For dancers, dance teachers, and those who love dance. – Page 226 – A website for dancers, dance teachers and others interested in dance

The Bun

March 18, 2010 by 4dancers

I remember many a day, sitting with my Mom behind me with her pulling and twisting my hair into a tight bun for class. As a young girl, I hated the ritual, but now I’m able to appreciate the beauty of this classic hairstyle. Often associated with ballet, the bun is not too hard to do, but here are some fun resources to check out for all the details–and a twist or two…

Basic bun 101 – YouTube video that shows how to do a basic bun, complete with hairpins and a hairnet.

Redken – This video tutorial gives some great tips for a good, braided bun.

French Twist – Of course, if you want something a bit more fancy, you can always try a French twist for variety.

Dance Teaching Tip: Left-Handed Students

March 17, 2010 by 4dancers

Let’s get this out of the way…I’m a lefty. And yes, that is why I am doing this post.

As a left-handed dancer I know that there are a few special challenges that teachers should be aware of. For one thing, learning turns may go better on the left side. This is actually a safety issue when you are working on teaching pirouettes for the first time.

I always ask my students if there are any lefties in the room, just so I am aware of the fact that they may have more difficulty picking up combinations that are demonstrated and done first on the right side.

Not all dancers follow handedness in the dance classroom, however. For example–even though I am left-handed, my turns are better on the right. Each student will need to be assessed individually to discover their strengths and challenges. Still, if you are aware of them, you will be more effective as an instructor.

If you have not yet asked your students about this…consider incorporating it into your class. For some students it can really make a world of difference.

A Tribute To Margot Fonteyn

March 14, 2010 by 4dancers

Margot Fonteyn.

I was lucky enough to meet her in person when I was a little girl. I still have a black and white photograph that she gave me at the autograph signing. It was a moment, to be sure.

Each of us will have in-person encounters with different people in the dance world and it will mark us in some way.

Interesting how that works.

She was amazing–a true ballerina in every sense of the word. A juxtaposition of soft and strong, she was unlike anyone else I have ever seen. A unque, musical talent. I have compiled a few resources here for those who would like to read a bit more about this amazing lady…or see her dance; if only through the magic of the Internet.

From Ballet.co, a brief, well-done historical piece.

The Ballerina Gallery, a great collection of photos.

Voice of Dance, a video clip of her in Swan Lake.

Book Review: Gwendolyn, The Graceful Pig

March 10, 2010 by 4dancers

This charming kids book makes a great gift for a younger child (designed for ages 3 to 8). At 40 pages, there is plenty to look at, and the illustrations are darling.

The story is about Gwendolyn and her pig pal Omar and their pursuit of a dream. Gwendolyn longs to be a ballerina, while clumsy Omar is hoping to score a spot on the football team.

It’s a simple story, but one with an uplifting message of hope. Children have the chance to see that you can reach your dreams, and that hard work does indeed pay off.

I loved that the story appeals to both boys and girls–a surprise that made this book even more valuable. And since it’s a hardcover, it can stand the test of time when it comes to repeated readings.

This is a cute kids book that is great for little dancers, but the storyline is bigger than the dance classroom.

$15.95 / Picture Book / Hard Cover / 8.5 x 11
Author – David Ira Rottenberg
Illustrator – Lesley Anderson

Buy This Book

The History Of Ballet

March 9, 2010 by 4dancers

Many people who teach ballet don’t know much about the history of this art form. Here is a good resource from Northeastern University that provides some of the background–reaching all the way back to the courts of Renaissance Italy.

This site is definitely worth a quick read to brush up on the details if you plan on teaching. It is also a great primer for dancers who have not yet learned about the art form that they are practicing. I found it to be conscise, yet quite detailed.

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