Sometimes it takes us many years to find our path in life and discover our destiny
We search for our passions and our place in the world. However, sometimes a passion is so strongly and deeply rooted in us that we don’t have to look for it; it finds us. This was the case in our son’s life. As soon as he started walking, his movements began to resemble dance. He danced every day. And from the age of three, he organized home performances for us every day. His childish voice constantly distracted me from my housework: “Mom, look!” and I had to focus all my attention on his dancing. Nothing could stop him. Ordinary household activities were an inspiration to him. Dance routines were created while vacuuming or sweeping. He set the table with a dance step. He couldn’t stop it, some inner force drove him, as if constant music pulsed through his veins.
We decided to enroll Stanisław in ballet school
It was too great a love to dare to suppress. We knew we had to channel that fire. He always left ballet class happy. It was something special—a boy who had difficulty concentrating on any task was doing the same ballet exercises every day and enjoying it. At home, after returning from class, he would relive the entire lesson and show what he had learned. He admired the dancing of his older friends with interest. He absorbed every performance, every rehearsal, every meeting with a professional dancer with his whole being.
The first year of ballet school was not too demanding. The next year, the number of classes per week increased to four, and in the following year to six. As a family, we were faced with a choice: whether to continue this difficult and challenging journey, or to find something less demanding. We had to decide whether to put our lives, and to a large extent also the lives of Stanisław’s younger siblings, on hold so that he could pursue his passion as a professional dancer. The decision was difficult because, in a way, it affected the whole family. Ultimately, we decided to continue on this path. It is amazing how a newly discovered passion, once you begin to nurture it, can spread to ever wider circles. Stanisław’s ballet education also encompassed us, his parents, siblings, extended family, and friends. Together with our son, we learned discipline, responsibility, and dedication, but also how to appreciate beauty, art, and the ability to express feelings.
We associate ballet schools with rigor, discipline, and excessive demands. As a mother, I often wondered if this was too much of a burden for a child. However, our son seemed happiest when he was most tired, when he left class drenched in sweat. Now, looking back, he has the fondest memories of the most difficult lessons and the most demanding teachers.
Moving to Warsaw
After four years at the Krakow Professional Ballet School and a year at the Ballet Studio at the Krakow Opera, Stanisław continued his education at the General Ballet School in Warsaw. We moved there to accompany him in his journey to becoming a dancer. He spent most of his day at school, but he always came home happy. Being among friends who shared his interests was an incredibly empowering experience. Before that, he had not always found understanding or acceptance. I admire the passion of young people in ballet who are able to resist peer pressure, which is so powerful in their teenage years. Day after day, year after year, disciplining their bodies, setting themselves ever higher goals, they climb upwards, reaching for their dreams.
It is a strange discipline of art to which one must devote oneself unconditionally. It is closely linked to pain and sacrifice. External coercion is not enough here – in order to flourish, one must devote oneself to it voluntarily, completely. We had the great privilege of witnessing the formation of this strange love.
Ballet school in Munich
Stanisław spent the last three years of his ballet education at the Ballet Academy – University of Music and Performing Arts in Munich. This was another challenge – leaving his family home. Artists are extremely sensitive souls who draw a lot of support from family relationships. And here again, passion must be stronger. We were 800 kilometers away from our son, but there were also students from distant parts of the world at the school in Munich – from Brazil, Japan, Australia – who saw their families once a year, or even less often.
I never imagined that I would let my child leave the nest at the age of sixteen and allow him to go abroad to study. Family relationships and bonds have always been my top priority. It is interesting how the ballet school, in preparing our son, also prepared me for this step. All the wonderful qualities and talents that Stanisław was gifted with by the Creator were sharpened, strengthened, and consolidated in the process of becoming a dancer, in daily discipline, determination, tenacity, and perseverance. So when the day of departure for Munich came, I knew that he was no longer the little boy who needed my constant help.
The three years away from home were not only a ballet school, but also a milestone in adulthood. Daily hard work on their bodies, but also laundry, cooking, cleaning – they had to take care of everything themselves. Routine ballet exercises, preparing the repertoire, numerous rehearsals, performances. All the effort put into becoming better every day and finally fulfilling themselves on stage.
Each of these young people, shaped in a special way, brings unique value to the world. They are always polite, open, willing to share with others what they have most precious. You can see the mark of hard work on them – excellent artistic skills and unique character. This is how I see ballet school – as a kind of school of life.
The end of education?
Stanisław received his dancer’s diploma four years ago. This could be considered the completion of his ballet education, but when I observe him and his friends, I get the impression that this process never ends. Every day, they strive for excellence, for perfection. Every day, they put in a tremendous amount of effort to get even a millimeter closer to the ideal. You could say that ballet education is lifelong education.
As parents, this unique art form has not ceased to influence us either. It has even begun to broaden our horizons even further. Our contact with ballet began to take on new forms. After observing students and young dancers for many years, we were able to see the difficulties and challenges they face. We decided to be a support for these beautiful people. A few years ago, we established the Dance to Be Foundation, which aims to make the difficult path to becoming a professional dancer a little easier. What we see on stage is the final stage. The Dance to Be Foundation wants to be a support in the process, in everyday life, in difficulties. We are very keen to empower young artists, to encourage them, to give them wings so that they can fly high. We want to accompany them on this beautiful journey.
When I think about all those years devoted to ballet education, I feel gratitude and joy. Quite incidentally, just by being there, I learned so much. And I look forward to everything that lies ahead, because this journey is not over yet.
