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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.

How to build Strength without bulk

Exercise builds muscles, right? So how can you stop them getting too big? Janet Karin explains.

The perfect DILEMMA

Dancers should all aspire to be perfect, shouldn’t they? That depends on how you go about it, says Lucinda Sharp.

Managing your self-esteem

Taking control of your self-esteem can help you learn and grow as a dancer. Dr Gene Moyle explains.

Preventing obsession with the mirror

Dancers spend hours every day in front of mirror, analysing their reflection. It can be easy to become overly critical and obsessive about what you look like. How do you prevent such negative thinking? Lucinda Sharp advises.

Tips on how to Jump higher!

Is there a secret to a high, light jump? Nina Levy investigates.

Importance of well placed hands

The hands play a vital part in a dancer’s expressiveness, writes Denise Richardson.

Youth companies in Australia

Brisbane City Youth Ballet

Some companies are an arm of a school and/or require participants to be enrolled as students; we have listed only those companies that, as far as we can make out, are independently run and hold open auditions.

Preventing eating disorders

Eating disorders are relatively rare but, when they do strike, it is more common among adolescent girls, and particularly those in areas that demand a lean body shape. Like dance. Karen van Ulzen consulted three former dancers-turned-psychologists – Dr Gene Moyle, Dr Peta Lilley and Lucinda Sharp – on ways to ensure pupils are not put at risk.

The importance of eyeline

The expression in your eyes and the direction of your gaze add essential refinement to your dancing, writes Denise Richardson.

How to get glorious extensions

Getting your legs around your ears and holding them there requires a combination of strength and flexibility, writes Nina Levy.

An interesting “pointe” of view!

Dear Colin,
I was interested to read your advice about the modern, healthier approach to protecting dancers bodies.

Simply Inspirational dancing

Simply Inspirational dancing and synchronisation... and to think this was 70 years ago!!!

How ballet point shoes are made

Ballet is a formalized form of dance with its origins in the French court,further developed in France and Russia as a concert dance form

Dancer learns the power of perseverance -For all of you out there who have thought of giving it in.

PASSION and practice mean nothing to Queensland Ballet dancer Lisa Edwards without perseverance.

I’ve Completed Full Time Dance – what’s next?

Due to the popularity of full time dance courses there are now multiple institutions that offer performance programs. Let’s face it, if you want to perform for a living it is becoming increasingly necessary to take a full time course to build the skills and connections you need in this industry.