By now, we’re used to seeing Misty Copeland embrace roles beyond her original title of prima ballerina. Between being an author, a spokesmodel, a designer, and even taking on the silver screen for a role in Disney’s upcoming “Nutcracker” live action movie, Copeland’s resume is a plethora of unique titles that prove her versatility both […]
You probably remember the big Free People faux pas from 2014 where the popular clothing brand featured an untrained dancer (sickled feet and all) in its ad campaign, sparking a lot of shade from fuming dancers around the world. Well, Free People learned from its mistake and has been enlisting real dancers for some of […]
In case you haven’t heard (but you have): American Ballet Theatre principal Misty Copeland is one of most famous, and most respected, ballerinas in the world. She’s also one of the only black women currently performing Odette/Odile in Swan Lake, which means her (inevitably sold-out) performances of the role come with an extra degree of […]
It’s in Odette’s gracefully arched neck, the Lilac Fairy’s regal bearing, even a contemporary dancer’s extreme lines. The “it” in question? Épaulement—the nuanced positioning of the head, shoulders, and neck. Using your épaulement (which translates, literally, as “shouldering”) does more than make your dancing prettier: It makes it better, richer, and more artistic. But achieving […]
In our “Dear Katie” series, former NYCB soloist Kathryn Morgan answers your pressing dance questions. Have something you want to ask Katie? Email dearkatie@dancespirit.com for a chance to be featured! Dear Katie, I have an issue with my knees. Since they’re not hyperextended at all, I feel like they constantly look a little bit bent. […]
Lauren Lovette’s on 🔥 and Puma knows it. So in honor of International Women’s Day, the athletic clothing brand featured Lovette in their Do You campaign. The New York City Ballet star appears in the inspiring video with WNBA All-Star Skylar Diggins-Smith, where the two talk about their mottos for success and how they’re using […]
Let’s be real—as much as we love dance, there are days where the pain and discouragement that come from perfecting our craft can make us question why we do what we do. Well, five principal dancers of the Czech National Ballet got on our level and revealed that pain and pressure are as much a […]
If you’re a serious ballet student, you’ve probably been dreaming about joining a big classical company. But when it comes to career planning, thinking outside of the ballet box doesn’t have to mean hanging up your pointe shoes. In fact, there are many contemporary ballet troupes where bunheads can perform innovative works that make full […]