dancer – Page 6

Musings: Stimulate – Intrigue – Captivate

January 27, 2012 by Kimberly Peterson

by Kimberly Peterson

There is a quality in movement that I love to see and makes me engage with material in a completely different way than other dance. It’s hard to describe, but I know it when I see it. In fact, I find most people have a certain stylistic choice or a certain way of moving that feels good to them, or that is interesting to watch or work within.

This clip instantly captured me. I realized that it sort of encapsulated the continuous motion that intrigues me as a choreographer, stimulates me as a dancer and captivates me as an audience member. It is the union of opposites that intrigues me – lightness and weight, controlled and yet abandoned, strength and yet ease…the complexity and texture this creates in performance is breathtaking to me and yet is not accidental. [Read more…]

The Curse Of Being Creative (Why WorkFlowy is Amazing)

January 9, 2012 by 4dancers

by Lauren Warnecke

I consider myself to be an organized person. I mean, I guess I know I’m an organized person because I usually end up where I need to end up on time. I usually pay my bills on time. People hire me to organize performance projects, and, as far as I can tell, they all turn out ok. I’m organized, but I’m also a dancemaker. Like most other working artists I can’t survive unless I have multiple jobs. Last fall I think my brain got to capacity. I had taken on more than any organized person – or rather any person – should, and it got to the point that some things were starting to slip… like remembering to brush my teeth and pay the cable bill.

Things float in and out of my brain. It’s the curse of being a creative person. We’re not linear thinkers. I am often simultaneously thinking about the role of the American housewife, the importance of the right index finger, the best way to engage new audience members, if I have any clean pants, and what to have for dinner. One thought leads to the next in a stream of consciousness that, heard by another person, doesn’t make a whole lot of sense. This is an awesome problem to have, but can also be frustrating when you are 1) trying to communicate with people who AREN’T non-linear thinkers (and yes, I realize I just used a double negative there), or 2) trying to communicate with someone who is also creative, but not your kind of creative. That’s pretty much everyone.

dance making — What a dance looks like in Lauren's head

But it all makes sense to me. I just don’t have room for it in my brain. Enter 2012. Even before the confetti was falling on a new year, I had resolved that I needed a new way to organize my thoughts. I love paper planners, and though I completely embrace technology I’ve never found a techie tool for storing a to-do list effectively. You either have to categorize things, rank things, or otherwise pigeon hole your thoughts into a few characters. By some sort of divine intervention (that is, the “freshly pressed” feed on WordPress.com), I came across a post about a newfangled organizational tool: WorkFlowy.

I’m in love with workflowy. It is new(ish? I think?), but its brilliance is in its stark simplicity. WorkFlowy is a big, fat, unlimited capacity, bullet-pointed typepad, that you don’t have to save, can open up wherever you have the interwebs, and share with whomever you please. No categories. No muss, no fuss. No pigeon holes. Today on my WorkFlowy, I brainstormed marketing ideas for an event I’m managing, added bananas to my shopping list, and wrote this article.

Apart from shameless promotion for a new thing I found that I love, the point is this: in order to keep ourselves surviving and making work we have to keep seven jobs. In order to keep seven jobs, we’ve got to be organized. In order to be organized, you don’t necessarily need WorkFlowy, but you need some sort of interface that works the way YOUR brain works. That could be a paper planner, an iPad or a sheet of loose leaf paper. For me, I think it might be this. Until, of course, the internet goes away… but I’ll cross that bridge if I come to it.

Contributor Lauren Warnecke is a Chicago-based dance artist, educator and writer. She trained at Judith Svalander School of Ballet and Barat Conservatory of Dance before earning a BA in Dance at Columbia College Chicago. In 2009, Lauren completed her MS in Kinesiology at the University of Illinois at Chicago. She is an adjunct instructor for the Department of Kinesiology at UIC, the Performing Arts Coordinator at the Menomonee Club for Boys and Girls, a member of the Cecchetti Council of America, and Neurotransmitter to Synapse Arts Collective (read: too many jobs).

Lauren created and maintains Art Intercepts as a platform for dance that is informed, inventive, and evidence-based. In addition to writing at 4dancers, Lauren is a columnist at Dance Advantage, specializing in dance injuries and prevention, dancer wellness, and evidence-based teaching practices. She also enjoys her freelance work as a grant writer and production manager and likes to grow strawberries, bake scones, and dig in the dirt.

Finis: The Quest For Value-Added Content

November 30, 2011 by 4dancers

by Christopher Duggan

I’m a photographer who has his marketing hat on at all times. At every rehearsal and studio session I photograph for dancers, I’m always thinking about how we can attract more attention to their art – how can we gain new audience members or cultivate more financial support?

I was commissioned in October by Ella Rosewood to photograph the final dress rehearsal for her solo show, Second Skin. I was trying to think about what else I could create for her besides the normal performance images. She told me that she was having a full 15 minute intermission even though there was only 65 minutes worth of material. “Why?” I asked her. Because she needed a full 15 minutes for an intricate costume change. THAT sparked an idea. [Read more…]

10 Questions With…Tammy Lechner

July 7, 2011 by 4dancers

Today on 10 Questions With… 4dancers welcomes Tammy Lechner…

1. How did you become involved with dance?

My mom is a dancer and I grew up dancing. I used to go with her when she taught and danced at the back of all her classes. I was her “demonstrator” at conventions and just grew up in the theatre.

2. What are you currently doing in the field?

I am currently publishing a series of dance novels. I also still teach and choreograph.

3. Would you share a special moment from your career with readers?

Firsts are always big moments in my memory. The first time I performed professionally onstage, my first successful audition, the first recital at my studio, the first student who went on to a professional career and my first book sale.

4. What is the best advice you have received from a teacher or mentor?

Do what you love and the audience will love what you do.

5. What has been your greatest challenge?

In the arts world my greatest challenges are usually around money. I find the more I let go of expectations for a certain income, the more my income increases. I wish I had discovered this earlier in my career.

6. Do you have any advice for dancers that want to go on to a professional career?

Be versatile. Learning just one syllabus is limiting. Taking class at just one studio is limiting. And always protect your body. Choreographers and instructors will sometimes push you in a way that can be damaging to your body long-term so learn about anatomy and protect yourself from injury.

7. What do you enjoy about being involved in publishing dance books?

Anyone who has danced knows that there are so many great stories to be told. It is exciting to write books for the next generation of superstars that might inspire them along the way.

8. You have also been a studio owner—what is the best thing about doing that?

My studio is like a huge extended family. The connections made through dancing will go on for generations and the lessons learned in dance class will influence so many lives.

9. What do you enjoy most about your life in dance?

I remember teaching a piece on chairs, with hats and the thought popped into my head “this is such a cool job…who else gets to dress up and hang out with a bunch of teenagers and listen to music for a living- way better than the 9-5 business suit thing”!

10. What’s next for you?

I am joining the Board of Ballet Victoria and taking my daughter to study at Los Angeles Ballet so a ballet focus right now. Who knows after that!

BIO: Tammy Lechner grew up in a dancing family and she continues to be a dedicated dancer and teacher. She was the founder and Co-Director of Dance London where she taught, ran a performance company and developed a well known special needs dance program. Tammy studied dance intensively in Canada at such establishments as Quinte and Les Ballets Jazz. Her performance career had her appearing in many commercials, television programs, films and stage productions. Currently Tammy is teaching in Victoria as well as piloting a co-curricular dance program for Glenlyon Norfolk Independent School. Tammy is a gifted teacher and choreographer with an in-depth knowledge of many dance styles. She incorporates the Paula Morgan method of teaching which combines elements from a variety of syllabus to train strong, versatile dancers. Tammy uses her motivational training skills to instil a positive attitude and self confidence in her students.

Writing About Dance — Human Kinetics Book

Tammy’s latest creative adventure is Lechner Syndications. Her desire to ignite a passion for reading in children has led her to create series about the things that kids love and to offer books containing messages that reinforce the life skills they are learning through their involvements. The dance series is the first series released by Lechner Syndications and Tammy has played a key role in all aspects of writing, cover design and marketing.

Interview With Lianna Hosein-Sarro

June 14, 2011 by 4dancers

Today we have 5 questions with Lianna Hosein-Sarro, a high school junior who has the opportunity to participate in the Rockettes Summer Intensive program, as well as being featured on “The Rockette Summer Intensive” series, which continues tonight, June 14 at 7:30 p.m. on MSG Varsity.

Take a closer look at the experience through her eyes:

MSG Varsity's Rockette Summer Intensive (Lianna Hosein-Sarro) — Lianna Hosein-Sarro

1. Can you tell readers a bit about your dance background?

I’ve been dancing for a total 13 years, and have been studying ballet since I was four. I started dancing at Martha Graham this year, and have been active with the School of American Ballet of the New York City Ballet Company for about six years. I’ve also been tap dancing with the Tap City Youth Foundation in the Tap City Youth Ensemble for about four years.

2. What brought you to audition for the Rockette Summer Intensive?

My mother brought me to the Rockettes Summer Intensive. As soon as she told me about the camp, I knew that it was what I wanted to be as a dancer. The precision and perfection of their dancing skills attracted me instantly. I went to the audition not expecting to get in because I was the youngest—and it was my first time trying out. Luckily, I got in!

3. How do you feel about being able to participate in this?

I’m so excited to go back this year. I enjoyed my first time at the Rockettes Summer Intensive, but now that I know how the camp is run, I know what to expect. For me, this camp is like “the best thing since sliced bread.”

4. How have you been able to stay calm and focus on doing your best?

Most of the time, my nerves don’t get to me. It’s easy for me to stay calm because that’s my personality, but sometimes I get really shy and don’t let myself go full out. However, at Rockette Camp, I feel like a different person. I’m more energetic and less nervous because I know that this could be my future.

5. What is the most important thing you’ve learned about yourself through this process?

I’ve learned to not be afraid of what other people think of me. I’m really self conscious, but when I dance, a new power comes over me and I feel important and like a star. Rockette camp opened me up and improved my life as a dancer, a pro singer, and an actress. The Rockettes Summer Intensive is a dream come true.

Watch the second episode of “The Rockette Summer Intensive” three-part series which airs this evening, June 14 at 7:30 p.m. on MSG Varsity, channel 14 on Cablevision’s iO TV.

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