For most people, the word “breaking” brings to mind flashy feats on the floor. But those eye-catching tricks aren’t the whole picture. Breaking actually features four different categories of movement: toprock, footwork (or “downrock”), freezes, and power moves. And while toprocking—the part of breaking that’s done standing up—is often overlooked, it’s one of the most […]
“Final exams.” Those two words can strike fear in the heart of even the most confident collegiate dancer. To help you get through the pressure cooker of your dance exams, Dance Spirit asked two recent dance grads for their best stress-relief and time-management tips. Trust the Process Real talk: If you’ve been consistently working hard […]
From lattes to jack-o’-lanterns, pumpkins and October go hand in hand. But this super squash is way more than just a spooky staircase addition—it’s a performance-boosting powerhouse and a dancer’s best friend. Here are a few ways to reap the health benefits of this fall staple. In Your Food Thinkstock There are lots of delicious—and […]
When Shannon Mather choreographed Body Love on a group of dancers from her Mather Dance Company, a video of the work was so popular that it ended up going viral, garnering over a million views on YouTube. Set to a spoken-word poem by Mary Lambert on themes of body image, unhealthy beauty standards, and self-confidence, […]
Diving into the competition and convention circuit with your studio’s team can be an exhilarating experience. But it frequently comes with a steep price tag, including entry fees, costume expenses, and (especially) travel costs. “The remote location of our town means we inevitably need to travel to compete,” says Mary Myers of The Dance Connection […]
A beautifully executed manège—a whirlwind series of steps performed in a circular pattern around the stage—can create a powerful, dramatic climax onstage. But while a manège is always impressive to watch, it isn’t always easy to perfect. Even the pros struggle with them: Boston Ballet principal Misa Kuranaga remembers one rehearsal of John Cranko’s Romeo […]
So you want to be a dance major? Wonderful! But in college, your choices don’t end there. Pedagogy, kinesiology, arts management: What can those different tracks help you with? Choosing a college concentration that opens up multiple career options is a smart move, setting you up for not only an exciting performance career, but also […]
Picture this: You’re in rehearsal, and you finally get a move the way the choreographer wants it—except that it makes your back twinge each time. Should you say you’re in pain, or should you suck it up and keep going? You don’t want to injure yourself, but you also don’t want to jeopardize your role. […]