Dressed in street clothes, Daniel Ulbricht is more compact than he appears onstage. He also looks younger than 27. That youth is part of the reason his new role as
artistic advisor for the Manhattan Youth Ballet is generating some buzz. What a thrill it must be for the teens to study with this buoyant, high-spirited New York City Ballet star while he is at the height of his stage career!
Dance Teacher visited a class Ulbricht was teaching for the MYB summer intensive one Tuesday morning in August. Within minutes
it was evident that the dancer’s teaching gifts are every bit as com-pelling as his capacity for high jumps. “The whole body does a passé,” he coached the class of 14 girls and four boys. “Don’t stop— keep growing.”
During one correction, Ulbricht suggested drawing out a tendu by thinking of it as the words to a song. “I know it sounds corny, but it’s a tendu song.” He demonstrated again. “Here we go, eyes up.” In “Head of the Class” (page 36), Joseph Carman tells why this busy performer has decided to add a second full-time job to his repertoire.
November is the annual Dance Teacher recital issue and the editors have compiled a potpouri of fun and useful articles on the topic:
- In “Just Keep Dancing” (page 28), editor Rachel Zar reminds us that a sense of humor is essential.
- Need a new recital idea? You’ll find more than one in “Once Upon a Time in New York City” (page 42).
- In “A Winning Warm-Up” (page 80), dancer Julie Diana discusses several approaches to preparing your dancers for their performance.
- l Making money may not be your first thought when it comes to staging a recital, but it’s a good thought. In “Recital Riches” (page 90), five studio owners reveal their profit motives.
- l And, of course, recitals mean costumes. Style editor Kristin Schwab has rounded up a preview of the best of the new season in “Fashion Forward,” beginning on page 52.
Wishing you and yours a warm and peaceful Thanksgiving,
Karen Hildebrand
editor in chief
