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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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. […]
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!
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 […]
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 […]
Imagine you’d never danced a day in your life, and then you woke up one morning and said, “Let’s do it.” Who would you call to guide you through this new, foreign world? Kyle Hanagami, obviously—which is exactly what Ashly Perez, a video personality and producer at BuzzFeed, did. Perez recruited Hanagami to turn her […]