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.
American Ballet Theatre
Backstage With Baryshnikov and Makarova
In 1985, Cherie Magnus was a ballet “extra” on stage with stars like Natalia Makarova and brushing elbows in the wings with Mikhail Baryshnikov. Ballet lovers will adore this insider’s look at her experiences backstage during ABT’s Romeo and Juliet.
New Piano Music for Ballet Class: A Little Patience, Please.
Patience Clements is the company pianist for Charleston Ballet Theatre and has been accompanying dance classes for over 30 years. In this post, Dance Advantage reviews 2 of her 4-disc series, New Piano Music for Ballet Class. If you’re looking for original melodies with lots of variety for your classes, try New Piano Music for the Dedicated Dancer (with Susan Jaffe) and for the Young Dancer.
Insight Into ABT’s National Training Curriculum
Deb describes her own productive and exhilarating summer adventures as a participant in American Ballet Theater’s National Training Curriculum program in wonderful detail. “The Training is organized as week-long intensives; candidates are asked to obtain certification in Primary Level through Level 3 of the curriculum before being allowed to continue certification in Levels 4 and 5, and then 6, 7, and Partnering (taught as two separate intensives).”
Sunday Snapshot: Father’s Way
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 or video of that very often, I’m sad to say!
Preparing For An Intensive Summer Program
My son had some trouble with dehydration the first week. We live in California, and I didn’t really think that would be a problem since we were coming from a dry, hot climate. However, it was so hot and humid in New York that he sweated more than usual and didn’t drink enough. The kids need to have electrolyte packets and other sports drinks along with water to keep them hydrated.
