Everyone's saying this wasn't a good choice for her (although she did an amazing job) but ballerinas can't only perform the parts they want. I think Melanie did a great job and showed her abilities well.
Congrats Melanie, you worked so hard. I will say, I've been following Melanie on social media for a while, and this just wasn't her variation. She absolutely deserved to get in the final selection. I just can see what happened, the variation, costume, nerves maybe. I look forward to seeing her as a principal in a famous ballet company some day soon!
A technically difficult piece for a competition because a lot can go wrong. A true pleasure to see a dancer take this on in such a competitive environment. Well done!!!
I love Melanie, she’s the only ballerina that I know of that can do 22. Pirouettes on point without stopping …but in this particular solo, I would love to have seen more attack and much more Hungarian gypsy flavor in her movement, much stronger, much more “frappe “in her movement. And her costume, I think could’ve been a fiery, red and orange, with a sprinkling of black.🥰 …but I totally love her dancing.
As suspected, I came from Eva Nys channel, and oh my lord. Melanie's stage presence is almost as insanely mesmerizing as her turns. She owned this routine, and I'm so inspired by her. Much love from the US
She is a much better dancer than this routine indicates. It was a poor choice to show off her capabilities, especially her turning, at which she excels. Pas de Classique would have been a better choice.
I LOVE and aboslutely ADORE MELANIE! I could watch her for hours she is such an icon! She should be so proud of herself becuase she is so amazing to watch when she dances!
There's a video of Melanie doing Esmeralda in her home studio, which is just mesmerising. This is a watered down version of that. I wonder if she was made to change? I believe she most certainly would have placed with the version she practiced back home. The adaptations made it her own and really highlighted her strengths while maintaining the integrity of the piece.
Let me preface this by saying Melanie is my favourite dancer. I adore her. She's absolutely wonderful. However, I don't think this variation and Melanie went well together. Melanie is graceful, angelic, soft, weightless. Esmeralda is gypsy, bold, sharp, sassy, darker. Esmeralda is a lady who can wear red. Not every lady can pull off red. Technically she's good. I just don't think she plays the part well, and I hate that I feel that way, but this performance just doesn't stun me the way literally everything else this girl does. She's almost always amazing.
Beautiful! Melanie has such vitality and command of technical qualities, musicality, and creative vivacity! I look forward to watching her performances and what opportunities arise as she moves through her dance career.
I think part of the reason she didn't advance to finals is that there were a little too much "trickery" or "show" in the variation... lots of choreography changes etc. It always seems like the Prix judges value pure classical dance, musicality, grace etc. over being able to do six pirouettes or a very deep penche etc.
Lacking zip and attack here - nothing wrong with the original choreography and changing it just to get in more tricks than artistry does her no favours, unfortunately.
I know I'm going to be crucified for this, but the more I watch dancers from Mater's Ballet Academy, the more I'm struck that many of the students there are technically outstanding, but don't convey the emotion an artistry I would like to see from them. It's fun to watch them do "tricks" (lots of pirouettes, fouettes, jumps for the boys, etc) but I don't love just watching them dance, and their artistry doesn't take my breath away.
Absolutely magical 🤩 Melanie has such grace and poise and her Twirly Twirly's are amazing, thank you for a beautiful performance and making it available for anyone and everyone to see. ❣️
This dancer is special!!! I loved this and cannot understand some of the comments below saying it was a poor choice for her. If she has other variations better than this one, I sure would like to see them.
She did very well (apart from a few very slight moments wenn she was not completely in sync with the music). However, the part is supposed to be a gipsy girl, and she did not represent that rather fierce and sassy character very well. Way too soft and nice. Virtuous technique though.
If you watch top ballerinas perform the same piece, you'll notice she's a mid-ranger. Not to say expressiveness, only technically, she's not on point all the time. I like her too, but maybe she can do better on this.
Bailas muy hermoso Melanie, veo los videos de su escuela de ballet, son muy disciplinados y excelentes bailarines. ¡Felicidades campeona! Saludos cordiales.
As a nonballet dancer but an Indian classical dancer, Melanie has truly entranced me with all her performances. Effortless yet precise, graceful yet sharp, feels fluid yet hits every beat. My knowledge of ballet might be little but her ways transcend any technical knowledge needed!
Outstanding job Melanie! You owned that stage and your pirouettes were magnificent. I hope you heard that the commentators described your performance as virtuosic!
Quelle assurance. Envoûtante Melanie McIntire ! Un tout grand bravo pour votre première place : )) Immense joie de savoir que vous avez remporté ce premier prix au concours exigeant des jeunes espoirs, en danse, à Lausanne : )) Bel exploit.
THis piece wasn't the best to showcase Melanie's talents, and I felt like she could have felt more comfortable in a role that better suits her etherial, light dancing style. But I have never seen anyone do this piece and tap the tambourine up so high, that was amazing.
One of the things I like about this ballerina is that she avoids gimmicks to prove how technically prepared she is (and she is, of course). She avoids boasting her skills to offer a clean, crisp performance and I like this so much more.
This young dancer has obvious talent and the benefit of many things that help a dancer be successful: flexibility, great lines, ability to turn. However, whether it was nerves or something else, this variation did not play to her strengths like one might think given the choreography calling for pirouettes, incredible flexibility and extreme positioning of legs and back, all of which are easy for her. What is missing is the drama and lyricism the music and role demands. I had the benefit of being able to watch the classes during the week and also the coaching for the individual artists' variations. Many of the corrections given to this dancer were not heeded, whether out of nerves and having forgotten or an insistence on performing it as she had been prepared initially. One example is she was told to use more epaulement in the shoulders and more body forward in the opening echappes and more epaulement in the circular choreography in the coaching and she just didn't. I think it not only effected the use of the music but the presentation of Esmeralda's flair and dramatic gypsy persona. It also showed poor use of the coaching which was mentioned as being one of the things the judges were looking at for all the candidates-the ability to take direction. I think a combination of a performance lacking in the emotion and verve or drama Esmeralda requires and not integrating those things she was given to enhance or better her performance are what separated her from those who moved on to a final cut. She has an amazing talent but having seen many social media videos, dancers can't rely on the schtick of a trick, in her case, the ability to turn to get to the top. Just because one can do five, six, seven turns easily doesn't mean you do it when it will interfere with the timing of the rest of the choreography which needs to flow and not be a series of individual pieces. If a double or triple keeps the choreography flowing and carries the musicality then that's what you do. Also she was coached on the timing for her ending for which she was late. While she did do better than her rehearsal, she was still off. And that's the last thing the audience's eye sees and has a lasting impact. In the end, I think it was some of these things that separated her from those who moved on. I'm sure she will be a wonderful performer in a company should she choose to pursue a professional path and wish her much luck. She clearly loves to dance and has great talent.
YAAASSS Melanie!!!! I’ve been watching you practice this variation via the shorts that Eva films. You are dazzling and easily one of my fave ballerinas ❤
Everyone's saying this wasn't a good choice for her (although she did an amazing job) but ballerinas can't only perform the parts they want. I think Melanie did a great job and showed her abilities well.
Congrats Melanie, you worked so hard. I will say, I've been following Melanie on social media for a while, and this just wasn't her variation. She absolutely deserved to get in the final selection. I just can see what happened, the variation, costume, nerves maybe. I look forward to seeing her as a principal in a famous ballet company some day soon!
A technically difficult piece for a competition because a lot can go wrong. A true pleasure to see a dancer take this on in such a competitive environment. Well done!!!
I love Melanie, she’s the only ballerina that I know of that can do 22. Pirouettes on point without stopping …but in this particular solo, I would love to have seen more attack and much more Hungarian gypsy flavor in her movement, much stronger, much more “frappe “in her movement. And her costume, I think could’ve been a fiery, red and orange, with a sprinkling of black.🥰 …but I totally love her dancing.
As suspected, I came from Eva Nys channel, and oh my lord. Melanie's stage presence is almost as insanely mesmerizing as her turns. She owned this routine, and I'm so inspired by her. Much love from the US
I am absolutely loving these videos! Melanie is a beautiful dancer. So talented.
Best wishes from the U.K. ❣️
She is a much better dancer than this routine indicates. It was a poor choice to show off her capabilities, especially her turning, at which she excels. Pas de Classique would have been a better choice.
Her balance. Control. Turns. Everything is perfection.
I’ve been watching this young lady and am so happy for her! I wish her splendor and great success! ❤
I LOVE and aboslutely ADORE MELANIE! I could watch her for hours she is such an icon! She should be so proud of herself becuase she is so amazing to watch when she dances!
One of the best I’ve seen her dance. Wasn’t all about her turns, she showcased her technique and musicality. Good for her!
Melanie is Mesmerizinggggggg. I watch her all the time on Evanys' channel.
There's a video of Melanie doing Esmeralda in her home studio, which is just mesmerising. This is a watered down version of that. I wonder if she was made to change? I believe she most certainly would have placed with the version she practiced back home. The adaptations made it her own and really highlighted her strengths while maintaining the integrity of the piece.
Her expressions and movements look lively and confident. i'm a big fan of her!
Let me preface this by saying Melanie is my favourite dancer. I adore her. She's absolutely wonderful.
However, I don't think this variation and Melanie went well together. Melanie is graceful, angelic, soft, weightless. Esmeralda is gypsy, bold, sharp, sassy, darker. Esmeralda is a lady who can wear red. Not every lady can pull off red. Technically she's good. I just don't think she plays the part well, and I hate that I feel that way, but this performance just doesn't stun me the way literally everything else this girl does. She's almost always amazing.
been a melanie fan since day 1, the amount of talent she has is insane
Beautiful! Melanie has such vitality and command of technical qualities, musicality, and creative vivacity! I look forward to watching her performances and what opportunities arise as she moves through her dance career.
I watch Melanie all the time at the studeo she trains at. She is AMAZING so much awe and fun to watch. Her twirls are top notch ❤
I think part of the reason she didn't advance to finals is that there were a little too much "trickery" or "show" in the variation... lots of choreography changes etc. It always seems like the Prix judges value pure classical dance, musicality, grace etc. over being able to do six pirouettes or a very deep penche etc.
Lacking zip and attack here - nothing wrong with the original choreography and changing it just to get in more tricks than artistry does her no favours, unfortunately.
Gorgeous Arabesque and Attitudes 🌹🌹🌹🌹 LOVELY BALLERINA! BRAVA!!
Truly love watching her dance
She was terrific . bold and exciting staccato and matched it. Love the green color
I know I'm going to be crucified for this, but the more I watch dancers from Mater's Ballet Academy, the more I'm struck that many of the students there are technically outstanding, but don't convey the emotion an artistry I would like to see from them. It's fun to watch them do "tricks" (lots of pirouettes, fouettes, jumps for the boys, etc) but I don't love just watching them dance, and their artistry doesn't take my breath away.
I love seeing the performance as well as rehearsals. She’s so extraordinary.
Beautiful as always, beautiful costume too!
Beautiful!! So nice to see the full dance in costume after all your practice. 🙏🏼☀️🌈💯
Melanie is one of the most talented dancers I have ever seen she is amazing and her overall control is incredible and those turns ❤❤❤
Excelente vailarina me facina su ballet la veo por RUclips desde Argentina Mendoza 🇦🇷❤️ Felicitaciones 🎉
Mel seemed nervous and the nerves got her. She did better back at the studios. Still a good job Mel!
Absolutely magical 🤩 Melanie has such grace and poise and her Twirly Twirly's are amazing, thank you for a beautiful performance and making it available for anyone and everyone to see. ❣️
“That was quite the virtuosic performance.”
Melanie!!!! That is a huge compliment!!!!
Well done on an outstanding variation.
This dancer is special!!! I loved this and cannot understand some of the comments below saying it was a poor choice for her. If she has other variations better than this one, I sure would like to see them.
Yyesssss I have wanted to see you perform this choreography. Such an amazing dancer
She is stunning
I'm sorry, I don't know what everyone's talking about because I think she did amazing and she looks beautiful
She did very well (apart from a few very slight moments wenn she was not completely in sync with the music).
However, the part is supposed to be a gipsy girl, and she did not represent that rather fierce and sassy character very well. Way too soft and nice.
Virtuous technique though.
If you watch top ballerinas perform the same piece, you'll notice she's a mid-ranger. Not to say expressiveness, only technically, she's not on point all the time. I like her too, but maybe she can do better on this.
She is amazing.
Bailas muy hermoso Melanie, veo los videos de su escuela de ballet, son muy disciplinados y excelentes bailarines. ¡Felicidades campeona! Saludos cordiales.
Oh my gosh well done Melanie! I'm so proud of her!
Go Melanie! You’re an absolute legend at ballet, and this was an amazing performance!
Bravo,Melanie! Perfect technique and elegance. thank you!! 💓
Pirouette queen ❤
As a nonballet dancer but an Indian classical dancer, Melanie has truly entranced me with all her performances. Effortless yet precise, graceful yet sharp, feels fluid yet hits every beat. My knowledge of ballet might be little but her ways transcend any technical knowledge needed!
Melanie is such an outstanding ballerina!! Any variation she does is perfect!! 😃👏👏👏
I love watching Melanie realize she's gotta pull back from her usual turns because she could go on so long she's past the music. She did fantastic!!
She's just 2 years older then my but so much better! I really look up at her ❤
Bravo!!
Really, really beautiful technique and artistry👌
Super precise and showed her musicality! Go Melanie!
Go Melanie!!!!! Your amazing!!!! ❤❤❤❤🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉
Outstanding job Melanie! You owned that stage and your pirouettes were magnificent. I hope you heard that the commentators described your performance as virtuosic!
You gave me chills!
Perfekt . Bravooooooooo 🤩🤩🤩👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻🤩😍😘
Great job Melanie!!! ❤
MELANIE ?! AND LA ESMERALDA ?! my dreams. my prayers. they’ve been answered.
Quelle assurance. Envoûtante Melanie McIntire ! Un tout grand bravo pour votre première place : )) Immense joie de savoir que vous avez remporté ce premier prix au concours exigeant des jeunes espoirs, en danse, à Lausanne : )) Bel exploit.
THis piece wasn't the best to showcase Melanie's talents, and I felt like she could have felt more comfortable in a role that better suits her etherial, light dancing style. But I have never seen anyone do this piece and tap the tambourine up so high, that was amazing.
Mélanie est vraiment très technique sur les pivots, je la suis depuis un moment.😉🇨🇵😉🇨🇵
Queen of turns ✨
incredible performance!!! and the costume is so stunning as well
Great job. I loved your interpretation of this variation.
Well done! Beautiful pirouettes and so in time with the music!
She killed itttt watching her all the way from practice to performing so beautifully makes me beyond happy💛
What a great performance! She's a beautiful ballerina!
you rock, Melanie! really loved to watch your performance :)
yes Melanie good luck!!!!!
OMG THIS IS SO amazing! The amount of strength and coordination for this piece!
Wow such an amazing dancer with so much love and joy!
One of the things I like about this ballerina is that she avoids gimmicks to prove how technically prepared she is (and she is, of course).
She avoids boasting her skills to offer a clean, crisp performance and I like this so much more.
That was spectacular. So precise and clean!
Excellent
Absolutely stunning I knew Melanie had to do this Repertoire
Thats beautiful! What a wonderful job she did. ❤
What a beautiful choreo to highlight her amazing turns!
She did a great job and brings so much joy to so many people. She can be proud of her performance and I (Mira) can't wait to see more of her journey.
Melanie, as always, is impeccable
absolutely beautiful!
Yess Melanie, Bravo!🎉
She is just gorgeous!!!!!
You are so lovely to watch!
Whoa!..Mel' layin' it down, Bro'..day-yam..a thing of beautyusness!
She’s amazing!!!
Beautiful performance!
She did amazing! A real inspiration for everyone 👏👏
Beautiful performance ❤ And a very beautiful crown ✨
Always a pleasure to see her dance
This young dancer has obvious talent and the benefit of many things that help a dancer be successful: flexibility, great lines, ability to turn. However, whether it was nerves or something else, this variation did not play to her strengths like one might think given the choreography calling for pirouettes, incredible flexibility and extreme positioning of legs and back, all of which are easy for her. What is missing is the drama and lyricism the music and role demands. I had the benefit of being able to watch the classes during the week and also the coaching for the individual artists' variations. Many of the corrections given to this dancer were not heeded, whether out of nerves and having forgotten or an insistence on performing it as she had been prepared initially. One example is she was told to use more epaulement in the shoulders and more body forward in the opening echappes and more epaulement in the circular choreography in the coaching and she just didn't. I think it not only effected the use of the music but the presentation of Esmeralda's flair and dramatic gypsy persona. It also showed poor use of the coaching which was mentioned as being one of the things the judges were looking at for all the candidates-the ability to take direction. I think a combination of a performance lacking in the emotion and verve or drama Esmeralda requires and not integrating those things she was given to enhance or better her performance are what separated her from those who moved on to a final cut. She has an amazing talent but having seen many social media videos, dancers can't rely on the schtick of a trick, in her case, the ability to turn to get to the top. Just because one can do five, six, seven turns easily doesn't mean you do it when it will interfere with the timing of the rest of the choreography which needs to flow and not be a series of individual pieces. If a double or triple keeps the choreography flowing and carries the musicality then that's what you do. Also she was coached on the timing for her ending for which she was late. While she did do better than her rehearsal, she was still off. And that's the last thing the audience's eye sees and has a lasting impact. In the end, I think it was some of these things that separated her from those who moved on. I'm sure she will be a wonderful performer in a company should she choose to pursue a professional path and wish her much luck. She clearly loves to dance and has great talent.
Melanie is so great. What an inspiration she is ❤
ugh absolutely loveee mel!
she killed it as always❤❤
Melanie is so talented!
YAAASSS Melanie!!!! I’ve been watching you practice this variation via the shorts that Eva films. You are dazzling and easily one of my fave ballerinas ❤
Love Melanie!!! She’s perfection!
It's obvious when a dancer plays to their strength and this at times exposes weaknesses. The judges won't be fooled.
Absolutely stunning!
По моему великолепно! 😊
An amazing talented dancer
Melanie!!! Go go GO, Melanie!!! So poised, calm, focused, artistic, FABULOUS!!!
Bravo Melanie !!
Es maravillosa ❤
Beautiful! Bravo!!
Melanie is spectacular