25 years before Misty Copeland became ABT’s first African-American principal ballet dancer, Lauren Anderson was the first “brown girl” to be made principal at Houston Ballet. In a special Houston event, the pair came together to answer questions about their lives as dancers and the challenges of being black ballerinas in a still, traditionally white art form.
Archives for August 2015
Jazz Dance Legend: Giordano
The man remembered as the “Godfather of American Jazz Dancing” could check numerous titles off his list of accomplishments, including dancer, choreographer, master teacher, company founder, author, and, ultimately, the person who led jazz to become a recognized and respected art form.
Why We Dance: In the Studio and On Stage
There are many reasons we dance. One dance teacher reflects on these as she looks back on her dance recital and all the students learned and accomplished, demonstrating why dance matters.
Embodying a Magic Spell: Pilates Cross-Training For Dancers
Creator of the Drexel Pilates training program, Jennifer Morley, describes how Pilates practice became a “magic spell” in her dance training, correcting inefficiency and imbalance for a more highly-functioning body.
We Know #WhyDanceMatters
A few years ago, I dreamed up a social media initiative called Why Dance Matters. It wasn’t the first time the question had been asked or answered in one way or another but, with the help of a handy hashtag (#whydancematters), I hosted a “virtual event” and the concept caught on. Soon people were sharing […]
