4teachers – Page 34

Resource: The Sacred Dance Guild

January 10, 2011 by 4dancers

Today I’d just like to share a resource with you. Those of you who are into sacred dance may already know about it, but if not, you may want to check out the Sacred Dance Guild.

There are a multitude of reasons that people dance. Some do it as a profession. Some do it for fun. Some to it to express their spirituality.

This organization is a great community for those who view dance as a form of prayer. Governed by a volunteer board, the SDG has members all over the world. Interested in becoming a member? Visit their website for more information.

Props For Dance Class

January 5, 2011 by 4dancers

Incorporating props into a dance class can be a fun way of introducing new dance concepts, changing up the routine and getting students to think outside the box. It can be challenging to add a new element, but also very rewarding.

Let the children explore the prop on their own first. Ask them to show you what they have discovered about how the prop moves and how they like to move with it. How does the weight, size, material affect how it moves, what movement qualities would they give the object (direct, indirect, strong, light, bound, free, etc.)?

Can you move very big with the prop, can you move in different levels with the prop? Do you enjoy moving with it? Why or why not?

Here are some of my favorite props to explore with children… [Read more…]

Post Curtain Chat With Ralph Ippolito

January 4, 2011 by Matthew Powell

I’m not sure if there could be a more satisfying evening at the ballet then to take in a performance of George Balanchine’s Jewels. To me, it is one of the most perfectly constructed ballets ever created. Last year, I found myself happily seated in the second ring of the David H. Koch theatre awaiting the arrival of “Rubies,” the second jewel of the evening. As the curtain rose to reveal Balanchine’s breathtaking tableau, my eye was immediately drawn to a male dancer in the corps de ballet who possessed lines and facility that would make even his female counterparts jealous. However, as he tackled the meaty intricacies of Balanchine’s choreography, this dancer proved to be an exemplary model of what it means to be a male dancer of today. Ralph Ippolito joins us this month for Post Curtain Chat. It’s now 2011, and Ralph has a few things to say about last year, this year, and The Real Housewives of Atlanta.

Happy New Year! Do you have any New Year’s resolutions for 2011?

Well, I don’t usually do the whole “New Year’s resolution” thing because I hardly ever keep them. However, I think my resolution this year will be to take more pictures. I got a really nice digital slr camera for Christmas, so I’m hoping to be more pro-active in documenting my life – maybe even take a photography class at Fordham.

Want to know more about digital slr cameras? Click here.

New York is one of the most famous cities in the world for New Year’s celebrations. How do you plan to ring in the New Year?

I feel like New Year’s Eve is usually a big bust. There are lots of expectations for the best night of your life, but when people around you start a new year belligerently, the night usually goes sour. This year was fun though! The boyfriend of a friend of mine owns a restaurant in downtown Manhattan on Avenue B. They threw a party with a DJ that played 50s and 60s music. I danced all night with a few of my best friends. What could be better? [Read more…]

Setting Your Dance Goals For 2011

January 2, 2011 by 4dancers

It may seem like extra work, but goal setting is actually quite effective. Have you set any dance goals for yourself in 2011? If not, there’s still time…

Goal setting can be tricky. You’ll want to make sure that when you set one that it has the following characteristics:

It is reachable. If you are just starting out in dance, setting a goal of being in a company before the end of the year may not be realistic. Take a good look at where you are and look at what the next steps would be terms of improving your current situation. Then, set a goal based on that. It may not be as exciting–but you won’t be setting yourself up for disappointment.

It can be broken down into steps. In order to reach a goal, you’ll need a “road map” for achieving it. This consists of a series of steps you can take to make it happen. Be sure to think that through as well. [Read more…]

On Professionalism…

December 28, 2010 by 4dancers

Today we have some musings from 4dancers contributor Karen Hersh on professionalism…

By definition, the word professional means to follow an occupation as a means of livelihood or for gain; professionalism or professional standards means the skill, competence, or character expected of a member of a highly trained profession. So while I can understand why everyone ties being a professional belly dancer (or any dancer really) as to being paid, I think we need to take a bit of a step back and extend the definition to attitude as well.

Recently, I was dancing as part of a ‘non-professional’ troupe at a local hafla, (an event held by belly dancers to showcase themselves or their students), when one of the women said something that just stopped me in my tracks. It was to the effect of ‘well, I know I don’t have too much to worry about because I’m not a professional’.

Why did it stop me? Because whether or not one is a ‘professional’, the attitude of always doing your best should be there, whether you are a student or a professional. Professionalism doesn’t start with your first paycheck, it starts the moment you walk into your first class as a student: you show up on time, ready to learn.

In belly dance, I think one of the goals for our students should be to have the opportunity to perform at haflas. While these are generally non-paying events (for the dancers), they should still be treated as if they were. Anytime one performs, that professional attitude must be there.

I strongly believe that all students should be taught early on that being a professional also means putting in the time and energy in to learn your dance piece, to be at rehearsals, be on time, and to be supportive and respectful of the rest of the class and/or troupe. And this is part of the instructor’s responsibility–to instill these qualities in their students.

All of us are putting ourselves out there in a performance setting for our peers and our friends and family. It seems only right to be showing our best professional attitude all the way around, doesn’t it?

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