How Leon Got His Groove Back (and how you can, too)

IMAGE A couple dance the waltz dressed in formal wear for competition IMAGE

As a ballroom instructor and competitor, Leon is no stranger to burnout. Sometimes getting to class or continuing with training can feel like a chore. When he needs a boost of inspiration, he uses these 5 strategies to re-energize and look forward to dancing and training again.

Enforced Arch: Dancers As A Force For Change

IMAGE Please Don't Touch -- Break Free From Fur || ARTIST CREDIT: Julie Gueraseva IMAGE

Enforced Arch is a dance and performance community of intelligent communicators who use their unique talents to bring life to environmental and social issues. They were also voted #2 in a very close race to decide the Top Dance Blogs of 2011. Learn more about the community and its creator James Koroni in this interview.

The Power of Performance to Win Friends and Influence People

IMAGE A group of youth rehearse for a dance performance IMAGE

Preparing for a year-end performance in a school setting can add stress to an already full classroom schedule. However, it does wonders for the students and the program as you plan for the content and experiences that may actually be more important, like dance history and theory. Heather shares these wonders and some ways she prepares students for the “big show” ahead.

Confessions of an Anonymous Dance Teacher: Adult Ballet’s Dark Side

IMAGE A woman stands in darkness. Yellow light shines behind. IMAGE

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.

Carla Escoda Brings Ballet To The People

IMAGE Carla in the studio IMAGE

Carla Escoda is the blogger and ballet instructor behind Ballet To The People, voted the Top Dance Blog of 2011. Carla’s site is a feast for ballet-lovers everywhere. Learn more about her training and 20-year hiatus from dance, her teaching, her writing, and how she successfully battled her most severe arthritis symptoms with an active, rigorous ballet program.

The Ballet Concept That Tap Teachers Should Steal

I Love Lucy - hanging on the barre

Ballet training produces results, and Tristan thinks it’s time that tap dancers learn a little something from ballet class, consistently encouraging the 4 basics of tap technique, covered in detail within the article.

How To Build African-American Audiences for Dance

IMAGE Urban Bush Women - Visible - Photo by KevinK

In honor of Black History Month Roger looks to a future with more African-American donors, board members, staff members — more diverse dance organizations as a whole. Dance has been a major part of the African-American culture since the beginning, but how can dance producers and presenters take a step toward this future and build black audiences?

Leading Adults Through Toddler Dance Class: Part 2

IMAGE A Kindermusik session with grown-ups and children IMAGE

When young dancers are accompanied by an adult for class it’s not enough to just keep the child engaged. A dance teacher has the added challenge of keeping the grown-up active in their participation. In part two of this series on Grown-up and Me classes, Maria provides tips for keeping the adults happy, too.

Circle Up: The [Dance] Things I Love

Two-Hearts

What dance things do you love? The smell of hot stage lights on a Marley floor? The strange looks you get when entering a restaurant still wearing your performance makeup? Hey, I don’t know about you, but some bloggers and I have come to the circle to share what we love about dance. Join us!

Sunday Snapshot: Born from a Boombox

IMAGE Kenny, a breakdancer from Clonmel, Ireland captured by photographer Berit Alits IMAGE

Berit Alits loves capturing people. A photographer based in Ireland, her portraits feature actors, dancers, families, children, and individuals. This photo features Kenny, a highly regarded breakdancer in the community of Clonmel. He is an instructor and member of a local crew called Dance Revolution.

Nutrition On The Move: Power Bar Junkies

homemade power crunches

Homemade crunch bars are healthier for your body, more nutritious and less expensive than store bought power bars. Try this Wheat-free seed and cranberry concoction, or use it to experiment with your own recipes!

Connecting the Dots from Dance Major to Dancemaker

Lauren's last days as a dance major at Columbia College Chicago

The path from the insular world of college dance to a real career in dance and dancemaking is rarely a straight line. Lauren illustrates this beautifully with a peek into her own journey, while also providing the soon-to-be or recent graduate with some solid (and remarkably clear-cut) advice.