I moved to Mpls to leave ballet behind once and for all, preferring the gutsy modern work I’d been exposed to in college and Repertory Dance Theatre. By then I’d danced plenty of ballet, musical theatre, and modern and wanted to experience Continue reading
Category: Studio Dance
The Pros and Cons of Foot Stretching
Why Study Dance
Why study Dance?
Dance engages the mind, body and spirit and provides opportunities for the development of physical, expressive, “critical, imaginative, appreciative and perceptive abilities” (Bannon & Sanderson 2000). Students develop Continue reading
Ballet Rambert
The Grand Plie
I almost never give grand pile at the barre other than in 2nd until I’ve been working with young dancers for at least a few years Continue reading
Teaching Pirouettes
I teach a lot of pirouettes from 5th position because, as my theory goes (and you’re welcome to weigh in), a pirouette is a balance that turns. Therefore, you must find that balance over the supporting leg first. At an advanced level, Continue reading
New Mind – Leaving Behind the Canned Syllabus
We must now think with New Mind. When I realized my advanced dancers had rotten cardio, Continue reading
The Changing Face of American Dance
I live in the American heartland and much of the dance instruction is not what those of us on this forum grew up with. However, the major companies of this country are hiring students Continue reading
The Real Reason I Teach Young People
The real reason I teach ballet isn’t to create ballet dancers. My students DO learn the best skills – don’t get me wrong. I am a professional teacher and I take my work very seriously. But there are few jobs Continue reading
Carol Schwarzkopf 