A website for dancers, dance teachers and others interested in dance
If you are a well-qualified dance teacher looking for a very good job, the Joffrey is hiring for The Academy of Dance–the official school of the Joffrey Ballet. This is a great opportunity for those who have what it takes. They are also hiring a development intern.
Nijinsky. Even the name has a sort of mystical, dramatic feel to it. He is one of a handful of men who have received the spotlight in ballet. I think that more should share in that honor. Men are as vital to ballet as an art form as women are–yet women get the bulk of the attention. George Balanchine once remarked, “Ballet is woman,” and although I totally get where he is coming from, it should not negate the value of men.
Where there is no man…no ballerina floats. For the yin of the delicate solos of women in pointe shoes and pink tutus, there really needs to be the yang of men leaping powerfully across the stage without reserve. It is in the contrast of these two that the magic of the danse really shines through. It represents the forces within us all. The softness and the hardness. The subtle and the forceful.
I’m sure this has been remarked on before, but today I just wanted to highlight it again and send out a thank you to all the men in ballet. Without you…it just wouldn’t be magical.
Your dance bio on Twitter is a make it or break it thing…people will decide to follow you or ignore you based on that alone. I found a good resource that will help you think through how to write one. Want to share photos on Twitter? Did you know you can? You can use one of the photo sharing tools that have evolved to help out. While you are on TwitterTips, check out some of the other great info they have. Very helpful site.
When I was about 12 years old, my dance teacher told me that there was nothing else for me to learn from her. She told me to go and take class downtown in Chicago from one of the notable schools so that I could continue to improve. At that moment, she became more than a teacher–she was a mentor, nurturing me and guiding me onward in my career.
I have mentored a few students of my own over time. Mentoring is more than taking an interest in a particular student in class. It involves a committment to their development, both personally and professionally. It means you go the extra mile and try to share your experience in a way that will help them grow. It is extremely satisfying and rewarding… [Read more…]
Andros on Ballet is a wonderful resource for dancers and teachers alike. The author, Dick Andros has been involved with dance for over 50 years and he has a wealth of experience to share with readers. Here you will find pieces on history, vocabulary and an extensive biography area that features dancers such as Cynthia Gregory and Anna Pavlova.
(Just a little warning–you could spend a lot of time browsing on this site, so you may want to save it for when you have a little bit of time to sift through all of the information that is there.)