Blog

Another thrilling Cuban Dancer

Stars Behind the Stars

Three top ballerinas salute the coaches who've helped shape their artistry.

Such wise advice from former dancer Keesha Beckford! Dancers take note!

Such wise advice! Dancers take note! There are many pearls of wisdom in this article! Worth printing and imprinting! Pearls such as: 
"The dance world is maybe 2 degrees of separation. Always be diligent and respectful. Word about bad behavior moves faster than a Balanchine petit allegro." 

How to break bad ballet habits…

There are several technical hurdles that many dancers struggle to overcome, like raised shoulders, floppy wrists, sickled feet and bent knees in arabesque

Athletic performance tools

Dancers should see food as a ‘tool to enhance your athletic performance’ Whoever you are, whatever your fitness or health goal is, food is an integral part to that. The more you experiment with your food, the more you learn about your body and how to look after it.

This is Ballet at its most exquisite!

This is Ballet at its most exquisite! Food for the soul! Artistry at its most sublime!

A fascinating insight into the world of a pointe shoe maker…

The shoes worn by the world’s leading ballerinas are made in Hackney by Freed of London the pre-eminent shoemaker to the theatrical profession, producing more than one hundred and fifty thousand pairs a year to supply companies scattered around the globe.

a typical day

Wondering what a typical day at the English National Ballet School is like? Have a look at this great video that takes us behind the scenes of one of the Prix de Lausanne’s partner schools. See also an interview with Artistic Director Tamara Rojo

How It’s Done: Spirit Of A Gypsy

Esmeralda’s tambourine variation calls for more than splashy tricks. A vital part of dancing repertoire solos is to research the role and bring the essence of the characterisation into your dancing!

Tu TuMUCH

This could be just what your dancer child wants for Christmas? 9 Girls - 4 Weeks - 1 Dream. A behind-the-scenes story of what it takes to become a dancer. A documentary film that follows nine young ballet dancers as they compete for highly coveted spots at the Royal Winnipeg Ballet School

Apprentices of the NYCB Season 1

Enter the graceful but competitive world of ballet through the eyes of executive producer, Sarah Jessica Parker.

Li Cunxin

An extraordinary man with an extraordinary vision... Li Cunxin doesn't ask "why" he asks "why not"

David McAllister

A beautiful tribute to an incredible Australian artiste and world star!

Dance rehab from a Professional Dancer

Juliet Burnett (a Senior Artist with Australian Ballet) has been in unchartered territory – injured and offstage for the first time in over 10 years. We have been following her rehab: a fascinating insight into the private reality of dancers’ lives…

Ballet as a Sport?

Despite its physical similarities to gymnastics, ice-skating and ballroom dance, most ballet dancers would bristle at the suggestion that it's a sport

Mikhail Baryshnikov

Ilya Kuznetsov, teacher at The Bolshoi Ballet School since 2004 and very social media adept has unearthed and uploaded this amazing VHS video of a Mikhail Baryshnikov as a teenage student approx 1967 at the Kirov Ballet School,

Valery Kosorukov

How exciting to find this amazing artist!
©2013 Valery Kosorukov,

An Evening with Forsythe

The so-called »classical« choreography of William Forsythe is an integral part of the ballet repertoire of the Semperoper. The 2011/12 season marks the first time that an entire evening will be devoted to this most innovative of living choreographers.

Ballet Dancers Make Awesome Employees

6 Reasons Why Ballet Dancers Make Awesome Employees :
"...people with classical ballet training are teachable, flexible, fast learners, prepared, hard-working and team players."

Bolshoi Principals take class at Queensland Ballet

Bolshoi Principals take class at Queensland Ballet... “It’s inspiring to work alongside international colleagues in the studio,” said Queensland Ballet Principal dancer Rachael Walsh. “You can always learn something, even by just watching another artist execute steps and sequences.”

How far is too far?

As Eisteddfod season approaches it is worth considering some of the thoughts in this articulate article... "Please - let’s celebrate all that skill in an equally creative but age appropriate way, and let them be children for just a little bit longer."

Ballet gets to grips with its inner sole

An Australian researcher is undertaking the first major redesign of ballet slippers since the 1600s.

Some dancers are gifted with a very beautiful foot

From Ballet Foundation.... Some dancers are gifted with a very beautiful foot- the downside is it is often weak and difficult to begin pointe work with. The weakness comes from the top of the foot being extremely flexible, but not strong enough to support.

New Eisteddfod rules to be introduced in 2014

WOW! All dance teachers, students and parent sit up and take note... New Eisteddfod rules to be introduced in 2014 :
Sunshine Coast Dance Eisteddfod president Jason King said "We have unanimously decided students must wear a pair of flesh tights and to avoid the overextended (turned in/inverted) mount with the crotch facing the audience,"
"Regardless of current trends in this country or others, certain dance moves are too revealing to be considered appropriate. We are confident other eisteddfods will follow suit."

Orthorexia explained

Orthorexia explained: Orthorexia is an extreme (and dangerous!) obsession with healthy eating. It is a relatively new diagnosis in the world of disordered eating.