Tag: how to

When and How to Speak Up for Yourself in the Studio

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. […]

How to Get Recommendation Letters That'll Land You in Your Dream Dance Program

Because they’re the one part of college applications you don’t do yourself, teacher recommendations can feel like big, scary question marks. As Sarah Langford, college counselor at The Chicago Academy for the Arts, says, “When admissions chooses between equally talented candidates, a memorable letter can put you in the ‘yes’ pile.” But take heart: You […]

How to Put Together a School Lunch That'll Keep You Energized For Dance Class

School cafeterias often conjure up less-than-appetizing images—mystery meats, mushy vegetables, and stale cheese sandwiches are just a few of the things that come to mind. And while this isn’t always the case, it can often be a challenge to follow a satisfying, dance-friendly diet if you’re buying your lunch at school. Dance Spirit asked Heidi […]

Your College Has No Dance Major. Now What?

You can still dance at a high level while attending a school that has no dance department. Just ask these two recent grads—their post-college careers bloomed because they took charge of their dance education. Danielle Iwata Colgate University class of 2015 Current Private Sector Initiatives Program Associate at Americans for the Arts Danielle Iwata performing […]

How to Follow Your NYC Dance Dreams—on a Budget

There’s a reason (or a million reasons) so many young dancers set their sights on the city that never sleeps: NYC is an artists’ haven, with opportunities to create and grow everywhere you look. But pursuing a dance career in NYC can also be downright expensive, and a steady company paycheck is basically a unicorn. […]

Why Épaulement Is So Important—and How to Develop It

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 […]

How to Set–and Achieve–Your Dance and Fitness Goals

It’s almost the new year, which means resolution-making will be a “thing” for at least the next week. And while making goals (especially fitness-related ones) is an important part of progressing as a dancer, more times than not, New Year’s resolutions end up as forgotten promises. But resolutions don’t always have to result in guilt […]