지난 주말, 아이들은 한 단계 더 깊어졌다. 같은 동작을 하고 있었지만, 그 안의 결이 달라져 있었다. 눈빛이 달라졌고, 몸의 중심이 달라졌고, 무엇보다 그 시간을 대하는 태도가 달라져 있었다. 그 변화는 크지 않은 듯 보이지만, 무용을 하는 사람에게는 결코 작은 차이가 아니다. 그것은 기술의 문제가 아니라, ‘어떻게 춤을 대하는가’의 문제이기 때문이다.

AAB 프로그램, 즉 어메리칸 아카데미 오브 발레 (American Academy of Ballet)는 단순한 수업이 아니다. 퍼포먼스 어워드 (Performance Awards)라는 구조 안에서 아이들은 스스로를 점검하고, 스스로를 넘어서는 경험을 하게 된다.

이 프로그램은 창립자 미뇽 퍼먼이 만든, 전 세계 수많은 무용수들이 거쳐 간 교육 시스템이다. 특히 인상적인 것은 ‘잘하는 아이’를 가려내는 방식이 아니라, ‘성장하는 과정을 경험하게 하는 구조’라는 점이다.

총 12단계, 그리고 100개가 넘는 작품들. 각 단계마다 주어지는 안무는 단순한 동작이 아니라, 그 시기에 반드시 익혀야 할 움직임과 감각을 담고 있다. 그래서 아이들은 단순히 따라 하는 것이 아니라, 몸으로 이해하며 쌓아간다.

그 안에서 아이들은 테크닉 (Technique)을 다듬고, 음악성 (Musicality)을 느끼며, 예술성 (Artistry)을 키워간다. 그리고 마지막에는 그 모든 과정을 사람들 앞에서 보여주게 된다. 심사위원 앞에서 춤을 춘다는 것은 평가를 받는 시간이 아니라, 스스로를 확인하는 시간이다. 그 순간 아이는 자신이 어디까지 왔는지를 몸으로 느끼게 된다.

그러나 더 깊이 남는 것은 따로 있다. 이번 프로그램을 통해 분명하게 느껴진 것은 아이들의 ‘진지함’이었다. 한 동작을 반복하는 태도, 마지막까지 집중을 놓지 않는 힘, 스스로를 밀어붙이며 끝까지 가보려는 그 마음. 그것은 누가 시켜서 만들어지는 것이 아니라, 어느 순간 스스로 깨닫게 되는 것이다.

그리고 그 옆에는 같은 마음으로 함께한 학부모님들이 있었다. 조용히 지켜보며, 기다리고, 믿어주는 시간. 그 시간은 말보다 깊다. 아이들은 혼자 성장하지 않는다. 그 뒤에서 함께 버텨주는 시간들이 모여, 비로소 한 사람의 움직임이 만들어진다.

결국 중요한 것은 어디에서 하느냐가 아니다. 얼마나 큰 무대인지, 얼마나 많은 사람이 보는지가 아니라, 주어진 그 순간을 얼마나 진심으로 대하느냐이다. 그 자리에서 끝까지 최선을 다하는 태도, 그 집중과 진심 속에서 아이들의 미래가 보였다.

이번 프로그램에서 8명의 학생이 장학 증서 (Scholarship Certificate)를 받았다. 그러나 결과보다 더 값진 것은 그 결과를 만들어낸 시간이다. 두 달 전부터 이어진 준비, 수업이 끝난 뒤에도 계속되던 연습, 한 번 더를 반복하며 쌓아 올린 시간들이 결국 아이들을 그 자리까지 이끌었다.

그 모든 시간의 중심에는 케이트 선생님이 있었다. 조건이 아니라 마음으로 가르치고, 보상보다 아이들의 성장을 먼저 두었던 시간. 그 조용한 헌신이 있었기에 아이들은 더 깊어질 수 있었다.

춤은 혼자 완성되지 않는다. 누군가의 기다림과, 누군가의 믿음이 함께 쌓여 만들어진다. 이번 시간은 하나의 프로그램이 끝난 것이 아니라, 아이들 안에 이미 존재하고 있던 가능성을 확인한 순간이었다. 그리고 그 가능성은 사라지지 않는다. 몸 안에 남아, 다음 움직임으로 이어지고, 또 다음 삶으로 이어진다. 그래서 우리는 다시 춤을 추게 된다.

When Ballet Education Truly Begins — Through the AAB Program

Last weekend, the children went one step deeper. They were performing the same movements, yet something within them had changed. Their eyes were different, their center was different, and above all, their attitude toward that time had transformed. It may seem like a small change, but for those who dance, it is never a small difference. It is not a matter of technique, but a matter of how one approaches dance.

The AAB program, the American Academy of Ballet, is not simply a class. Within its structure of the Performance Awards, students learn to assess themselves and experience surpassing their own limits.

Founded by Mignon Furman, this program is an educational system that countless dancers around the world have passed through. What is particularly striking is that it is not designed to single out “talented” students, but rather to allow every student to experience the process of growth.

There are 12 levels and over 100 pieces. The choreography at each stage is not just a sequence of steps, but a carefully designed set of movements and sensations that must be learned at that time. In this way, students do not merely imitate—they build understanding through their bodies.

Within this process, they refine their technique, develop musicality, and cultivate artistry. In the end, they present all of this in front of others. Dancing before judges is not simply about being evaluated; it is a moment of self-recognition. In that instant, each student feels how far they have come.

Yet something deeper remains. What stood out most through this program was the children’s sincerity. The way they repeated a single movement, their ability to sustain focus until the very end, and their inner drive to push themselves further—these are not qualities imposed from the outside, but realizations that arise from within.

Beside them were parents who shared that same spirit—watching quietly, waiting, and trusting. That time is deeper than words. Children do not grow alone. It is the accumulation of those who stand behind them, supporting and enduring together, that shapes a dancer.

In the end, what matters is not where the performance takes place. It is not about the size of the stage or the number of people watching. It is about how sincerely one embraces the given moment. In that focus and authenticity, we could see the future of these children.

In this program, eight students received Scholarship Certificates. But more valuable than the result is the time that created it. The preparation that began two months ago, the continued practice after classes, the persistence of “one more time”—these were the moments that brought them there.

At the center of all this was their teacher, Catie. She taught not through conditions, but through heart—placing the growth of the children before any reward. Through that quiet dedication, the children were able to deepen.

Dance is never completed alone. It is created through the accumulation of someone’s patience and someone’s belief.

This moment was not simply the end of a program, but the recognition of a potential that already existed within the children. That potential does not disappear. It remains in their bodies, flowing into the next movement, and into the next stage of life.

And that is why we continue to dance.

www.koadance.org www.balletjean.com

진발레스쿨

3727 West. 6th Street #607. LA CA 90020

Tel: 323-428-4429

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