The Importance of Music Selection
Backstage.com recently featured this article about music for ballet class. It highlights the importance of music selection, the role of music and the accompanist (if there is one) within the class, and encourages students and teachers to “understand and be sensitive” to this role. It’s a good read.
FREE Music on iTunes®
And, speaking of music, I discovered some FREE, yes I said free, music for ballet class on iTunes. It’s an entire class-worth of percussion music (a rare find for ballet class) by Duke University’s John Hanks. *Here is the link.
This is no longer available, unfortunately. However, there are some other things up at this location.
Apple’s iTunes U is pretty cool with content from several major universities that is rich with video, podcasts, etc. In fact there is dance video from Duke, UMBC, Central Washington and others – check it out! There isn’t a ton of lesson music on iTunes®, however, it’s been one of my primary resources when researching music for choreography.
Are you using an iPod (or mp3 device) for your classes yet?
I can’t rave enough about the use of an iPod for class music. Creating playlists allows you to pick and choose different tracks without fumbling with CDs, which can take precious time away from class. If you’re not yet using some sort of mp3 player for class, I encourage you to consider the possibility.
*iTunes must be installed on your computer for this link to work. Click the Dance Program Music tab to download the tracks.
Nichelle Suzanne is a writer specializing in dance and online content. She is also a dance instructor with over 20 years experience teaching in dance studios, community programs, and colleges. She began Dance Advantage in 2008, equipped with a passion for movement education and an intuitive sense that a blog could bring dancers together. As a Houston-based dance writer, Nichelle covers dance performance for Dance Source Houston, Arts+Culture Texas, and other publications. She is a leader in social media within the dance community and has presented on blogging for dance organizations, including Dance/USA. Nichelle provides web consulting and writing services for dancers, dance schools and studios, and those beyond the dance world. Read Nichelle’s posts.
