Convention classes are inevitably packed. To have the best possible experience while surrounded by hundreds of fellow convention-goers, put some thought into where you choose to stand in the room. Start with a goal: “What people seek from class absolutely informs where they stand,” says Dana Wilson, hip-hop teacher for New York City Dance Alliance. […]
Competition season is here, and you’ve finally received your beautiful new costumes. But how can you keep these ensembles looking stage-ready through Nationals next July? Here are the tips and tricks you need to prevent and troubleshoot costume problems. It’s All in the Bag According to Rhonda Bass, who has been making costumes by hand […]
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 […]
Here at DS, we’re big believers in our Sunday #MomentofZen. It’s important to take a day to recharge and prep for the week ahead, especially when it comes to setting goals. Which is why we thought it was the perfect time to introduce our Sunday Spotlight Roundup. Maybe you’ve been wanting to master a new […]
Choreographer Matthew Neenan, who danced in Pennsylvania Ballet’s corps, was eager to include plenty of dancers in his first work for the company back in 1998. “As a corps member, I’d always been around large groups, and it excited me to get everyone in there!” says Neenan, who ended up using 20 dancers in his […]
From Chicago to Kinky Boots, heels are a necessity for musical theater dancers. But lots of factors go into choosing the right character shoes, especially when it comes to heel height. Ultimately, it’s all about figuring out how to feel confident, so you can rock every step—from high kicks to leaps. Know Your Show The […]
Learn a phrase from Mark Morris’ L/Allegro, il Penseroso ed il Moderato with company members Noah Vinson and Dallas McMurray coaching and dancing, respectively.
Few things are as beautiful as a seamlessly executed grand rond de jambe: There’s something majestic about the high arc of the leg from front to side to back (or vice versa). But many pitfalls line the road to effortless grands ronds, especially in the tricky side-to-back and back-to-side transitions. How can you make this […]