Tag: balanchine

The "Balanchine Head," and How to Master It—Including Spotting Front

As a teacher and choreographer, George Balanchine—founder of the School of American Ballet and New York City Ballet—finessed even the smallest details. And in his technique, extra-special attention is paid to the carriage of the head, which is both unique and transformational. Whether held forward or at a particular tilt, the “Balanchine head” forms a […]

Kickstart IndepenDANCE Day with These Patriotic Performances

It’s America’s birthday week, which means gold sparklers, family BBQs, and festive parades are just around the corner. But what happens when our enthusiasm for red, white, and blue moves from the backyard to the stage? Like a firework, sparks fly! See for yourself with these three patriotic dance classics. 1. George Balanchine’s Stars and […]

Five of Our Favorite Ballet Trailers

Few things are more powerful for promoting ballet performances than captivating trailers—especially in today’s visually-focused, digitally-connected world. We’ve rounded up some eye-catching ads from seasons past and present that not only make us wish we could have seen the show, but also stand alone as short films. Bucharest National Opera’s La Sylphide Magnifying the scarf […]

The Best Balanchine Quotes in Honor of Mr. B's Birthday

Happy birthday, George Balanchine! The great choreographer and founder of New York City Ballet would have been 114 years old today. Balanchine revolutionized ballet, especially American ballet—and he also had quite a way with words. To celebrate Mr. B’s birthday, we rounded up some of our favorite iconic Balanchine quotes. “See the music, hear the […]

We Have So Many Questions about @biscuitballerina

After only a week on Instagram and just 20 posts, a mystery account known as @biscuitballerina has already amassed more than 900 followers. What’s her secret? TERRIBLE technique. Biscuit Ballerina ® on Instagram: “Oops! Forgot to spot front. Lolz, Mr. B wouldn’t be too happy. #balancinefail #balancineballerina #tchaipas #attack #piqué #speed #agility…” That’s right: although […]

Our Sunday Spotlight Roundup

Here at DS, we’re big believers in our Sunday #MomentofZen. It’s important to take a day to recharge and prep for the week ahead, especially when it comes to setting goals. Which is why we thought it was the perfect time to introduce our Sunday Spotlight Roundup. Maybe you’ve been wanting to master a new […]

Miriam Miller's New York City Ballet Fairy Tale

Glamorous Titania in George Balanchine’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. The imperious principal woman in Balanchine’s Agon. These are the types of juicy, career-making roles veteran dancers aspire to—but a 19-year-old in New York City Ballet’s corps has already put her distinctive stamp on both of them. Meet Miriam Miller. Though the luxuriously leggy, quietly magnetic […]