Dance Advantage » ballet http://danceadvantage.net Giving students, teachers, and parents an edge in dance education Wed, 23 May 2012 13:34:24 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 “Black or White” to Black and White: Dance History and the Music Video http://danceadvantage.net/2012/04/17/music-video-dance-history/ http://danceadvantage.net/2012/04/17/music-video-dance-history/#comments Tue, 17 Apr 2012 13:30:51 +0000 Heather Vaughan-Southard http://danceadvantage.net/?p=14810 IMAGE Toe Stand in Black Boots IMAGE

Photo by Travis Person

“The only thing new in dance is you.”

A friend shared that quote from an Ohio University professor years ago and it has stuck with me.  Every year I find myself chuckling to myself as I listen to kids claim movements as “their” choreography when really many are sampling from the limited palette of movement they’ve witnessed, usually music videos.

The question inevitably becomes- How do I get them interested in expanding their bubble?

In grad school, I had the privilege to study under Beth Genne, a dance scholar who says music videos are our most current examples of ballet d’action, a story “ballet” told through a collaboration of arts although not necessarily in the style of dance known as ballet. I don’t think all music videos support the comparison but the style of video made popular by Michael Jackson in the “Beat It” and “Thriller” era do, just as Genne discusses in her writings.

When working with kids, one particular challenge is inspiring them to see the benefit and value of learning about what came before- even, or perhaps especially, if it occurred in black and white.

Who better to draw them in and inspire rich dialogues about many topics in dance than Michael Jackson? Who can resist Michael Jackson’s anthems of 1980s American culture, his powerful use of film to bolster his hugely successful pop songs, and the influence he’s had on music and videos of today.

The “King of Pop” alone illustrates how the past influences the future in a way kids can easily follow and discuss. The beauty of this example is that you can trace influences forward as well as back, and this is how dance history can be introduced.

Here’s how you can expand the conversation:

Check out Nichelle’s tribute to Michael Jackson from 2009.

The following categories introduce conversations on the dance topics based on but not limited to “Beat It” and “Black and White”. Included in the categories are links to other Dance Advantage articles that may also offer additional insight or points of view.

The Development of Theatrical Dance

The Development of Dance Technique and Performance Philosophy

Presenting Dance and Relating Topics

  • Dance in film: using dance to propel the narrative story.
  • Dance in film: the directing and choreographic choices of such artists as Fred Astaire, Gene Kelly, Jerome Robbins, and more.
  • Dance on Camera: presenting dance in ways not possible in a traditional theatre setting.
  • Dance on Camera: introducing the work of artists such as Maya Deren, Charles Atlas, and more.
  • Sharing Dance via Youtube and Social Media
  • Are You Followin’ Me? How to get Twitter to Work for You
  • Influence versus Improper Use: Intellectual Property and Accessing Rights

Dance Ethnography

Where might this lead you?

© Heather Vaughan-Southard for Dance Advantage, 2012. | Permalink | Category: Beyond the Bubble, Blog, History of Dance, K-12 | Who's talking about this article?

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]]> http://danceadvantage.net/2012/04/17/music-video-dance-history/feed/ 0 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 LINES and Limitations: Ask Yourself This Question http://danceadvantage.net/2011/09/20/limitations/ http://danceadvantage.net/2011/09/20/limitations/#comments Tue, 20 Sep 2011 13:25:58 +0000 Guest Contributors http://danceadvantage.net/?p=13099

Melanie Doskocil is back this month with another addition to Ballet’s Un-X-pected Lesson Files. This one isn’t about summits (see I’m A Better Backpacker Because of Ballet for that). It’s about limits. Read on…

For the first time in 15 years, one of my all time favorite teachers/choreographers had brought his company to Aspen. Alonzo King’s LINES Ballet was here for one night only. This man who I trained with and learned so much from, who I hadn’t seen in years was in my hometown, and I was sick.

I lay there on my sofa sniffling and groaning and bumming that I could not get up long enough to drive to the theater and watch the show. I’m mad too! I’ve been sick once in the last 2 years and now, NOW I get some nasty bug that knocks me down.

As I lay, drifting in and out of a fevered stupor, it came to me that some of the greatest lessons about life I learned in Alonzo’s studio. From him, from Arturo Fernandez, from simply being in that great facility.

IMAGE A dancer looks tired and sweaty during her dance rehearsal. IMAGE

Photo by Steven Depolo; CC BY 2.0

I was at the very first summer workshop put on by Alonzo King’s Lines Ballet. I won’t tell you how long ago it was. But it was two weeks of the most life altering and gratifying training I’ve ever received.

One particular lesson has stuck with me my whole life:

It was the end of the day. We were in Alonzo’s choreography class, working on putting a whole bunch of movement phrases together.

Everyone was fading. Alonzo was going over time. He asked us to do it one more time and I rolled my eyes looked at the clock. I was STARVING, I was EXHAUSTED, I was really wimping out!

Others started moaning and whining too. With all my body I wanted to flop down on the floor and cry…my eyes welled up with tears and I looked at the clock again, trying to send out that silent plea to let us go.

He was a task master, heartless! Couldn’t he see that we were fading? That our concentration was lagging? Our energy depleted?

He looked me in the eye, and then at each one of us, and very kindly asked us(...)

Continue reading "LINES and Limitations: Ask Yourself This Question"

CLICK HERE to comment

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]]> http://danceadvantage.net/2011/09/20/limitations/feed/ 0 Terpsichorus: Discussing Entity — Wayne McGregor/Random Dance http://danceadvantage.net/2011/02/24/entity/ http://danceadvantage.net/2011/02/24/entity/#comments Thu, 24 Feb 2011 15:30:51 +0000 Nichelle (admin) http://danceadvantage.net/?p=10111 IMAGE Delight in Dance - Terpsichorus IMAGE

Click the button to find out more about the idea behind Terpsichorus

Welcome to our first Terpsichorus discussion!

If you haven’t yet watched the film, don’t panic! You can still download and watch the film at the locations below. Feel free to come back and add your thoughts, questions, or comments after you do. The discussion will remain open indefinitely (I may close comments eventually but not for a while!).

Click to download on iTunes IMAGE BestBuy - CinemaNow IMAGE
Look out below

I’ve posted some flash responses offered during preliminary email discussion between Steve, Robin, and myself (Nichelle). These are just to stir some conversation. You can comment on any of our comments!

Also, you’ll find some viewing prompts. These are open questions that you can choose to answer or not. If you find you’re at a loss for words, these may be good starting points.

Note: I am roughly considering Part I, anything that occurs before the big set change, and of course, Part II anything after it.

An extended list of viewing prompts, should you want to watch with it in front of you, is available here.

Spread the word

Don’t forget to invite and share with friends. If you’re on Twitter or Facebook, use the sharing buttons above (on the site). Include the #terpsichorus hashtag on Twitter, if you would! If you follow our pages on Facebook you can tag us with @Dance Advantage or @You Dance Funny in a status update and let use know you’re watching.

Steve on Twitter | Nichelle on Twitter | Robin on Twitter

You Dance Funny on Facebook | Dance Advantage on Facebook

The Movement

IMAGE Wayne McGregor | Random Dance's Entity IMAGE“Aesthetically, I find the vocabulary beautiful in its awkwardness… Occasionally something resonated on a human/emotional level but mostly I watched with interest from visual moment to moment.” – Nichelle

“I’m finding the movements get repetitive, they are much the same tempo throughout without any particular highs or lows. There is a bit in the early men’s section where one guy sort of crab walks backwards, partially supported by another guy, that i thought was awesome.” – Robin

“I found the patterned, more structured moments to be more pleasing to watch, a theme that was sort of echoed in the geometric shapes cast on the floor.” – Steve

“I felt like there were three main “modes” he was operating within the choreography. Don’t know if it’s true for his other work too? One, is fast, forceful, and angular. Two is very sinewy and sleek. Three is what I’m dubbing “the pterodactyl” – hyperexteded spine, inward rotation, bird-like. The mood, music, lighting, set, etc. had a lot of variety and it was interesting how he used these “modes” throughout all of those changes.” – Nichelle

List 3 adjectives describing McGregor’s movement vocabulary (or body of movements).

How would you describe the shift in mood, movement, and emotion that occurs with the change in costume, lighting, and music in Part II?

The Music, Sets, Costumes, & Lighting

“I don’t enjoy the music!… I do think the dancers execute the movement brilliantly and they are all very beautiful but really, i am just not liking it.” – Robin

“I will say that MacGregor’s work is intense and he has a genius ability to visualize (and actualize!) incredibly innovative sets and choreography.” – Steve(...)

Continue reading "Terpsichorus: Discussing Entity — Wayne McGregor/Random Dance"

15 comments

© Nichelle Strzepek for Dance Advantage, 2011. | Permalink | Category: Ballet/Pointe, Beyond the Bubble, Blog, Dance Companies, Dance Media, Dance Styles, Dancethropology, Featured, Film/Video, Modern/Contemporary, News and Events | Who's talking about this article?

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]]> http://danceadvantage.net/2011/02/24/entity/feed/ 15 How-to: Ballet Eye Makeup Made Easy http://danceadvantage.net/2010/11/23/ballet-eye-makeup/ http://danceadvantage.net/2010/11/23/ballet-eye-makeup/#comments Tue, 23 Nov 2010 14:00:34 +0000 Guest Contributors http://danceadvantage.net/?p=9144 It’s that time of year again! A magical time of twinkling snow covered trees and sugar plum fairies. It’s time to reconnect with friends and loved ones, and cuddle up by a cozy fire. And it’s time for the most beloved holiday ballet – the Nutcracker!

Expressive Ballet Eyes Made EasyThis is a perfect time for me to share with you my best tips on creating beautiful ballet eyes. Ballerinas are known for their beauty, and there is something especially stunning about how makeup can be used to intensify the ballet dancer’s eyes. Eye makeup for ballet dancers looks incredibly complicated, but by following these few easy steps you too can apply ballet eye makeup like a professional in no time!

Ballets typically tell a story, and the ballerina is playing a character. The audience needs to see the natural dimension of the dancer’s eyes in order to follow the story and stay connected to the character. A 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.

Yes, this classical ballet makeup look can be difficult to achieve, especially if you have a small lid space, but it can be done well with practice… just like your dancing!

The first step to creating expressive ballet eyes is to understand the basics of contouring.

Contouring the eye means to use a darker shadow to create dimension.  There are three main ways to contour the eyes.  Ballet dancers often contour their eyes in the “classic eye pattern”, shown below.

You will need three eye shadow colors:

  • Highlighter color – the light shade, matte or shimmer
  • Contrast color – the medium shade, matte or shimmer
  • Contour color – the dark shade, matte or shimmer

There are three basic eye shadow patterns for application:

  • Classic Eye Pattern (hardest to apply) – highlighter on brow bone, contrast on lid, contour in crease

Image: Classic eye makeup pattern

  • V-shape Eye Pattern (difficult to apply) – highlighter on brow bone, contrast on lid, contour in sideways “v” shape (<  >) in crease going down to lid on outer corner of eye.

Image: V-shape eye makeup pattern

  • Natural Eye Pattern (easiest to apply) – highlighter on brow bone, contrast in crease, contour on lidImage: Natural eye makeup pattern
Here are a few dos and don’ts to remember when creating your perfect ballet eyes:
The Dos:

1)     DO use neutral/warm earth-toned eye shadow colors for stage performances. They are perfect under all colors of stage lighting and accentuate the eyes and skin well.

2)    DO apply your makeup dark enough to be seen up to the first 8 – 12 rows (approximately).

3)    DO use false lashes – they will enhance the shape of your eyes on stage!

The Don’ts:

1)    DON’T use black liquid eyeliner under the eyes!  Instead use an eye shadow with an angled makeup brush or, if you must, use an eye pencil.

2)    DON’T forget to blend, blend, blend…you’re a ballerina not a punk rocker!

3)    DON’T use black liner on the inside lower eyelid – this will make the eyes look small on stage.  Use a white highlighter pencil on the inside rim of the lower eyelid to brighten the eyes and make them look bigger.

Good luck and have fun preparing for your performance!  I hope you have your most BEAUTIFUL holiday season EVER!

Jessica Dupont - JAM CosmeticsJessica Dupont is a former Professional NYC Dancer and Makeup Artist. After retiring from performing, she was co-owner and artistic director of a dance studio in Florida for 6 years. Now, she owns JAM cosmetics, which is a line of ULTIMATE performance makeup for dancers and cheerleaders. Find out 4 secrets the pro’s use AND 3 things you NEED TO KNOW to look gorgeous and stand out from the crowd, by getting Jessica’s free dance makeup e-Guide at www.BestDanceMakeup.com.

© Guest Contributors for Dance Advantage, 2010. | Permalink | Category: Ballet/Pointe, Blog, Costumes Etc., Dance Styles, Featured, Performing | Who's talking about this article?

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]]> http://danceadvantage.net/2010/11/23/ballet-eye-makeup/feed/ 5 Giving Thanks Giveaway: Grosh Backdrops http://danceadvantage.net/2010/11/13/giveaway-grosh/ http://danceadvantage.net/2010/11/13/giveaway-grosh/#comments Sat, 13 Nov 2010 13:00:35 +0000 Nichelle (admin) http://danceadvantage.net/?p=8601

This giveaway is now closed.

Final day! First giveaway! This one is sponsored by Grosh Backdrops

Grosh Backdrops & DraperyGrosh Backdrops creates one of a kind, hand painted backdrops to dress up your recital, performance or special event.

They are a small, family owned business, founded in 1932. For over 75 years, Grosh Backdrops has been supplying the dance industry with top quality backdrops and drapery from an unmatched selection. Their backdrops have appeared in music videos, commercials, movies, and television shows. You can read Grosh Backdrops’ full Hollywood story here, or check out the video below:

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

Their sales consultants have backgrounds in all forms of entertainment events, and can suggest ideas to match your theme from the Wild West to Hollywood to New York City.  A Victorian-era parlor à la Nutcracker; a fantasy forest; a disco dancefloor – Grosh can place your performance in just the right setting.

Winter landscape - Grosh Backdrops ES2224“Grosh backdrops are hand painted by our very own in-house scenic rental artists,” says Lindsay Fultz, Manager of Sales & New Media. “We have the largest inventory in the scenic rental industry, boasting over 5,000+ backdrops!”

What you could win:

Grosh would like to give away a backdrop rental (winner’s choice) valued up to $500 to ONE Dance Advantage reader.

Wow your audience at this year’s recital with a professional backdrop that is as spectacular as your students. Winner must pay shipping but, with two warehouses in California and Indiana, Grosh can ship two-day ground practically anywhere in the country, saving their customers a lot of money.

How to enter:

Just place a comment at this post, answering the question: If you were to win, which theme or specific Grosh backdrop would make your performance or event a success?

This giveaway is open to those in all 50 of the United States of America.

The contest will close tomorrow, Sunday November 14, at midnight so don’t delay!

© Nichelle Strzepek for Dance Advantage, 2010. | Permalink | Category: Blog, Dancethropology, Giveaways | Who's talking about this article?

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]]> http://danceadvantage.net/2010/11/13/giveaway-grosh/feed/ 26 Giving Thanks Giveaway: The Barre-Tender http://danceadvantage.net/2010/11/09/giveaway-barre-tender/ http://danceadvantage.net/2010/11/09/giveaway-barre-tender/#comments Tue, 09 Nov 2010 18:00:08 +0000 Nichelle (admin) http://danceadvantage.net/?p=8583

This giveaway is now closed.

Dancers are a resourceful lot. If someone hasn’t solved our problem, with MacGyver-like ingenuity, we’ll come up with our own solution.

Our second giveaway today comes to us from the Vonder Haar Center for the Performing Arts.

The Barre-Tender padded cushion for stretching at the barreIt was necessity that led to the creation of their product, The Barre-Tender (pdf).

Dancers need to stretch at the barre, and they need to do it without pain. If you are tired of putting pressure on your Achilles Tendon when you put your leg up on the barre, or grinding your shin or ankle bones when you change positions, The Barre-Tender is your solution.

The Barre-Tender is a small, lightweight, protective pad that is small enough to fit into your dance bag, but large enough for you to change positions without your leg falling off the barre. It is an inexpensive solution to a problem that has haunted dancers for years.

The Barre-Tender is easily secured to the barre using two Velcro straps, and is completely machine washable. Not only does it allow dancers to stretch on the barre, but it can also be used to cushion the knee when stretching on the floor, the ankle bones when stretching in the butterfly position, and any body part that needs a little protection from hard surfaces. Try it in your yoga classes too!

Vonder Haar Center for the Performing ArtsDesigned by Jerry Kokich, former member of the Joffrey Ballet, The Barre-Tender, patent pending, was tested and is sold at the Vonder Haar Center. This California performing arts school fosters creativity from both students and faculty on many different levels – in dance, theatre, music, musical theatre, and related activities. At the helm of an impressive faculty is Tracy Vonder Haar, a former member of Hubbard Street Dance Chicago and long-time dance educator.

Regarding The Barre-Tender, Ms. Vonder Haar says, “I was amazed that no one had addressed this issue with an appropriate product. There is no other product on the market like it.”

I found it hard to believe myself!

And now you can nab your own Barre-Tender

I do love that name!

Tracy and the kind folks at Vonder Haar Center want to give away ONE Barre-Tender to THREE different Dance Advantage readers.

Here’s how you enter to win:

Simply leave a comment, right here at this post, describing your favorite stretch at the barre.

Oh yes, it really is that easy!

The Barre-Tender comes in five fashionable colors (Black, Grey, Lime, Yellow, and Sky Blue). Feel free to tell us which one you’d like most, however, please keep in mind that we cannot guarantee your color choice.

This giveaway is open to readers worldwide and lasts until Saturday, November 13. Three winners will be drawn on Sunday.

Best of luck and check back tomorrow for even more giveaways!

© Nichelle Strzepek for Dance Advantage, 2010. | Permalink | Category: Blog, Dancethropology, Giveaways | Who's talking about this article?

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]]> http://danceadvantage.net/2010/11/09/giveaway-barre-tender/feed/ 26 Help With Second Position Of The Arms http://danceadvantage.net/2010/10/08/second-position-arms/ http://danceadvantage.net/2010/10/08/second-position-arms/#comments Fri, 08 Oct 2010 15:14:34 +0000 Nichelle (admin) http://danceadvantage.net/?p=8293 Though it may be where a dancer’s arms spend most of their time, second is the arm position that dancers struggle with most.

It’s more than just holding the arms out to the side, so here are some tips to help improve your second position.

If these help or if you have some of your own, be sure to add them to the comments.

A sketch of a dancer with arms in second position

Forget your arms for a moment

If you want to create a good second position; if you want to carry your arms to and from the proper shapes in dance; if you want it to look and feel easy and free, your alignment (or placement of the body) is the first step.

I won’t go too much into proper alignment here but do all of those things your teacher reminds you about:

  • Stand tall and imagine space between each vertebrae in your spine (including the ones in your neck)
  • Activate your abdominal muscles as if you have laces up the front which you gently tighten bringing the belly button closer to your spine
  • Let your shoulders fall back and down with arms hanging easily at your sides
  • Stack the body with your ear lobes over your shoulders, your shoulders over your hips, your hips over knees and ankles

Remember these things all the time as you dance or while you stand around. This all by itself will help to strengthen your core muscles for dancing and for creating the “pictures” we make in dance with our body.

This is where it all begins. Without good alignment and strong core muscles, it will be difficult to make a picture like second position.

What To Do

While standing with good placement as above:

  • Lift the arms straight out to the side at shoulder height.
  • Turn the palms forward, with the thumb flattened down between the first and second finger. Your fingers are all slightly spread apart.
  • Move the whole arm (from the shoulder) slightly forward of the body, until you see the fingers in your peripheral vision (out of the corner of your eyes, without moving your head).
  • Along the back of your upper arm is the tricep muscle. Slowly rotate the arm, lifting the tricep and the elbow to face the wall behind you. As you do this, the hands will lower slightly in space and the palms will turn toward the floor but you haven’t changed the shape they made before.

a graphic of a large circle extending between two arms around a central circleWhat To Think

  • Imagine a large circle that extends between the fingers and through the arms and body.
  • Imagine that circle is a tube and you can breathe air into and around the tube
  • Imagine you are hugging a giant redwood tree.
  • Imagine your arms floating on top of the water like seaweed.
  • Imagine your arms are resting on clouds.
  • Imagine your hands are feathers.
  • When you open to second position, imagine that you are pressing the walls outward and away from you.
Do you have more tips on what to do or think that would help with second position?
Were these helpful to you? If so, share them with someone else!

© Nichelle Strzepek for Dance Advantage, 2010. | Permalink | Category: Blog, Dancing, Technique | Who's talking about this article?

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]]> http://danceadvantage.net/2010/10/08/second-position-arms/feed/ 14 Two Teenaged Students Blogging About Ballet http://danceadvantage.net/2010/09/21/student-bloggers/ http://danceadvantage.net/2010/09/21/student-bloggers/#comments Tue, 21 Sep 2010 14:17:42 +0000 Nichelle (admin) http://danceadvantage.net/?p=7987 The blogsphere includes many kinds of dance blogs. Many of the newest sites I’ve encountered are written by dance students of all ages. Among the youngest of these bloggers are a few who show real promise and passion. Below I highlight two of these teenaged bloggers.

Meet Chloey and Rebecca.

They know each other, but only online. Chloey is 15 and Rebecca is 13. Both are beginners in ballet who started a bit later than many of the aspiring dancers around them. Perhaps this accounts for some of the enthusiasm with which they approach dance as an art form and blog topic.
Survival Guide For Dancers blog header

Chloey – Survival Guide For Dancers

How long have you been dancing?

I’ve been dancing since I was about 13, and I started ballet in June.

Is Survival Guide your first blog?

This is my first and only blog, and I started it this summer.

What inspired you to start blogging about dance?

Well, it is my passion, and I wanted to be able to share my journey through dance and hopefully help some other people along the way. Dance blogs are such a great source for that extra help and insight on dancing and the dancing world.

What do you find most challenging about blogging?

Finding the time to do it! It gets pretty hectic with school and dance.

What do you find most challenging about dance?

Making it look effortless!

Funny, I might’ve said this about blogging too! What do you love most about dance?

Portraying an emotion, or a story, in ways that words can’t. It’s so rewarding.

What do you love most about blogging?

Being able to look back on how far I’ve come and the people you meet through it.

Of the posts you’ve written so far, which do you feel is your best?

I’m not sure! I do know that I enjoy doing the posts on famous dancers the most.

Tell us about one of your shining moments in dance.

I’ve gotten so far in such a short period of time! I moved to a great dance studio this summer, and in ballet I started in level 2, and I am now in pre-pointe! If you set your mind to it, you can be so successful in dance.

What do you enjoy doing when you aren’t dancing or blogging?

I’m a bit of a book nerd! Also, I enjoy playing piano when I get the chance.

Looking into the future, in what way will dance be a part of your life 5 years from now?

You know, it’s so hard to know for sure, but I am hoping to go to college for dance or be an apprentice for a company. I do know, that whatever happens, dance will be a part of my future.

What’s next, new, or coming up on your blog?

I’m working on a post on Daniil Simkin [found here], who I adore. I’m also hoping to do some sort of video blogging, but we’ll see what happens

Screenshot of From Plie's to Pirouettes blogRebecca – From Plies to Pirouettes

How long have you been dancing?

I have just begun my second year of ballet classes.

When did you start your blog and is it your first one?

I started my blog in June, June 15 to be exact. I’ve had 4 other blogs. This was my 4th. I just kind of lost interest in the other things once I started doing From Plies to Pirouettes.

What inspired you to start blogging about dance?

I realized that there were many girls that were my age that had just recently started ballet, and had to take class with a whole room full of girls who could do over-splits, triple pirouettes, and could lift their legs to their ears. I began looking at ballet blogs, and reading ballet books, but I could never find exactly what I was looking for. I felt like I needed 10 years of ballet training within a couple of weeks. Things like class etiquette, recital how-tos, and special stretches to boost my extension. I could only imagine that there were more girls like me looking for the same things. And that’s how From Plies to Pirouettes was created!

What do you find most challenging about blogging?

Keeping up! Normally I have to sit down on the weekends and write up all of the posts. But you never can predict when you will have a break. I said that I had to take a break once, because I had a busy weekend. But everything got canceled and I ended up coming back. And then I had to take an unexpected break, and didn’t say I did. I have to be on top of things 100% of the time.

What do you find most challenging about dance?

Patience! Some skills just require muscle memory that only come with time and practice.  Waiting for those muscles to adapt is a killer wait!

What do you love most about blogging?

I love getting feedback from my readers! I enjoy getting special requests for posts, and currently I’m not working on anything so I am open for requests! I love being a part of a world-community of dancers and love that people all over the globe read my blog….it’s wonderful to be a part of a universal dance conversation!

What do you love most about dance?

I love seeing myself excel, as I get new extensions, a better pirouette, and closer to a perfect split! It makes me so happy when I do something correct, I start jumping up and down!

Of the posts you’ve written so far, which do you feel is your best?

I am very proud of my post on Taking Criticism. At that time, I was struggling with studio drama, and sometimes writing basic rules down helps me a lot.

Tell us about one of your shining moments in dance.

Recently, my teacher gave me a compliment that I will remember for the rest of my life. She said “Rebecca, I am your biggest fan. I have never seen a dancer work as hard as you do.”

What do you enjoy doing when you aren’t dancing or blogging?

I love sewing! I like making purses, headpieces, clothes, all sorts of things!  I especially love following sewing blogs and knocking off Anthropologie clothes.

Looking into the future, in what way will dance be a part of your life 5 years from now? 10 years from now?

Five years from now, I am hoping to be in my state’s ballet company, in college, and building my career as a dancer. Ten years from now, I would love to have my own studio, teaching young and old dancers!

What’s next, new, or coming up on your blog?

As the season heats up, I’ll be blogging about auditions, different aspects of a production, balancing life and dance, and anything else that may pop up! I’m also planning some great tutorials for gifts for dancers as the holidays loom ahead.  Lots of good stuff! Really soon, I am going to have a whole week of giveaways!  As always, we will have good tutorials, handy tips, product reviews, and some really awesome blogs to check out!

I’ve highlighted Chloey and Rebecca because they display genuine love for sharing ballet via their blogs and present posts that show care and thought. As I mentioned, new blogs by young or beginning dancers appear all the time. Some offer experiences, and some advice, but the quality of both can vary. As always, it is a good idea to investigate and consider the source of any advice you might seek to follow online, especially regarding your health and dancing body.

Teachers, it may not be a bad idea to pay attention to this younger population of bloggers, yourself. One, they provide insight into the hearts and minds of your own students. Two, for better or worse, your students are looking online for information about dance. It is natural for them to go to their peers online as well as off. Invest a bit of awareness and interest in what they are learning and where they are learning it. The purpose isn’t to call into question everything they read but to know which areas in your teaching you need to reinforce, explain further, or direct their attention.

Students, please remember to be safe online. Blogs are public forums so please blog safely. Here are some tips for parents and kids. This is an older article but covers additional safety advice. And here are some more great resources on How To Set Up A Blog For Your Child.

Do you blog about dance?
Do you journal your dance training?

© Nichelle Strzepek for Dance Advantage, 2010. | Permalink | Category: Blog, Dance Media, Dancethropology | Who's talking about this article?

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]]> http://danceadvantage.net/2010/09/21/student-bloggers/feed/ 6 Sunday Snapshot: Port de Danseuse http://danceadvantage.net/2010/08/22/ss-port-de-danseuse/ http://danceadvantage.net/2010/08/22/ss-port-de-danseuse/#comments Sun, 22 Aug 2010 13:10:09 +0000 Nichelle (admin) http://danceadvantage.net/?p=7750 Photo of a dancer in front of a ship called Dancer

Hannah is a young photographer and dancer who has been featured on the Dance Advantage Sunday Snapshot before. She has a knack for finding unique locations and using them to feature her favorite subject, dancers. “Dance is what I love to do so naturally, I am most inspired to photograph dancers,” she says. And in case you are doubting, yes, the boat really is named the Dancer.

© Nichelle Strzepek for Dance Advantage, 2010. | Permalink | Category: Blog, Dancethropology | Who's talking about this article?

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]]> http://danceadvantage.net/2010/08/22/ss-port-de-danseuse/feed/ 0 New Continents — From Royal Ballet School To Boston Ballet http://danceadvantage.net/2010/08/16/duncan-lyle/ http://danceadvantage.net/2010/08/16/duncan-lyle/#comments Mon, 16 Aug 2010 14:58:50 +0000 Nichelle (admin) http://danceadvantage.net/?p=7406 Headshot of Duncan Lyle; Royal Ballet School; Boston Ballet; photo: Johan Persson

©Johan Persson

Duncan Lyle, fresh out of the Royal Ballet School has been offered a contract with Boston Ballet. In 2009 the young Australian was awarded a prize for Choreographic Development by the NJL Foundation and has performed Liam Scarlett’s Toccata at the Assemblée Internationale in Toronto, and in the RBS Matinee, an annual Covent Garden presentation that marks the shift of graduating student to performing artist. Before his training in London, he was a young ballet student in Victoria, Australia’s Camberwell District Ballet School (now the Russian Choreographic Academy).

Graciously sharing helpful tips for auditioning and jumps with Dance Advantage readers, Duncan took a moment to talk with me about his transition from student to professional.

Dance Advantage: You were young when you began begging your mom for ballet classes and eight years old when she finally relented. Do you recall what you liked most about training in ballet?

Duncan Lyle: I honestly can’t remember. I think it’s always just felt right. The ballet studio is always a place I have felt comfortable and felt like I belonged.

Duncan Lyle performing Coppelia, Royal Ballet School; photo: Margaret Kokrhelj

Duncan in Coppelia; ©Margaret Kokrhelj

DA: You began with respected instructors in a pretty rigorous program, dancing after school for a couple of hours, four days a week. Was there ever a time you contemplated quitting or pursuing a less demanding track?

DL: Yes. 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.

DA: Allegro dancing comes naturally to you but I am sure you have had instruction that has helped you develop that talent. Any advice you could pass along to a student hoping to improve their agility in beats or jumps?

DL: I think the best advice I could give is two things: develop the height of your jump by doing very slow static allegro and; always work every movement, no matter how quick, to the fullest. Always fully stretch your legs and feet in the air and think about the movements you are making in the air. Be very precise with your movements in the air and gradually they will become clean and crisp.

DA: At age 17, when most teens here in the U.S. are contemplating the move to college, you traveled continents away from your home in Australia to London to study at the Royal Ballet School. What was most difficult about the transition?

DL: I think the hardest thing about moving away was just the unknown. I had no idea what my new life was going to be like and I think that was the scariest thing. Once I was actually in London, of course I missed my family, friends and Melbourne but it wasn’t as hard as I thought it was going to be. I made great friends with almost everybody in my year who provided a wonderful support network.

DA: I know it might be hard to imagine, but what what kind of career do you think you’d be interested in if you did not dance?

DL: I would definitely pursue a career in music. I have been composing and arranging music since I was fourteen and it’s something I really love. I would apply for a university course in music and see where it would take me.

DA: Tell us a bit about the audition process that leads graduates of the RBS to employment.

DL: Firstly, we submitted a list to our director of the companies that we wanted to join and audition for. Our director then helped us by suggesting other companies that might suit us and removing companies that wouldn’t. From then on it was up to us to arrange our auditions, whether they be open or private, book our flights and make our way to our auditions. Every audition I participated in was just a ballet class watched by the director with a panel of ballet staff. Candidates get eliminated at certain points throughout the class so that the panel can see the people they are interested in better. I was lucky enough to make it through all of my classes without being cut. You then mostly find out the result of the audition on the day but of course this varies from company to company. If they’re definitely not interested in you then you’ll know that on the day, but if they might be interested in you then you may have to wait to find out.

Liam Scarlett's Toccata; Royal Ballet School; Duncan Lyle with Nicole Cato

In Liam Scarlett's Toccata with Nicole Cato

DA: Do you find auditioning stressful? What is most challenging for you?

DL: I think the only aspect of auditioning I find really stressful is the travelling to the destination! It’s very hard trying to book a flight that will get you to your destination in enough time to get to the studio and warm-up! Plus I hate airports! I’m pretty good under stressful circumstances like auditions or appraisals.

DA: What advice or tips for auditioning you could you give to students or young professionals like yourself?

DL: I think most importantly, stay calm and confident. If you’re overly nervous, you won’t be able to show the people that matter what you’re capable of. Presentation!! Remember that what most directors are looking for are dancers and not just technicians so perform everything in the class! And I believe that a lot of directors are looking for a clean canvas that they can work with and adapt to suit their company so make sure your technique doesn’t get affected.

DA: You’ve been to the U.S. before, and I’m sure you’ve been doing some reading up on Boston. What excites you most about dancing in America?

DL: I think what I’m most looking forward to in the U.S. is the positive atmosphere and the fact that there’s so many exciting things. Everything is happening there and I’m very excited to be a part of that.

We are excited to follow your career, Duncan, and welcome you to a new continent! May you have many thrilling adventures in Boston and beyond.

For more on Duncan, his background and training visit Ballet News and Oberon’s Grove and Blast Magazine.

How do YOU feel about auditioning? Do you get nervous?

What do you enjoy about training in ballet?

Do you like to travel? How far would you go to study dance?

© Nichelle Strzepek for Dance Advantage, 2010. | Permalink | Category: Ballet/Pointe, Beyond the Bubble, Blog, Career, Dance Companies, Dance Styles, Dancethropology, Dancing | Who's talking about this article?

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]]> http://danceadvantage.net/2010/08/16/duncan-lyle/feed/ 2 Sunday Snapshot: Ballet Zaida http://danceadvantage.net/2010/08/15/ss-ballet-zaida/ http://danceadvantage.net/2010/08/15/ss-ballet-zaida/#comments Sun, 15 Aug 2010 14:00:37 +0000 Nichelle (admin) http://danceadvantage.net/?p=7644 This Sunday Snapshot is a little different. Rather than pulling from our Flickr Photo Pool, I wanted to share an entire website with simply gorgeous photos. Find more like the one below at the Ballet Zaida website:
Ellen Rose Hummel and Harrison James Wynn. Marin Headlands. Sausalito, California. Golden Gate Bridge © 2010 Oliver Endahl

According to Oliver Endahl, the photographer, the purpose of the Ballet Zaida photography project is to “educate and expose the public to ballet, as well as inspire the world through pictures.” A former ballet dancer himself, his work is definitely inspiring as well as inspired, featuring incredibly talented dancers in stunning locations. And there is just gallery after gallery of images – a visual feast.

Ballet ZaidaThe website offers downloads for your desktop or iPhone background and you can also schedule a shoot with Oliver.

Be sure to check out and LIKE Ballet Zaida on Facebook to keep up with the latest blog posts and gallery photos.

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© Nichelle Strzepek for Dance Advantage, 2010. | Permalink | Category: Blog, Dance Media, Dancethropology | Who's talking about this article?

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]]> http://danceadvantage.net/2010/08/15/ss-ballet-zaida/feed/ 1 Sunday Snapshot: Foot Phrase http://danceadvantage.net/2010/06/27/ss-foot-phrase/ http://danceadvantage.net/2010/06/27/ss-foot-phrase/#comments Sun, 27 Jun 2010 12:20:05 +0000 Nichelle (admin) http://danceadvantage.net/?p=6473 Foot Phrase

©Allanah C.

Foot Phrase is a section in the ballet A Pulse Stolen by Ted Seymour (see more in an interview and clips from A Pulse Stolen on YouTube), which had its world premiere on May 21, 2010. This section of the ballet is done in total darkness except for three sets of illuminated, moving feet. The two shown are the feet of Ashley J.( in sous-sus) and Brittany H. (in tendu derriere).

About the photographer: Allanah C. is a dance and college student currently living in Indianapolis, IN and spending the summer as an extra dancer for Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre. She started taking pictures of her friends at her home studio for fun and it has since developed into a hobby of sorts. Of capturing the shot, she says, “I love the challenge photographing dance presents because my subject is almost always in motion, even on my digital camera without a delay the picture can easily become blurred by the motion of the dancer or the lighting.”

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© Nichelle Strzepek for Dance Advantage, 2010. | Permalink | Category: Blog, Dancethropology | Who's talking about this article?

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]]> http://danceadvantage.net/2010/06/27/ss-foot-phrase/feed/ 2 Sunday Snapshot: Father’s Way http://danceadvantage.net/2010/06/20/ss-fathers-way/ http://danceadvantage.net/2010/06/20/ss-fathers-way/#comments Sun, 20 Jun 2010 12:20:33 +0000 Nichelle (admin) http://danceadvantage.net/?p=6324 Okay, I’m cheating a little this week.

I wanted to do something interesting for Father’s Day so I’m changing it up a bit just for today. Below are two videos of a father and son, both spectacular dancers. You don’t get images of that very often, I’m sad to say!

The pair are Dimitrij and Daniil Simkin. Daniil joined ABT as a solist in 2008. He’s been featured as Lankendem in Le Corsaire, the Son in Prodigal Son, Benvolio in Romeo and Juliet, and danced leading roles in Allegro Brillante and One of Three. He’s won numerous international awards, and I might mention he’s a premiere member of the ballet world’s Twitter etoile :) (you can follow him here). His father, Dimitrij danced with Novosibirsk State Theatre and later toured with the Bolshoi Ballet. He received first prize in both the National Ballet Competition and, in 1988, the Ballet Competition in Varna. In 1990 he moved to Germany where he performed as a Principal in the Deutsch Oper in Düsseldorf and later the Wiesbaden StaatTheater.

The following is a pretty adorable film created in 2001 when Daniil was just 13.

Simkin vs. Simkin

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bBxxLlV6ni4

This one is a 2006 performance in Prague.

My Way

Happy Father’s Day

to dancing dads and the dads that support dancers!

More dance dad moments:

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© Nichelle Strzepek for Dance Advantage, 2010. | Permalink | Category: Blog, Dancethropology | Who's talking about this article?

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]]> http://danceadvantage.net/2010/06/20/ss-fathers-way/feed/ 0 Blog Spotlight: Start Your Morning With Dancing Branflakes http://danceadvantage.net/2010/05/21/dancing-branflakes/ http://danceadvantage.net/2010/05/21/dancing-branflakes/#comments Fri, 21 May 2010 12:20:37 +0000 Nichelle (admin) http://danceadvantage.net/?p=5901 “I am a professional dancer who loves all things edible and pretty.”

Tiffany Braniff sums up her blog, Dancing Branflakes with one statement. But don’t mistake this sunny outlook for superficiality.

I’ve appeared on Dancing Branflakes in a new series that shares reader’s old dance photos. Jump over there now to see me in all my first-grade glory. The awesome part about the submissions is that they’ve come from those who’ve gone on to be dancers, and those who haven’t. It’s a wonderful reminder that we all begin somewhere and a great example of the elegant way Tiffany has of bringing people together online. She connects with readers with an open enthusiasm for life, for dance, for food, and yes, pretty things that is unifying, refreshingly honest, and therefore meaningful.

I really enjoy Dancing Branflakes, and I think you will too, so I caught up with Tiffany to ask her a few questions about dance and blogging.

Dance Advantage: Tell us a bit about your background in dance, Tiffany.

Photo by Chantou Lam

Tiffany Braniff: I started dancing at 10, later in life in dancing terms. Because of that I worked harder to retrain my muscles. I think that work ethic is what set the tone for the rest of my dancing career. I had to always work harder, smarter, and more than everyone else.

I studied the RAD method with Pamela Hayes in Sacramento. I went on to BYU to study dance and actually really struggled there, not with grades but with my identity. I had one ballet teacher tell me “You are a beautiful dancer, just not in ballet.” The modern teachers told me I looked “too ballet.” It was after I left BYU that my technique flourished and I began to understand who I was as a dancer. I am still learning and growing but I finally feel confident in my abilities for the first time in my life.

(For the record, BYU has an amazing modern dance program and introduced me to the Bartenieff method. I adopted this method into my training and it has changed my dancing dramatically for the better.)

Right now I am a company member of Dangerous Lorraines Dance Theater in Sacramento. I take ballet and modern dance classes as often as I can. I am also a teacher at Northern California Dance Conservatory where I teach ballet and little kids.

DA: Where did your supercute blog title come from?

The name is a play on my last name, Braniff.

DA: Why did you start blogging?

TB: I started blogging as a way to keep in touch with my family. Then I realized my family never read my blog so I changed the format to blog about a dancer’s life. I figured it would be a way to share my love for dance and the dance world in general to a broader audience. It’s important for me to promote dance any way I can.

DA: How long have you been blogging?

TB: I started blogging two years ago, but this dancing blog started nine months ago. The support from the blogging community is great. Within my own community of blogging friends we’ve opened up to each other in a way that feels so close and comfortable that everyday I look forward to their posts. If done right, a blog can be a beautiful look into one’s soul. Good bloggers appreciate that and build wonderful relationships from that intimate glimpse.

DA: Dancing Branflakes covers a whole range of topics. You are a dancer who blogs but not always a dancer blogging about dancing. Did you consciously decide to do things this way?

TB: Great question and I’m glad you like the variety! My goal was to blog everyday but to blog about dance everyday can get boring, even if you love dance. As someone who’s life revolves around dance, sometimes you just need a break. So posting things about food, fashion, and life’s beauties was just an organic occurrence. And maybe a little symbolic of a dancer’s life.

DA: As a result of your diverse focus, you also have a diverse readership. What has most surprised you about your community of readers?

TB: They love dance! I love it because I think this blog has helped them rekindle their love for dance or has given them a forum to express their excitement for dance even if they aren’t dancers themselves. It’s such a beautiful art form- who wouldn’t love it?

DA: What has blogging done for your dancing?

Dangerous Lorraines Dance Theater

TB: It has helped me stay motivated and excited about it. I find myself thinking about life lessons and funny stories within the classes I teach or performances I am in and wanting to share it with my readers. Their enthusiasm for dance is so infectious and supportive that I can’t help but always feel inspired and blessed to have chosen this profession.

DA: Name one non-dance blog that you think every dancer should read?

TB: This is the hardest question! Cup of Jo is probably the most refreshing and hugely popular blog. She’s the guru of all bloggers, knows how to captivate an audience in a single phrase, and blogs about everything that everyone loves. She’s a professional with over ten thousand followers but has a real homey feeling.

DA: What is coming up for you in the future that you are really excited about?

TB: This summer I am going to Repertory Dance Theater’s Workshop in Utah. For the first time since college I will be able to dance every day from morning until night. I feel like my body is at it’s peak and the desire to dance has never been greater. Right now I’m always looking for more so I’m on the look out for auditions, performance opportunities, and collaborations. As for my blog, more giveaways! I love them and I love giving gifts to people.

Dancers, teachers, and parents,

do you have a favorite non-dance blog that you read regularly?

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© Nichelle Strzepek for Dance Advantage, 2010. | Permalink | Category: Beyond the Bubble, Blog, Dance Media, Dancethropology, Interviews | Who's talking about this article?

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