We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Ari Bliss. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Ari below.
Ari, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?
When I had so much fun going to dance class daily without ever complaining. When I enjoyed dancing more than any other activity that my friends were doing after school or on weekends traveling. Growing up performing at Lincoln Center in the nutcracker for a month through November to January as a kid with New York City Ballet, it felt like the most magically rewarding experience! I was all in and loved every minute of it. I get energized from the ballet classes/rehearsals and motivated by the teachers attention to detail. I appreciate how the body can move to the harmony of music and see it as a form of art gifting the audience with a touch of magic without words.
Ari, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I got into the School of American Ballet through an audition process at age 7. Right away I started loving the entire experience of professionalism, discipline, order, and creativity. It was just 2 classes a week at first but that changed to daily class with Saturday and pointe/variations/character class weekly as we got older. We also had piano classes which sparked my creativity of music on a deeper level. As a teen I continued dancing and performing and had been in sleeping beauty and a midsummer nights dream which made me love the stage! Connecting with the audience felt natural, joyful, and spiritually fulfilling. This all inspired me to begin taking part in the behind the scenes aspects of ballet. I starting to tutor kids dance and help them get into their school of choice or a summer program or a competition. So many kids kept coming and I thought it would be great to start a podcast and talk about dance from the perspective of behind the scenes with professional dancers. We started with Houston Ballet and Pittsburgh Ballet Theater and everyone loved them so we will branch out and continue with more dance companies to share the art of ballet. I also expanded my classes to offer online zoom classes in dance for everyone now, doesn’t matter what age or level, open class and private class are available! I have a new ebook of 101 dance inspired affirmation cards for all girls to be inspired to be more graceful, confidence, and feminine in their daily life. I received amazing reviews from students who felt a shift in their everyday life to being more confident, empowered, and enthusiastic about their life choices outside the dance studio. I’m addition, we are always open to have dancers, musicians, artists, or dance teachers on the podcast for whoever is interested to share their journey with the world!
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
I remember dancing with Miami City Ballet for a summer program and I loved it so much! Unfortunately there was an experience with a bully laughing behind my back and eventually trying to isolate me from the friend group at dance. Initially I didn’t understand what was happening because I was super focused in class and always did my best. When I knew it was happening someone from the school office called me into the office and said they were aware of this and talked to the girls parents. I really think that when bullying is happening, give it your least attention possible, unless they’re physically stopping you from fulfilling your dreams, which then you should seek out for help from a teacher or mentor. The resilience is family, community, knowing your worth and having a goal in mind. I knew I had to perfect my solo variation so I didn’t give the bullying a second thought. People will laugh behind your back. What will you show them in front of them on the stage?
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
The goal is connecting with as many kids and teens and even adults through the art of dance who want to learn the discipline and artistry through barre class. I also want to perform more with the students in local community events like summer concerts, libraries, museums, schools, to get the word out that dance and ballet are cool!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://blueblisscoach.wixsite.com/website
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/growthandgracemindset?igsh=MTRxN2NtZ3d5b3Zubw%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Twitter: https://x.com/blueblisscoach?s=21
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@balletdaily?si=y_nth_G61ZahzYph
- Other: Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/2kWTSH2pKWIrtWYVFFclR4?si=1vo9q_lkQVCaJdTu2XdNuQ
