A Head Start On The Holidays

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I know it’s Halloween weekend but with so much to do, it can’t hurt to think ahead to the holidays. If you need music, choreography, or class activities, we’ve got you covered. The ghosts of Christmases Past and Present can even point you to some gift ideas for dancers and dance teachers!

Nutrition On The Move: Ball-O-Energy

Ball O Nuts

These sweet little snack balls of oats, nuts, and seeds travel well in your dance bag and give you the perfect combination of nutritional energy to help you last until dinner. Try the recipe for yourself!

Sunday Snapshot: Suspend and Drape

IMAGE Drape by A.Deran Photography IMAGE

Ashley Deranhas, a senior dance major at Western Michigan University, finds solace from the rush of every day life in photography. Stumbling into dance photography almost by accident, she quickly realized her love for shape and natural sense of timing translated incredibly well into images. Two of her photographs are featured for this month’s Sunday Snapshot.

What’s Not To Love About A Pink Walrus?

IMAGE Waldo the Walrus IMAGE

Take little dancers on a Ballet Adventure with Liz Vacco. Her Petite Feet DVD presents developmentally appropriate ballet concepts and vocabulary with imaginative stories and imagery and original songs. The set and a friendly Walrus have Yo Gabba Gabba charm but there are more reasons kids, parents, and teachers will love this new DVD for young dancers.

Drama-Free Costuming: Yes, It’s Possible!

Costumes in Boxes

Costumes are not only a means to express your artistry but an important part of your business. Whether you aspire to boost your competition team’s success or to have this be your most memorable year yet for recitals, Suzanne shares some tips for a drama-free costume experience this season.

What a Candy Cane Can Teach About The Virtues of a Dancer

IMAGE A candy cane's tabletop reflection forms a heart. IMAGE

Young ballet dancers gain integral qualities that lead to success, not only in dance, but in life. Guest and School of the Aspen Santa Fe Ballet Director, Melanie Doskocil describes for readers two occasions when it was clear her students had discovered important life lessons – ones that will carry them far toward a successful future.

Talking Fusion, SYTYCD, and Futures with Dwight Rhoden

IMAGE Rise. Photo by Jae Man Joo. IMAGE

Nichelle interviews Dwight Rhoden whose company, Complexions Contemporary Ballet, which he co-founded with dancer Desmond Richardson is performing in Houston. We talk about the future of dance, the fusion of dance forms, and his work in commercial (namely So You Think You Can Dance) and concert dance, including the works Rise, set to selections by U2, and Richardson’s solo CLICK.

The Costume “Blackout” Keeps Choreography Center Stage

IMAGE A blackout IMAGE

Students start focusing on costumes and lose sight of their choreography development and goals. But Heather has a unique method for getting students back on track. While she’s at it, she explains the importance of costuming selection and the messages wardrobe can convey to an audience.

If Silence Is Golden, My Studio Lobby Is Violet

IMAGE A color wheel IMAGE

Tired of the noise coming from your dance studio lobby or viewing area disrupting your classes? You’re not alone! Ranging from traditional to creative, here are suggestions for keeping parents, students, siblings – did I say parents? – occupied or motivated to stay quiet. Try them out and see what works for you.

Tap Shoe Review: The Capezio K360 (Brazilian)

k360s

The first in a series of tap shoe reviews, Tristan begins with the “Cadillac” of tap shoes, Capezio’s Brazilian K360. He covers their construction, features, and compares them to the American-made Kays. Don’t miss his consumer video for the opinions of tappers of all ages.

Brand Spotlight: Capezio and their Tap Shoes

Photo courtesy Crossett Library Bennington College

Which is the right tap shoe for you? TAPography columnist, Tristan Bruns wants to help you decide. With this brief history of the Capezio brand and its tap shoes, he launches a series of posts which will include his personal, non-sponsored tap shoe reviews from major shoemakers.