Welcome to the latest 4dancers feature–Dance Blog Spotlight! Each month we will be highlighting a blog on the web that we want to share with readers, and this month it is Tendus Under A Palm Tree. Read on to learn more about the author and what kind of content you can expect to see on this wonderful site!
Can you tell readers a bit about your background in dance? I am a Corps de Ballet dancer with Miami City Ballet and have been with the company for five years.
When did you begin your blog- and why did you start it? I began my blog, Tendus Under A Palm Tree, in June of 2010. I have always enjoyed writing and the idea of starting a blog had come up before, but I was not convinced that people would be interested in what I had to say. One morning, in the middle of the company’s summer layoff, I was sitting in my apartment and came across a friend’s blog, http://rhymeswithdarling.blogspot.com. I realized that there was indeed an online demand for the writings of a professional ballet dancer. On a whim, Tendus Under A Palm Tree was conceived. Since then I have become very dedicated to this venture; I take it very seriously and consider it to be a part of my job.
The career of a ballet dancer is fleeting and can often be cut short without warning. As a result, dancers find it necessary to prepare themselves with a career back-up plan. These days, social media is a rapidly growing field that is becoming infinitely more important to businesses. In the future I can see myself pursing work in this area as a career transition, and Tendus Under A Palm Tree is a perfect way to gain experience.
What does your blog cover?
My blog is constantly evolving. I like to say that it covers my dancer musings. I often cover happenings here at Miami City Ballet; writing about the ballets we are performing and different experiences that I have. I also enjoy discussing George Balanchine; his life, his ballets, and his dancers. My inspiration for what I write usually comes from my everyday life in the company or talking with my co-workers. There is so much that can be discussed about the world of professional ballet and I have found my blog to be the perfect outlet.
What has been the best part about participating in the dance community online? Participating in the online dance community gives me an extraordinary opportunity to network with people around the country and even the world, as I am constantly communicating with great lovers of ballet. My reader base consists of young students, aspiring dancers, professionals, and adult dancers. I find myself being constantly inspired by these individuals; not just in my writing ventures, but also in my ballet career. For ballet dancers, the only communication we have with the audience is through their applause at the end of a performance. When I am able to actually correspond with audience members, I feel their appreciation on a whole different level. Ballet dancers put themselves out onstage every night, not for themselves, but for the audience. They are the most important element of our art form. Hearing their voices has become essential to me.
What other dancer blogs do you read? I love to see what other dance blogs are writing about: Tights and Tiaras, 4dancers, Dance Advantage, Elitedance, and BALLETNEWS are among the many I read on a regular basis.
BIO: Rebecca King was born and raised in Northern California. Ms. King received her ballet training from former San Francisco Ballet School Director Richard Cammack, former ABT and SFB dancer Zola Dishong, and former Royal Swedish Ballet dancer Katarina Wester at Contra Costa Ballet Centre in Walnut Creek, CA. Her senior year in high school, she attended The Rock School in Phildelphia. After graduating in 2006, Ms. King moved to Miami to train at Miami City Ballet School. While in the school she performed with the company in “The Nutcracker”, “Giselle”, and “Symphony in 3 Movements”. Ms. King was offered a Company Apprentice contract for Miami City Ballet’s 2007-2008 season, and was promoted to Corps De Ballet in 2008.
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Great interview with Rebecca! Very honoured that she reads my website, Ballet News, regularly!
Thanks! Rebecca is terrific! (And she’s not the only one who reads your website on a regular basis :))
I enjoyed this piece – it was interesting to read what inspired Rebecca to begin blogging. I follow Rebecca on Twitter as well – great work!
Adria–thanks! Rebecca is great, and I’m thankful you took the time to share your thoughts with me here. 🙂 See you around on Twitter!