Dance Advantage » Nichelle (admin) http://danceadvantage.net Giving students, teachers, and parents an edge in dance education Thu, 09 Feb 2012 19:00:46 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Not Your Daddy’s Boombox: Pioneer STEEZ http://danceadvantage.net/2012/02/08/pioneer-steez/ http://danceadvantage.net/2012/02/08/pioneer-steez/#comments Wed, 08 Feb 2012 14:30:21 +0000 Nichelle (admin) http://danceadvantage.net/?p=14340 The “boombox,” the first of which appeared in the 1970′s, reached its peak in sales and mass appeal during the early 80′s.

But, by the latter half of that decade the boombox (or ghetto blaster) was already on its way out as consumer interest began veering more and more toward personal, handheld devices. Yes, I had a Walkman, kids!

To most in this age of MP3 players and smart phones, the idea of a boombox might seem downright antiquated…

save for one particular population: dancers!

For crews and street performers, a box that can deliver is a must.

And if you’re a traveling teacher who has ever had to make do with tiny speakers, plugged into an iPod, in a large room full of talkative teenagers, you know the value of a subwoofer!

I’ve lugged around a portable CD/cassette player with detachable speakers to all kinds of rehearsal spaces and even classes and performances in unconventional locations (with unacceptable audio systems).

Enter the Pioneer STEEZ, a line of digital-age blasters, designed specifically with dancers in mind!
IMAGE Pioneer STEEZ - Solo (top) is blue, Duo (middle) is green, Crew (bottom) is red IMAGE

STEEZ Solo (top), Duo (center), and Crew (bottom)

The good folks at Pioneer, a company long associated with electronics and audio, allowed me to test drive the Duo, one of three models in this line.

Dance-specific features of all three include:

  • tempo control that doesn’t affect the pitch,
  • the ability to create custom cues in the music on the fly,
  • an 8-beat skip,
  • a non-stop mix option, complete with transition effects and beat matching,
  • an audio boost to intensify the beat,
  • an automatic Battle Mode, complete with voice prompts and countdown,
  • and the ability to activate these controls via a remote.

Now, before my contemporary teachers start to squee, let’s be clear that the true target consumers for this product are b-boys/girls and dance crews.

Still, a portable box that does all that with your digital music files (no CDs necessary), plus includes a dock for your iPod or iPhone? Pretty cool.(...)

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]]> http://danceadvantage.net/2012/02/08/pioneer-steez/feed/ 1 How Do We Love Thee? Let Us Count The Giveaways! http://danceadvantage.net/2012/02/07/love-readers-giveaway/ http://danceadvantage.net/2012/02/07/love-readers-giveaway/#comments Tue, 07 Feb 2012 14:30:21 +0000 Nichelle (admin) http://danceadvantage.net/?p=14346 Every once in a while I like to express appreciation for our readers with an entire week of giveaways.

It’s been almost a year since our last one and, because next week is Valentine’s Day, it seemed an especially appropriate time for showing and sharing the love.

When will the LOVE Our Readers Giveaway begin?

Good question! The first giveaway will appear at 8am EST on Sunday, February 12, 2012.

A new giveaway will go up every day for 7 days.

When will it end?

The last giveaway goes up on Saturday, February 18.

But each giveaway is open for approximately 4 1/2 days, closing at 12am, Midnight EST at the close of Day 4. (That means the final giveaway will close at Midnight on the 22nd)

IMAGE Feb 12-18: LOVE Our Readers Giveaway 2012 IMAGE

What could I win?(...)

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]]> http://danceadvantage.net/2012/02/07/love-readers-giveaway/feed/ 0 Careers To Consider: Dance/Movement Therapy http://danceadvantage.net/2012/02/04/dance-therapy/ http://danceadvantage.net/2012/02/04/dance-therapy/#comments Sat, 04 Feb 2012 14:25:52 +0000 Nichelle (admin) http://danceadvantage.net/?p=14249

Some of us are called to be performers, some to be teachers, but if you think the options for a career in dance end there, you are mistaken!

Over time, Dance Advantage plans to cover these alternative callings in depth, with guest posts and interviews by those with first-hand experience. For today, the Career To Consider is Dance/Movement Therapy, which we are presenting with the help of Susan Rizzo Vincent.

IMAGE The Andréa Rizzo Foundation logo IMAGESusan established the Andréa Rizzo Foundation in memory of her daughter, who, after surviving childhood cancer, was tragically killed at the age of 24 by a drunk driver. Andréa’s dream was to become a dance therapist and give children with cancer and disabilities the gift of dance. Susan founded Drea’s Dream, a nonprofit organization that raises funds to provide dance therapy to children with cancer and special education needs.

Susan has been kind enough to prepare some frequently asked questions and will introduce you to two dance/movement therapists working in the field.

IMAGE Susan Rizzo Vincent IMAGEAs President of The Andréa Rizzo Foundation, we fund Dréa’s Dream pediatric dance/movement therapy program for children with cancer and special needs in schools and hospitals nationwide.  I have personally had the honor to observe the transformation and healing that takes place within these children – psychologically, emotionally and physically.

What is dance/movement therapy?

Based on the assumption that the body and mind are interrelated, the American Dance Therapy Association defines dance/movement therapy as “the psychotherapeutic use of movement to further the emotional, cognitive, physical, and social integration of the individual.”

They further explain that dance/movement therapy(...)

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]]> http://danceadvantage.net/2012/02/04/dance-therapy/feed/ 4 Circle Up: Setting Goals http://danceadvantage.net/2012/01/30/setting-goals-circle/ http://danceadvantage.net/2012/01/30/setting-goals-circle/#comments Mon, 30 Jan 2012 14:37:32 +0000 Nichelle (admin) http://danceadvantage.net/?p=14297 12 For 2012

For our first Circle Time ever, we had 12 tantalizing submissions on our topic: Setting Goals!

February’s topic will be announced below.

Before we get into the nitty gritty, I’m going to give a quick tip for prioritizing all the things we have to do in life. It’s something I’ve already shared with my Subscriber PLUS members but for those who haven’t joined us yet…

Nothing gets in the way of reaching my goals like a few misplaced priorities.

My “plan to do’s” take a hit if I don’t draw lines in the sand when it comes to what’s important to me. If you’re a people-pleaser like me, you may find it hard to say “later” or “maybe” or even “no, thank you.” This priority pyramid, however, helps me make better snap decisions about what’s important in the grand scheme and when taking action day-to-day.

IMAGE The Priority Pyramid IMAGE

To make sure what belongs on top, stays on top: Stop making more “cuts” than you should in the Personal category (things important to you – like exercise goals or date night with the husband) and slacking on the Necessary commitments (like laundry, or homework, or business) to avoid cutting anything in the Obligations category, which along with the Fluff Stuff, should be the first place to look when something’s gotta give.(...)

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]]> http://danceadvantage.net/2012/01/30/setting-goals-circle/feed/ 0 Sunday Snapshot: Magic Moments http://danceadvantage.net/2012/01/29/ss-magic-moments/ http://danceadvantage.net/2012/01/29/ss-magic-moments/#comments Sun, 29 Jan 2012 14:15:56 +0000 Nichelle (admin) http://danceadvantage.net/?p=14288 “I don’t think dancers are always aware that an observer, even an amateur like me, can tell the difference between someone going through the motions and someone who is passionate about their art,” says photographer Scott W. Lewis.

“The difference in the image is of someone standing in an awkward position and an image that conveys that passion. My photography evolved from capturing something in focus to capturing that “magic moment” of expression where you can truly see the dancer’s love and dedication in what they are doing.”

IMAGE Paquita - Salt Creek Ballet; Photography by Scott W. Lewis IMAGE

©Scott W. Lewis Photography

Scott Lewis likes to say that he fell in love with photography by accident. He bought his first camera only a couple of years ago for no other reason than capturing the drama, dance, and athletic activities of his four daughters.

“I had no intent to do anything other than collect keepsake snapshots,” he explains, adding, “I realized that I truly enjoyed it, far more than I originally thought I would.”(...)

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]]> http://danceadvantage.net/2012/01/29/ss-magic-moments/feed/ 0 We Put Lauren’s Nose To The Grindstone [Giveaway] http://danceadvantage.net/2012/01/17/lauren-grind/ http://danceadvantage.net/2012/01/17/lauren-grind/#comments Tue, 17 Jan 2012 14:40:21 +0000 Nichelle (admin) http://danceadvantage.net/?p=14038 Our columnist, Lauren Warnecke has been writing at Dance Advantage for almost 2 years on the Cecchetti Method, muscles, bones, injury, ballet terminology, and more.

So you know a lot about her… but you don’t know ALL about her!
IMAGE Lauren (center) and Grind housewives, Katie Matteson (left) and Jenna Dillon (right).. IMAGE

©Kelly Rose Photography

If you visited the site and checked out our sidebar last month you may have noticed we flashed a Kickstarter campaign initiated by Lauren to support her other dance habit.

But after all she’s done for you and I, Lauren deserves a little more, so I pulled her aside and asked a few questions about this side we don’t see.

And, you know Lauren’s a giver so, she’s got something for readers to WIN later. Read on…

Dance Advantage: Frankly, most of our readers have only seen your nerdy side, Lauren. A conscientious dance teacher, meticulous academic… they may not know you have a rebellious streak, making work as an independent dance artist in Chicago. What gives?

Lauren Warnecke: I started becoming interested in choreography during undergraduate school, and created about three pieces there that I would actually be willing to vouch for.  I went to a school that is notorious for producing avant garde and innovative dancemakers, so while I’m a thoroughly trained bunhead, I also have sensitivities toward strange modern dance.

After school I became heavily involved with teaching and community theatre, choreographing seven full-length musicals, going to graduate school, and essentially “retiring” from the modern dance community. [Read more of that story in Lauren's article Life Lessons on Injury: Arriving at Plan C]

Two years ago I joined the board of directors for a small modern dance company (Synapse Arts) that was doing work I really liked.  Synapse’s Artistic Director, Rachel Damon, had gone to the same school as me, and offered me a rare opportunity to create some work for the company. This was exactly the spark I needed to come out of creative hibernation!  It opened many doors for me to reenter the community, and even moreso opened my mind to making work that I really care about.  I feel that a lot of the work I make is actually informed by the time I spent away from the dance community… it takes cues from pedestrian life and musical theatre that are an important part of my development as an artist.  

IMAGE Grand dancer, Katie Matteson IMAGE

©Kelly Rose Photography

DA: I know as an artist it’s sometimes hard to talk about your work but put on the nerdy teacher hat for a moment and tell your students: What is Grind all about?

LW: Grind is a dance that is rooted in definitions of artistic success. For me, success is a three-fold conundrum that is sought through money, praise, and self-actualization. All three intertwine to create some perception of success in all of us, that ultimately can never be acheived.

In Grind, this idea manifests through the eyes of four 1950′s american housewives. For me, this is an era in which evidence of the “perfect” family and the “perfect” woman were ever-present in the media and every woman strived for this, even when things were falling apart around them. The piece is deeply satirical and manifests as an absurd comment on the state of success. I first premiered Grind last August in Chicago, and since then it’s undergone a huge evolution into a brand new piece. This new iteration premieres Feb 10-12 in Chicago at the Drucker Center.

DA: Tell us about your collaborators for Grind and a little about the artistic process.

LW: I rely heavily on games, chance devices, and a meticulous process to create a work. This 30-minute piece was largely created from one 16-count phrase manipulated in many, many, many different ways.

Grind is part of a pilot program at Links Hall called the Apprentice Producers Program. Through this program, we are offered two venues at discounted rates over the course of 9 months, as well as a paid production manager. This allows the artist to focus more intensely on her work and not have to worry about things like press releases, schedules, etc.

I’ve been working with the same dancers (Katie Matteson, Vienna Willems and Jenna Dillon) since March 2011, developing the piece. After the initial premiere in August I knew I wanted to keep working with the same dancers, the same idea and the same movement vocabulary, but essentially everything else has changed.  I enlisted sound artist, Russell Weiss to create a sound score that uses era-specific sounds such as kitchen appliances, old commercials, and 1950′s love songs. Lighting is also very important to me, and Francesca Bourgault has beautifully lit both versions of the piece. Without having had the opportunity to perform this piece and hear feedback from that first experience, I don’t think Grind could have evolved to this point, so I think it’s a fantastic luxury to have become involved with this program.

DA: Congratulations on your successful Kickstarter campaign. That’s gotta feel good. Any quick tips for others who want to give Kickstarter a try?

LW: Kickstarter was great, but also really challenging! The potential problem with Kickstarter is that if you don’t reach your goal, you don’t get anything. In some cases, I think this inspires more pledges, but it’s a dangerous game to play.

I chose our goal extremely carefully, and put tons of time and energy into the campaign, as did all of the dancers and collaborators.  I posted updates about once every two weeks and continually pushed on social media and through emails.  I saw people coming out of the woodwork and donating who I either hadn’t talked to in years, or had never donated before. This is great, but you can really only do a campaign like this every few years. When I see people continually “Kickstarting”, you can easily tap out people’s enthusiasm because it’s something you have to push really hard at in order for it to be successful.

Ultimately, raising money to make dances is hard no matter how you slice it!

DA: What’s behind the photos we’re seeing here? You’ve created calendars from the shoot?
IMAGE Grind housewife, Vienna Willems IMAGE

©Kelly Rose Photography

LW: I started talking to photographer Kelly Rose very early in the process. Kelly and I have known one another since 3rd grade, and reconnected over this project. She has shot a lot of pin-ups, and I didn’t exactly know why, but I knew I wanted to work with her on Grind. Our conversation really helped me to find the connection between success, perfection, and the vintage housewives.

Consequently, I also recently bought a fixer-upper with a vintage “party basement”.  The style of my basement perfectly compliments the era that I’m working with in the piece, and dancer Katie Matteson happens to have a closet full of vintage clothes. The photos are loosely based on images that are seen in the piece, and on the interpersonal relationships of the characters we have created.  I really wanted Grind to be more than a dance…. the goal is to create a visual world around these four women and this iconic decade that is more tangible than a 30-minute dance.

The calendars were dreamed up as a marketing alternative to the same old posters and postcards you see, as well as an additional way to bring some income to the project. Plus, Kelly’s photos were so amazing I couldn’t just pick two for the press release and let the others go.

DA: Grind isn’t the only dance on the program in February. What’s the low down on Refill?

Refill is the part-two of the Apprentice Producers Program.  We will premiere the latest (and last) version of Grind, and are splitting the bill with another choreographer, Enid Smith.  The show is Feb 10-12 at the Fasseas Whitebox at The Drucker Center (1535 N. Dayton, Chicago).  You can buy tickets at fanfueled.com or at the door.

Win a Grind calendar!

To enter, all you have to do is leave a comment with your favorite “success” quote.

I’ll select 4 winners randomly from the comments.

Should you be a winner, you’ll have the good fortune to look upon Lauren and her 1950s housewives crew every month of the year when you win a Grind wall calendar featuring fabulous photography by Kelly Rose.

You must be 18 or over and a U.S. resident to win.

Contest will end Saturday, January 21st at NOON EST.

© Nichelle Strzepek for Dance Advantage, 2012. | Permalink | Category: Beyond the Bubble, Blog, Dance Media, Dancethropology, Giveaways, Interviews, Photography | Who's talking about this article?

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]]> http://danceadvantage.net/2012/01/17/lauren-grind/feed/ 6 Some Things Are Just Better Together http://danceadvantage.net/2012/01/16/better-together/ http://danceadvantage.net/2012/01/16/better-together/#comments Mon, 16 Jan 2012 14:23:09 +0000 Nichelle (admin) http://danceadvantage.net/?p=14055 IMAGE Peanut Butter and Jelly swirled together IMAGE

Peanut Butter & Jelly…

Sonny & Cher…

Snap, Crackle, & Pop…

Glissade & Assemblé!

Well, some of our articles are better together, too. And we’ve made this list of 13 combinations just for you!
      • Costume Advice From a Professional Smarty-pants(...)

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        ]]> http://danceadvantage.net/2012/01/16/better-together/feed/ 0 Join Us For Circle Time! http://danceadvantage.net/2012/01/10/circle-time-jan/ http://danceadvantage.net/2012/01/10/circle-time-jan/#comments Tue, 10 Jan 2012 14:40:36 +0000 Nichelle (admin) http://danceadvantage.net/?p=13901 Circle time is one of my favorite parts of dance class.

        As a teacher, it’s a time to connect with each one of my students, looking into the eyes and smiles of each one.

        It’s a great time for sharing and getting to know one another, for learning names, introducing concepts, for dancing and discovering together.

        [image] Children sit in a circle at Hope Center's dance studio [image]

        In December as I prepared for the Top Dance Blog contest, I found great new blogs I didn’t even know existed. And while our little competition is a fun way to find them, I realized I wanted more time to connect with each one.

        So an idea came to me.

        I know, look out.(...)

        Continue reading "Join Us For Circle Time!"

        3 comments

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        ]]>         http://danceadvantage.net/2012/01/10/circle-time-jan/feed/ 3         Congrats to the Top Dance Blogs of 2011! http://danceadvantage.net/2012/01/06/congrats-top-blogs/ http://danceadvantage.net/2012/01/06/congrats-top-blogs/#comments Fri, 06 Jan 2012 14:33:29 +0000 Nichelle (admin) http://danceadvantage.net/?p=13863 Once again, a group of fabulous dance bloggers turned up for our contest.

        Once again, readers turned up to vote for their favorites and found new blogs to follow.

        Once again, I saw bloggers out supporting each other, illustrating that the dance blogosphere is thriving and teeming with people passionate about dance.

        Mission Accomplished!

        What a way to start a year. Here are your Top Dance Blogs, everyone:

        IMAGE Top Dance Blogs 2011 IMAGETop 20

        Nearly 3000 votes were counted and our top two blogs walked away with about 26% of the votes… each! Woa!

        But one blog pulled ahead by nearly 20 votes:

        #1 — Ballet to the People

        1. Enforced Arch
        2. Dance Commentary by Heather Desaulniers
        3. Rogue Ballerina
        4. Tendus Under a Palm Tree
        5. Tutus & Tea
        6. Adult Beginner
        7. My Son Can Dance
        8. Odette’s Ordeal
        9. Ballet Pages
        10. The Body Series
        11. Maria’s Movers
        12. Born Again Dancer
        13. Frame Dance
        14. Ballet Shoes & Bobby Pins (by Sheena Jeffers)
        15. Picture Books & Pirouettes
        16. Dave Tries Ballet
        17. –TIED– Contemporary Dancing (by Melissa)
        18. Noa Blogs Ballet
        19. Leotards and the Buns in Them

        Category Winners

        Speaking Dance
        http://ballettothepeople.com/

        Ballet To The People by Carla Escoda

        62% of votes

        Adult Dancer
        http://adultbeginner.wordpress.com/

        Adult Beginner

        58% of votes

        Teen Dancer
        http://blog.contemporarydancing.co.uk

        Contemporary Dancing by Melissa, Lover of Dance

        39% of votes. The three blogs were separated by only 2 votes – a close race!

        Teacher Talk
        http://balletpages.blogspot.com

        Ballet Pages (by Melanie Doskocil)

        48% of votes

        Dancer Musings
        http://tendusunderapalmtree.com

        Tendus Under a Palm Tree (by Rebecca King)

        68% of votes

        Dance Organization/Artist
        http://blog.framedance.org

        Frame Dance Blog

        40% of votes. Another close race, separated by mere clicks of a button.

        Business Blog
        http://kinerenterprisesincblog.com/blog

        Kiner Enterprises Inc. Blog

        And, as always, Ashani Mfuko in a class by herself. ;)

        I want to say thanks again to ALL who entered regardless of where they are in their blogging ‘career’.

        It takes a certain amount of bravery to step up and be counted, so to speak. Please, if you haven’t already, visit the list of 32 blogs who participated (the significance of the number 32 is not lost on the bunheads out there).

        Editor’s Choice

        This proved very difficult for me because even I discovered new blogs through the contest this year. Plus some blogs are just very new.

        In the end, I went with a blog that I feel has consistently shown a clear focus, delivering material that is valuable to its readers in a fun but thoughtful way. I’ve enjoyed watching this blog develop and wish for its longevity.

        Though ALL 32 blogs show great promise, I chose…

        http://thedancebuzz.blogspot.com

        The Dance Buzz

        Congrats to All!

        I’ll be contacting winners with badges to put on their sites and with questions for your feature!

        Our Top 20 winner, Ballet to the People will be highlighted individually. Meanwhile our category winners and Editor’s choice will be featured together.

        We’d love your feedback on the contest in the comments.

        I know that with the holidays, the end of the year is a tough time for the contest. I’ve been thinking about moving it up to early December. Knowing that there’s never a perfect time for everyone, feel free to weigh in on this, or other details of the contest.

        Have suggestions? Ways to improve? I’ll take ‘em!

        Want to congratulate the winners? Compare to last year? Do it!

        Thanks so much for helping to make the 2011 Top Dance Blog contest a success!

        © Nichelle Strzepek for Dance Advantage, 2012. | Permalink | Category: Beyond the Bubble, Blog, Dance Media, Featured, Fun & Games, News and Events, Online | Who's talking about this article?

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        ]]>         http://danceadvantage.net/2012/01/06/congrats-top-blogs/feed/ 8         VOTE for the Top Dance Blogs of 2011! http://danceadvantage.net/2011/12/27/vote-top-blogs-2011/ http://danceadvantage.net/2011/12/27/vote-top-blogs-2011/#comments Tue, 27 Dec 2011 18:00:08 +0000 Nichelle (admin) http://danceadvantage.net/?p=13775 32 blogs entered this year’s Top Dance Blog competition:

        Barre Boys is having technical difficulty. Here is their FB page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Barre-Boys/103289929728630

        Barre Boys

        http://emilleejoyce.wordpress.com

        The Belated Ballerina

        http://www.releveyourlife.blogspot.com/

        Relevé Your Life

        http://balletomane3.blogspot.com

        Ballet Fan/Fitness Warrior

        http://foureyedballerina.blogspot.com

        The Four-Eyed Ballerina

        http://houstonballet.wordpress.com

        En Pointe with Houston Ballet

        http://www.52weeksofballet.com

        52 Weeks of Ballet

        http://kinerenterprisesincblog.com/blog

        Kiner Enterprises Inc. Blog

        http://mikebarnesanth.wordpress.com

        Mike Barnes, Anthropologist (Ballet)

        http://thedancebuzz.blogspot.com

        The Dance Buzz

        http://classicalballetteacher.wordpress.com

        BalletScoop by the ClassicalBalletTeacher

        http://dancersglobal.com

        Dancers Global

        http://leotardsandthebunsinthem.wordpress.com

        Leotards and the Buns in Them

        http://www.heatherdance.com

        Dance Commentary by Heather Desaulniers

        http://www.bornagaindancer.com

        Born Again Dancer

        http://blog.thebodyseries.com

        The Body Series Blog

        http://blog.contemporarydancing.co.uk

        Contemporary Dancing by Melissa, Lover of Dance

        http://mysoncandance.net

        My Son Can dance

        http://kerryaradhya.blogspot.com

        Picture Books and Pirouettes

        http://tendusunderapalmtree.com

        Tendus Under a Palm Tree

        http://www.davetriesballet.com

        Dave Tries Ballet

        http://blog.framedance.org

        Frame Dance Blog

        http://balletpages.blogspot.com

        Ballet Pages

        http://mariasmovers.com

        Maria's Movers

        http://tutusandtea.wordpress.com

        Tutus and Tea

        http://www.sheenajeffers.com

        Ballet Shoes and Bobby Pins (by Sheena Jeffers)

        http://odettesordeal.com

        Odette's Ordeal

        http://noablogsballet.wordpress.com/

        Noa Blogs Ballet

        http://adultbeginner.wordpress.com/

        Adult Beginner

        http://www.enforcedarch.com

        Enforced Arch

        http://ballettothepeople.com/

        Ballet To The People

        http://rogueballerina.com

        Rogue Ballerina

        Some are returning from last year. Some very new (but very good) blogs are in the mix. All are worth a look!(...)

        Continue reading "VOTE for the Top Dance Blogs of 2011!"

        14 comments

        © Nichelle Strzepek for Dance Advantage, 2011. | Permalink | Category: Beyond the Bubble, Blog, Community, Dance Media, Dancethropology, Fun & Games, News and Events, Online | Who's talking about this article?

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        ]]>         http://danceadvantage.net/2011/12/27/vote-top-blogs-2011/feed/ 14         Happy Holidays From Dance Advantage! http://danceadvantage.net/2011/12/24/happy-holidays-2011/ http://danceadvantage.net/2011/12/24/happy-holidays-2011/#comments Sat, 24 Dec 2011 07:30:02 +0000 Nichelle (admin) http://danceadvantage.net/?p=13756 IMAGE Season's Greetings from the Strzepek family IMAGE

        IMAGE Happy Holidays from Heather IMAGE      IMAGE Happy Holidays from Suzanne IMAGE

        IMAGE Happy Holidays from Lauren IMAGE

        from Lauren Warnecke (and "The Grind" housewives); Image is by Kelly Rose/Savage Rose Photography

        Tristan Bruns
        Roger Lee
        Joanie Johnson
        Alison Shames

        IMAGE My dance is my gift.... (click to read poem)

        http://swlphoto.com

        From Nichelle and all of the writers and contributors at Dance Advantage, we wish you a joyous and safe holiday season.

        May it be filled with dancing!

        © Nichelle Strzepek for Dance Advantage, 2011. | Permalink | Category: Asides, Blog | Who's talking about this article?

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        ]]>         http://danceadvantage.net/2011/12/24/happy-holidays-2011/feed/ 0         The Procrastinator’s Dance Gift Guide http://danceadvantage.net/2011/12/20/last-minute-gifts/ http://danceadvantage.net/2011/12/20/last-minute-gifts/#comments Tue, 20 Dec 2011 22:59:28 +0000 Nichelle (admin) http://danceadvantage.net/?p=13730 By now your stockings have probably been hung by the chimney with care…

        But you’ve still got dancers on your gift list! And Amazon is telling you that paying expedited $hipping fee$ a dose of Elf Magic is your only Ho Ho Hope for the timely arrival of those gifts.

        Never fear, the digital age is here! These gifts are a procrastinator’s dream:

        Dances To Go logo - Our Perfection is your PerformanceChoreography for Teachers

        DancesToGo.com provides à la carte choreography for a variety of dance levels and genres. They’ve got a great group of guest choreographers with years of experience as teachers (and I’m not just saying that ’cause I’m one of them)!

        One way to gift it: You may not know which choreography would be most useful for the gift-recipient. Since Dances To Go uses PayPal’s services, you could send money to your dancer friend or family member (they will need a PayPal account) for use at the site. While you’re at it, send them an iTunes gift so they can grab the music, too!

        DanceStudioOwner.comHelp for Studio Owners

        DanceStudioOwner.com gives studio owners what they need to be successful – e-books and articles, monthly teleseminars, templates, checklists, customizable forms, and plenty of support in an often isolating job. This is one of my favorite resources because they offer so much value at affordable monthly and yearly membership plans. Gift a membership and make your favorite studio owner very happy.

        4 for 40 e-courseA Weekly Action Plan for Success

        A new year. A new commitment to going the extra mile in your dance classes. We at Dance Advantage deliver the keys to make this year outstanding with an e-mail course that provides terminology, an inspirational quote, something to Dancescribe in a dance journal, and something to do EVERY WEEK in a 40-Week E-course.

        Let us sustain and motivate your favorite dancer the whole year through. Yes, you can “gift” this e-course. It’s called 4 for 40 and you can find it right here.

        Digital Reading

        Whether your gift-recipient is Team Nook or Team Kindle, you can give specific digital publications as gifts at the Nook Store or Kindle Store (just look for the Buy/Give as a Gift links on the book’s purchase page).

        Here are some of my favorites and books I’ve read this year:(...)

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        © Nichelle Strzepek for Dance Advantage, 2011. | Permalink | Category: Blog, Dance Bag, Dance Media, Dancethropology, Featured, Film/Video, Online, Product/Website Reviews | Who's talking about this article?

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        ]]> http://danceadvantage.net/2011/12/20/last-minute-gifts/feed/ 0 For Making Dancers Beneficial To The Public http://danceadvantage.net/2011/12/13/dance-vs-powerpoint/ http://danceadvantage.net/2011/12/13/dance-vs-powerpoint/#comments Tue, 13 Dec 2011 14:40:30 +0000 Nichelle (admin) http://danceadvantage.net/?p=13665 John Bohannon presents A Modest Proposal

        http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UlDWRZ7IYqw

        I’ll let this presentation speak mostly for itself. I’ve been a fan of the “Dance Your Ph.D.” contest and concept since discovering it a few years ago (it received a mention in 2010). But I want to thank a reader and soon-to-be guest contributor, Jessica of One For All Dance Academy for pointing me to Bohannon’s recent TEDxTalk.

        Watch the insightful and entertaining presentation first.

        You may notice its relationship to the Jonathan Swift essay you discussed in school somewhere along the way.

        Then(...)

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        © Nichelle Strzepek for Dance Advantage, 2011. | Permalink | Category: Beyond the Bubble, Blog, Choreographing, Community, Dance Media, Dancethropology, Film/Video, Fun & Games | Who's talking about this article?

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        ]]>         http://danceadvantage.net/2011/12/13/dance-vs-powerpoint/feed/ 1         GIVEAWAY: Holiday Cards for Dancers http://danceadvantage.net/2011/12/08/card-giveaway/ http://danceadvantage.net/2011/12/08/card-giveaway/#comments Thu, 08 Dec 2011 18:10:11 +0000 Nichelle (admin) http://danceadvantage.net/?p=13646 Commercial greeting cards have been sent during the holidays since the mid-19th century.

        In 1843, John Calcott Horsley was commissioned by Sir Henry Cole to illustrate the first Christmas card. English Parliament had passed the Postage Act in 1840, making it possible to send letters for a penny throughout the UK. In a clever business move, Cole printed two batches of the greeting, selling a total of 2,050 cards that year for a shilling each. The card read “A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to You” and displayed a happy family enjoying Christmas festivities. Unfortunately critics believed the card, which showed a child enjoying a sip of wine, was “fostering the moral corruption of children.”  Nevertheless, the custom of sending cards at the holidays became popular and within 10 years Christmas cards were the rage of England. Of the original Christmas cards printed, only 12 are known to still exist, two of which are in the Hallmark Historical Collection. [source: Emotions Greeting Card's Greeting Card Museum, Wikipedia]

        IMAGE Holiday Collection - Assorted Dance Note Cards Boxed Set by DanceStudioOwner.com IMAGEYou may already be posting your holiday greetings (or perhaps you’re going paperless).

        But, if you’d like to have some super-cute, dance-themed cards to hand out to your teachers or students, or save for next year, we’ve got a great giveaway for you today!

        At the request of their members, our friends at DanceStudioOwner.com have created these really sweet holiday cards, inspired by dance during the festive holiday season. Illustrated by Lisa Graves, this one-of-a-kind card collection features three bright, colorful, and sweet designs finished with holiday greetings. The interior is blank with plenty of room to write a personalized note.

        Inside each boxed set are 12 notes (4 of each design), plus 12 smooth white envelopes.

        Learn more on the Holiday Collection product page at DanceStudioOwner.com.

        DanceStudioOwner.com would like to give away one boxed set of the Holiday Collection Note Cards (which retail at $12 each) to FIVE Dance Advantage readers.

        How to Enter:

        Leave a comment on this post and share your favorite Holiday tradition (dance-related or not).

        This giveaway is open to U.S. residents and will close at MIDNIGHT (Eastern) on Saturday, December 10, 2011.

        Winners will be drawn randomly from the comments.

        Once contacted via the email used to comment, winners have only 48 hours to respond and claim their prize. PLEASE READ our giveaway policy before entering.

        © Nichelle Strzepek for Dance Advantage, 2011. | Permalink | Category: Blog, Dancethropology, Featured, Giveaways, Product/Website Reviews | Who's talking about this article?

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        ]]>         http://danceadvantage.net/2011/12/08/card-giveaway/feed/ 7         What The Ailey School’s Melanie Person Knew When She Was Twelve http://danceadvantage.net/2011/12/01/melanie-person/ http://danceadvantage.net/2011/12/01/melanie-person/#comments Thu, 01 Dec 2011 14:28:02 +0000 Nichelle (admin) http://danceadvantage.net/?p=13586 IMAGE Ebony Jr. March 1977 cover IMAGEIn 1977, Ebony Jr. featured a photograph of a young girl at the ballet barre.

        The caption reads, “Dancing means everything to twelve-year-old Melanie Person, who wants to become a prima ballerina.”

        By this time, Melanie Person had already been training for about 6 years, starting first in Jackson, Mississippi and later in Columbia, South Carolina. But in the winter of 1976 she auditioned for the Dance Theatre of Harlem (DTH) Summer Intensive. She was offered a full scholarship, went on to an apprenticeship and, after graduating from Professional Children’s School, became a full member of the company. For twelve years Ms. Person was a ballerina with DTH. She later earned her B.A. from SUNY Empire State College.

        Then in 1999, Denise Jefferson invited her to join the PPAS ballet faculty at The Ailey School, appointing her a year later as Co-Director of the Junior Division beside Tracy Inman. Fast forward 11 years, and Ms. Person is again serving with Inman, but this time as Co-Director of The Ailey School, a position she’s held since Ms. Jefferson’s passing in 2010.

        Ms. Person is Chair of the ballet department as well as Co-Chair of The Ailey/Fordham B.F.A program, and has served as a judge for Seoul International Dance competition and Japan’s Grand Prix.

        Of course, I had quite a few questions for this teacher and administrator but first, I couldn’t resist a quick look back at the young dancer in that photograph.

        Dance Advantage:  What’s one thing you know now about a dance career that may have surprised this young lady?(...)

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        © Nichelle Strzepek for Dance Advantage, 2011. | Permalink | Category: Ballet/Pointe, Beyond the Bubble, Blog, Career, College, Community, Dance Styles, Dancethropology, Dancing, Interviews, Training | Who's talking about this article?

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