Archives for July 2011

Review: Carla And Leo’s World Of Dance

July 20, 2011 by 4dancers

Quite frankly, this is an amazing book. Created by a former fashion model and dancer and designed for children ages 8 to 12, “Carla and Leo’s World of Dance” is well written and beautifully illustrated.

The book tells the story of best friends, Leo and Carla, who take classes at a dance studio. They sample everything from swing to foxtrot to tango. Throughout their journey, the reader learns about the history and background of each dance style as their teacher, Miss Paulina teaches them.

The book is visually engaging from the moment you see it. The cover features a darling picture of Carla and Leo dancing together, and he has sparkles on his tie while she has them dotted throughout her skirt–a detail you can’t see from the photo.

Thierry Perez is the illustrator, and he is nothing short of amazing. Every picture is imaginative and skillfully drawn–the book is really a feast for the eyes. It’s the kind of thing that as a child I would have cherished, and looked at again and again.

Author, Agatha Relota has done a wonderful job of capturing her love of dance here–it’s contagious. She strikes a nice balance between educating the reader and sharing the excitement of discovering dance for the first time. I also appreciated the fact that she chose something other than ballet to highlight, as so many dance books limit themselves to that as subject matter. This one exposes kids to a wide range of styles and teaches them what countries they hail from as well. You can tell a great deal of thought went into the format. Also, Relota’s friend, Jessica Alba penned a forward for her–something that was a bit unexpected, yet interesting.

If you are looking for a terrific dance book, “Carla and Leo’s World of Dance” is as good as they come. I wish I had something this cool when I was a 10-year-old girl.

It’s stunning.

You can purchase this book on Amazon.com.

10 Questions With…Andrew J. Nemr

July 18, 2011 by 4dancers

Today’s 10 Questions With… features Andrew J. Nemr, a tap dancer and artistic director that was mentored by Gregory Hines…

1. How did you become involved with dance?

I was very young, roughly three years old, and being home-schooled at the time. As an only child, my parents wanted me to do something with other kids my age and dance was the option that we collectively chose to explore. The first class I observed was a combination tap, ballet, and tumbling class taught by Chris Collins in Alexandria, VA. I think the fact that it was a male teacher was helpful for me. At any rate, I took to the activity and rose through the ranks of the studio, taking private lessons, joining the performing troupe, and competing. In 1989 I saw the movie TAP, starring Gregory Hines and Sammy Davis, Jr., and that proved to be the next turning point. I immediately began pursuing the more vernacular style of American Rhythm Tap, and have been stuck to it ever since.

2. What are you currently doing in the field?

I find myself involved in all aspects of the craft. I perform as a soloist in a number of musical collaborations from traditional jazz (Jake Sanders Band), Hard Bop (Nat Adderley Jr. Trio), world music (Max ZT), and electronic (Sean Hagerty and the 1to1Project). Exploring ensemble choreography with my tap dance company CPD PLUS (Cats Paying Dues), I’ve produced evening-length works since its founding in 2004. The most recent, Echoes In Time included reconstructed works of tap dance masters, tribute pieces, and original works, all telling the story of a tap dancer’s introduction to the craft from the first lesson in a classroom to the freedom of personal expression. In the hopes of supporting the preservation and promotion of the craft I co-founded the Tap Legacy™ Foundation with Gregory Hines in 2002. Chartered with a goal of building a cultural center in New York City dedicated to tap dance, Tap Legacy™ producing programming geared to re-igniting the oral history through which tap dance has been passed down over the years, while preserving and championing the craft’s history.

3. Would you share a special moment from your career with readers? [Read more…]

Review: Michael Jackson, The Experience – XBOX 360 Kinect

July 15, 2011 by 4dancers

*Note: This XBOX 360 game requires a Kinect sensor in order to play

If you love Michael Jackson’s dance moves, now you have the opportunity to learn them. This XBOX 360 Kinect game, Michael Jackson, The Experience, features his actual choreography, as well as the chance to sing along with the music if you are so inclined. One of my favorite parts of this game was the stage backgrounds for the different songs. They were fun!

There are plenty of great MJ songs here to choose from, including Billie Jean, Smooth Criminal and Bad. To me, one of the things that makes this game is the fact that you are actually on-screen with the group, thanks to the advances with Kinect technology. It never ceases to amaze me how far we’ve come these days.

This game is a good one to play with friends, as there is a multi-player option, and other cool features include the opportunity to star in your own Michael Jackson video and “Michael’s Dance School”.

I’d be hard-pressed to say whether younger dance fans would find this game as fun as I did, since they are so used to this type of technology…but I enjoyed the chance to try my hand at the “King of Pop’s” moves. I’ve long been a fan of his dancing and thought the game was a good time. I will say that I had no difficulty picking up the dance steps, but hesitate to make a blanket statement about them being simple since I have a dance background.

The real value in this XBOX game is the fact that you can learn the actual choreography. Michael Jackson had some pretty smooth moves, and I always loved to watch him dance. It was cool to break the movements down and do them myself.

If you’ve played this game, I’d love to hear your thoughts…

Review copy courtesy of Ubisoft

CD Review: Music for Ballet Class III

July 13, 2011 by 4dancers

Mediaphorie has added another excellent ballet class music CD to their lineup with their latest – “Music for Ballet Class III” (Musique pour le Cours de Danse Classique).

It’s lovely to have original music to use, and this collection fits the bill. The tracks are expertly played by pianist and composer Ellina Akimova, who plays in France for the Ballet School of the Paris National Opéra, as well as the CNSMDP, at the CND, and at the Danse school of the conservatoire of the XVIIe district of Paris.

There is nothing quite like taking class with an accomplished pianist providing accompaniment, and if you can’t have live music, this is the next best thing. The phrasing is perfect, and the musical choices suit the exercises in a way that only someone who knows ballet well could choose, with perky music for tendus and a pretty selection for plies. Everything is well-matched.

The complexity of some of the tracks here make me lean toward recommending this CD to teachers with more advanced students. Some of the slower pieces may be a bit difficult for brand new students in terms of using the phrasing properly for movement. Advanced students will appreciate the opportunity to get into the spirit of things and practice their musicality. Akimova’s Russian roots shine through in her music, making the selections all the more beautiful.

This album features repeated tracks for easy instruction at the barre. There is a complete class here–barre and centre, with music for pointe and for tracks geared toward men.

This is what happens when you have an expert pianist at the helm–I can recommend this CD easily for ballet class. It would make a great addition to any teacher’s collection. The cost is $30, and you can find it, as well as other ballet music on Mediaphorie’s site.

10 Questions With…Summer Templin Culp

July 11, 2011 by 4dancers

This week 10 Questions With… features Summer Templin Culp…

1. How did you become involved with dance?

I grew up in a small town (less than 2000 people) and when I was young, there were not any dance teachers or studios in the area. My father took me to see dance concerts whenever they were nearby, but although I loved dance very much and would dance in my own living room or back yard, I was never able to take classes.

When I was 14, a dance studio opened in a town that was about an hour and a half away and I enrolled in every class that I could on Tuesdays and Saturdays – my parents would take turns driving me to dance class and I was able to take 8 hours of classes per week in this manner. When I turned 16, my parents moved across the state, to a much larger town, and I was able to enroll in a conservatory training program, dancing 6 days per week.

2. What are you currently doing in the field?

I currently teach ballet and modern to ages 4 – adult. I have just recently moved, but prior to my move I was dancing with an aerial dance company and a modern dance company. I am looking for additional performance opportunities in my new community.

3. Would you share a special moment from your career with readers?

The first person I remember seeing on stage as a dancer has been an incredible inspiration to me throughout my life. In college, I asked her to be a part of a choreographic project in which she collaborated with the director of the ballet company I danced for and one of my modern teachers to create a cohesive piece of choreography which displayed my talents as a dancer and performer. The experience of being able to work with three of my mentors at the same time was absolutely awe-inspiring. I wish everyone would have such an opportunity!

4. What is the best advice you have received from a teacher or mentor? [Read more…]

Archives for July 2011

Disclosure – Affiliate & Ad Info

Copyright Notice