the nutcracker

10 Questions With…Alexsandra Meijer

November 28, 2011 by 4dancers

Today I’m excited to announce 4dancers new partnership with Ballet San Jose. Much like our relationship with the Joffrey, in the coming months you will see interviews with various dancers from this amazing California ballet company, and today is our first…please welcome Alexsandra Meijer…

BalletSJ_TheToreador_Meijer — Alexsandra Meijer

1. How did you become involved with dance?

I suppose you could say my mother has always loved dancing. Even in her sixties she loves to salsa. So when my parents made us kids participate in all sorts of after school activities of course dancing was among them. My father thought that ballet was an excellent form of discipline, and he hoped that we would learn to move with grace outside the studio. It wasn’t until I discovered ballet’s athleticism, musicality and story telling that I started to understand its beauty.

2. What are you currently doing in the field?
I am dancing as a Principal with Ballet San Jose.

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

Without a doubt the greatest moments in my career are linked to roles like Swanilda and Odette/Odile, however one of my most cherished moments on stage didn’t involve being the lead in the ballet let alone my face even being seen. It was a little known ballet by the late SFB director Lew Christensen, named Il Destratto. Towards the middle of the ballet the lights suddenly go out and the stage is left completely dark. As Haydn’s music continues, slowly a pair of arms consisting of only an upper torso eerily emerges floating in midair. Some of the audience gasps while others giggle at this unexpected twist. Then shockingly a pair of legs bourrée from the wings on the other side of stage completely void of an upper body. As we perform a sort of “Dueling Banjos” pas de deux assisted magically by our men dressed all in black, as not to be seen, the audience starts to chuckle. Now, I have performed in many comedies in my time on the stage, and as always when the audience starts to crack up I know my timing is right and it brings a lightness to my heart. However what I could never have imagined was the intensity and roar of pure, whole-hearted, gut wrenching, explosive laughter that swept the audience. As I sailed offstage upside down in the splits, I couldn’t contain this infectious laughter. I was truly grinning ear to ear and it was at this moment that I felt that I had caught a glimmer of what comedians like Dave Chappell and Dane Cook must truly experience.

4. What is the best advice you have ever received from a teacher or mentor regarding dance? [Read more…]

The Nutcracker Getaway

November 21, 2011 by 4dancers

Looking for something fun to do to celebrate the holidays? If you are a dancer who still enjoys The Nutcracker, why not reserve a hotel getaway package that includes a night with the Joffrey?

Start out at the majestic JW Marriott Chicago and enjoy signature appetizers and cocktails in the Lobby Lounge, then attend the performance.

The package includes:

Luxury hotel accommodations
Two drinks in lobby lounge
Two orchestra seat tickets to the Nutcracker Ballet
Noon check-in available upon request
Package rates range from $409-$459; availability December 9 – 27, 2011

Reservations for all packages can be made by calling 312 660 8200 or online.

About JW Marriott Chicago

JW Marriott Chicago, which opened November 2010, is located in Chicago’s historic landmark, the Daniel Burnham-designed Continental & Commercial National Bank building at 151 West Adams Street in the heart of Chicago’s financial district. This luxurious hotel underwent a $396 million restoration blending Burnham’s famous architectural style with elegant, modern surroundings. The property features 610 oversized guestrooms including 29 luxurious suites. In addition, the property boasts VALEO, a 20,000-square-foot spa and fitness center-an amenity not found in most city center hotels-and The Florentine, a modern Italian, fine dining restaurant.

10 Questions With…Tye Love

August 18, 2010 by 4dancers

This week on “10 Questions With…” we welcome Tye Love from Oklahoma City Ballet…

1. How did you become involved with dance?

I went to a performance of The Nutcracker when I was four years old. I believe I just fell in love with the Prince and Mouse King fighting with swords, but I kept begging my Mom to let me do that! So she told me if I wanted to be in the performance I would have to take ballet, and I waited til that summer to start. She figured I would just forget about it, but when summer was about to start I asked her “Are you going to go sign me up for ballet?” I’ve been doing it ever since.

Tye Love

2. What are you currently doing in the field?

I currently am a Professional dancer with the Oklahoma City Ballet for the 2010-2011 season. This past season I freelanced across Texas and Missouri.

3. Can you share a moment from your career that is especially memorable?

I’ll never forget performing in Shanghai, China. I traveled to China with the University of Oklahoma dance department. We performed four shows in five days. I was dancing an opening heavy partnering pas de deux, into the full Le Corsaire Pas de Deux, into a heavy Gershwin piece, and closing as a soloist in Les Patineurs. Toughest performance of my life!

4. What’s the best advice about dancing that you have ever heard?

I really think the best advice I’ve had is from my mentor John Magnus. He has constantly told me to just relax and go for it in every step. Ballet can be so frustrating and so precise but if you don’t relax and just dance you will never get anywhere.

5. Do you have any advice specifically for men in dance?

I would think the two most important aspects for men in dance are elegance and partnering. Most men like to focus on jumps, turns and tricks, but if you cannot stand on stage with elegance and look beautiful doing absolutely nothing you aren’t a great dancer. As for partnering, it is a whole different technique in itself, and it requires so much focus and strength.

6. If you could share the stage with one dancer, who would it be and why?

I would love to partner Sarah Lane from ABT in Giselle. Her artistry is incredible and her dancing is so clean and spectacular.

7. How do you prepare for your roles on stage? Do you have a pre-performance routine?

I don’t have a whole lot of superstitions or pre-preformance routines that I repeat. I just simply need some coffee day of the performance, I also never do my hair and makeup before warm up class even if I am in the first piece. Class is time for my body to get ready to perform and I use the quick time while I am putting on my makeup to think about what role I am playing and get into character.

8. How does dance help you in your day-to-day life?

I think the focus in dance helps you in any other job you would work. The dedication and determination you put into ballet can transfer into any work field. I just feel that all dancers are more passionate people in general.

9. What is the most difficult thing about being a dancer?

The grind. Every sport has its down time its off season, but in dance we have no off season. If I take two weeks off I feel it, I feel as if I have lost something. A career in ballet is definitely a marathon, no stops.

10. What is next for you?

Next month I begin my career in a professional company with Oklahoma City Ballet. We have a great season planned with great choreography from Balanchine, Arpino and Jessica Lang. I can’t wait to get started!

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