We love, love, LOVE figure skaters who completely embrace the dance aspect of the sport, putting real time and thought into their choreography and music choices (while also, you know, casually pulling off death-defying jumps). This Olympics, a lot of attention has (rightly) been focused on frontrunner Nathan Chen, whose ballet background lends him a […]
One of the United States’ top hopes for medaling at the Olympics this month has a secret weapon: a serious ballet background. Figure skating champion Nathan Chen spent six years training at Ballet West as a kid. “The technique there was impeccable,” the 18-year-old said in a media teleconference last week. “To have had that […]
Have you ever desperately wanted to do your competition solo to that music? You know, the song that gives you goosebumps in the best way possible, sends your dancer’s heart soaring—and for those same reasons is pretty much guaranteed to be used by a million other comp kids? 3-time US national champion figure skater Ashley […]
It’s easy to forget how lucky we are to pursue dance at all, let alone in the beautifully equipped studios that many of us call home. But for many aspiring dancers around the world—especially in communities plagued by violence—resources are few and far between. As the Rio Olympics wind down, we’ve had plenty of time […]
Congratulations to Gabby Douglas! Watching the amazing “flying squirrel” win Olympic gold in the women’s all-around gymnastics competition yesterday was an incredible thrill—especially since Gabby, with her megawatt smile, is such an easy person to root for. (Congrats are also in order for teammate Aly Raisman, whose solid performance brought her this close to the […]
They’re here! They’re here! The Olympics are FINALLY HERE! OK, yes, fine, the Sochi Games officially started yesterday. But tonight we’ll get to see the splendiferous opening ceremony. And that makes it all so much more official. The ceremony is also an opportunity for some pretty serious dancing. (NBC: Let’s actually air the dancing this […]
The 2016 Rio Olympic Games officially came to an end last night, but the super-fun closing ceremonies sent them off in style. The best part? Despite the pouring rain (Rio de Janeiro‘s Maracana Stadium is open-air, leaving everyone exposed to the elements), the night was essentially a massive Carnival–samba party. The entire stadium (athletes and […]
Yesterday, we said goodbye to what was perhaps the most dance-tastic Olympics of all time. And just like the somewhat cute (and somewhat creepy) Sochi Bear, we feel like shedding a single tear: (via thebiglead.com) Mmk, we’re done moping, we promise. Now let’s talk about last night’s closing ceremony. Just like the ceremony that opened […]