4dancers – Page 112

Teaching Tip: About Practicing At Home

March 8, 2010 by 4dancers

I have beginning students ask me what they can practice at home to improve their dancing. My usual answer is…nothing. As a new student (especially in ballet), doing steps at home can actually be a bad thing. If the student doesn’t understand technique, they can begin to develop bad habits which can be very hard to break.

This view may seem extreme, but I have found it is a good one to advocate. When students have some knowledge of technique it is fine to give suggestions for practice, but with a rank beginner it is better that they come to class and learn how to do the movements right first. Understand the theory behind things a bit before they try to do it on their own. In my opinion it would be better for them to double up and take two classes if they want to get more practice.

It’s something to think about if you are a new teacher, or if you have never taught beginning students. Be ready with an answer–you are sure to be asked.

Finding Your “Voice” In Belly Dance

March 5, 2010 by 4dancers

by Karen Hersh

I have been in the belly dance community as an instructor and performer for several years, and I have had the pleasure of studying and performing with people who have been in this art form for decades. What drew me to stay in belly dance was a sense of sensuality, and a bit of sisterhood, especially since I started with learning American Tribal, as this form is generally done with a group of two or more. It’s a great energy to dance with a group!

Now, I realize that when ATS or Tribal in general was first brought into the light, some people who had been dancing classical Egyptian/Oriental had issues with it; it’s not pure Oriental, etc. Even so, little by little, Tribal was being accepted. It embraces the old with the new.

Belly dance is the one true form of dance that does embrace every body type – which is wonderful! We all share one common denominator: the love of dance. We are a sisterhood, a community. But are these words overused and spoken with emptiness? As a community of sisters, we should encourage each other and our students to continue their studies. This means taking not only additional belly dancing, but ballet or other styles–with various instructors. For our students, (and for us as well), these additional classes can assist in finding one’s own voice in dance.

There is nothing greater for me as an instructor than to see a student who has taken fusion, ATS, Egyptian, etc. to step out and perform, because they’ve taken a pinch from X, a handful from Y, a little bit of Z and mixed in their own personality – and now we see them really dance! We see a glimpse inside their soul.

Who are we to put limitations on our students and tell them they can’t take from other instructors? Don’t we as instructors seek to improve our quality of dance? Wouldn’t it be hypocritical for us to stop our students from furthering their knowledge? And shouldn’t we encourage/support their performance opportunities? Nothing would be more satisfying to me then to see a student of mine surpass me; grow past me. That truly would be the highest compliment I could receive.

The Vio Shop

March 1, 2010 by 4dancers

After we interviewed Ballerina, Violeta Angelova I thought it might be fun to talk a bit about her new venture, “The Vio Shop” as well. It has some unique items for sale that dancers might appreciate, such as posters, signed pointe shoes and even a children’s book.

One rather unusual item is the “Angel” Tutu, pictured here to the right. It comes in both white and pink, and it is decorated with crystals pearls and Swarovski elements. This is a professional grade tutu, that is half the price you generally find in the better class of costumes. Since it is custom-built, it fits each dancer perfectly. Designed by Violeta herself , the bodice to skirt proportions and the decorations were chosen with a professional dancer’s eye.

Another item that was created by Violeta is the Viotard. This one-of-a-kind leotard has an extremely bold design, and it was based on the dancer’s own personal style. There are two different versions of the piece–one that is red with red mesh, and a second that is red with nude mesh. The Viotard Violeta came up with is made in the US by LOLAstretch, a company that is known for producing creative designs.

The item that perhaps most intrigued me was the perfume, “Violet Rose“. Rose oil is considered an aphrodisiac by many, and there is a bit of a story that goes along with this particular version, as it is 100% pure Bulgarian rose oil from the Rose Valley. What I found so interesting is that Violeta’s mom was born in that valley, making this a uniquely personal item to sell in the shop.

To learn more about current offerings, or to see when new things are added, take a look at the shop on Violeta’s website.

The Radio City “Stage Door Tour”

February 27, 2010 by 4dancers

Sometimes you get the inspiration to write a post from the most unexpected places. I was talking to someone who took the backstage tour at Radio City Music Hall and they really piqued my interest about the venue. I did a little investigating, and was impressed enough to share it with you here on 4dancers. I know if I ever get out that way, I’m going to check it out myself!

The more you look, the more you see.

As I was reading up on the facts about this particular venue, I could easily understsand why this tour is so fascinating. There are many layers to Radio City Music Hall that you might not ever notice if they weren’t pointed out to you. For example, if you look underfoot, the Grand Foyer has a carpet that features the abstract designs of six musical instruments. More examples of this theater’s hidden majesty include the gigantic Wurlitzer organ which has so many pipes that it takes 11 rooms to house all of them, and the four hydraulic elevators which can be utilized on the stage.

Other facets of the theater are so grand that you can’t help but stare in wonder. Look up and you will see 4,000 pound chandeliers floating in the air. The stage itself is enormous–measuring 66 1/2 feet deep and one full city block wide. In fact, this venue boasts one of the largest stages in the world even today.

Home to the world-famous “Rockettes,” this is the spot where the Radio City Christmas Spectacular takes place. (The holiday show draws over 1.2 million people in an 8-week time period each year.) Part of the Stage Door Tour includes meeting a Rockette in person–a fun touch that has been added to the mix.

This art-deco style theater has seen over 300 million visitors since its debut in December of 1932. It acutally closed its doors for a brief period in 1978 before being designated a landmark. In 1999 a massive restoration project began that took $70 million dollars and spanned 8 months.

This spectacular venue has been the setting for everything from “Disney on Ice” to several WNBA All-Star Games in 2004, and it continues to be an important piece of American history when it comes to the entertainment field. For more information about tickets and tours, take a look at the website.

10 Questions With…Javin Rogers

February 21, 2010 by 4dancers

One of the things I want to make sure that I do with this feature is give a voice to less traditional dance styles, as well as young performers who are putting their heart into what they do. To that end, today I would like to share with you some words from a young dancer who lives in Beloit, Wisconsin.

Here is 18-year-old Javin Rogers…

1. What type of dance do you do?

Hip hop.

2. How did you get into this style of dance?

I saw the way Usher and Micheal Jackson danced and it automatically made me want to be just like them.

3. What is it about dancing that you enjoy?

When im dancing I feel free and I love entertaining people. That makes me really enjoy dancing.

4. Can you tell me a little bit about the moves in hip hop?

There are alot of different styles in hip hop dance and the moves come about through the styles.

5. How do you learn new moves?

Practice and lots of music videos.

6. Where do you perform?

I perform for local artists, and talent shows.

7. What makes a good hip hop dancer?

Technique and the will to never give up.

8. Has the style changed at all since you started doing it?

The style changes a lot, theres a new twist on dancing every month.

9. What do you see coming up in this type of dance?

I think hip hop dance will always have some thing different to learn and it will make you step your game up.

10. What advice would you give to others who want to learn how to do hip hop?

I would tell them to practice every day, never let someone say you can’t do something, have fun but take it seriously.

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