Dance Blog Spotlight: 2PointeSocial

Today I’m excited to introduce Amanda McAlpine, author of ballet and social media blog, 2PointeSocial..

1.      Can you tell readers a bit about your background in dance?  

I am originally from New Hampshire, and received the majority of my training from my mentor and artistic director, Doreen Cafarella at Northern Ballet Theatre Dance Centre (formerly Granite State Ballet School). I really credit Ms. Cafarella for pushing me to the next level and encouraging me to participate in Youth America Grand Prix and the ABT summer intensive. While I was training with the school, I also had the honor of dancing Apprentice roles with the professional company in the early 2000s. Upon graduation from high school, I continued to dance at Emerson College in Boston. I came from a ballet-focused background, so I was able to gain more experience in other styles of dance including modern and musical theater (and I even got to sing!) One of the most fun performances in college was performing the Lonely Town pas de deux in the spring musical, “On the Town.”

After gaining a couple of years of professional marketing experience, I moved out to Chicago to explore the dance scene here. There’s a ton of performances to see all the time and it’s a wonderfully supportive dance community. I also began working at The Joffrey Ballet last September shortly after I moved here, so I still take classes at the Joffrey Academy from time to time and try to keep dance in my life as much as possible…which is part of the reason I began my blog. 🙂

2.      When did you begin your blog—and why did you start it? 

I began my blog in 2009. With a marketing communications degree and a minor in dance, I simply started writing about the two things I felt I knew most about and was most interested in. Once I started writing and seeing other blogs pop up over the past couple of years, I realized how many different audiences there are who appreciate dance and want to share information. From patrons, to dancers of all styles, current and former dancers, studio owners, to dance companies…there’s so much content out there to be created. My blog has kind of adapted over time and I am continuing to think strategically about it. One of the hardest parts is really just finding the time to execute all the ideas!

3.      What does your blog cover?

Currently, my blog covers ballet and social media, and how they are interconnected.

4.      What has been the best part about participating in the dance community online?

The best part about participating in the dance community online is meeting new people! Social media allows us to meet others with similar interests, come together, and share knowledge and ideas. Social media allows dance enthusiasts to come together and appreciate the art. That’s what my blog is all about. It’s another platform in the social world to be able to facilitate and support the arts. It’s also fun to see how the dance industry is embracing social media (Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and more).

5.      What other dance blogs do you read?

I’m always looking for new blogs, but I often follow ballet companies’ blogs (Miami City, ABT, San Francisco), Dance Advantage, Dance Pulp, 4Dancers, Tendus Under a Palm Tree, Chicago dance blogs including Artintercepts…and more 🙂 I also enjoy reading dance commentary.

Twitter: @2pointesocial

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/2PointeSocial