Tag: music

How These Tap Trailblazers Are Still Influencing Dance Today

As a tap dancer, you’re a student of history—whether you know it or not. Tap technique today is intimately connected to the great hoofers of the past. “Tap is incredibly personal, because all of these individuals have added to the public domain, the pool of steps you draw from,” says Brian Seibert, dance critic for […]

Meet 18-Year-Old Gianna Reisen, New York City Ballet's Youngest Choreographer

After most dancers graduate from The School of American Ballet they have lots of “firsts”: first company contract, first performance with that company, and maybe even first solo role. But 2017 SAB grad Gianna Reisen is experiencing a different kind of “first” during her inaugural year in the professional ballet world: She’s making her first […]

3 New Principals and 1 New Soloist for American Ballet Theatre!

Congratulations to Sarah Lane, Calvin Royal III, Christine Shevchenko, and Devon Teuscher! A few minutes ago, it was announced that they’ve all risen to new ranks at American Ballet Theatre here in NYC. Calvin Royal III is now a soloist. After winning numerous scholarships and grants while training, he rose from apprentice to the corps […]

This Grace VanderWaal Dance Video Makes Us Want to "Light the Sky"

Great contemporary choreographers and soulful singer-songwriters have always made for a perfect match. That’s why we were thrilled when we found out “SYTYCD” and “Dance Moms” choreographer Kristin McQuaid created the music video for “Light the Sky,” a hit single from “America’s Got Talent” winner Grace VanderWaal. “Grace has inspired me since she was on […]

The Scoop on Sand Dancing, Tap's Cousin

Five women in leather-soled boots sweep their feet across a sand-covered stage, accenting the music in maraca-like rhythms. With its chugs, brushes, heel drops and slides, their movement looks a lot like tap dancing, but the sound is different—scratchier and rougher. This is sand dance. The scene described is from tap dancer/choreographer Melinda Sullivan’s 2012 […]

This Dancer Was Born Deaf and Is Chasing Her Dreams

Talk about inspiring. It seems like kind of a given that if you want to dance to music, you have to be able to hear it. But the human body is amazing, and human willpower even more so. Case in point: Macy Baez, a 15-year-old Australian hip-hop dancer who happens to be deaf. She feels […]

Cross-Training 2.0

George Balanchine’s Agon is one of the hardest ballets for dancers to learn, thanks mostly to its incredibly complex score. Igor Stravinsky’s tricky phrasing and frequent tempo changes can baffle even experienced dancers. But at San Francisco Ballet, corps member Shannon Marie Rugani has no problem following Stravinsky’s music. Why? Because she plays the piano, […]