For the holiday-show goer: access to a virtual performance
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</div></blockquote></div><p>For <em>Nutcracker</em> devotees who are missing their in-person pilgrimage this year, give the gift of watching a holiday production from home. One fun non-<em>Nutcracker</em> option: ODC/Dance's long-standing<a href="https://odc.dance/velveteenrabbit" target="_blank"> </a><a href="https://odc.dance/velveteenrabbit" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>Velveteen Rabbit</em></a>, a festive, clever take on the classic children's book. Buy a ticket and your giftee will be able to screen it on demand, and consider opting for fun add-ons, including an activity book and virtual dance lessons to learn some of the choreography.</p><p>If you choose to stick to the classic <em>Nutcracker</em>, many companies (like <a href="https://www.atlantaballet.com/performances/nutcracker" target="_blank">Atlanta Ballet</a>, <a href="https://www.milwaukeeballet.org/performance/the-nutcracker/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Milwaukee Ballet</a>, <a href="https://www.pnb.org/nutcracker/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Pacific Northwest Ballet</a> and <a href="https://www.sfballet.org/productions/nutcracker-online/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">San Francisco Ballet</a>) are offering ticketed streaming of their productions too.</p>
For dancers ages 3 to 13: a Zoom dance party
<p>If your dance student is missing friends, classmates and cousins during this strange holiday season, treat them to a Zoom dance party. Hire a local teacher to lead a special session for your group.</p>
For the young ballet student: new picture books
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</div></blockquote></div><p>2020 was <a href="https://www.dance-teacher.com/dance-childrens-books-2648970995.html" target="_self">a banner year for new picture books on dance</a>, including Misty Copeland's latest <em>Bunheads</em> and American Ballet Theatre's <em>Boys Dance</em>, by John Robert Altman.</p>
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For teens serious about their training: a private coaching session
<p>A private lesson or coaching session can provide valuable feedback for serious students who may feel isolated or uninspired this winter. Many teaching artists are happy to take on extra work right now—it's possible you'll even be able to book your dancer's favorite master teacher.</p>
For the college dance major: a winter intensive
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</div></blockquote></div><p>Winter intensives are always a savvy way for college dancers to spend their breaks, but this year they may be more beneficial than ever, since many fall semesters were cut short. <a href="https://americandancefestival.org/education/winter-intensive/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">American Dance Festival</a>'s winter program is a solid option, running virtually January 4 to 8, with teaching artists Leah Cox, Marguerite Hemmings, Jessie Young and Jesse Zaritt. Or for a more specialized option, the <a href="https://marthagraham.edu/winter-intensive/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Martha Graham School</a> and the <a href="https://www.ptamdinfo.org/school/intensives/winter-intensive/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Paul Taylor American Modern Dance</a> are both holding virtual winter intensives as well.</p>
For choreographers and teachers: music made for dance
<p>Dance artists are always seeking out new, dance-friendly music, whether for choreographic projects or upcoming classes. Give the choreographer or teacher in your life the gift of music written specifically for dance, like that of <a href="https://www.soundformovement.com/home" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Michael Wall</a>, who offers dance artists three levels of membership. Level 1 membership at $5 a month gets your giftee one free track download per month, plus 50 percent off all music on Wall's site, access to new music and special resources on music and dance.</p>
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For the recent college graduate: Dance/USA membership
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</div></blockquote></div><p>Dance/USA is the national service organization supporting the field with job postings, research and an annual conference. Right now, <a href="https://www.danceusa.org/join-danceusa-today" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">membership</a> is only $25 to gain access right away—which will be useful for recent grads entering a particularly precarious dance workforce.</p>
For dance lovers of all ages: apparel from their favorite company
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</div></blockquote></div><p>Dancers love to sport merch that shows their love for their favorite dance organizations. Odds are, the company, school, festival or cause close to their hearts sells some fashionable tees, tanks and sweats. Check out <a href="https://aileyshop.com/?gclid=CjwKCAiAiML-BRAAEiwAuWVggvBZ9aGbDzo_FUJ3NFpxCF1icXK6H0dbYi1K-ZovTnCZyLpA3lQryBoCbnwQAvD_BwE" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater</a>, <a href="https://www.browngirlsdoballet.com/shop" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Brown Girls Do Ballet</a>, <a href="https://linesballet.org/visit/lines-shop/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">LINES Ballet</a> and many others.</p>