We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jelena Yowell. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jelena below.
Hi Jelena, we’re so appreciative of you taking the time to share your nuggets of wisdom with our community. One of the topics we think is most important for folks looking to level up their lives is building up their self-confidence and self-esteem. Can you share how you developed your confidence?
As a little girl I wanted to dance ballet and play piano badly but I was super afraid of myself and others. So during my school years at ballet and piano schools I had amazing teachers and Professors who helped me gain all my confidence and self esteem. Both my professors used to tell me how good I am in what I do and how I can do anything that I want only if I want it and I work for it . They always challenged me with new things that were above my levels so I can improve and develop faster. It’s amazing to have good professors who can help you develop that’s what I carried over to my students too .
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
As Professor and Owner of European Ballet and Piano School my main focus are my students their happiness and success. There is nothing more rewarding seeing students develop and grow learning more and more every day. I am so blessed to have job like this where I work with some amazing minds and watch them grow right in front of my eyes. This year EBPS is celebrating 10 year anniversary of school existence so during all these years we sow so many students grow and some of them even became piano teachers of professional ballet dancers . The best part is that my son is also my student for 10 years now so I am able to teach him together with my students and still have family time as we are all one big family
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Playing piano and dancing ballet at early age as 4 years old made tremendous impact on my life and entire future of it. Both classes developed my brain, expended my memory, my focus, logic plus my self confidence, self discipline and self esteem hit the roof after just couple of years taking both lessons I was winner on lots of competitions and awarded ballet and piano student. Performing at concert no matter that I have played piano or danced ballet made my life so much easier.. I have learned how to think under pressure and anxiety and still perform perfectly. Plus I have learned to think in advance as when you play piano you have to always think one measure up what you are going to play and when you dance ballet you have to always think what comes next so you don’t make mistake in your steps and choreographies. I strongly recommend to every young person to start playing piano or start dancing it will create amazing impact on your life plus keeps your brain young.
What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you?
My parents made all my life possible for me and they never let me quit Both my ballet and piano schools were far away and I remember my parents getting home tired from work and still driving me to classes. Also there was never excuse fo not have money for my piano or ballet lessons that’s was super important so my parents always made sure to have finances for it and everything what goes with it as costumes , ballet pointe shoes, books, new piano and etc.
Playing piano and dancing ballet and going to normal school from Elementary to university level it’s super hard so I wanted to quit million times. Instead of playing with kids at park I had to go to practices or instead of having boyfriends and going out with my friends I had to practice for piano concert plus dance ballet for ballet concerts. Plus as you grow older in levels in both classes programs gets harder so you really don’t want to continue cause it’s gets super hard to do it. But my parents persistence and toughness thought me to never quit and to keep it going and God bless them for it. Imagine if they let me quit I will never be who I am today thank you Mama and Tata I love you that words can’t explain.
Contact Info:
- Website: europeanballetandpianoschool.com
- Instagram: european_ballet_piano_school
- Facebook: European Ballet and Piano School
