dancer – Page 4

Student Spotlight: Madison Lohman

April 9, 2012 by 4dancers

We’re delighted to be able to bring you a new student spotlight today–meet Madison Lohman…

1. Can you tell readers how you became involved with dance?

My journey as a dancer began at the age of three when my parents enrolled me in a ballet class. They wanted me to be involved in something that was not only fun, but also a place where I could make friends, since I had just moved to Nebraska. At my very first dance recital I preformed “I’m a Little Tea Pot”.

Now I am fifteen, dancing to classical pieces by composers such as Bach, and traveling across the country perusing my passion. I didn’t start competing my first few years, taking classes here and there, but when I turned nine I realized dance was something I loved to do. So, with dedication and determination I improved tremendously and became apart of a competition team a year later. I now train at Nuevo School of Contemporary Dance about fifteen hours a week taking ballet, jazz, contemporary, and technique classes.

2. What do you find you like best about dance class?

Although there is no doubt that I love dancing, I walk into my classes everyday with two choices. The first choice, taking the class, listening to directions, and only going through the motions. Or the second choice, by making a conscious effort to improve my skills, applying everything my instructors are telling me, and giving my heart and soul into the class. Now, it would be unrealistic to say that I never chose the first option, but more times than not, I am reminded of why I love the art of dance so much when I chose the second. Dance is my escape. It is my place to go in good times and in bad, and a place to let your heart and body do your talking for you. I love the fact that when I take class I can see the results of hard work and dedication, and there is no better feeling than that.

3. What is the hardest part about dance for you?

For me, definitely the hardest part about dancing is managing my time. I am involved in ASB, clubs, I am taking rigorous classes at my high school, and on top of that, I am a dancer, which alone states that I have no extra time in my schedule. But, I do have to find time for friends and family because they are the ones who support me. It’s funny because even though it is very difficult to find a balance between dance and all of the other components of my life, dance has taught me the importance of managing my time effectively and has ultimately shaped the person I am today.

4. What advice would you give to other dancers?

My advice to other dancers would be to dance because you love it. Do not dance for anyone else but yourself. Dance has become something that is a part of me, not something I do. I really began thriving as a dancer when I understood that I wasn’t complete without it. You will work harder and only really reach your fullest potential when you are doing something you absolutely love. As with anything in life, all of the time and effort you put into something important will not show instantly. In dance, there is no better satisfaction then knowing you have succeeded, or accomplished your goal in the end. Dance because you love it.

5. How has dance changed your life?

Dance has helped make me the person I am today. Besides the fact that I have a fun time dressing up in my costumes and sharing my passion with others when I dance, it has taught me so may life lessons that I don’t believe I could learn anywhere else. Dance has given me the self-confidence and belief that I can achieve anything I work towards. Being a part of this art I have learned respect, humbleness, compassion, understanding, and commitment. I am so lucky to have parents and instructors who only want the best for me and will push me to limits, not only to better me as a dancer, but as a person. I have met my life long, best friends at dance who I know will always be there for me no matter what. I am fit, happy, and a well-rounded person because I have dance in my life.

BIO: My name is Madison Lohman and I am fifteen years old. I live in Corona, California and am a sophomore at Corona High School. I am a conservatory and pre-professional company student at NUEVO School of Contemporary Dance.

Adult Ballet Student: Steve Ha

March 30, 2012 by 4dancers

As we continue with our focus on Adult Ballet this month, please welcome Steve Ha…

1. How did you first get involved with ballet and what attracted you to it as an adult?

I started dancing in my twenties—ancient by dancer standards—as a senior in college, just to pursue new creative outlets. Though various performing arts have played crucial roles throughout my life, dance was the final frontier, and I really just wanted to try it. I started with beginner’s jazz and modern classes and had fun with both, but my teachers often stressed the importance of ballet training so the subsequent quarter I enrolled in ballet. Everything about it made sense because not only did it touch upon my roots as a classically trained musician, it also gave me the opportunity to act and express myself without having to speak (or worse, sing) a single word. Ballet also elicited a strong desire to be disciplined about the practice and an eagerness to learn that I had never experienced as a student before.

2. How many classes are you currently taking per week?

I try to get in the studio two to three times a week. Although, when I was still attending university I took class almost every day and those were some of the happiest times of my life!

3. What do you see as your biggest challenge as an adult ballet student? [Read more…]

Adult Ballet Student: Jennifer Pendleton

March 22, 2012 by 4dancers

We’d like to welcome our next adult ballet student…Jennifer Pendleton….

1. How did you first get involved with ballet and what attracted you to it as an adult?

I actually began when I was fairly young, at 6, and danced through high school with a local ballet company. I didn’t have the right combination of talent and discipline to seriously consider pursuing a career, but despite myself took classes and performed regularly through college until, ironically, I moved to New York, was working in (modern) dance administration, and had a hard time reconciling going to ballet class when I wasn’t trying to get onstage. I gradually stopped going to classes until, about 10 years later and after living overseas and growing completely detached from any performing arts community, I moved to DC, and a friend convinced me to try a class here. It turns out this is a great area for adults, working at any level, to find a nice combination of training and community.

2. How many classes are you currently taking per week?

4-6

3. What do you see as your biggest challenge as an adult ballet student?

Making peace with where I am at my age and after so much time off (my yoga practice has helped a lot), and that fear – even in my 30s – about my joints and injuries that I didn’t have as a younger dancer. Some things I knew I wouldn’t get back, like the ‘hang time’ in my jumps. Others surprised me: even with open hips, my ‘fifth’ position looks more and more like third. And spotting is a chore for me now – I couldn’t seem to relearn it. For my first couple of months back in class, I was also surprised by how much I had to think about the combinations, although that quickly passed and I am back to focusing on simply dancing and technique.

4. What brings you the greatest joy as an adult ballet student?

I am in class simply for the joy of dancing and the challenge, and accomplishing whatever I can from one day to the next. I have had so many wonderful opportunities in my career and life in general, but simply reconnecting with something with that had always been such a big part of me, to the point I almost didn’t even realize it, has been such a pleasure. And for all the frustrations of an aging body, I am constantly amazed by what I can still do – and sometimes even better with the wisdom of experience and a different sense of discipline.

5. Do you have any advice for other adult ballet students?

Whether you have had technical training in your youth or not, try to go regularly enough that you can make class about more than just learning the combinations. If you have made a choice to be in class, don’t be afraid – this is such a supportive community, so just do your best and dance!

Dancers–Are You Overwhelmed?

March 21, 2012 by 4dancers

Today we have a guest post from Jodi Krizer Graber about managing stress in your life. Jodi has geared it specifically toward dancers (she has a dance background), offering some advice on how to feel less overwhelmed when the pressure is on…

by Jodi Krizer Graber

Overwhelmed – just writing the word makes me anxious. How does it make you feel? Do you live in a state of being overwhelmed? If so, you are not alone. 64% of Americans say they are taking steps to reduce stress in their lives and, according to the World Health Organization, an estimated 121 million people world-wide currently suffer from depression.

Think about some of the technology we have now: ATM machines, television with hundreds of channels, DVR, cell phones, digital voicemail, and, of course, the internet/email. All of this is supposed to make our lives easier, and in many ways it does. But, in other ways, all of this technology adds to our to-do list, often leading to feelings of worry, stress, anxiety and depression.

A key to overcoming overload is to take 100% responsibility for your life. That is not to say that being overwhelmed is “your fault,” but it does mean that you are the only person who can get yourself out of it. “Take 100% Responsibility For Your Life” is the first chapter in Jack Canfield’s (co-creator of the Chicken Soup for the Soul series) national bestseller, The Success Principles. Why? Because it is the foundation upon which you can build the life you want.

Ted Shawn said, “Dance is the only art wherein we ourselves are the stuff in which it is made.” Combine this mantra with Jack Canfield’s declaration, and you’ve got a lot of pressure hanging over your head, and that can be quite overwhelming. It’s a lot of pressure. It’s up to YOU.

And you can manage it all. [Read more…]

Review: Paradice Pack

March 1, 2012 by 4dancers

You know how a bag of frozen vegetables works wonders in terms of being able to wrap it around an injury and take down the swelling? So does a Paradice Pack–but you don’t have to worry about the food inside going bad.

This handy pack has little fluid-filled balls inside it (kind of like peas) that stay cold, yet allow the pack to mold to the shape that you need. There are several different models–choose from “cuff” style or a flat pack, depending on what you need. I used the flat pack (see photo) and thought it was great.

The Paradice Pack has a soft fabric shell which eliminates the need for a towel or cloth, which you need to use for a gel pack or frozen veggies to protect the skin from damage. This was one of the best parts about the pack in my opinion, and I really can’t imagine why nobody did this before. (At least I’ve never seen it.)

Dancers often need to use an ice pack for one reason or another, and this one is a good pick. Plus it’s a family business, so you can feel good about supporting it. If you’re interested in learning more about these unique ice packs or purchasing one for yourself, visit their website.

Disclosure

Disclosure – Affiliate & Ad Info

Copyright Notice