4teachers – Page 19

Review: Modern Ballet Studio Melodies, Volume 2

August 24, 2011 by 4dancers

I reviewed Volume 1 of Modern Ballet Studio Melodies recently on the site and gave it a big “thumbs up”. This CD, Modern Ballet Studio Melodies 2 is another good choice if you are hoping for ballet class music that is different from the typical fare.

Again breaking out of the traditional box, Christopher Hobson puts out renditions of familiar songs such as “Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin'”, “The Swan, from Carnival of the Animals”, “I Got Plenty O’ Nuttin”” and even the “Mexican Hat Dance”! Treat yourself to lovely arrangements of these favorites and spice up your ballet class a bit without taking things over the top.

Hobson is obviously a top-tier player, and he also has experience arranging and playing classical piano music for the ballet class. This is an important factor, and the tunes here work well for both barre and centre exercises. The barre has 18 tracks to choose from, including staples such as plie, tendu, round de jambe and grand battement, and the centre offers a lovely adage, as well as pirouettes, jumps and several allegros to choose from.

All in all this is really a successful CD, and it is available in the UK, which, from what I’ve heard has a dearth of good ballet class music out on the market. I really enjoyed both this CD and the previous one. There’s one more coming up–so stay tuned (argh!) to hear what that one has to offer in the coming weeks.

If you like, you can buy Modern Ballet Studio Melodies Volume 2 here.

No Audience Left Behind

August 17, 2011 by 4dancers

Recently 4dancers Contributor Lizzie Leopold said something that made me think….she talked about including program notes for the audience in effort to help them understand more about what was going on through the dance performance.

Brilliant. I wish more people would do this.

Back when I was growing up, ballet had this air of mystery surrounding it. It was almost as if the audience shouldn’t be allowed up close and personal. As if the magic would somehow be lost. I’m not the first person to point this out–but it was definitely a different atmosphere, and a very closed one. Still, it was set against a backdrop of story ballets, making it comfortable for the audience in terms of watching the dance performances and understanding the story.

These days, with Modern dance and other Contemporary dance performances, it is easy to leave the audience in the dark–but is it necessary–or even wise to do so? [Read more…]

Review: Modern Ballet Studio Melodies, Volume 1

August 10, 2011 by 4dancers

This CD, Modern Ballet Studio Melodies, Volume 1, came highly recommended by a fellow dance professional, and it’s easy to see why. The piano music is excellent–and different. You will hear renditions of favorites such as “Summertime”, “Hernando’s Hideaway”, “Some Day My Prince Will Come” and “Somewhere Out There” – but they avoid the “cheesy” factor that is so often a part of this type of translation for ballet class music.

Instead, the tracks are easy and fun–as well as expertly played. Christopher Hobson is at the helm here, and he began training at age 4. He has experience working with dance schools, which is obvious by the arrangements here, which are metered, without being dull. His background includes working for Northern Ballet Theatre, Birmingham Royal Ballet and the Liverpool Institute for the Performing Arts.

The intent of the CD is to add variety to the ballet class repertoire, which it does quite successfully. I am located in the US, but have had many UK dance teachers ask me for recommendations in their area in terms of ballet class music. I would pass this CD along without hesitation as something that would be fun to use for a welcome change of pace. There is both barre and centre music, and the quality of the recording is very good–another rarity in this type of CD–although I will admit it has been improving overall as a genre.

If you are searching for something fun to add to your collection as a dance teacher or dance studio, this is a good pick. Here are the particulars:

If you are interested, you can purchase Christopher Hobson’s Modern Ballet Studio Melodies, Volume 1 here.

Christmas In August With The Rockettes

August 9, 2011 by 4dancers

If you are going to be in New York on Thursday, August 11th, take a break from the heat of summer and swing by Times Square to see the Rockettes “Christmas in August” performance.

At 11 am, you’ll be able to see the Rockettes as they unveil both new costumes–and new choreography. Join in the fun as they kick off the 2011 Christmas Spectacular season.

Can’t make this? Then why not enter the “I like Christmas” sweepstakes on Facebook and take a shot at winning $2,011 in Christmas cash and other prizes? All you have to do is “like” the Radio City Christmas Spectacular on this social networking site and you are entered. This begins on August 11th and runs until the end of the month.

The Radio City Christmas Spectacular, runs from November 11, 2011 through January 2, 2012. Prices range from $45 – $125. Tickets are available online at www.radiocitychristmas.com or at the Radio City Box Office (50th Street and Avenue of the Americas). Box Office hours are Monday through Sunday, 11:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Tickets may also be purchased by calling the Ticketmaster Christmas Hotline at 1-866-858-0007 or at any Ticketmaster outlets. Ticket prices include a $4.50 facility charge. Tickets purchased via Ticketmaster are subject to service charges. Please call 1-866-858-0007 for more information.

10 Questions With…Carrie Rae Cunningham

August 8, 2011 by 4dancers

Carrie Rae Cunningham is the featured dancer on 10 Questions With… today–

1. How did you become involved with dance?

I was a late-comer to dance. I had always loved to dance and perform, even from a young age, but couldn’t attend dance classes as a child. I took my first Modern dance class at uni at age 18 and instantly knew that I wanted to be a dancer/choreographer and work in the dance sector. I double majored in dance and English, danced/choreo’d for several dance companies and theatres, then eventually became active in arts management and administration as well as writing about dance. I completed my Masters at Auckland University in New Zealand in 2004.

2. What are you currently doing in the field?

I am Assistant Director for Tempo Dance Festival in New Zealand, as well as being an independent choreographer, producer, dance writer, arts administrator and arts advocate. (You have to multi-task in this business.)

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

I remember my first paid gig as a professional dancer. After two months of rehearsals and a 6-day season with a modern dance company in Memphis, Tennessee, I received a check for $200. I was so excited I photocopied the check before I deposited it. I think I still have it somewhere.

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

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