In flamenco, the hands and fingers play many different roles. Clapping, snapping, body percussion, slower movements that complement fast footwork, and even playing an instrument are all tools of the trade, says Xianix Barrera, a Bessie-nominated flamenco dancer and the founder of Xianix Barrera Flamenco Company. Flamenco dancers also use their hands and fingers to […]
There’s a reason why plié is one of the first steps that ballet students learn. It’s the foundation for nearly everything else they’ll do—from jumps to turns to balances—and without a solid one, it’s nearly impossible to advance to more difficult steps. Ideally, a plié should marry function and form, providing enough stability, power and […]
There’s a reason Gus Solomons jr used to begin his semesters at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts with a “handstand day” for his contemporary students. “You’re training your body to do all it can do, upside down is just another possibility,” he says. “When you get there, you see the world differently, […]