Meet Remie Goins

Today we’d like to introduce you to Remie Goins.

Remy, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I’ve been in ballet classes for almost my whole life. My mother put me in a ballet class before I was even 2, and I can’t imagine life without it. When I was 9, I watched a documentary called “First Position” and never looked back. I began training more intensively at that time. We went to a ballet school for an evaluation, and although at first, the director refused to teach me he did quickly change his mind. Since that day, I’ve never taken the opportunity to train for granted.

In my first year of serious training, I accomplished (through a lot of practice) being selected from my studio for Youth America Grand Prix regionals in Atlanta. I really enjoyed the process of daily rehearsals and preparation for YAGP. Since then, I have participated in YAGP every year, and each year my scores and critiques have improved.

This last YAGP World Finals I was awarded the Bronze medal in Junior Women, and the year prior the Shelley King Award for Excellence. It’s been such an experience and an honor. I love the privilege of participating in ballet competitions, but even more important is the time I have in training. I began training at International City School of Ballet this last August. This last year has been a huge transition for me in my training, and the level of training.

The teachers have really helped me with correcting my technique and grasping the character and emotion, as well as helping me understand how to better use my muscles and improve flexibility and strength. It’s made a huge difference in how I approach ballet and contemporary dance.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I don’t think I’ve ever heard of anyone saying that choosing ballet or dance is a smooth road. It’s a fulfilling one for sure, but it’s definitely not easy – and I’m only a 13 yr old student! I haven’t even succeeded yet in becoming a ballerina. I have struggled with myself and in the past (thankfully not now) had struggled with bullying.

One of the biggest struggles for me is my height. I’m not very tall, and it’s led to several occasions of me losing a role or even a scholarship opportunity. I’ve learned to accept that I am “petite” and that it will not keep me from succeeding. I know I have to work extremely hard to stand out.

I really have to work on flexibility a lot as well. When I see girls (and guys) on social media in these crazy poses and speaking of how hyperextended they are, I sometimes feel a little defeated. But I just have to shrug it off and keep doing what I’m doing. I stretch and practice almost every day, and thankfully my teachers at ICSB have really worked with me a lot to explain how to achieve better flexibility as needed for ballet. I have to be reminded that there are many things needed to be successful in ballet.

I have other struggles of course, as expected, in just having frustration when I can’t perform something correctly. It really forces me to have to have a lot of patience with myself. One of the hardest things for me was realizing how unwelcome I was at one of my past ballet schools by several girls in my class. I don’t really talk about it much, because I like to think it wasn’t intentional and just girls being girls.

Stealing my Pointe shoes, cutting the ribbons off them, writing mean notes, saying mean things – it was really hard on me emotionally. I really wanted the training though, and I was willing to do whatever it took to get through that. My parents coached me through it, almost on a daily basis, helping me understand how to handle it. I refused to allow it to stop me.

So, as you know, we’re impressed with Remie Goins – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
My focus is mainly on classical ballet. I love the history and culture. My favorite ballets are Coppelia, Don Quixote, and La Sylphide. I love performing on stage. I’ve had two opportunities to perform solos at Lincoln Center in NYC. The first time I was a little nervous and the lights were so bright! The second time, I just knew it was a moment I wanted to never end.

When I was in NYC for YAGP World Finals, David King of A Ballet Education included me in a group of finalists for a photo shoot and interview. It was an incredible and unforgettable experience to be featured in his magazine and blog.

I’ve been really fortunate to have scholarships to Summer Intensives. The last two summers I went to Bolshoi Ballet CT (BBASI CT) – I loved learning from the Bolshoi teachers and learning Russian. This summer, I am excited to be staying with my school here in Atlanta for the ICSB SI. It’s been such a challenging program and I feel like I am learning so much in a short time. I’m excited to also attend a week at Houston Ballet’s Academy this Fall (also through a scholarship awarded at YAGP).

I am for very grateful to the many supporters who have contributed to her gofundme for her ballet training as well as the hard reality that it costs a lot to train in ballet

So, what’s next? Any big plans?
I plan to continue training at International City School of Ballet (ICSB). I’m really looking forward to the Youth America Grand Prix this year, and would also like to see some performances by Atlanta Ballet, ABT, Houston Ballet, SFB, and NYCB.

I recently did a photo shoot with Body Wrappers in their NYC location, and I’m looking forward to seeing the photos from that. I also am really super excited that Body Wrappers has named a shoe after me (the new Angelo Luzio INSTANT FIT 248A/C “Remie”) and can’t wait to see what the future holds!

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]

Image Credit:
VAM Productions, D&B Photo

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