We’re finally in the last act of 2020—just a couple more numbers left before we can bow and breathe a hopeful sigh of relief that 2021 will be better. This year has been challenging in ways that we could never have imagined, but it has also shown how flexible (pun intended) the dance community can […]
Between their flawless onstage performances and carefully crafted class videos, dancers can seem superhuman—especially to the general public. But even the most famous dancers have surprisingly relatable, offstage lives. For the select few who take audiences behind the scenes, a quick dive into their YouTube channels will show you exactly that. Robbie Downey may spend […]
Berkley Houchin is a dance competition powerhouse. At just 12 years old, Houchin boasts the resume of a much more seasoned dancer. When she isn’t at home on her ranch in Amarillo, Texas with her family and her horse, Jazz, Houchin is managing a whirlwind schedule of dance competitions. She is currently a Pro Reveler […]
Having survived two consecutive decades as a dedicated ballet dad, I’ve collected some tidbits of wisdom over the years. With apologies to David Letterman, I’ve loosely organized these pearls of wisdom into roughly 10 simple—and not so simple—rules and guidelines of being a black-belt ballet dad. Some are obvious. Some are challenging. Others can be […]
“Ballet pink” tights and palest-pink slippers. “Nude” fabrics that match only the lightest of skin tones. Unfortunately, many dancewear staples have historically been available only in a single “flesh tone” that tended to exclude non-Caucasian dancers. Thankfully, in recent years dancewear companies have begun to respond to this issue, offering more varied shades of tights, […]
More studio time = more improvement? Not always, according to Roman Zhurbin, American Ballet Theatre soloist and certified personal trainer. “It’s absolutely necessary to take rest days so your body can reset and you stay motivated,” says Zhurbin. “Seven days a week of hard training is just unhealthy.” What is healthy: letting your body recover […]
Summer’s coming to a close which means it’s time to head back to school and back to the studio. And though we have no doubt that you’ll log a lot of dancing this fall, every dancer knows that there’s bound to be down time in between technique classes, rehearsals, stretching, and waiting to be picked […]
Dance teachers have to deal with a lot. While open communication with your teacher is obviously key, lame excuses for less-than-great behavior are guaranteed to get on her nerves. Always avoid these seven excuses that will 100 percent get your dance teacher’s blood boiling. “That makes me look silly.” It’s okay to look less-than-perfect when […]