GIVEAWAY: Holiday Cards for Dancers

IMAGE Holiday Collection - Assorted Dance Note Cards Boxed Set by DanceStudioOwner.com IMAGE

DanceStudioOwner.com would like to give away one boxed set of their super-cute, dance-themed Holiday Collection Note Cards to FIVE Dance Advantage readers. Simply comment to enter and you could be a winner. Plus learn a little greeting card trivia, when you visit!

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.

Tap Shoe Review: The Capezio K360 (Brazilian)

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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.

New Piano Music for Ballet Class: A Little Patience, Please.

Patience Clements is the company pianist for Charleston Ballet Theatre and has been accompanying dance classes for over 30 years. In this post, Dance Advantage reviews 2 of her 4-disc series, New Piano Music for Ballet Class. If you’re looking for original melodies with lots of variety for your classes, try New Piano Music for the Dedicated Dancer (with Susan Jaffe) and for the Young Dancer.

Celebrating Successes With A Dance Journal

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Dance teacher, Nants Foley created a special 70-page book for her students. Called A Dancer’s Steps it includes space for recording class work and progress as well as content like checklists, quotes, ballet vocabulary, foot care, and more. She has published the journal and workbook, making them available beyond her own dance school so we talk with Nants about the book and how she encourages journal-writing in her own ballet classes.

Have Your Barre and Eat It Too!

IMAGE 12-count box of Barre: Pirouette; a real food barre for dancers IMAGE

With an aim to raise the barre on nutrition and encourage healthy eating habits in the dance world and beyond, ballet dancers, Julia Erickson and Aaron Ingley created Barre, a real food bar made with natural ingredients. In this interview, Julia and Aaron share their story, their mission, and their own tips and ideas for eating healthfully on a dancer’s schedule with Dance Advantage readers.

Simple, Useful Tools For Your Ballet Classes

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The Ballet Combination Book and Ballet Step by Step by Dance Teacher Press serve two different uses and audiences. But you’ll love the simplicity and practicality of both. For teachers, the classic combinations can save you time or serve up a little inspiration. For students or parents, terminology is presented clearly in a useful and logical order. Read more of our thoughts in this review.

Even Better Than The Real Thing?

Giselle in 3D

Hopefully Giselle in 3D will get close to the real thing with the world’s first ballet production presented in this format. Find out more about the film and enter for your chance to WIN tickets to a participating theatre near you via Dance Advantage. But HURRY! This is a one-day event on July 12, 2011.

Beautiful Gifts For Aspiring Dancers Who Love To Read

IMAGE The Barefoot Book of Ballet Stories IMAGE

Looking for special and unique gift for your young dancer at recital time? These two story collections are as educational as they are beautiful. And you’ll want to take a look at the wonderful array of children’s literature Barefoot Books has to offer. Encompassing art, environmentally conscious lifestyle, global cultures, and learning tools, all are works of art.

Introducing The Great Tap Shoeganza!

IMAGE A well-worn but unique ladies tap shoe. IMAGE

In this series Tristan (our TAPography columnist) helps you find the ideal tap shoes, let you know when it’s time to buy a new pair, and give hands on reviews of the top shoes in the industry.Bloch, SoDanca, Capezio, Leo’s…whose shoe will come out on top? STAY TUNED!

Past and Present Pillow at Your Fingertips

IMAGE In July 1933, Shawn and his Men Dancers started giving public "Tea Lecture Demonstrations" to promote their work. The first audience of 45 curiosity-seekers expanded weekly so that by summer's end, people were turned away: roots for what was to evolve into Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival were established. IMAGE

Three years feels too long since my last visit to Jacob’s Pillow. Dance Interactive is how I’ve been getting my Pillow fix lately. The website provides a tremendous opportunity for educating students and encouraging appreciation for dance on a global level. Drawing from the extensive Jacob Pillow Archives, it is a collection you won’t find elsewhere online.