A review of Vagnova Ballet Academy’s Character Dance Class DVD (availability courtesy KineticFlix.com). Plus, additional resources for teachers on DVD and CD and more articles and blog posts to help you “get into Character”.
Cabriole in Cruelty-Free Ballet Slippers
March 10, 2011 By 2 Comments
Cynthia King is the director of Cynthia King Dance Studio in Brooklyn, NY. Her love for animals originated in the connection she had with her dog as a young child and her passion for animal rights began with literature on the subject. Since 1967 she has eaten only a plant-based diet but consistently faced the challenge of recommending ballet slippers to her students as even canvas slippers use animal skin for the soles. It became her mission to provide an affordable alternative to leather-soled slippers. Find out more about Ms. King and Cynthia King Vegan Ballet Slippers.
5 Considerations Before You Buy Ballet Shoes For Little Feet
March 8, 2011 By 11 Comments
If you are a parent with an aspiring dancer, nothing is more exciting for both of you than getting all the necessary apparel, including a first or new pair of ballet shoes. However, for little feet, it is very important to get the right shoes at the right price. Consider these 5 points before you buy ballet slippers for a young student.
Terpsichorus: Discussing Entity — Wayne McGregor/Random Dance
February 24, 2011 By 15 Comments
Terpsichorus means to delight in dance and is an open group event to encourage conversation and commentary on dance film, video, or books. Join us in our premiere discussion of the film and dance work Entity (Wayne McGregor/Random Dance). All are welcome. Join anytime!
Attitude and Strong Technique Make Allison Miller One To Watch
February 19, 2011 By 1 Comment
Allison Miller, chosen as one of Dance Magazine’s 25 to Watch in 2011, talks about the importance of a positive outlook, her early training and studies at North Carolina School of the Arts, and about making the awkward leap from student to professional.
Sunday Snapshot: Juliet and her Romeo
January 16, 2011 By 1 Comment
How sports photographer, Michael Seaman, fell in love with capturing ballet. Featured photo: Dress rehearsal of Boston Ballet’s Romeo and Juliet. Larissa Ponomarenko and Nelson Madrigal, Feb 2008.
You Say Coupé, I Say Cou-de-pied
November 29, 2010 By 19 Comments
Cou de pied appears to be one of those steps that doesn’t line up with the whole “universal language of dance” idea. The Cecchetti Council’s printed syllabus calls this position “devant on the ankle,” but Ms. Gail Grant, calls it cou de pied. Many, many schools and teachers refer to it simply as “coupé” and do not differentiate between coupé the step and coupé the position.
How-to: Ballet Eye Makeup Made Easy
November 23, 2010 By 5 Comments
ballet dancer’s makeup should accentuate and enhance the NATURAL three dimensional shape of the eye. This allows the audience to follow the ballerina’s gaze. As her eyes and head follow through each position of her dance the audience needs to know if her eyes are open, closed, looking in a certain direction or at a specific character.
The Nutcracker At It’s Corps With Apprentice, Madison Morris
November 22, 2010 By 1 Comment
Houston Ballet apprentice, Madison Morris answers questions about what it’s like to perform in the corps during this busy holiday season. She reveals both the hard work and dedication required of apprentices and the corps and an insider’s view of the sometimes action-packed events going on behind the scenes at Nutcracker performances.
Insight Into ABT’s National Training Curriculum
September 1, 2010 By 22 Comments
Deb describes her own productive and exhilarating summer adventures as a participant in American Ballet Theater’s National Training Curriculum program in wonderful detail. “The Training is organized as week-long intensives; candidates are asked to obtain certification in Primary Level through Level 3 of the curriculum before being allowed to continue certification in Levels 4 and 5, and then 6, 7, and Partnering (taught as two separate intensives).”
New Continents — From Royal Ballet School To Boston Ballet
August 16, 2010 By 2 Comments
“I once took six months off from ballet when I was 14. My school commitments were growing and it was becoming seriously difficult to juggle everything. It reaffirmed for me, however, that ballet was my one love and out of everything what I should have been doing.”
Spring Fever Giveaway 2011: BalletBand
Our giveaway today comes from Balletband. Balletband is a heavy duty latex resistive stretching band specifically designed for dancers offering a hands-free alternative to traditional stretching techniques. Looping the band around one foot and the opposite shoulder, dancers can stretch and strengthen their extension in arabesque, à la seconde, or croisé. The band’s resistance also effectively works the legs and turnout in a seated straddle position.