Holiday Gift Ideas for Dance Teachers 2010

Italian Dressing Mix recipe

Need ideas for dance teacher gifts? Look no further. Healthy edibles, art from the heart, teacher tees, and lots more.

Diversity Defines Dance Picture Books in 2010

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Children’s books publishers are emphasizing diversity in their lists, and dance picture books are among those benefiting from this trend. These diverse books are a healthy mix of fiction and nonfiction, poetry and prose, and text and pictures targeting toddlers to tweens. Kerry Aradhya brings us this sampling…

Dancer Fitness: Knowledge, Assessment, and Resources

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Four important dance fitness components, assessment, injury considerations for young teens, plus links and resources on dance science, health, and wellness for dancers.

Teacher’s Top Three: Books For Ballet Teachers

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“I love this book because it doesn’t just give combinations (though there are combinations from each teacher listed at the end of the book). It really brings insight on teaching artistry and simple joy of movement as well as tips on teaching turns and jumps, etc. Additionally, it is a fascinating read; the first time i read it i could hardly put it down.”

Film Review: Dancing Across Borders

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Bass resists a Cinderella telling and provides, with ample footage of Sy’s progress, an unflinching glance into the rigorous training and hard-won rewards of ballet. She also does not shy away from Sy’s inner conflict as a young man trying to reconcile two worlds, two cultures, and find his place within each.

Interview With Roslyn Bazzelle, Creator Of PIYOLET

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Roslyn Bazzelle is a singer, songwriter, and practicing attorney. She is also a fitness instructor and creator of PIYOLET. PI – for Pilates. YO – for Yoga. LET as in Ballet. PIYOLET is a low impact fitness regimen for all ages, designed to diversify and keep the mind, body and soul refreshed and fit. Roz talks about PIYOLET, her DVD series, and gives away her product to three DA readers.

Teacher’s Top Three: Music for Adult Ballet

“Finding good ballet class music is so difficult. I am hard to please, and I want the music I choose to inspire my students, not just provide accompaniment. To that end, I have gone through a lot of CDs searching for ones that have good length, sound and quality. I use these CDs for my intermediate adult ballet class.”

Let’s Get Moving! GIVEAWAY

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‘Tis the season for giving, and giving big. So this time I’m bundling some great giveaway items together. Each one has a unique strategy for inspiring children to investigate different movement forms, including ballet, creative dance, and yoga. These products encourage creative ways for kids and adults to explore movement together and are sure to spark a child’s interest in the physical practice, art, and delight of moving.

DVD Review: My First Ballet Collection

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My First Ballet Collection is a great choice for those wishing to nurture enthusiasm for ballet among children of all ages. Younger children will enjoy being introduced to colorful characters and beautiful dancing. Older children will benefit from the opportunity to sample a mélange of ballet specimens.

Families Move “Up, Down, & All Around”

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Versatility is the real strength of Up, Down, & All Around. Parents (or educators) with little experience can pop in the DVD and get every member of the family or classroom up and moving in no time, yet there are opportunities for new discoveries and learning with repeat viewings.

Biographies You Can Sink Your Teeth Into

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I love books and I love a good story. And sometimes the stories that are true can capture my imagination as much as any tale of fiction, particularly when the story belongs to a dancer. I haven’t read all of the biographies and autobiographies below (so this isn’t a review post) but they all come highly recommended by dancers like you!

Your Lobby Library — 9 Dance Biographies for Students

The lobby of your studio is a great place for waiting dancers and families to learn a bit more about dance, its history, and its artists. Picture books are a great way to introduce your dancers and perhaps inspire them to learn more and dig deeper into the lives and legacies of important figures in dance.