***Experience The Education***
Welcome to your free, now MONTHLY, online connection to Ballet Class!
KAT IS AWAY IN HAWAII MAY 1-24
*Memorial Day Monday May 26 Kat is back teaching at Ailey! Also Student Workshop Last Rehearsal at 4pm
***Experience The Education***
Kat's ballet classes consist of a structured ballet barre', along with stretching and strengthening exercises. Center work focuses on coordination, musicality, and performance quality. Adult Ballet students will gain the benefits of poise, grace, proper posture, and self-assurance, along with a solid foundation for all forms of dance. Adult Ballet Classes are offered for advanced beginning through advanced intermediate levels. All dancers are invited to join us!
KAT'S Class Updates for the month of May: @ Ailey School, the largest dance facility in the country! "Majestic" studios in the "Glass Palace" specifically designed for dancers, sprung floors, state-of-the-art acoustics and climate controlled. All under one roof at the beautiful Ailey studios with views of the NYC skyline!
The Ailey Studios Location:
at the Joan Weil Center for Dance
405 W. 55th Street (at 9th Avenue)
New York, NY 10019
212-405-9500
The Ailey Extension embodies Mr. Ailey's legacy that dance comes from the people and that is should be given back to the people by making dance accessible to everyone. Whether you haven't taken a dance class in 20 years, take class regularly or have never danced a step, The Ailey Extension has a class designed especially for you.
In the words of Ailey's inspirational Artistic Director, Judith Jamison, "If you can get yourself in the door, you can take a class!"
A Word (or more) from Kat
KAT IS AWAY IN HAWAII MAY 1-24
Okay here it is…May, bloomin' flowers everywhere.....yeah!!! I'm off for my holiday in Hawaii, coming back Memorial Day. I know you were not real happy with the Mr. Orloff adagio first week last month, but you do know it was good for you. And I thank you for celebrating the joy of dancing with the Josh adagio week two of April 2008, Greek Presidential Guard Adagio, and The Arbor Day, aka Palm Tree adagio. Take advantage of classes all this month while ballet "royalty" visit to teach all your classes! Yes everyone of these special guest teachers have been there, big time, done that and probably have the T-shirt..lol! Enjoy what they have to offer you as artists and dancers of the ballet. Please let me know how you liked these amazing substitute teachers so I can bribe them to come back again!
VIVA! el CINCO DE MAYO on the 5th! As always, remember your mom on Mother's Day, Sunday May 11. And expect the Memorial Day adagio (if I can locate it) - My best, Kat.
Several exciting guest teachers/dancers will be teaching your classes here at the Ailey Extension this month as Kat dances off to Hawaii (no she's never been before!) for a three week holiday rest. Some of your celebrity guest teachers will include:
Lisa Lockwood ABT alumni
Jeanette Hoffman Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo Alumni
Eric Hoisington San Francisco Ballet Alumni
Paul Sutherland ABT, Principal Alumni
Julio Bragado ABT, currently
Flavio Salazar ABT alumni
Francis Patrelle Artistic Director of DancesPatrelle
Make plans to stay in shape and attend these very special classes while Kat's away! As always Vladimir will be playing for all classes.
Click here & scroll to the month of May on the calendar for teacher substitution schedule...
*Memorial Day Monday May 26 Kat is back teaching and Ailey is open! Three classes: 10:30, Noon Pointe, and as always 3pm Holiday Class. Make your plans to be here in New York City for The Memorial Day Weekend! We will be dancing at The Ailey Extension!
*Student workshop rehearsal follows at 4:30!
Adult Student Workshop, three months of rehearsals each Monday night for an hour, under the watchful eye of Kat, culminating in the Showcase Performance June 1st SUNDAY. INFO HEREor contact our Extension Program Director Yvette Campbell 212 405-9017. Royce is now teaching Pas d'esclave from Le Corsaire...pas de deux, the waltz, and several male & female variations from the ballet Le Corsaire. Also Guest David Choreographers (David R & David B.) will be casting two new dance pieces. Ginger's LiNK! dance co. will also be appearing with us on the program, Vic's Theatre Dance class dancers will also join us, and Sue Samuel's dancers will also be appearing with us on the program June 1 here at Ailey at 5PM!
***Sign-up now for our next Adult Student workshop! June 11 thru August 24 Sunday Performance @ 5PM ***WEDNESDAY nights 9:30pm rehearsels scheduled, sign up now! To register, call 212-405-9500 in June here at Ailey!
Starting In June:
*June 2 thru 20th will begin the MAKE YOUR OWN INTENSIVE. You'll be able to dance all day in a schedule you personally design.
*Summer 2008 Weekend Workshops June 7-July 27 Saturday and Sunday ballet AND POINTE classes for you! Saturday 4:30-6 as usual & 6:15 pointe, Sunday 1-2:30 class and 2:45 pointe! Reminder to make your summer plans now. Kat will lead you through an intensive 8-week program of weekend workshops high atop the Ailey Studios. Last year we had all Pirouettes weekends, Carnival of the Animal ballet steps weekend, to name a few, and this year we will have International Syllabus weekend, which includes learning the official ABT 5 arabesques and All American port de bras! Plus so much more! Vladamir and Kat will again bring back the Sunday classes for 8 weekends only. Don't miss a single class. Be there to learn it all this summer at Ailey Extension. Watch here for more details coming soon on all these and more exciting summer class events. $250 for all 8 weekend workshop classes, $450 for all 8 weekend workshop classes w/ pointe, $18.50 for single workshop class. Also remember in August is Vlad's vacation so look for guest accompanists during that month
*Kat teaches in Alaska August 28 thru September 6th
Our regular schedule: Check here.
Monday, Wednesday, Friday
* 10:30 Beginners Class
* 12 noon pointe - No! Not til Kat's return. Saturday's only!
* 6pm Intermediate level
* 7:30 Beginners class
Saturday
* 4:30- 6:00 pm open all levels
* 6:15 pointe - Yes! With special guest teachers all month
ONGOING CLASS UPDATES
Kat's regular teaching schedule is here. Bookmark it so you don't forget. Go here to download a printable Ailey Extension Schedule!
Classroom Confidential: TMI and Honorable Mentions
Visit here for all the events and special activities commemorating Ailey's 50th Anniversary!...Congrats to Jun (around) M. just married Naoko on May 2nd. We wish you both happiness throughout your lifetime together…"B" and Taro's baby Mika has arrived, woohoo April 15! Before and after pix of "B" and baby here…Lil Madison C (the Three Witches apprentice!) looks scary in the makeup from the evil creatures of Carrabosse's Court in Sleeping Beauty, recently performed. See pictures here. She should be back attending Friday night classes now that the performances are over…See what happens when you miss class, (my husband) Arthur's older brother Scott C. on vacation, he is now retired, single again, and going to kill me for publishing this picture of him, lol!...Akemi N and her son will be in NYC May 21-28 visiting us from her school in Japan…Happy Anniversary to Brian & Eriko W! They got married this time last year!... Lil Allie P won first place in her division at the Youth America Grand Prix April 22 here in NYC, and also lil DRA baby Catherine H won the Hope award…Phineas III, where are you? Working on The Alchemist. Great music. We miss you in 7:30 class!...Chrisi C will perform in Texas May 14 and is taking class with us here in June (she hopes!)…Pierre Z will be in NYC from Paris for 3 weeks of May. Welcome back!...David N from the West coast was accepted into Alvin Ailey for the Summer Intensive. He is very excited, so he will see us again this summer…A big huge mega "welcome to the family" to all our new dancers joining classes with us recently…Last month on April 9th Quenia's Samba/Afro Brazilian class at 7:30pm brought in 60 dancers!! WooHoo Quenia, Congratulations! Now don't each and every one of you feel that since ballet has been around since before the 16th-century (1489) we could draw 60 dancers to one ballet class at Ailey?...Amber Pjust had 8 auditions and booked 2 new film roles. She is very excited about both indie projects, and would love to share her audition methods with other performers, especially since actors often ask her advice at auditions…Erik N reminds us of The West Coast Swing & Hustle @ Salsa Fest, the weekend after Memorial Day. Mark your calendars and look here…Abril R has left for Italy where handsome men, such as Octtavio reside. Please keep us posted. We'll miss your beautiful dancing.Abril seen here with other classmates Eric N, Gus/Anna B, Laura D, and Kevin A…Stefan M sends a little video from his last big Tango performance this February, so that we don't forget him (never)…Jimmy Bear in the Grand Canyon? See pictures…Nate is arranging a song for the Broadway Bares show and was commissioned to write lyrics for Celia, a pop singer that is doing well in France! See some nice action shots taken by Nate's roomie Reese…Gimpy, oops I mean Jamie G back in classes finally. Here are the exercises for after ankle sprains…By the way, Hadley S is a nationally certified personal trainer. Also Mylana A is studying to be a personal trainer…Leigh S sprained her ankle...oh! Where? and How? Get well soon (3 weeks + therapy) keep us posted…Have you looked into The Winger, an online blog and community for the dance world?...Todd H has decided to make an NYC trip this summer after he finishes shooting this movie and he'll be sure to catch up with us when he's back…Kathy W., how was the premiere of Paul Taylor and Christopher Wheeldon in San Francisco? Enjoy France, we'll see you back in class in August…Noriko O is working hard to be strong enough to attend class this summer. Keep up the good work!...Where in the world is Rebecca D, does anyone know?...Andrea B just launched a new arts and culture website, Acontece em NY, where she will be talking a lot about dance, obviously! The main page is in Portuguese, but there's also an events calendar in English and she will be adding more features as she gets feedback. Also, you can contact her to send notices about your performances so she can arrange coverage…Congrats to Mary H, her husband Dave D, & Eko their dog, for the new addition Aria Evelyn Dirig, beautiful baby girl born Thurs, April 3rd (her due date!) and weighed 7lbs 13 oz. and was 19.5 inches long. She's beautiful and they are ecstatic that she's here (see class pictures)…Is Khalyle aka Cleo still in Japan?...Michelle S. does makeup. Click here…Check out Mary's headshots here…Alana K has left for her new job in London. See a picture of Kat signing her point shoes after her last class. Hurry back Alana!...Oh and let me say this and hope you read it: if your phone number or address changes, could you please update your Ailey account with the new info. Please! If we need to contact you or someone in case of emergency, we need to have the correct info! Thanks!...David H, where are you? What you cookin?...Alice RH has been at Columbia University now several months, with thousands of the brightest, most interesting, and most motivated young people from across the country. She still is able to make classes many times per week. Kudos Alice!...Eduardo P. photos have towered over Broadway and graced the covers of hundreds of dance magazines and theatrical premiere shots. Each and every photo is alive with energy and movement. Check out his website…Where is Ashley C? Has she lost her way to ballet class?...Stephen W says life in Chicago is going really well. He is studying with his old aikido teacher and gathering bruises.Great to hear from you!...BT whatcha cookin?...Vic DM is working on a new project…Eeeek Jessica B, did you get rid of that mouse prob? Sure hope so…Elizabeth P: All she wants right now is get back in shape for skiing in December. Good luck! Also, she is graduating from acupuncture school on August 10th. Congrats! She will have an office in the city, should you ever need an acupuncturist…Matt W is dancing the leading role of Captain Phoebus in "Esmeralda" and has choreographed and is dancing a pas de deux titled "Dancing" to the song of the same name by Elisa. See the Performance corner for more details…Marianne S is running her very first mini-marathon May 13 in Central Park. She has been training and if you are in the park, go cheer her on! You go Marianne!...News from Ronnie N, he is up for a new Broadway show…Joan F threatens (lol!) to come take class one evening. Come on Joan, what you waiting for?...Finally heard from Nikki B, check out her Myspace…Miss Meng hasn't yet visited our Ailey studios. We are hoping she'll join us this summer.
Got something you want to contribute? Tell Taylor in class, or drop us a line at the the Web site before the last week of the month & we'll do our best to fit you in!
Tony @ Circular Power: "If every New Yorker regularly did Gyrotonics — a type of exercise that builds on yoga, ballet, tai chi, and swimming — ours would be a far more beautiful, happy, and relaxed city" BY JULIA VITULLO-MARTIN, March 24, 2008 New York Sun. Looking for cross training? Get it done at Circular Power for professional gyrotonics training. Find your teacher and many of your classmates there several times per week working out! Also the most peaceful, clean, and convenient studio to book your private ballet sessions with Kat.
Andros: Over 80 and still teaching: Mr A is a dear friend, teacher and mentor to Kat. He has the answers to all those ballet questions we need tutu know.
David Howard: About auditioning
Quote of the month:
"BE SINCERE. BE SIMPLE IN WORDS, MANNERS AND GESTURES. AMUSE AS WELL AS INSTRUCT. IF YOU CAN MAKE PEOPLE LAUGH, YOU CAN MAKE THEM THINK AND
MAKE THEM LIKE AND BELIEVE YOU."
-ALFRED E. SMITH
Taylor's Tales
A column by our webmaster, Taylor. This month:
Innovating Dance at Cedar Lake
(This is an excerpt of a review I wrote for my dance criticism course at Dance Theater Workshop. It's of Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet's "Glassy Essence" performance installation, which continues this weekend May 1-3 at 8 & 9pm. Read my full review here.)
Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet has been at the forefront of innovation in dance since its inception. Their newest venture, "Glassy Essence," is a performance installation unique to the company's greatest resources: its wealth of dance talent and its luck of space freedom. Highly publicized online through their website, the process is just as interesting as the product.
Throughout the performance dancers move about the company's vast, open theater space that has been emptied of seats and wings. Here, there are no boundaries. The audience is part of the performance, moving amongst the constantly shifting exhibits of dancers, sometimes retracting back in discomfort, sometimes aggressively getting in the way of the action.
A panel of marley dance floor circumscribes half of the space. The center backdrop is like a cubed climbing wall, with squares poking out at various depths and heights. A raised stage slightly larger than a pool table sits at the middle of the room, surrounded by an unsure audience waiting for lighting cues to signal the start of their interactive experience.
As the dancers come out and step off the dance floor into the crowd it's like they purge from a magic mirror. Suddenly an idolized image becomes real. The dancer is a person, not a fixture on an untouchable stage. And yet they remain in their own reflective world, refusing to make eye contact but sifting through the audience with high sensitivity. The audience revokes as if the dancers' auras cast them aside.
Gravity is nonexistent in their world that collides with ours...read on. Tickets here. Cedar Lake 547 West 26th Street New York, NY 10001 (Btwn 10th and 11th Ave), Thurs-Sat May 1-3, 8pm & 9pm Kat's Weekly Mailbag
*Thanks Kat, You continue to be my inspiration to never give up on finding a way to stay in shape doing something I've always loved while learning my way through the crazy, exciting world of medicine. You're
the best! M
*Hi Kat, Bonjour from the South of France! I just wanted to thank you and everyone in your class for such a warm welcome and such a great ambience last autumn. I learned so much and I miss you terribly! I sometimes got so dizzy in class as my learning curve was so steep! Just wanted to say hi and to thank you for promoting the release of my debut album "We're Inside Out". I have already started on the second album and just finished a piece for Tancredo Tavarez, a Graham teacher at the Béjart School in Lausanne, Switzerland. My first novel "La Salle d'Attente" (The Waiting Room) came out in January and seems to be doing well. But what I really need is to get back to the barre in your class...if anyone wants to rent me out a room or a couch so I can take Kat's classes for a couple of weeks, please let me know! Or we need to get Kat to come to Europe! Thanks again Kat. You taught me to dance from the heart. And of course I realized that the advice is not restricted to dancing. Rock on! Ciao, M.
*Hey Kat! I'm sure you're going to HATE answering this question, but what are your Hawaii away dates exactly? I've looked through every old newsletter and can't find the dates at all (I've gone as far back as January Thanks,C.- Dear C, I'm AWAY IN HAWAII MAY 1-24 *Memorial Day Monday May 26 I'm back teaching at Ailey!
And Finally...
Re've'rence:
*Frank Bays was a long-time respected Seattle dance teacher.
*Edward Baker who as head of wardrobe for the Boston Ballet for two decades enhanced the company's productions with breathtaking designs
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Casting Call: Hot Auditions and Gigs Here
*Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
Don't miss this rare opportunity to audition for Alvin Ailey. Open call auditions will be Monday, May 5, at 10 am for women and 1:30pm for men, at 405 West 55th St. in NYC. Call 212-405-9000 for more info.
*Playbill On-Line's Casting and Job Listings
*Elisa Monte Dance is looking for male dancers with strong Modern/Ballet technique, and partnering skills. Professional experience is a must. Dancers must be able to start work the first week of June. The audition will take place on May 7th from 3 - 4:30 at the Alvin Ailey Studios.
*Eisenhower Dance Ensemble Auditions for Male and Female Dancers Applicants must be a United States citizen or hold a valid Green Card.
*New York Theatre Ballet's 2008-09 Season
We are auditioning male (5'7" - 6'2") classically trained dancers. Men should have strong, clean technique and good partnering skills.
Location: 30 East 31st Street, 5th Floor, between Park & Madison. Information: cpaolucci@nytb.org
Please email dianabyer@nytb.org to schedule an audition class. Classes are held Monday through Friday at 9:30 am. 212-679-0401
*Now looking for potential Yumiko models. We are building our database of female and male models to be used in future catalogs and ads. Modeling experience a must! If your a dancer great, but not a must. Must live in NY and be available to travel to Europe. Please email your resume & photos (professional only) to: mark@yumiko-world.com
World News: Dance Across the Globe
*Life After Dance. The new PBS documentary "Water Flowing Together" examines the life and legacy of now-retired Native American dancer Jock Soto….*For the past few months, dancers in the Atlanta Ballet have been pimping out the pirouette, breaking down the battement and remixing the ronde de jambe…*Rumors abound about the future of the Mariinsky Theater's ballet director... *dancing and food? Ballerina Brunson…*Dancing elite turn to film "Mao's Last Dancer" For Men Only
Rasta Thomas and his company, Bad Boys of Dance
A stunning cast of male dancers who combine Ballet, Broadway, Ballroom, Hip hop, Gymnastics, Martial Arts, and more to deliver a highly imaginative and entertaining show. Founded by dance superstar Rasta Thomas, this talented and versatile group leaves it's mark by brings quality dancing to the masses through physical prowess, raw masculinity, and technical perfection. The Bad Boys are an unstoppable force that electrify audiences by pushing the boundaries of male dancing.
Ballerina of the Month
Kirov dancers
Read all about each month's ballerina here for all archives.
Performance Corner: Catch Your Fellow Students and More
*Catch Ailey II in New York City at The Joyce Theater April 30 - May 8 Tickets are on sale here or call (212) 242-0800
*Dances Patrelle. On the weekend of May 2-4 at the DiCapo Opera Theater (76th St. and Lexington Ave.), Dances Patrelle will be performing its Spring Repertory Program. The show includes the world premiere of "Is That All There Is?" celebrating the life and music of Miss Peggy Lee and choreographed by Francis Patrelle as well as two classics choreographed by Francis, "Black, Blue and Bartok" and "Fuoco e Fiama," which will be staged by Cynthia Gregory. A wonderful biography of Miss Peggy Lee has recently been published and the author of the biography will hold a discussion following the Saturday evening performance. Tickets are available through Smartix.com. Also remember Mr. Patrelle is one of our distinguished guest teachers this month on May 23rd at 10:30 morning class!
*About Matt W, the performance is May 4 in Highland Falls, NY with Orange County Ballet Theatre.
*OBIE® Award winnerPieter-Dirk Uys returns from South Africa to underline the "mock" in Democracy! ELECTIONS AND ERECTIONS: A Chronicle of Fear and Fun May 5, 6 & 7, 2008 7:30 PM La Mama's Annex Theatre 74A East 4th Street, call (212) 475-7710
*May 16,17 & 18 see Royce Z., Khiara B., and others. ASEID "Up From The Shadows" Dicapo Opera Theatre 184 E 76st call 212 868-4444
*Linda P will perform Joseph's electronic and percussion piece "Mircroproj" at the next New York Composer's Circle concert: May 20, 2008 @ 8:00pm Frederick Loewe Theater, New York University
35 West 4th Street, $15 suggested donation
*Sara B. & The Manhattan Repertory Theater are putting together a festival called "New York's Amazing Play Festival," for new works. Her play, with both she and Taylor dancing, is going to be May 21, 22, 23. The play is about a Byzantine Empress and mixed with modern day scenes with the actress who is struggling to play her.
Tickets are $20 (646) 329-6588
303 West 42nd Street, at 8th Third Floor
*2008 School of American Ballet Workshop Performances, Saturday May 31 & Monday June 2nd
order tickets 212 769-6600
*June 1st Sunday Studio 5B 5PM our Adult Student workshop, see all your classmates who have rehearsed and learned actual choreography from Le Corsaire. Be there for this extraordinary event! Only $5. Also appearing Ginger's LiNK! dance co. , Vic's Theatre Dance class dancers will also join us, and Sue Samuels' dancers will also be appearing with us on the program June 1 here at Ailey at 5PM!
*Don't miss DANCING AT THE CROSSROADS its third spectacular year in the center of Time Square Sunday June 8th. Watch this amazing video piece, created by Allison Schultz for DRA, using footage from last year's event. We can all head over together right after Sunday class...you don't want to miss this!
*Tickets for Broadway Bares 2008 Are On Sale Now! two performances on Sunday June 22, 2008 at 9:30PM and Midnight.Roseland Ballroom 239 West 52nd Street, this event features the hottest male and female dancers on Broadway! More info
*TICKETS ON SALE NOW FOR FIRE ISLAND DANCE FESTIVAL Year 14
3 performances on July 19th and 20th.
If you have performance info you wanna share with your fellow classmates, please send it to kat_wildish@yahoo.com.
Fun Stuff: Take a Break and Enjoy
*CLASS PICTURES : FUN PICTURES MANY HAVE BEEN ASKING ABOUT be sure to scroll down.
*Princess TUTU
*Richard C. offers us this
*Train Ride
*Lift your Blubber
*Madame Galina's Doings Diary, The great Russian ballerina (aka Iestyn Edwards) on life and touring
*New York was the first state to officially designate Memorial Day as a holiday in 1873. Remember Ailey is open and we have classes!
*Broadway Bingo! Sunday, May 11 is Mother's Day. Awww! Spotlight Live, 1604 Broadway at 49th Street. Play Bingo and win Broadway tickets and other showbiz goodies at this fun event benefiting BC/EFA. Games will be called by celebrity guests. A dinner menu and full bar are also available! Doors open at 7:30 PM, Bingo runs from 8:00-10:30. Tickets are just $10 and may be purchased now by calling 212-352-3101 or here.
THIS MONTH IN DANCE HISTORY
Read all about each month's ballet history here for all archives.
*Theatre historians specializing in the Russian Theatre of the 18th century know that in 1738 the dance master of St. Petersburg Cadet Corps, Jean Baptiste Lande, presented to Empress Anna a humble request which included the project for "Her Imperial Majesty's Dancing School." On May 15, 1738 Lande, under service to the court as balletmaster, received payment by court decree for his instruction in different types of theatrical dancing. The date of royal decree issuing Lande his salary is the established date of the founding of the Dancing School. This constituted the beginning of the St. Petersburg Theatre Academy and consequently, the Vaganova Ballet Academy. The system of instruction prevalent at the Dancing School during its first 10 years was one of narrow specialization. General subjects were almost absent. We can deduce this from the fact that all dancers from the first 1738 group and from the second 1748 group were illiterate. Someone else had to sign for them when they received their salaries.
*Adolphe Adam, composer: died May 3, 1856 in Paris having written 40 operas, 14 ballets (Le Corsaire 1856, Giselle 1841) and numerous light operas and vaudevilles.
*May 25, 1870 Theatre Imperial de l'Opera, Paris, Coppelia debuts, the last ballet of the Romantic era
*It is known that Tchaikovsky was commissioned by Vladimir Petrovich Begichev, the intendant of the Russian Imperial Theatres in Moscow and a friend of Tchaikovsky, to write a score for Swan Lake in May 1875 for the sum of 800 roubles.
*May 18, 1922- Premiere in Paris, of the one act, "Le Mariage de la Belle au Bois Dormant" (Aurora's Wedding)
*May 1954 According to the Dancing Times, a principal dancer in the Sadler's Wells Theatre Ballet was paid £12 a week, the same as a chorus member in a West End show.
*May 23, 1979: The 60th Birthday Tribute to Margot Fonteyn at Covent Garden (though her birthday was actually on the 18th). She danced in a small solo with Ashton accompanying; "Salut d'Amour a Margot Fonteyn." It included steps from many of her most famous roles. She also danced the Tango in "Façade." Helpman accompanied. Michael Somes led the singing of Happy Birthday. Antoinette Sibley announces her retirement having been plagued by a knee injury for some years. (She does however dance again with the Royal)
BALLET TERMS
Head Positions: There are five principal positions of the head in classical ballet 1) Erect 2) Inclined to either side 3) Turned to either side 4) Raised 5) Lowered.
Head movements: In the Russian School there is an unwritten rule, with few exceptions, never dance with the body en face. Epaulement is used and the head is always turned in the direction of the forward shoulder. In the American School training curriculum, the head is toward the front foot, at the barre and in the center. In the Cecchetti method, the Italian School, when traveling forward on alternating feet the dancer inclines his head slightly towards the shoulder of the front foot, and in some instances the head is not inclined but rather turned towards that front shoulder. Also in the Cecchetti method when the dancer faces front and executes rond de jambe a terre en dehors, the head is inclined towards the side opposite to the foot making the movement. When this same movement is done dedans, the head would be inclined to the same side as the foot that makes the movement. More Cecchetti tips... when the dancer faces front and turns the body away from the audience to the right or left, the head inclines toward the side to which he turns, as in a series of echappes to the second position. In other turning movements such as pirouettes, the head is the last part to leave the front of the room as the body turns and the first to arrive as the body completes the turn. More on the positions, movements, and spotting of your head this summer as we work together on the details each weekend. Don't miss one class, be there for all the details and much more!
Shopping Deals:
*GAYNOR MINDEN: $12 OFF ANY 2 LEOTARDS OR DANCE DRESSES. Just enter coupon code LEO12 at checkout. This offer expires May 15th, 2008, so hurry!
*Yumiko dancewear opened their first store in New York at 451 West 46 between 9th and 10th avenues. Many of the top dancers from around the world (especially ABT) wear their clothes. Free shipping on orders of 3 or more pieces. Enter coupon code: celebrategiselle.
*Danny received pink footed tights for adults. They come in two sizes. Small/medium and large/extra large. It's a new vendor, and he's very happy with the quality, and packaging etc. $3.00 800-552-5385
*SUGGESTED READING
Technical Manual of Classical Ballet, http://www.doverdirect.com/0486218430.html just a reminder, great reference tool
*Dance related books: "Mime in Ballet" - A stunning and unique new book - this is a 'must' for teachers, dancers, students and ballet enthusiasts…"Ballet through the Lens" - a new book of stunning ballet photography. Also Lydia Lopokova was one of Diaghilev's leading ballerinas. A very entertaining review is published in The New Statesman.…"Bloomsbury ballerina" - available from Dance Books
Weekly Tips: Stretching, Pointe, Health, & More
*Stretch-o-da-Month: May 2008: Surprise for all when Kat returns on Memorial Day Monday May 26 Ailey is open! Three classes: 10:30, Noon Pointe, and as always 3pm Holiday Class. Always check for this stretch in the newsletter of the month. To check archives click here.
*Pointe Shoe Tip 'o the Week:
:
Remember everyone, your 10-class Aliey pointe class card saves you money. And the class time, noon -Wednesday-, makes for a great lunch hour break...and Saturdays at 6 make a nice warmup for a fun night on the town. Oh and yes this card will be a great savings for the Summer Weekend Workshops beginning next month, when we add Sunday Pointe class @ 2:45!
*The Dancers Resource, providing emotional, educational and emergency financial support to professional dancers facing health problems or injuries. For additional information directly contact The Dancers Resource call The Actors Fund 212 221-7300 ext 119 or intakeny@actorsfund.org
*Education Tip: Veteran and emerging teachers are invited to study the formal vocabulary of Character Dance Thursday,June 26(4:00PM) through Tuesday, July 3 (2:00 PM) Held in New York City at the Baryshnikov Arts Center Studios, 450 West37th Street, 6th Floor, Studio 6A. This is an exceptional opportunity to strengthen and deepen your teaching credentials.
*Health:
*Water: How much should you drink every day?
*Food: Doughnut Plant, a tiny bakery that serves up the tastiest oversized doughnuts. Baked fresh every morning, these hole-in-wonders are made without preservatives, artificial flavorings, or eggs (yep, really), and DP uses seasonal and organic ingredients whenever possible. The store closes when the shelves are empty (usually around 4 p.m.-ish), so grab a yummy warm one - or more - fast. Doughnut Plant 379 Grand St. b/t Essex and Norfolk Sts. (212-505-3700). Yummy!
*Your body uses 300 muscles to balance itself when you are standing still.
*Fact: People can learn about seven pieces of information, like words or numbers, at a time. Researchers say dancers can often learn longer chunks than non dancers. Join our Student workshop Rehearsals and improve your brain. Look for more Dance related Phyics in upcoming newsletters.
*The Ailey Studio: Rules Food is not permitted in the studios, Beverages other than water are not permitted, No glass bottles or cans are permitted, No chewing gum is permitted (oops), Street shoes are not permitted in the studios, Non-dance shoes and slippers must be worn at all times outside of the studios, No bare-feet outside the studios, Smoking is not permitted anywhere in or around the building, Photography and videography are not permitted anywhere in the building without prior written permission. Okay got that?
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