If you are a tap dance fan, check out this page on the International Tap Association’s site. It lists many of the “greats” and has biological information on them as well. Click on the photo to see a YouTube video of them dancing…pretty neat!
Michael Jackson: Dancer
No matter what you thought of Michael Jackson as a person, one thing cannot be denied–he was a dancer with no equal. When I watched him move I was tranfixed. The only other person that danced with such ease was Fred Astaire. The spins. The poses. The charisma. There are few people in a lifetime that you see dance like this man. I’m sorry that this is the end of it all.
INTUIT Dance Studio
Those living in the Chicagoland area may want to check out INTUIT Dance if they want to take a really good class. Studio Director, Diane VanDerhei has a top-notch background, and has hired instructors with impressive credentials. The atmosphere at this studio is creative and fun, and there is even an excellent adult ballet class. Other offerings include belly dance, yoga and hip hop. Located in Oak Park, IL, the first suburb west of Chicago.
5 Tips For Better Turns
- Copyright 2006, Catherine L. Tully
Many dancers find that turns are a difficult part of dance. If you don’t take to turns naturally, there are some things that you can do to improve. Here are five tips for getting those pirouettes on track:
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Practice spotting. Learning how to spot well can take some time. Dance Teacher magazine has a great article online here that explains the details on how to get the most out of this technique for not getting dizzy while you turn.
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Get feedback. Listen to what your teacher tells you about your turns and try to apply it. This can be difficult, because you can’t see your body at the same time you are turning. Still, your teacher can work with you to correct any problems they see with your turns.
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Pay attention to your body. If you are always falling forward out of your turns, you may need to keep your shoulders back more or watch that you are not looking down at the ground. If you are falling backward, see if you are raising your arms too high or letting your back sway. Whatever the problem is with your turn, it will also help give you a clue as to what the solution may be.
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Watch and learn. Keep watching those who turn well and see what they do to prepare and execute their turns. If you learn visually this will be especially helpful.
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Be patient. Turns are one of the most difficult things to master. Don’t get discouraged; if you keep practicing, they will improve!
Dance Class Music: Between The Barres
This is a great pick for classical ballet teachers–I know, I use it in my class and it is one of my favourites. The two CD set has a lot of variety and the music is truly beautiful. Check out the reviews on Amazon if you would like more information, but don’t by shy about ordering this CD; it’s a good one to have.
Click here to purchase or for more information