When Kendra Portier was training as a professional dancer in New York City, she made a life-changing discovery: The classes she was most enjoying were with teachers who “were curious about what they were doing, and delighted in that curiosity,” she says. “And then they built ideas of movement around that.” “And then I was […]
After eight years captivating audiences in the Netherlands at The Dutch National Ballet, Michaela DePrince is now bringing her magnetism to Boston Ballet as a second soloist. But she’s got even bigger plans than simply blessing American audiences with her soaring jumps, expansive lines and pristine technique. As a survivor of the 1991–2002 Sierra Leone […]
With restrictions on large gatherings still in place in many parts of the country, finding a way to keep classes running is very much at the top of studio owners’ minds. While hundreds have taken to online platforms like Zoom to stay in business during the pandemic, some are finding that as social distancing guidelines […]
To the dance world’s delight, the long-anticipated High Strung Free Dance is officially available in retail stores, other VOD stores, Amazon and iTunes. The film tells the personal and professional story of a young ballerina (played by Juliet Doherty) who books a new Broadway show called Free Dance. It’s produced by Michael and Janeen Damian—the […]
More and more, students are speaking out about the issues that matter to them, whether that’s climate change or gun violence. For young dancers, the studio or stage can be the perfect place to express these interests. But if you’re a teacher who has never tackled difficult topics in the classroom, getting started may feel […]
Aerial work is growing in popularity in the dance world these days. Don’t believe us? Check out this Dance Magazine article! If you’re a studio owner who didn’t grow up with aerial training (let’s face it, how many of us really did?), then you may be feeling a little apprehensive about what to look for […]
Q: How can I improve my pointed feet? A: The flexibility of your feet depends on their structure and muscle balance. Start by sitting on the ground parallel to a mirror with your legs in front of you. Point your feet and look at the line across the top of the ankle. If the top […]
The sun is shining, the birds are chirping, people are coming out of their houses—spring is finally upon us! After a long and brutal winter, this new season is bringing us some extra joy this year. In fact, it’s starting to remind us of the happiness dance brings us! (Obviously spring is not quite as […]
When Danica Paulos left Southern California at 17 to train in New York City at The Ailey School while she finished high school, she had no idea that she’d be dancing with the professional company within four years. She completed the school’s professional program (on scholarship), then landed a spot with Ailey II. After a […]
Lizt Alfonso Dance Cuba’s downtown Havana studios are on a plaza where you see few tourists. A historic landmark, the building is now where 1,300 dance students learn the Cubanismo style, 30 of them in its academic program. Artistic director Lizt Alfonso trained in classical ballet at Cuba’s National School of the Arts, but not […]