Jenny Dalzell's blog

A place to “abandon urbanity;” that’s what performer Bill Irwin dubbed Jacob’s Pillow in the latest dance flick, Never Stand Still: Dancing at Jacob’s Pillow. If you’ve been to the Pillow—163-acres of farmland in Western Massachusetts—you’ll agree that Irwin’s title is quite fitting.

Capezio's 125th anniversary gala (held last night at NYC's City Center) was a star-studded event. Nigel Lythgoe accepted their 125th Anniversary Award on behalf of the Dizzy Feet Foundation and Tommy Tune received the 61st Capezio Dance Award, presented by Ann Reinking. Highlights of the gala included performances by The Rockettes, Mandy Moore (and Break the Floor/JUMP dancers), Twitch, Nick Lazzarini, tapper Cartier Wiliams, Mr.

It's no secret that children love helping out. But unlike a K–5 classroom, in which there are unlimited tasks to assign students—like passing out papers or pencils, turning off the lights and writing on the board—a dance studio doesn't seem to have have as many small jobs.
 

I attended The Juilliard School's annual "Juilliard Dances Repertory" spring concert on Wednesday evening; this year's performance featured repertory from choreographers "José Limón," Nacho Duato and Ohad Naharin.** When watching the dancers, it's entirely possible to forget they're still students. Their technique, maturity of movement, performance qualities—rival those of professional companies.
 

One of my favorite parts of teaching children is the art that comes with it. One of my students gave this picture to me last night, on the third day of spring. I love its specificity.
 

Just when I think I am getting the hang of my yoga practice, one of the world’s top ballerinas pulled her mat in front of me last night. And I do mean top ballerina—like, best of the best of the best. And I know it’s not a competition, but I was feeling pretty great about my improving strength and flexibility, until—let’s call her Ballerina Jane—shows up.
 

The pros make it look easy. I’ve never noticed how challenging the "Waltz of the Flowers" was, until I watched the advanced girls at Ballet Academy East perform that stamina-testing Balanchine work in their 2012 Studio Showing. Maybe it’s because my eyes start to glaze over by the time "Waltz" hits in Act II, or it’s because the piece is so long that I (admittedly) fade out, or it’s because the NYCB dancers do it so effortlessly that I stop caring. But that was certainly not the case last night.

Yours truly just can’t win. Now that my hamstring has healed, my vocal chords are broken. I’ve had a lingering runny nose for a couple of weeks, but my symptoms haven’t been bad—it's been a nuisance more than anything. But starting on Tuesday, I’ve been limited to a hoarse whisper. Last night, I headed to class with two videos in hand.
 

Step kick, step kick, turn, reach up, drop to your—oooouccchhhh!—knee. Put it on record: I strained my hamstring by kneeling on the ground, practicing the routine for a class of 6-year-olds. Really, it’s just comical…except that it hurts. A lot.