When students are focused on mastering a complex bit of footwork or nailing a turn or jump combination, the arms can sometimes feel—and look—like an afterthought. But in performance, the way a dancer presents to the audience is often heavily reflected in the upper body, making an intentional and expressive use of the arms a […]
Dancing the role of Giselle or performing in one of José Limón’s many iconic works might be a career goal for many dance students. These roles—and many other dream parts in a variety of dance styles—require a floaty, seemingly effortless, movement style. However, according to Helen Crawford, a former first soloist and a current répétiteur […]
In dance, the eyes rarely receive the same attention as the feet or the back. And yet, says Ragamala Dance Company founder and bharatanatyam teacher Ranee Ramaswamy, “when someone uses their eyes well, you feel they are dancing for you.” Indeed, when wielded with intention and clarity, the eyes can be a powerful tool for […]
Dancers who can balance forever—whether on pointe, on a partner’s shoulders or in impossibly challenging positions—can seem like magicians, effortlessly mocking the laws of physics. Though balancing comes easier to some dancers than others, the elements that make for long, strong balances are less mysterious than they may seem: “It really comes down to your […]
The dancers in Abby Zbikowski’s Abby Z and the New Utility company travel across the stage with such force, such explosive power, that it feels miraculous when they’re able to stop short and not crash into each other, or an audience member. Zbikowski’s thrilling, highly athletic style is unique. But the need for dancers to […]
No matter how well-trained your students are, when they’re suddenly faced with dancing with another human, panic can ensue. Whether they’re learning to partner in ballet, taking their first contact improvisation class or delving into a ballroom style, the foundation of almost all partnering is weight-sharing, the basics of which extend across genres. Introduce your […]
In contemporary teacher Shelly Hutchinson’s jumps and turns classes at Broadway Dance Center in New York City, she often asks her students to find their “million-dollar jump.” “Where’s the jump that’s going to make you rich? Where’s the jump that’s going to make you believe in yourself?,” she asks. That’s because, for Hutchinson, jumping high […]
Telling a cohesive story in a ballet is no easy task. After all, ballets don’t typically come with a script for an audience to follow, so it’s entirely up to the dancers to make sure the viewer understands what’s going on via dance. Plus, some of ballet’s most beloved characters—swans, fairies, sylphs—are often the hardest […]