Mia Michaels is known as a tough character and dancing in her company RAW was definitely rough. But it taught Melanie Doskocil a valuable lesson about struggle and perseverance. Her story will leave you asking what you would have done in her shoes.
What Do They Mean By ‘Contemporary’ On SYTYCD?
July 19, 2011 By 28 Comments
Labels stink but we kind of need them. Contemporary dance is a label that could use a bit of clarification. So many are attempting to sort it all out. An educated guesser, I try to make sense of it all, question, reflect and hopefully inspire some clarity along the way.
Dance Training in New York vs. Los Angeles
July 16, 2011 By 6 Comments
If you were looking to train professionally in modern dance and wanted to relocate to the big city, would you choose Los Angeles or New York? With a little help from a friend who knows both cities well we compare the dance personalities of each and discuss the importance of setting goals to get you where you want to go.
Fall Planning With Philosophy and TV Dance in Mind
June 9, 2011 By 5 Comments
Get a jump start on curriculum planning using televised dance shows like So You Think You Can Dance as a jumping off point to connect with and educate dance students. K-12 educator, Heather Vaughan-Southard helps you frame your dance philosophies then incorporate conversation-starters about TV dance into your instruction methods.
Pas de Deux: Two Career Dancers On Pregnancy
May 6, 2010 By 1 Comment
Balancing any career with motherhood has its challenges but mother/dancers certainly face some unique concerns and questions. To produce a picture of what it is like for mothers who are also professional dancers, I spoke with two dancing moms, one a ballet dancer, one a contemporary dance artist and choreographer. In this first installment, we discuss pregnancy and what it is like to dance and perform while expecting.
Five Ways Postmodern Principles Can Positively Impact Your Studio
March 9, 2010 By 14 Comments
The exposure to postmodern principles and technique has so positively affected my experience with both commercial dance and concert dance that I would recommend that studios add it to their course roster. Young dancers who gain an early exposure to the world of post modern dance are only at an advantage in today’s competitive dance market. It will prepare them for careers as professional dancers or for success in a college dance department. The reality is that modern dance principles are gaining popularity throughout the dance world.
Excavating the Archives – Don’t Miss These Posts!
May 1, 2009 By Leave a Comment
Links, Links, Links! Dance articles and sites you don’t want to miss!
National Dance Week — Live Dance Challenge
April 26, 2009 By 1 Comment
I feel it is important to leave our homes and participate as members of the dance audience whenever possible! There is much to be learned from those making dance art and from the experience of absorbing and witnessing a wide range of movement vocabularies, aesthetics, and perspectives.
On a Personal Note: In Performance
February 27, 2009 By Leave a Comment
Typically my posts at Dance Advantage strive to be informative for a variety of dancers within a wide range of locations. Although, I try to offer my personal thoughts, views, and voice within the articles here, I’ve mostly avoided getting too personal. Posts are rarely about me. These, I relegate to my personal/professional dance blog. [...]
Pillow Talk (Jacob’s Pillow, that is)
July 23, 2008 By 1 Comment
My little family of three just returned from our summer vacation. Aside from a short trip to the Big Apple in 2006, my husband and I have not indulged in a true holiday for several years now, instead spending time off visiting with family. Now that we have an infant son, vacations come with additional [...]
Classic Confusion
July 7, 2008 By 3 Comments
What is classical dance? The most inclusive definition I’ve found is used throughout K-12 educational documents and refers to classical dance as: “Dance that has been developed into highly stylized structures within a culture. Generally developed within the court or circle of power in a society.” Rooted in Europe, ballet would probably be considered the [...]
A Dancer’s Guide: Tips for College (Part II)
July 1, 2008 By 3 Comments
Tips for College Part I dealt with what to expect in technique classes and performance rehearsals, as well as some tips for success in these areas. In continuation of the series, I will highlight two aspects of dance in higher education with which many incoming students have little experience. Improvisation Improvisation may be an entirely [...]
