by Rachel Zar | Sep 30, 2010 | Uncategorized
Robin Dunn’s hip-hop music that motivates Robin Dunn’s classes begin with what she calls “getting in the room.” Her students, relaxed with eyes closed, lie on the floor listening to soothing music, as she repeats inspirational words like, “You are the best...
by Siobhan Burke | Sep 30, 2010 | Uncategorized
At a Bronx school, Irish dance shows students that anything is possible. Caroline Duggan with her students When Caroline Duggan arrived in New York City in 2002, awaiting news of where the city’s Department of Education would place her, she felt ready for...
by Karyn D. Collins | Sep 30, 2010 | Uncategorized
Volunteers at Star Dance Center help students backstage during recitals. (courtesy of Erin Sanfelippo) Volunteers can be a big help around your busy studio, from lining up students backstage during recitals to leading fundraising efforts to even painting your...
by Jen Jones Donatelli | Sep 30, 2010 | Uncategorized
“Toughness builds character — and character is everything in performance.” — Tyce Diorio Tune in to “So You Think You Can Dance” any given week, and it’s not flawless technique or stellar training that the judges are raving (or ranting) about. Instead,...
by Dance Teacher | Sep 28, 2010 | Uncategorized
Artist: Blue Six Album: Aquarian Angel Nothing disrupts the flow of a warmup more than stopping to change the music. Susan Quinn, a former faculty member, principal dancer and associate artistic director of Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago, has found the perfect...
by Dance Teacher | Sep 28, 2010 | Uncategorized
Artist: Natalie Cole Song/Album: “Straighten Up and Fly Right,” Unforgettable: With Love Admit it, songs that are slow enough for your beginning tappers can often be, well, boring. To solve this problem, master tap teacher Germaine Salsberg has found this song...
by Dance Teacher | Sep 28, 2010 | Uncategorized
Artist: Jordin Sparks (duet with Chris Brown) Song: “No Air” When teaching in the K-12 setting, it’s beneficial to choose popular songs to keep kids engaged. Sanja Korman, teacher at Bellaire High School, in Bellaire, TX, and 2009 K-12 Dance Teacher Award...
by Nancy Wozny | Sep 21, 2010 | Uncategorized
Pilates is an ideal conditioning method for dancers, because it tones and lengthens muscles, strengthens the core and builds alignment. And providing access to such beneficial fitness doesn’t have to involve the added expense of devoting an entire class to the method...
by Alison Feller for Dance Magazine | Sep 20, 2010 | Uncategorized
Guest artist Lauren Adams takes a break with students. Christy Curtis understands that being part of a competition team requires a big commitment from everyone involved. That’s why, as the owner/director of CC & Co. Dance Complex in Raleigh, North Carolina, she...
by Jenny Dalzell | Sep 17, 2010 | Uncategorized
Raising the bar for arts education. Damian Woetzel rehearses George Balanchine’s Apollo for the 2009 Vail International Dance Festival. Longtime New York City Ballet principal Damian Woetzel now shines behind the stage as much as he did dancing on it. After...