This paper takes the approach of critical pedagogy to investigate practices in integrating somatics into teaching ballet technique.
Originally part of my MFA in Dance research methods work in 2012, the conversation continues about how to best train dancers to honor the tradition of classical ballet while also educating the whole dancer and person in contemporary society.
Folks often ask why I mostly wear socks to teach and dance these days, and what they themselves should wear to beginner ballet or other styles of dance classes.
This year I’ve been studying Argentine Tango for the first time, and that requires different considerations in terms of footwear, due to the type of flooring and the technique.
I’ve recently been sharing my creative supplies and EDC/Everyday Carry essentials, so along those lines, here is an informal chat with more information about what dance shoes I regularly use and what is appropriate for a first movement class for adults or children.
This is a resource roundup to relish a couple of important annual celebrations of dance movement! National Dance Week, an annual celebration of dance that takes place from April 19 to 28 this year is specially set aside to spread the delight and joys of dancing, and to create awareness about its impact and benefits.
May you feel inspired to move by these offerings and others being shared by dancers the world over!
In celebration of International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month, I’m offering a complimentary online Beautiful Ballet Barre+ class!
We will kick off a new season of mindful movement with a delicious, gentle, adaptive beginner and beyond level online ballet barre to lovely music with one or two dancey, optionally-freestanding exercises.
Joyful and suitable to all levels and genders. Dancers will be encouraged to express themselves through classical dance movements, taking their own appropriate variations of standard ballet steps.
In this workshop, we will devise a collaborative choreography using our existing ballet and dance vocabulary, universal Elements of Dance, and a supportive structure that can be applied to future dancemaking.
We will begin with a simple dance phrase, developing varied interpretations, integrating our individual viewpoints, and emerging with a new work-in-progress. The process will generate more nuanced transitions and fuller expression in technique and performance practice, choreographic exploration, and bridging dance tradition and contemporary issues.
Dance theorists identify 7 basic movements of ballet or classical dance technique, and we can see these essential building blocks at play in every ballet pas, step, or movement. I’m excited to announce that around these 7 essentials, I’ve designed a free summer dance challenge to begin or continue your ballet journey, and you […]
I had long heard that “Plié is the first thing you learn and the last thing you master,” but had to look up who said it and adultballerinaproject.com says it was Suzanne Farrell, a famous ballerina whom I admired as a young dance student.
It’s one of the most amazing things to me that in ballet, as with other highly-sophisticated techniques, you can continue to learn new things about technique and artistry your whole life. The training never ends, no matter how “advanced” or masterful you become.
So it is with Plié. On the one hand, it’s just one of many steps a ballet dancer must learn, but it is also integral to modern dance and mastery of movement in general. All athletes could benefit from a little Plié in their lives.
Here’s a healthy half-dozen ballet connecting steps to practice as you develop your dancing over the years, so many fun ways to get from one place to another!
Moving into the chilly and dark time of year here in the northern hemisphere, I like to get cozy and comfy, and also to bring some wonderful warmth from the inside out with yummy dance and movement warm-up exercises. As I age, it becomes more and more important to properly prepare for dancing and teaching, and it takes a little time and loving care to find ease and range of movement, as well as manage pain and stiffness. At any age, it is critical to properly warm up before we undertake larger movements and stretches in order to prevent injury.
I’m bringing you a ballet concept today that is so fun to watch and also to do, batterie or beats of the legs which appear in sparkling variations and jumping or allegro steps.
