Every December when the editors select their favorite covers for this page, it becomes an opportunity to review the year. We’re especially proud of 2016 and the inspiring range of artists and educators who graced Dance Teacher. We put a lot of love into each and every cover—and here is what stands out as we look back.
I love the warm smiles and the expressive eyes of Ashwini, Aparna and Ranee Ramaswamy on our February cover. Not to mention, the rich, vibrant, pinks, reds, oranges and blues they wear make the cover really stand out! I also enjoyed the family’s story and how Ragamala Dance Company got started. It’s great that Dance Teacher pays attention to all kinds of dance—in this case, bharata natyam, the classical South Indian dance form. —Emily Giacalone, art director
The owners of Rhythm Dance Center in Atlanta, Becca Moore and Dani Rosenberg, are as innovative as they are energetic. I love that they dressed to match their studio decor for our photo shoot! These two are an inspiration for other studio directors, and we’re fortunate to have them as ambassadors at our Dance Teacher Summit.
—Karen Hildebrand, editor in chief
Leah Cox looked so cool and confident on our May cover this year. With her leg shooting skyward, off-kilter stance and piercing gaze, she looks ready to take on the world. And that seems to be exactly what she’s doing as dean of the American Dance Festival School. What a role model! —Rachel Caldwell, assistant editor
I grew up seeing every single Cirque du Soleil production that came to town, so I was thrilled by our spotlight on Aloysia Gavre and her Los Angeles circus training school. It’s been exciting to see how acrobatics and aerial work keep showing up in unexpected dance contexts. I’m really proud that Dance Teacher investigates industry trends like this from the essential perspective of “How do we train the next generation to meet changing demands safely and beautifully?” —Helen Rolfe, assistant editor
I’m a sucker for a good homecoming story, so I loved learning that Antonio Douthit-Boyd and his husband Kirven moved to St. Louis to co-direct Antonio’s former training grounds. Center of Creative Arts is lucky to have them. Plus, Antonio and Kirven’s dapper style makes our cover shot look extra sharp. —Rachel Rizzuto, associate editor
This month’s cover—Gus Solomons jr—closes out the year as my favorite. His smile and his hands pulling you in, and that red shirt. In the shot, he exudes playfulness and intelligence, wit and warmth. In the article, we learn he came to dance after studying architecture at MIT (I never knew that). He talks about his history with Merce Cunningham and the calm focus he found in Cunningham’s technique. —Joe Sullivan, managing editor
Happy holidays from all of us to all of you!
Cover photos (top to bottom) by Christopher Duggan; Matthew Murphy (2); Julieta Cervantes; Joe Toreno; Kyle Froman
