'Balikbayan' ballet mom brings expertise home

MARGE C. ENRIQUEZ

May 15, 2024

Grethel Domingo Raypon, a former principal dancer with Ballet Philippines and companies in the United States, has returned to the Philippines after three decades abroad. The balikbayan, 52, recently opened the Northeast Ballet Academy in Quezon City, sharing her extensive dance experience.

Raypon, along with her Filipino American husband Russell and their children Francesca and Matteo, adjusted to the cultural shift upon their return. While she and Russell, a basketball coach, grappled with Manila’s anarchy, their US-born children embraced the acclimatization to their Filipino heritage.

Raypon’s impressive career includes stints with Cleveland Ballet, Ballet San Jose and Diablo Ballet. After marrying Russell, they settled in Fresno, California, where she transformed the ballet program at Dance Studio Fresno from a recreational activity to a professional training ground. Under her tutelage for 18 years, the program flourished, becoming the studio’s most popular and well-enrolled discipline.

Despite her own success, Raypon initially hesitated when her daughter Francesca, who displayed natural talent, expressed interest in learning ballet at the age of 3.

Mom and daughter dynamics“Dance requires passion,” Raypon explains, adding that the profession is extremely demanding and competitive. “Without it, you would be miserable. I wanted Francesca to discover her own spark, not follow in my footsteps. I didn’t want her to join a ballet company just because I did.”

Francesca’s unwavering determination eventually won over her mother’s initial resistance. She began ballet lessons at 5 years old. As Francesca matured, Raypon established clear boundaries. Aware of their familial bond, she was stricter with her daughter than with other students.

Francesca’s long limbs, arched feet, strength and exceptional flexibility made her stand out in class. However, the child initially struggled to separate her mother’s roles as teacher and parent. Raypon set higher expectations for her daughter and avoided public praise to prevent accusations of nepotism. To offer subtle encouragement, she devised a secret language—a gentle tug of the ear acknowledged a well-executed movement.Raypon maintained a firm but fair approach in her classroom. When students displayed laziness or inattentiveness, she issued three warnings. After the third instance, they were asked to leave the studio and wait outside.

“Francesca received no such leniency,” Raypon remembers. “I sent her out of the class when she messed up.”

Determined to prove herself, a tearful Francesca, then 7 years old, diligently repeated the exercises outside the studio, mirroring the class within. This staunch discipline became an example for her classmates who faced similar consequences.Private lessons proved challenging, as their strong personalities collided. Raypon’s uncompromising standards met Francesca’s assertive nature. Eventually, Francesca recognized her mother’s dedication and accepted her own shortcomings.

“Filipino parents prioritize discipline,” Raypon explains. “It’s different from the leniency I often witnessed in America.”