Sunday Snapshot: Foot Phrase

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.”

Introducing My Dance Homework: Toe Sit-Ups

Let’s get something straight. I’m not a teacher who recommends practicing dance at home. Practice is what happens in the studio under the watchful eyes of instructors. On the other hand when it comes to sections of choreography, which generally contains movements already mastered, I’ll recommend that my students go through it at home (I suppose physically if they truly have the space, but mental rehearsal is equally beneficial). However, I almost never recommend practice of actual dance technique at home.

Okay, now that that is out of the way… As a teacher in my classes and in this online arena, I am often asked by students, “What can I practice at home to improve?”

My response:

No need to practice anything at home. Come to class. Listen and apply correction. Absorb the information given to you. Successful dancers have good teachers but are more importantly outstanding students that love what they are learning and doing.

Before that expectant face drops, though, I let my eager student know this:

I appreciate your dedication and enthusiasm. There are some simple things you can do at home. This is not “practice” and cannot replace any of that work in class we talked about. This homework is prep work that supports the things we do in class.

And with that, I tailor some “homework” assignments for my student based upon what I see as his/her individual needs.

Unfortunately, I can’t do this for you.

I cannot prescribe any “medicine” for things you might be lacking in your dance training. One, I can’t see you. Two, I trust my analysis and assessment skills more when I’ve had the chance to get to know and watch a student. Your teacher is your first/best resource for identifying problems and areas in which you need additional work.

What I CAN do.

I can offer some “vitamins.” Vitamins are good for just about anyone because they are nutritional compounds taken in small doses. And so, I’d like to introduce to you a series I’m calling My Dance Homework… dance “vitamins.”

• I will most often administer these via video (and I hate being on camera so this is a big deal).
• They will be practical for just about any student.
• They will generally be off-the-cuff teaching moments
• They will not always be ‘vitamins’ for your physical improvement… dancers must grow strong, healthy brains too you know!

My Dance Homework, Take One:

Toe Sit-Ups

This is brand new, so please do let me know what you think of the series either in the post comments or at the Dance Advantage YouTube Channel. I like to share “favorite” videos via YouTube as well so if you like what you see, subscribe and get updates when new stuff is posted!

Blog Spotlight: The Bag Ladies

Today’s kinection is to a relatively new blog. Bloggers Emilia and Linda have been sharing their passion for ballet at The Ballet Bag for about four months now. They are off to a great start, producing content that is focused and informative. Their thoughts and reviews about the Royal Ballet are a big feature. However, if you do not share that particular passion (yet!), there is still plenty to learn and discover about ballet at the site. I caught up with the pair to ask them a bit about how they got into ballet and blogging!

DA: How did the two of you meet and what awakened your passion for ballet?

Funnily enough both questions share the same answer: Alina Cojocaru! We met through the blogosphere out of mutual admiration for this miraculous dancer and she is also one of the reasons our passion for ballet was re-awakened. Linda was knocked sideways when she saw Alina & her partner Johan Kobborg in Onegin a couple of years ago and I got to know Alina’s dancing via Youtube. Then finally one day I saw her on stage in Romeo & Juliet (2007). Linda was there too and eventually we met face to face and became friends.

We both had more general personal blogs but soon found that our preferred topic was ballet, ballet and more ballet! As we could not really identify with any of the more traditional ballet websites/forums elsewhere and we wanted to spread the concept of ballet as a fresh, original art form (not stuck in a time warp as some tend to think!) from an audience perspective we took a deep breath and started our own.

Primarily the mix between a varied repertoire which spans from the oldest classics (Bournonville, Petipa) & neoclassics (Ashton, MacMillan) to cutting edge (Wheeldon, McGregor) and their longstanding dramatic tradition, which has theatrical roots (the Royal Ballet was “born & bred” in the Old Vic Theatre). It adds a distinctive personality to the company so that dancers are able to communicate not only via the steps but also through acting. The emphasis is on great artistry even though they have the technical chops too! The other factor that makes the company so interesting is the diversity of dancer’s backgrounds, they hail from far flung places but they really seem to be at home there.

Indeed, we are quite new and so happy that we’ve been getting great support from established sites such as Dance Advantage, dance bloggers & twitterers because we feel that this journey is worth it! We are trying to integrate web content (reviews, articles, dancer profiles, ballet fact cards) & trendy new media with the aim to “spread the word on ballet” & network with dance fans anytime, anywhere. If we can spark a passion for ballet in someone the same way Alina Cojocaru has done for us then our job will have been done!

These “bag ladies” have added some excellent posts on ballet terminology, articles that discuss the history and significance of certain ballet works, and resources so that you can educate yourself on the art of ballet. Furthermore, they are all teched out with a Facebook page and Twitter account. Be sure to check them out and say hello! Tell ‘em Dance Advantage sent you

A FREE Download for Parents of Dancers

It often starts innocently with that first preschool dance class. A year or two later, one class becomes two, or three, or four. Before you know it, your entire household’s schedule begins to revolve around classes and rehearsals or competitions. Work, phone calls, and sometimes even meals take place in a studio lobby. Your purse contains bobby pins, hair nets, and bandages. Your taxi (er… car) is littered with stray dance shoes, water bottles, and sequins. Your wallet, on the other hand, is empty! If this sounds familiar, you’re probably a Dance Parent!

If you are a family that has welcomed dance into your household and your hearts, you may have had no idea when you began this adventure that it could become so all-consuming! You receive direction, advice, and even… ahem… orders (nicely stated orders) from other parents, teachers, and even your own child. Yet, despite all of this input, there may still remain the questions and concerns of a parent whose focus is the welfare, health, and happiness of their own child.

Objective Answers

It can be difficult to know where to turn for objective answers to these questions. Fortunately, I’m happy to announce a resource that contains some excellent information and solutions to the frequent concerns of dance parents everywhere. The offer is a free, download-able manual, written by Lisa Howell of The Ballet Blog specifically for parents of dancers. I recently highlighted some of Lisa’s work with Deborah Vogel of The Body Series. Lisa is a physiotherapist in Australia that works specifically with dancers. However, her mission and message reach a worldwide audience through her work online. She is the author of several manuals and resources that are aimed at helping students stay healthy and injury free and arming teachers with a strong base of information with which to guide their dancers toward this aim.

Her Parent’s Manual is certainly geared to those parents who have daughters embarking on a serious and intense study of dance, and particularly ballet. However, much of the information is quite useful for recreational students that take multiple classes, male students, or students taking classes in other disciplines. This is due to the wide variety of topics covered in this 100+ page e-book, which begins with lots of nutrition guidelines and concerns, goes on to speak about the physical development of a dancer, discusses injuries and their prevention, psychological issues in dance and dance training, choosing a school or teacher, and frequently asked questions about beginning pointe work.

A Knowledgeable Parent

Parents play a huge and important role in the education of dance students. A knowledgeable parent is one prepared to make decisions, offer mindful support, and ask informed questions. Ms. Howell’s manual is a quality resource that offers knowledge on important topics. I have read the material and appreciate Ms. Howell’s other work. She offers informative and professional guidance to the dance community.

The Parent’s Manual is not only great for parents but can be a useful tool for teachers in communicating with the parents of dancers. In fact, I have referenced Ms. Howell’s materials in my teaching and when working with parents. That is why I feel comfortable in sharing this resource with you.

To be clear, there are other materials available for purchase at Lisa Howell’s website. I am not receiving any compensation for sales on these items. The Parent’s Manual has been made available for free to dance parents (and teachers) and I  simply hope you will take advantage of the information offered. I also want to be clear that Lisa is asking that you submit your name and email address in order to reach the link for downloading this e-book. You will be subscribed to newsletter updates which will often contain articles and answers to readers’ questions. I have enjoyed the information contained in these articles, however, you can unsubscribe from these additional emails easily via a clearly marked link at the bottom of the newsletter.

Okay, here’s the link:

Click Here to Download

Lisa Howell’s Perfect Pointe Parent’s Manual