to say if a child is going to stick with dance or move on. I try to make this class as fun (and educational) as I can because I want these kids to enjoy dancing and really want to come back. Ballet buddies two is similar but a bit older, so we focus more on the true ballet class and less on extra games. This is one of my favorite age groups because they are old enough to grasp hard concepts, but still little enough that they put up with my silly antics. Lyrical is an absolute joy to teach, Lyrical is all about telling a story and expressing emotion. I love the feeling when I watch a kid break through and truly begin expressing their movements.
What’s your favorite aspect of being an instructor at CAC?
CAC is a sandbox for learning how you like to create and I love all the different personalities and types of kids who come into my classroom. If I could be teaching everyday all day I don't think I would ever stop. CAC has given me the freedom to do what I do best, which is to teach and connect with the amazing students who walk through the doors. I want my kids to feel loved and valued when they are in my classroom, and learn how to be the beautiful dancer they dream to be.
What advice would you give students who may want to pursue a career in dance?
Dance is hard! The dance world is hard! But, you can do hard things! Just because it will be difficult doesn't make it impossible. So long as you love dance, and you love yourself, you will be able to go as far as you want. Dance is a massively fulfilling career and it is a dream worth having no matter how hard or silly you may think it to be. If you want it, take it. But stay healthy, never ever allow yourself to lose sense of your health, whether that be mental or physical. Overall, just go for it, the worst they can say is no. I wouldn't be where I am with the experiences I have had, without a lot of “no’s”.
What else are you working on personally or professionally?
Currently I am working on my degree in sports medicine (all about the health of dancers what can I say). Teaching five days a week, working full time alongside that. I am also rehearsing for the ballet A Christmas Carol in which I will be playing an array of parts, the most notable being “the Ghost of Christmas Future”. I will be performing with Charm City Ballet this December, so if anyone is looking for a show to watch this holiday season… Most importantly though, I am working on loving exactly who I am. I think the most important thing in life is loving the person you spend the most time with, yourself. It is a bit cheesy but so very true. I went a lot of years trying to fit the mold, but the mold is boring. So I would say the most important thing I am working on, and will never stop working on, is simply adoring who I am.