Ballet – Page 27

Dance In The US: Arkansas Academy Of Dance

February 3, 2010 by 4dancers

Our second featured studio from Arkansas is…

Location: 10301 N. Rodney Parham Rd., Brackenridge Village, Little Rock, AR, 72227

About: This school has a typical lineup of classes, including creative movement, ballet, jazz and modern. It also offers Pilates. There is a scholarship program for boys and a cash-based referral program for those who get a new student to sign up and take some classes.

What really caught my eye was the creative way that they peppered mini-events into the dance class schedule. I noticed that they have a “bring a friend week”, a “parent participation week” and even a “costume week” to help keep things interesting. Just enough to prevent classes from getting boring–but not so much that there is no sense of routine.

The school is also affiliated with the Arkansas Festival Ballet.

Men In Ballet

January 28, 2010 by 4dancers

Just a quick note to point out a guest post I did for My Son Can Dance, a blog written by recent guest poster Nina Amir. It is about gender stereotypes and ballet. If you get a chance, drop by and check out her blog–it’s quite interesting!

10 Questions With…Cory Gabel

January 21, 2010 by 4dancers

Tell me a little bit about you…your name, location and what you do.

Cory Gabel, composer and music producer living in greater Hartford, CT.

1. How did you wind up composing music for dance groups?

It was a conscious decision to collaborate with dancers and choreographers. Over the last several years, I had been doing mostly film and commercial composing, and was missing the live, performance element to my music. For years, I was the lead singer and guitarist for an alternative rock band, and always enjoyed the energy of the “show”. Now, having moved more into to composing versus live performance myself, it was a great way to craft music that would ultimately be “performed” – just not by me!

2. How is composing music for dance different than composing it for other things?

In film, music comes last – very last. The challenge is to identify the emotional tone the director is going for, and the match that, and the timing of film. It’s very intricate and exacting, but can also be fun. Also, as we all know, the best film scores are the ones you rarely notice.

Music for dance could not be more opposite: it’s the foundation, and the dance is built upon it. It’s meant to be a focal point, and in most cases, and equal player in the overall scheme of things.

3. Can you share a few examples of dance groups that you have composed for?

Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre, Huckabee/McAllister Dance, Exhale Dance Tribe, Ridgefield Conservatory of Music, Hartford Conservatory… (other projects/commissions to be announced very soon!)

4. What is the composing process like when you create something for dance?

Once an artistic director/choreographer and I agree to collaborate, we normally talk concept. The concept usually comes from an idea or theme that they’ve wanted to explore, but could never find the right music for! So – we talk that through, and they give me any musical ideas they were thinking – if they had any. Normally, I then spend some time with the concept and I do a music search – it’s part of my process. I find snips and pieces of all kinds of music that I think will inspire me, and put me in the “place” of where I’ll write from. I normally share that playlist with the AD, so they can see the ballpark I plan on playing in, it’s kind of a gut check moment.

If all is well – I proceed, and start to write and produce demos of the music, sharing along the way with the AD.

5. What instruments do you use for dance compositions?

All – depends on the piece. Most dance companies don’t have budgets for big live ensembles – so the majority of what I’ve done has been to write, and then produce a finished recording that they can play back at the performance. I have access to record solo instruments, up to full orchestras – and have done all for past projects.

6. What do you like best about composing for dance?

The collaboration. Crafting a project with another intensely creative person, and knowing that it is also going to be performed. Too many people in music (bands, soloists) etc – write and practice forever, and never get to enjoy getting it out there. (I know, because long ago I did this too!) When I team with an established, regularly performing dance or ballet company – I know that our work will be seen by and audience. It’s exciting.

7. What does it feel like to see people dance to your music?

Truly – that’s the best part – the day of tech, or the dress rehearsal. To see all of these talented dancers, lighting designers, choreographers – and to know that they’ve been working their craft and their passion, with my music as the soundtrack – is humbling and tremendously gratifying. I’m very sappy that way, I’ve yet to make it through a dress rehearsal without crying…

8. How would you describe your music?

How’s this: theatrical alternative! I love using simple acoustic instruments, full orchestra, rock guitars, female voices – and lots, and lots of percussion. So, things tend to get a very bipolar vibe – moments of very stark intimacy, acoustic, melancholy, light. Then – we go huge – big drums, driving rhythm, full orchestra is warranted. The music for The Casket Girls best shows this – it was the full palette of what I’m all about…

9. How long does it take to compose music for dance groups?

Depends on length. A single 4-5 minute piece, could take a few weeks. The Casket Girls (a one act ballet, 30 minutes) took about 4 months, start to finish.

10. Who are some of your favorite composers?

I have to add “and bands/performers” to that – because I probably listen more to that style of music more. Danny Elfman, James Newton Howard, Beethoven…but then, U2, Nine Inch Nails, Damien Rice, Fiona Apple, Snow Patrol, Radiohead, Tori…

Anything else you’d like to share?

I’m always seeking new collaborations/commissions – and I understand the financial constraints most non-profit organizations have to deal with. But if there’s a creative desire to work together – there’s always a way to get it done!

Dance In The US: Anchorage Classical Ballet Academy

January 16, 2010 by 4dancers

Continuing in our new series, Dance in the US, we feature our first organization from Alaska…

Name: Anchorage Classical Ballet Academy

Location: 501 W. International Airport Rd., #22, Anchorage, AK 99518

About: This school has been around since 1997 and it offers a complete curriculum, providing classes for everyone from pre-school students to pre-professional dancers. On the site there is an interesting article that outlines 4 Things To Consider If Your Child Is Serious About Ballet, which is an excellent resource for parents. (It can also serve as a great tool for studio owners who are looking for a way to point out their strengths.) One of the points in the piece talks about whether the school has graduates that are successful in the field. Anchorage Classical Ballet Academy has some impressive placements, with students accepted at places such as the Kirov Academy, The Royal Ballet School, and Alvin Aily Company, among others.

Classes here include Mommy & Me, designed for children 18 months to 2 years of age, which I thought looked good since they didn’t try to push for an hour. The class is 45 minutes long, and that is a challenge enough for most students that age. (I know, I’ve taught them!) In addition to ballet classes the studio also offers jazz and modern dance.

As always, if you are from the company or the school and you would like to tell 4dancers readers something about your organization, please feel free to leave a comment…

10 Questions With…David Hunter

January 11, 2010 by 4dancers

This week’s 10 Questions With… features David Hunter, Owner and Editor of Ballet for Men. Take a closer look at a great resource for guys in ballet…and what went on behind the scenes before it came to the web…

My name is David Hunter, I’m 28 years old and a graduate student, working on a Masters in Teaching. I plan to teach high school social studies or english, and dance. I’ve always loved dance, but it wasn’t until I was 25 that I took an actual dance class. For some reason I never realized how much I actually loved to dance.

As a male, it was hard for me to get started. I couldn’t find many good resources for what I needed to know as a beginner. I wasn’t aware of all the opportunities that men had in ballet. I started late, but I currently dance for a pre-professional company who provides me with a scholarship for all of my classes. I take ballet classes 6 or 7 days a week and get to perform for thousands of people in 2 feature length ballets per year and various other festivals and performances.

1. What made you create this dance blog?

I started taking ballet when I was 25, and I didn’t really know anyone else who was into ballet. So finding out what I needed to know to get started was really hard. Most of the information I could find was geared toward women. I was always surprised that there was never more information for males who are interested in dance. Ballet has been great for me, and I want that type of experience to be available to everyone interested. I want my blog to help provide information to make it easier for guys to get into dance.

2. What are the top three pieces of advice you have for other dance bloggers?

1) Provide what you want. I ask for a lot of advice and suggestions, and I definitely try to provide what I think readers will want, but that advice isn’t always there. Most of the time I think about what I wish was there. I ask, “what information or resources should be available?” If I am interested in it, chances are someone else is probably interested too.

2) Do more than you think you have time to do. I always feel like I don’t have time to do anymore. But then I force myself to take on something else, and I end up finding time to do it. Having a blog requires you to keep working on making it better and coming up with new and interesting things. This takes up more and more time, but it also pays off more and more.

3) It is all a process. Rarely does anything pay off right away. It is important to recognize goals in the long term and think about the small steps that lead up to those goals. You won’t find more readers overnight, but you can do a little bit everyday to help build a following over a few months or even years.

3. What is your organizational routine when it comes to blogging (for example, do you research one day and write the next….do you post every day…etc.)?

I usually spend a while coming up with an idea for a post before I even do any work with it. I have a list of topics I want to cover. I choose one of those topics either based on what I think is important information for beginners that isn’t out there or if there is something that has been on my mind for a while. I spend more time researching and organizing the topic than I spend actually writing the post. I feel like this is really helpful for me, and hopefully the readers. There are a lot of ideas and information to fit into any one post, so it is helpful to get all those ideas and facts outlined first.

I try to write whenever I can find time. During the school year I’m a full time graduate student, dance and rehearse full time, and work, so I don’t get to update as much as I want. That is something I would like to change. I want to find a way that I can provide something to the readers several times a week, if not every day.

4. What would you say are your blog’s strengths?

BalletForMen.com provides a lot of information that is hard to find in one place, if at all. It is hard to find information for male ballet dancers, so I provide that. Also, I understand what it is like to get started later, so I understand what questions beginners might have. It is also quite personal. The blog provides a personal look at ballet and the guys who do it. This is especially true in the podcasts, but also with some of the dancer interviews we’ve got coming up.

5. Do you have anything new coming up on the horizon?

New podcasts are coming out every week. These are a lot of fun to record, and to listen to. There will be a lot of different perspectives covered on the Ballet For Men podcast. The first run of Ballet For Men t-shirts are getting printed this month. I’m releasing a free e-book for new dancers. I’ve also been talking to different people about contributing to the website. There are a ton of other things I’m working on, but these are what people will see pretty soon.

6. If you had to describe your blog in just five words, what would they be?

Showing guys ballet is awesome.

7. Can you recommend another dance blog?

I really enjoy TheWinger.com. I like being able to read posts by dancers that I also actually see in performances.

8. Who are your all-time favorite dancers?

I’m a fan of Gene Kelly and Mikhail Baryshnikov. I think they both have done amazing things for guys in dance. Angel Corella is also one of my favorites. One of my favorite female dancers is Louise Nadeau. She just retired from Pacific Northwest Ballet at 45 years old. She is a beautiful dancer and a beautiful person. Plus she makes me think that I can dance for many more years.

9. What is your favorite piece of music?

This is tough to choose a favorite, but I think one of my favorites would be the Dancepieces by Philip Glass from In The Upper Room. I saw PNB do Twyla Tharp’s In The Upper Room when I first started dancing, and it was the first piece that REALLY struck something inside of me. That dance didn’t just touch my heart, it danced with it. Whenever I hear those songs I remember why I love to dance.

10. Tell us something about yourself that may come as a surprise…

I danced in Christina Aguilera’s Dirrty music video. At the time I was living in L.A. and it was before I started taking ballet. I used to like to break dance, so I auditioned for the video. Somehow I got a part, but luckily, I’m a skinny guy behind a lot of bigger dudes, so you can’t find me in the video. But I do have the pay-stub to prove it!

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