Change Privacy Settings
To Share With Students

Eight BIPOC Choreographers Your Students Should Know

Okwui Okpokwasili in her Bronx Gothic. Photo by Izzy Zimmerman, courtesy Okpokwasili

Historically, BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, people of color) artists have often been erased from dance history.

Whether conscious or unconscious, this omission has created a cycle of not acknowledging, writing about or remembering the work of BIPOC artists, which often means dance history curriculums are taught as if these BIPOC artists never existed.

Many dance educators attempt to diversify their curriculums by including artists like Alvin Ailey, Arthur Mitchell and José Limón, which is a good starting point. But it is by no means comprehensive.

Keep reading... Show less
To Share With Students

Find Your Inner Child With These 6 New Dance Books for Kids

Jill Randall

Whether you're getting a head start on holiday shopping, seeking books to add to your curriculum or studio lobby, or entertaining a young dancer at home, 2020 has been a banner year for dance-focused children's books.

Dance Teacher rounded up six of the most exciting—from the origin story of ballet's biggest star to celebrations of boys dancing to breaking down dances from around the world. (Bonus: Several are available in audiobook and/or video form!)

Keep reading... Show less
If you like us online, you'll love us in print!
To Share With Students

This Documentary Will Make You Fall in Love With Jazz Dance All Over Again

Kaja Irwin, Sabrina Comanescu, Natasha Korney of Decidely Jazz Danceworks in Calgary. Vibecke Dahle, courtesy Dance on Camera Festival

Even dancers who love their isolations and hip rolls might be totally unaware of where jazz dance comes from.

Uprooted: The Journey of Jazz Dance, which premieres at the Dance on Camera Festival on Sunday, July 19, aims to change that. Directed by Khadifa Wong and produced by Lisa Donmall-Reeve, the feature-length documentary is a fascinating deep dive into the complex history and evolution of jazz dance. It features mesmerizing footage and boasts interviews from renowned experts like Chita Rivera, Debbie Allen and Andy Blankenbuehler.

Keep reading... Show less
To Share With Students

Tiare Keeno Loves Creating a Safe Space Where Dancers Can Explore

Photo by Samantha Clink. Courtesy of BODYTRAFFIC

Tiare Keeno successfully straddles the worlds of concert and commercial dance. She began her training at one of the country's premier competition studios, Center Stage Performing Arts Studio in Orem, Utah, before eventually transitioning to a top-notch classical conservatory, Classical Ballet Academy. All the while, she kept a close relationship with the razzle-dazzle of conventions, attending many each year before joining Nevada Ballet Theatre in 2012. "I've always said I wanted to stay open and try new things," Keeno says. After graduating from The Juilliard School in 2016, she moved to Macau, China, to work on the creation of a new Cirque du Soleil show, and performed in Al Blackstone's Freddie Falls in Love at The Joyce Theater in 2019, before landing her current position with BODYTRAFFIC for the 2019–20 season.

Keep reading... Show less
Health & Body

The Best Apps for Dancers Who Are Social Distancing

Getty Images

We're living in unprecedented times, and for many of us, that means unprecedented screen time. (So please cool it with your Screen Time notifications, Apple.)

For dancers used to moving their bodies and working collaboratively, social distancing at home can come with particular challenges—not to mention the fact that many dance artists are out of work and losing income.

We rounded up the best apps to make this difficult period a bit easier—whether you need a distraction, a workout, a meditation or some inspiration:

Keep reading... Show less
If you like us online, you'll love us in print!

Get Dance Business Weekly in your inbox

Sign Up Used in accordance with our Privacy Policy.