I do not remember my very first ballet class. In my defense here, I was only three at the time. However, I can tell you almost every detail of my first college ballet class.

It never leaves you. There is something so beautiful about ballet. Maybe it's the pointed toes, maybe it's the music, or maybe it's just the formality of it all. I had on all of my gear, and I was so excited about it. Leotards are never flattering, but, goodness, it felt nice to be in one. The soft pink of the tights, the leather of the shoes- oh, it was like a romance. The music began-"Notturno" from Mendelssohn's "A Midsummer Night's Dream"- and, even though it was just plies, it felt amazing. There is something about the structure of ballet- elegant, yet devilishly difficult, beautiful, yet somewhat painful- that makes it so satisfying.

Ballet taught me many lessons: Number one, respect. This is an art that has lasted hundreds of years and deserves to go on for years more. Hopefully, it will continue. Ballet is really good for the soul, being that it's a beautiful art form that respects a historic form of dance, as well as gorgeous classical music and wonderful stories ("Romeo and Juliet," "Manon," "Giselle," "Coppelia," "Don Quixote", the list goes on and on).

Ballet taught me structure- I have a massive penchant for ritual. I will eat the same breakfast for months in row, I clean my clothes on the same day every week, my sheets every other week, I eat at the same times every day. This may sound obsessive, but for a creative soul, structure is sometimes a necessary evil. Speaking of which, the protocol required by ballet class breaks a necessity to 'always look your best' into your system: a high ballet bun in your hair, light pink tights on your legs, a leotard, ballet skirt or pants, and either patented ballet flats or silky pointe shoes. This lesson makes you look your best, no matter what. Even if I'd had a terrible Tuesday, I always had on my ballet clothes and my ballerina bun. No matter what had happened that day, something about having to look my best for 90-minutes perked me up a bit, made me stand up straighter, think more clearly. Even if I'm not feeling my best, if I have something to do (class, doctor's appointment, meeting, etc) I wake up, put on clothing of some kind and, (only because I'm somewhat vain) at the very least, a little bit of foundation and mascara to face my day. This still works for me, I feel better immediately because I've made an effort to look my best and feel prepared, at least in that regard.

Ballet taught me the resilience to better myself. In ballet, your core can always be stronger, your feet can always be more pointed, there can always be more lift to your port de bras- no matter what it is, there is always something to improve upon. In my schoolwork and professional life, this has helped immensely. I can always edit a paper to make it better, add an extra point, find the thing that will make it the best it can possibly be. As an actor, I never stop working on my performance, making my character as real and as drawn out as I possibly can.

Ballet is a discipline, an art, and a beautiful strength that deserves all the respect in the world, such as World Ballet Day. Don't forget to celebrate it next year!