4dancers – Page 61

Dance In The UK: Adult Ballet

March 15, 2012 by 4dancers

by Jessica Wilson

Jessica Wilson

Having seen a huge influx of dance and the performing arts in the media over the past few years – think Andrew Lloyd Webber’s search for his next big hits, Dancing with the Stars, and Black Swan – the number of adults indulging in ballet classes has increased profoundly. A survey conducted by YouGov in 2011 in the prelude to the Dance Proms at the Royal Albert Hall found that just over 1 in 5 British adults have become interested in dancing as a result of shows such as Strictly Come Dancing and So You Think You Can Dance, not considering those throughout the rest of the world. It seems the ballet bug is here to stay, having turned a fad into a trend!

The appeal of ballet runs far and wide, and today seems to have taken on a more of a popular culture persona as more people are becoming aware of ballet and its benefits. Pirouetting against the stereotype, ballet does not have to be girly and strictly disciplined; there are a huge variety of ballet and dance class choices in the exercise world today, meaning that there is an option for everyone. No sooner had gym culture taken over our lives, dance cults began to make an appearance, such as Zumba, reinforcing the notion that engaging in physical activity does not have to involve a treadmill.

Not only does ballet engage and stimulate the mind, it also provides participants with an environment which is of alternative appeal. Tapping into your artistic side really does have its benefits, for adults as well as children!

The Royal Academy of Dance teachers of London have affectionately referred to this recent ballet trend as “Black Swan Syndrome” – despite such dark inferences throughout the film – considering the number of adults they have seen sign up for ballet classes in the wake of the blockbuster movie. Some may argue that the increasing commercialisation of dance may cause it to lose its intrinsic artistic value, yet if the combination of the media with promotion of dance is able to entice more adults to dance in such a profound way, something must be right! Indeed there has been a significant increase of dance-related films that have emerged over the past few years, in addition to screenings of dance performances in numerous cinemas, putting dance well and truly on the map. [Read more…]

Finding Balance: Recommended Reading For Dancers

March 14, 2012 by 4dancers

by Emily Kate Long

Being the daughter of a librarian has its advantages. My mother was head of collection development—in layman’s terms, the book buyer—at Saint Mary’s College in Notre Dame, Indiana, for over twenty years before she retired last May. She is also a closet bunhead. I have her to thank for the bulk of my personal dance library: Jock Soto’s memoir, Stephen Manes’ Where Snowflakes Dance and Swear, Kavanaugh’s Nureyev biography, the anthology Reading Dance, Homans’ Apollo’s Angels, No Fixed Points by Reynolds and McCormick, and several volumes by Gretchen Ward Warren. She showers me with books faster than I can plow through them, and most of these treasures are at least the thickness and weight of a brick. As a result, I have become a literary grazer. This installment of Finding Balance is my “Recommended Reading List: Works for Enrichment and Escape.” Enjoy, and please comment with your personal favorites!

Where Snowflakes Dance and Swear: Inside the Land of Ballet by Stephen Manes was waiting in a package at my doorstep one January evening when I got home from rehearsal. Delight! Manes spent a season as a fly on the wall at Pacific Northwest Ballet. Reading inside details of the dance world from an outsider’s perspective is both amusing and informative. Manes is a thorough storyteller, examining each aspect of the ballet—organizational machine, community institution, and artistic creature. I wish there could be a new book every season.

I was less than halfway done with Manes’ stellar work when Mom brought me Jock Soto’s Every Step You Take. Of course I couldn’t help but peek inside. Anecdotes, reflections, and recipes fill this easy-to-read, yet profound, memoir. Now forty pages in, I’m having a hard time setting this one aside. It’s like sitting and having a conversation with a living legend. [Read more…]

Adult Ballet Student: Rebecca Jukes

March 13, 2012 by 4dancers

Today’s featured adult ballet student is from South London…

1. How did you first get involved with ballet and what attracted you to it as an adult?

Just over 4 years ago, I was going through a period of re-building my life, regaining control over who I was, and trying to fill an emptiness inside of me.

My therapist at the time suggested that I should think about finding an activity that would help me connect with myself and others, he listed off some options, and one of these was ballet. I initially scoffed at the idea knowing how uncoordinated and inelegant I was, coupled with being the owner of 2 left feet, besides, I had never shown an interest in ballet as a child, although in fairness the opportunity had never arisen to try a class back in my youth.

However his suggestion nagged away at me for a number of days, I had always admired and respected dancers, particularly ballet dancers; for their commitment, grace, beauty and ability, they were something to behold. Should I dare to actually venture into this world at my time of life? So I Googled for a local adult ballet class, and sure enough, up popped a studio close to me in Dulwich South London, which offered complete beginner classes, and I duly signed up.

Now I would admit that at the beginning of that very first class, I thought “what on earth am I doing here”, a 36 year old woman out of her depth and out of her comfort zone. But by the end of the class it was like someone had turned on a light switch, it was the most amazing hour of realization and discovery–ballet was the one thing that had been missing from my life. A spark had been ignited within my soul, and it has burned there ever since.

This spark has now grown into a fully raging inferno of burning desire and near obsession to become a better ballet dancer. The last four years have seen my interest steadily grow from one class a week, to two per week, and now up to the point of I would happily dance 8 days a week if such an extra day existed. [Read more…]

Macy’s Dance Contest – Win A Trip & A Shopping Spree!

March 12, 2012 by 4dancers

Guess what? Macy’s is holding a dance contest…

They have started a new activewear line, “Ideology” – and to promote it, they’re giving away a prize. What is it?

The winner gets a VIP trip to LA to meet dance pro Cheryl Burke and a $1,000 Ideology shopping spree (and there are other prizes as well)! What do you need to do to enter? It’s pretty simple…but you will need to do it quickly…the contest only runs until the 15th of March! Good luck!

1. Select a pre-recorded music track from the Macy’s Facebook tab for the contest. (You must use one of the approved songs or your submission will not be considered.)

2. Choreograph and record a dance to the track you’ve selected, keeping your video under 2 minutes in length. Your dance can be performed individually or with a partner.

3. Upload your video on the Facebook tab at Macy’s Facebook page.

Curious about the Ideology line? Here’s some info, courtesy of Macy’s:

For Spring 2012, Ideology offers an energizing color palette of hot pink, lime green, and rich magenta across clothes designed for the woman who wants to sweat, stretch, or just relax. Standout pieces include the Hourglass Tank, specially constructed to provide a flattering hourglass shape; Full-Length Pants, ideal for yoga, made with 4-way stretch for easy movement; a Seamless Sports Bra with wicking and antimicrobial protection; a sleek, water-resistant Cinched Waist Parka with a drawstring hood and contrast-color zippers, and a chic Dolman Sleeve Topper to throw on after the gym. The collection of jackets, sweatshirts, tops, bras, pants, shorts, and accessories ranges from $7.98 to $58. For a full view of the the Ideology collection, visit macys.com/ideology.

Student Spotlight: Abby Roque

March 12, 2012 by 4dancers

For our Student Spotlight today we have Abby Roque–a 14 year old conservatory and pre-professional company student at NUEVO School of Contemporary Dance.

1. Can you tell readers how you became involved with dance?

I started dancing at the age of 3 in my parents’ hopes of helping me overcome my shyness. I started with one creative movement class an hour a week. I performed at my very first dance recital a few months later, and then joined the competition team the following season. After eleven years of performances, competitions and training, I am still very much in love with dance. I am currently training a maximum of five hours a day, five days a week after school, and also take dance p.e. at my high school.

2. What do you find you like best about dance class?

I’ve always looked forward to improving my dance skills, and I know the only way to do it is to train long and hard in dance classes. When I’m in class, I try to focus on the lesson, striving hard to perfect a skill or overcome a weakness. I hang on to my teachers’ every word, advice, or critique. The classes motivate me to keep working, to keep improving, and to look forward to witnessing the results of my hard work.

3. What is the hardest part about dance for you?

Time management is probably the hardest part of dance for me. Having to juggle my school work, family life, dance, and still have fun with friends outside of dance is something I constantly work on. Something or someone always has to give. I stay up late every school night to make sure my grades don’t suffer, and I know my friends are probably sick of hearing me say, “I can’t, I have dance.” But that’s just the way it is and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

WK5X7809 — Student Spotlight: Abby Roque

4. What advice would you give to other dancers?

Never give up no matter how difficult it may seem. There is always a way for you to achieve your goals if you put your mind to it, but realize that it doesn’t come overnight. You have to train and put in the hours in dance classes day in and day out. You are your strongest competitor so don’t bother comparing yourself to others. Work hard with unwavering determination and passion, and the results can only be exceptional.

5. How has dance changed your life?

Dance has been nothing but a positive influence in my life. It has helped me express my emotions more openly through movement and has boosted my self confidence. I have met a number of life long friends in dance whom I can rely on at all times. Dance has kept me physically fit and helped me maintain balance in my life. It has taught me commitment, team work, and passion for the art.

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