Veteran Brooklynettes dancer Asha Singh knows what it takes to get a crowd pumped: This NBA season marks her fifth year on the squad. And as team captain, she’s also well-versed in the art of keeping a team looking picture-perfect. An Overland Park, KS, native, she trained in ballet, modern, jazz, hip hop, and tap […]
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 […]
Competition award ceremonies represent the culmination of months of preparation. It’s no wonder dancers feel the pressure! But the truth is, most of us won’t come away with the grand prize. How do you prepare yourself for the results, whatever they may be? DS spoke with teachers and comp judges on how to cope at […]
Bring serious edge to your next barre in cool-girl classwear. Modeled by Morgan Quinn Photography by Kenneth Edwards Bloch Inc. leotard and tights Just for Kix leotard AinslieWear leotard Grishko unitard So Dança leotard, Discount Dance Supply leggings A version of this story appeared in the March 2018 issue of Dance Spirit with the title […]
Though ballet has come a long way from its early days, New York City Ballet corps member, Olivia Boisson—one of the handful of black dancers in the industry—says there’s still plenty more that can be done to promote diversity within the art form. Boisson got real about her experience in an article for Women’s Health, […]
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 […]
You turned out the light hours ago, but you’re still tossing and turning in bed. Every time you’re about to doze off, the corrections you got in class today pop into your mind—and just like that, you’re wide awake again. If you have trouble falling or staying asleep, and you often wake up feeling less […]
In our “Dear Katie” series, Miami City Ballet soloist Kathryn Morgan answers your pressing dance questions. Have something you want to ask Katie? Email [email protected] for a chance to be featured! Dear Katie, I really want to improve my pas de deux skills, but there are no boys at my studio—or at any of the […]