Giving students, teachers, and parents an edge in dance education
Dance Advantage welcomes guest posts from other dance teachers, students, parents, professionals, or those knowledgeable in related fields. If you are interested in having your article published at Dance Advantage, please see the following info on submitting a guest post.
Gwen and Kate are sisters in the same ballet company. Gwen has left New York to be with her family in Michigan and a palpable, angry silence has developed between she and her sister, Kate. “the Crane Dance” an upcoming novel by Meg Howrey follows their personal and professional struggles with “flair, wit and honesty,” says our guest reviewer. Put this one on your summer reading list!
Every class has one… or two. That student that gets on your nerves or ruffles your feathers. Teachers of adult dancers are no exception and when certain students cause stress or strain in the classroom environment, a teacher just needs to vent a little. If you are a teacher, you will recognize some of the “personalities” our anonymous author presents. If you are a student, well, we hope you don’t resemble these students.
Sarah Dahnke is a New York dancer and choreographer who frequently incorporates props in her work. She shares a spectacular exercise to generate movement and use objects as part of the process as well as details about her latest project, Object as Performer.
Whether you’re just getting started thinking about auditions or have been planning since November, guest Juliette Clarke of BalletScoop wants to help you make this your best summer intensive audition season yet! Negative thoughts, preparation tips, and the big decision – it’s all covered in these ten tips.
Looking through the list of dance-related picture books that were released in the United States in 2011, three unique categories of books stand out. Picture Books & Pirouettes blogger, Kerry Aradhya looks at little ballerina characters who could give Angelina a run for her money, Spanish and Latin American dance, and books that explore the joy of movement.
To those who aren’t dancers or teachers, all the little rules and details we observe and require of our students may seem silly or pointless. But we have our reasons and they’re illustrated in Melanie Doskocil’s final entry for the year in Ballet’s Un-X-pected Lesson Files.
A dance career is not for everyone. Even those who’ve spent many happy years training, with dance classes every night, rehearsals, competitions and performances every weekend, formed deeply bonded friendships, and had amazing dance mentors. But after all the blood, sweat, and tears, what do you do now? Jessica Shoop Williams has been there… and back again, and shares her advice with you.
Mia Michaels is known as a tough character and dancing in her company RAW was definitely rough. But it taught Melanie Doskocil a valuable lesson about struggle and perseverance. Her story will leave you asking what you would have done in her shoes.
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.
Some lessons stay with us for life. In this installment of Ballet’s Un-X-pected Lesson Files, Melanie Doskocil talks about a particularly difficult rehearsal and the lesson mentor and choreographer, Alonzo King, taught her about limits and giving more when you think you’ve given it all.
Words of encouragement and a positive atmosphere helps students think more positively about themselves. Our guest writer offers some suggestions to help instructors foster a healthy self-esteem in their students. Plus there’s lots more related reading linked in the text so that you can start your new dance season on a positive note.
No doubt, dancers acquire some very unique traits and talents that make them very special. But dance also makes you very spatial! Guest writer, Melanie Doskocil muses on how this ability has supported her backpacking hobby in the first of a series about the sometimes surprising life lessons and skills we learn through dance. Read her amusing account of how ballet comes in handy in the wilderness and stay tuned for more from Ballet’s Un-X-pected Lesson Files.
