“I’m someone who tries to go to my edge, so I can understand what I’m doing,” says contemporary dancer and educator Jennifer Nugent. “I have to go to that edge before I can pare back, and I teach that in my class. That doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s high-risk movement—it’s also the edge of sensitivity, […]
If you’ve ever scrolled through YouTube, Instagram, or TikTok, you’ve likely seen a video of a commercial dance class. For years, the films have shown some of the industry’s top movement artists performing dazzling choreography with the preternatural stage presence of pop stars. In the past, instructors typically chose dancers to execute a combination on […]
Recital season is upon us! To help you gear up for the next few weeks’ events, watch this hour-long conversation with The Rock School for Dance Education’s Peter Stark and Justin Allen to gain expert insights on creating and cleaning choreography. Hosted by Dance Media editor Amy Brandt, the discussion delves into how to find […]
In this video, Britt Juleen, a visiting assistant professor of dance at the University of Iowa, demonstrates how you can use Forsythe’s nine-point theory to help your students move more expansively. According to Juleen, “Ballet technique is quite symmetrical and geometrical. Drawing movement in space through the nine-point cube can clarify the look and alignment of the body’s position in space, which also clarifies technical […]
In this video, NYU Tisch School of the Arts professor Pamela Pietro demonstrates how students can learn to activate their backspace to become a more confident, three-dimensional dancer. According to Pietro, “The backspace is really a source of untapped energy, it just takes time to understand and find.” For more insight on how to help your students develop […]
Despite her traditional ballet training in South Africa, Andrea Giselle Schermoly has always had a wide range of music tastes and sensibilities. “There’s always been this other drumbeat in my heart,” says Schermoly, who’s a three-time Outstanding Choreographer winner at the Youth America Grand Prix. That “other drumbeat” has become an integral layer to her […]
To a certain subset of the New York City dance community, Gail Accardi is known as the Body Whisperer. For her part, Accardi calls her work “creative physical problem solving.” Whether she’s leading her Anatomy Awareness class for dancers, substitute-teaching Simonson Technique, or working with a private client one-on-one, Accardi has a clear vision: “I […]
In a sun-soaked studio in Manhattan, members of the Martha Graham Dance Company (all women) lie on the floor with their feet and heads hovering off the ground. Choreographer Bobbi Jene Smith encourages the dancers to be unapologetic about being looked at as their bodies begin to tremble with exhaustion and they move into a […]
Pulling someone else’s hair up into a bun can be rough. Hairstyling might not be your speciality, slicking back whispies can seem impossible, even with copious amounts of hairspray, and the 3- or 4-year-old you’re “working” with might not have the patience to sit still. We know, we know, it can be frustrating! So before […]
Alright, people. Summer is officially over, and fall is upon us. What a ride it’s been! From intensives to Nationals to workshops, you teachers have been FABULOUS! To recap, we thought we would share three of our favorite class videos that came from summer 2018. They’re just so good. Enjoy! 1. Kyle Hanagami: “God Is […]