Ekim Deniz Akarslan
Ekim Deniz Akarslan, one of the youngest talents of Turkish ballet, came 1st in the ballet category of Youth America Grand Prix Indianapolis semi-finals, and got into the top fifteen in the New York finals. Seventeen-year-old Akarslan now studies in Istanbul University State Conservatory, and will go to St. Petersburg Vaganova Ballet Academy if he is able to complete the preparations.
What is your first memory related to ballet?
I can’t recall a clear image. However my interest in ballet began as a child thanks to my cousins who were ballet da
When and where did you start your ballet education? Where are you continuing now?
I started at a course (D&D Dance) where I was studying to prepare for the conservatory. In 8th grade, after two years in Mimar Sinan University State Conservatory, I was transferred to Istanbul University State Conservatory. I am continuing my education there now.
“Sometimes we can’t achieve a movement we’ve been working on for a year. If you take a break just for one day, the next day feels like beginning from scratch.”
What do you think is the perspective towards ballet in Turkey? Do you easily say that you are a ballet dancer, for example in a cab?
I try to choose carefully where I mention my profession. Generally instead of saying ‘I want to be a ballet dancer,’ I say ‘I study in the conservatory.’ Although the reaction I get is “Eh, okay, that’s also good.”
Ballet is aesthetically demanding and requires high condition skills. Ballet dancers have a very strict work discipline due to this. What do you need to sacrifice for all of this?
Changing our lifestyles is a must. Let’s say we wanted to ride a bike; we say “No, we are ballet dancers, in two days we have a recital, we can’t.” Or when our friends invite us for coffee in the evening, usually our answer is “I hope you don’t mind, I have a ballet class in the morning, I have to get up early and warm up.”
Wouldn’t you like to work at a job where you can balance work, family, friends, private life, and hobbies; something more ordinary that gives you more time?
I wouldn’t want to. I chose this occupation knowing all the challenges it brings with it.
I guess ballet dancers have an interesting set of mind. They are also the subject of many movies in this context. Could you tell us a little about the psychology of being a ballet dancer?
Despite the fact that we are students, we experience certain problems as well. Ballet really is an ungrateful occupancy. Sometimes we can’t achieve a movement we’ve been working on for a year. If you take a break just for one day, the next day feels like beginning from scratch.
Although we can say this for most of the art-related branches, ballet especially is not a future-promising job in this country. It’s obvious that ballet is not exactly accepted by society either. What motivates you to pursue in this field?
My dreams. And the mindset that my family and my teacher Sergo Tereshenko taught me. I give my time and effort. What motivates me the most is the idea of succeeding in this field. I set my mind on a path and I most certainly need to complete the task at hand.
Did / do your relatives worry about your future?
Sometimes they do because unfortunately in our country art and many other fields are not valued. But they trust me on this, I’m grateful for that. They believe that I can find my way. Also we have teachers who our parents can trust whole- heartedly.
“It’s hard to describe the moment when we’re facing the audience.”
Could you describe the feeling you get when you’re on stage?
It’s hard to describe the moment when we’re facing the audience. You, your steps, the lights, music and people watching you… It’s like a dialog; we give them energy with our dance and present an aesthetic. They respond to it by applauding.
How do you feel about the fact that a very small portion of the people living in your country know of your achievements for Turkey?
I am happy. The fact that only a small group is aware of this is enough for me. Of course we would like to reach more people, but art in this country…
Who do you look up to?
Leonid Sarafanov and Mathias Heymann are undoubtedly the two dancers I look up to the most on this path. Besides their perfect technique and artistic identity, they leave an impression of being decent beings for me.
What is an ordinary day like for you?
Six days, even sometimes seven days a week we have a two- hour ballet class. In addition to that, we have two to three hours of rehearsals. Then culture courses (literature, English, language and narration etc)… I also have things that I need to work on myself in relation to the feedback I get from my teachers. We also take courses on character dances, pas de deux and modern dance.
What feeds you in relation to this field? You don’t get the chance to see a lot of ballet shows in Istanbul I guess…
I try to go to almost every show at the Opera. I try to buy fa- mous opera and ballet DVDs online as much as I can. As you said; we have limited resources on this subject in our country.
Photography: Hikmet Güler