Blog

Li Cunxin’s forward thinking

Fascinating insight into Li Cunxin's forward thinking, challenging and exciting future plans for The Queensland Ballet and the QB learn education program including QDSE and JEP! A few new things that were unveiled... teachers including himself, Mary Li, Janette Mulligan, Christian Tatchev & Greg Horseman will swap around to take class at all levels. Also heads up for anyone with (almost sold out) tickets to a Saturday matinee ... you can go into the theatre early and watch the company's warm up class on stage! Worldwide interest in the company with Li at the helm has prompted an overwhelming response to auditions including instead of accepting a company position overseas, an ABS graduate accepted a placement in the Pre-Professional year (as a student) as he hopes for a place in the company to become available! Go QB... your star is on the rise!!!

Steven McRae

Steven McRae shared a lot of valuable tips he has been given in the course of his career at this masterclass!

Should you fake your arch?

We live in a world where the line between nature and artifice is constantly blurred. From plastic surgery to photo-shopping, the opportunities to enhance or change one’s appearance seem to be endless.

worldwide company auditions list

networkdance.com is an excellent website with genuine worldwide company auditions listed. It is encouraging to see that Vienna is increasing their company, and is seeking experienced strong soloist standard male and female dancers for the 2013 season. If Vienna is hiring and increasing could this be a sign that things generally are on the improve?

How-To Petit Allegro

"When fatigue sets in think efficiency. The shortest distance between two points is a straight line"
"Remember that your body in Ballet is a dictatorship. There is no democracy, nobody gets a vote, It's your way, but you have to enforce that"
Great tips on allegro by Nicholas Ade PNWB

Ballet star prepares her Swan song

"Leaving ballet is far more complex than changing jobs in most other professions." Aust Ballet Principal dancer Rachel Rawlins hangs up her pointe shoes.

The Corps

The heart of every ballet company... the Corps. The agony of standing perfectly still for what seems like hours then bursting straight into action!

Hard work for male dancers

Matt McLean finds out that being a male ballet dancer is not what it seems

The Taming of the Tutu

Although it's been nearly four decades, I remember like it was yesterday: standing in line with my friends at Lincoln Center by 7:30 AM to get standing room tickets to see Cynthia Gregory dance.

Bolshoi Ballet Academy 2012 Pas de deux exam

Bolshoi Ballet Academy 2012 Pas de deux exam

Modern Dance “funny explanation”

Ever went to a modern or contemporary dance concert and felt completely lost? Gesel Mason (dancer) and Cheles Rhynes (narrator) offer this hilarious, but true, primer called "How to Watch a Modern Dance Concert or What in the Hell are They Doing on Stage?"

Will they make it

"For Claire Calvert, a talented young Royal Ballet dancer who went through White Lodge and the Upper School, it was "very difficult" when, each year, yet another cadre of overseas students arrived.

Floating: Suspended in Dance

Beautiful, graceful, slow motion movements showing technical mastery of how dance steps should be performed with precision and accuracy but looking effortless! featuring Melody Mennite principal dancer with the Houston Ballet USA.

Ballet Business | How to get into ballet

I know what’s going through your mind.  There you are, centre stage.  Spotlight on you.  Only YOU.

Cut … The reality is that there is NOTHING glamorous about ballet training and that your chances of ever being seen in that spotlight are tiny.

Are you man enough for ballet ?

I’m very keen to support this initiative by the dancers because I receive a fair amount of mail from student dancers who either struggle to admit to their peers that they are taking ballet classes, or who are subjected to taunts from those who don’t understand what it takes to be a ballet dancer.

The School of American Ballet - Sunday Arts

Puanani Brown and Joshua Thew perform Balanchine's "The Four Temperaments" at the School of American Ballet's annual Workshop Performances, June 2007. Choreography by George Balanchine © The George Balanchine Trust Photo © & courtesy of Paul Kolnik

http://exploredance.com/article.htm?id=1943

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/19/arts/dance/19good.html

Letter to a young dancer (preparing to dance a classical role)

YOU have just learnt that you will be performing a solo role in an extract or even maybe, in a full length classical ballet – your dream since you were a small child and started going to dance classes.

Taking Correction positively

All dancers know that corrections are necessary to improve their dancing, but sometimes they can get you down. Lucinda Sharp advises on how to think positively.

Preparing for success in the new year

Use the start of the new year to prepare yourself mentally and set your goals, writes Gene Moyle.

Beating homesickness

DANCERS often have to move away from home to further their studies or obtain employment. Particularly in Australia, moving interstate or travelling overseas is quite a common experience.