5 Modern Dance Books
5 beautiful books to introduce dancers to modern dance, dance history and famous dance artists. Enjoy! The Human Alphabet ~Pilobolus “An alphabet made of… PEOPLE!” ~ A fun book for dancers young and old. Pilobolus dancers use their bodies and colorful costumes to make all the letters of the alphabet and a picture for each … Continue reading
Found: Footloose ’11 Star Talks Believing in Yourself
Sometimes I need a reminder that the next generation, every generation, needs to hear the simple messages. That’s why I was happy to stumble upon this video of dancer Kenny Wormald, star of the 2011 movie version of Footloose, sending a message that kids can be afraid of “different”…but that difference may be exactly what leads … Continue reading
My Current Top 10 Songs for Jazz Class
7 of My Go-To Songs for Jazz Warm-Ups and Across the Floor (in no particular order): “Twist” ~ Pritam from Love Aaj Kal “Pumpin’ Blood” ~ NONONO “Canned Heat” ~ Jamiroquai from Synkronised “Love is the Answer (Club Mix) [featuring Mya] ~ Cedric Gervais “Beat It” ~ Michael Jackson from Thriller “Three Little Birds” … Continue reading
Nutcracker Apps – For Apple & Android
Here are two apps–the first for Apple and Android, the second for Apple only–worthy of a child’s imagination. Nutcracker App #1 The Nutcracker Musical Storybook from Mouse King Media Find this App for: iPhone/iPad, Kindle, & Nook. The Nutcracker Musical Storybook is a gorgeous digital book with Edward Gorey-ish drawings, pleasingly simple animation on each page, and … Continue reading
How I Introduce The Nutcracker – Jeffers’ Book
Late summer might seem an odd time to be posting about The Nutcracker, unless of course you are a dancer or dance teacher and you have already been making early preparations for the holiday show for months now. The Nutcracker is the most famous and accessible of the full-length ballets. The studio where I teach presents … Continue reading
6 Costumes for the New School Year
Dancers & dance teachers on a school year schedule are heading back into the studio to meet their new classes. I always use the week before classes start to round up some new music and peruse some of the latest costumes to get re-inspired. I won’t be picking out any “June Show” music & costumes … Continue reading
Found: Template for Crafting a Bendable Dancer (+ Josephine Baker)
All you need to make this beautiful dancer is the pattern, a cereal box, scissors, paint, brads, and some patience! The Lait Frase site is in French, but you can get an English translation of the dancer craft here. The download for the pattern is at the end of the post….the link to the PDF … Continue reading
3 Ways to Freeze Dance – Without “Outs”
Children seem to LOVE Freeze Dance… . …and I seem to hate being a “judge” of who is moving or not after the music stops. I’m all for games, but I prefer to play games that reinforce what we’re learning in class and ones allow everyone to participate for the entire time, rather than having … Continue reading
Get Them Tapping with a Bojangles Book!
I love this book. I love the writing, the rhythm, the brevity, the pictures, the subject…love. The first time I read it, I was having a horrible substitute teaching day at an Oakland elementary school and this book was a little beacon on the reading rack. I read it to the kids, and went home … Continue reading
How I Introduce: The Sleeping Beauty
Pre-ballet can encompass an amazing scope. Yes, I teach 1st position, pointed ankles, ballet skips, posture at the barre, standing in line, sharing props, how to not eat your ballet skirt during class, and also, dance history. Not all of my little ones will go on to dance through high school or beyond, but they … Continue reading
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