In today’s ballet world, dancers need to be adaptable. Long gone are the days when a few big companies would dance the classics, while others specialized in contemporary rep; now, everyone does a bit of everything. “You have to be able to put on different styles like you’re putting on jackets,” says Parrish Maynard, a […]
Vaganova History: The legendary Russian ballerina and teacher Agrippina Vaganova combined elements of French, Italian and early Russian techniques to create this method. The syllabus is broken down into eight years of training—a slow, steady and deliberate progression. Emphases: Use of the upper body and placement of the head. “Arms are not just for decoration,” […]
Those of us in NYC were lucky enough to catch Pacific Northwest Ballet in performance last week. I’m totally jealous of Seattle audiences right now, because this company is amazing! I’m still recovering from the brilliant dancing in on the contemporary program, which included David Dawson’s A Million Kisses to My Skin, William Forsythe’s The […]
New York City Ballet’s Janie Taylor and Craig Hall in Robbins’ Afternoon of a Faun (photo by Paul Kolnik) I’ve just made my entrance in Jerome Robbins’ Afternoon of a Faun, stepping onstage into a set designed to look like a ballet studio—with the audience where the mirror would be. I don’t acknowledge my hundreds […]
Lindsi Dec in Kyon Gaines’ M-Pulse (by Angela Sterling) You’re at the ballet, and a dancer catches your eye. She’s got strength, charisma and a beautiful movement quality—but there’s something about her that bothers you. Then you place it: Her hands! Her wrists are floppy and her fingers stick out all over the place. Small […]