Dance Convention Classes and that “Special Something”
I recently stumbled upon a discussion focusing on a current trend in Dance Convention training. Apparently more and more teachers are “shoving a million tiny movements into one single 8-count” and...
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Giselle, a New Film from the Dutch National Ballet
Giselle, Act II From the time of its Paris debut on June 28, 1841, Giselle has been the most beloved ballet of the Romantic Ballet repertory. Olga Smirnova and Jacopo Tissi have taken on the...
View ArticleDancing With One Shoe
So the topic of dancing with one shoe keeps raising its annoying little head. And I’m apologizing in advance for my tone; this is me being a jerk. Why are we even still talking about this? I guess, of...
View ArticleTeaching Ballet – My Path
Many of you are probably aware that I have had an extremely unusual path to my career in the dance industry. I have discussed at length how I started dancing with Luigi at the age of 25 and was able...
View ArticleComplimenting and Praising our Students
I have heard recently several dance teachers complaining about competition judges who offer no praise; only corrections and criticism. These comments have gotten me thinking about self-esteem, how I...
View ArticleWhy I Stopped Dancing And Why I Started Again
When I was 34 years old, at the height of my dancing powers, I quit. I quit the one thing that I loved more than anything else. I quit the one thing to which my entire identity was tied. And I quit...
View ArticleCompetition Awards
I want to start this essay with a disclaimer: I do not hate dance competitions. But as I scroll through social media posts I see an endless stream of complaints about dance competitions; complaints...
View ArticleThey Aren’t Going to be Professional Dancers
“They aren’t going to be professional dancers.” In recent weeks I have read this phrase numerous times. It pops up in social media discussions often; usually to justify less than ideal teaching...
View ArticleDeciding on a Career in Professional Dance – a note to students and their...
My friend and colleague, Deborah Engerman, recently made a post in social media that really resonated with me. She said (edited): “Occasionally, I hear my students say that in their hearts, they want...
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Chasta Hamilton Has Done it Again
In 2020 Chasta Hamilton penned Trash The Trophies: How To Win Without Losing Your Soul. This book chronicled her dance studio’s journey out of competition dance and into a new model of successful,...
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