Sergei Polunin Abruptly Leaves Royal Ballet

January 27, 2012 By 1 Comment
The life of a professional ballet dancer is very demanding. Why did Sergei Polunin abruptly leave Royal Ballet?

Yesterday, we got the unexpected news: "Sergei Polunin Abruptly Leaves Royal Ballet." London balletomanes were in shock as were ballet lovers around the world. What could have pushed Royal Ballet's youngest ever principal dancer and most promising member to walk out a week before performances? Sergei Polunin Abruptly Leaves Royal Ballet Polunin’s unprecedentedly abrupt departure was front-page news, but the 22-year-old star has long been food for headlines. His teenage debut as the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Ballet Companies, Classical Ballet, The Royal Ballet Tagged With: , , , , ,

50th Anniversary of The Australian Ballet

January 26, 2012 By Leave a Comment
50th Anniversary of the Australian Ballet

2012 marks the 50th Anniversary of The Australian Ballet and the celebrations have begun... 50th Anniversary of The Australian Ballet Artistic Director David McAllister has kicked off the festivities by announcing the 50th Anniversary Ballet Project. This exciting initiative encourages choreographers with a unique artistic vision, be they a professional or novice choreographer, to submit their ideas for a brand-new ballet work. The winning entrant will receive $30,000 to develop … [Read more...]

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Dance for Parkinson’s Disease

January 22, 2012 By 2 Comments
english national ballet agony and ecstasy

There has been research done in the past decade on the effects of dance on the well-being of Parkinson disease patients. The English National Ballet and Dr. Sara Houston have partnered to help patients of this illness Dance for Parkinson's disease a success. Dance for Parkinson's Disease Dance for Parkinson’s offers people with Parkinson’s, their carers and family member’s an artistic and engaging dance activity within the professional environment of English National Ballet. Saturday … [Read more...]

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Scottish Ballet: Eve Mutso’s Endless Legs

January 21, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Eve Mutso with the Scottish Ballet. Image: Video excerpt.

It's every dancer's dream to have Eve Mutso's endless legs, long, lean, flexible yet strong. But having kilometric lower limbs isn't always what it seems.   Eve Mutso's Endless Legs: A Blessing or a Curse?   REVIEWS of Scottish Ballet’s Eve Mutso often mention her long legs. But the soloist — about to play both Sleeping Beauty’s mother and the Lilac Fairy — just laughs when you ask if she has ever measured them. We will never know if they outstretch Pretty Woman … [Read more...]

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Second American Dancer to Join a Russian Ballet Company

January 21, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Keenan Kampa joins The Mariinsky Ballet - Second American Dancer to Join Russian Ballet. Image: Video excerpt.

Keenan Kampa has become the second American dancer to join a Russian ballet company. Who is the second American dancer to join a Russian ballet company? Keenan Kampa, a member of the Boston Ballet and a rare American to attend the Vaganova Ballet Academy in St. Petersburg, Russia, is joining the Mariinsky Ballet.The Mariinsky said Ms. Kampa, 22, was becoming the first American in its ranks. She starts June 2012. The announcement follows the news last year that David Hallberg was joining … [Read more...]

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The Russian State Ballet of Siberia: Giselle

January 20, 2012 By Leave a Comment
the russian state ballet of siberia uk tour 2011 2012

David Bellan of the Oxford Times attended this past Monday the opening night of Giselle by the Russian State Ballet of Siberia. Here's a preview of his impressions. The Russian State Ballet of Siberia: Giselle Giselle is the ballet that reveals how much dramatic power it can put on the stage. The Siberians came up with a moving, and also technically excellent performance. The role of Giselle is considered the greatest dramatic test for a ballerina, who has to develop from enchanted … [Read more...]

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New Version of Cinderella by Houston Ballet

January 19, 2012 By Leave a Comment
new version of cinderella by houston ballet

This is not your typical fairy tale story. The new version of Cinderella by Houston Ballet created by artistic director, Stanton Welch, breaks all the molds from past versions of this classic ballet. Older Versions of Cinderella There are many versions of the story of Cinderella (the earliest was written down in China in the 9th century)... The earliest Cinderella ballet proper was by Duport in Vienna in 1813... London's first complete Cinderella ballet was seen in 1822, the year Paris first … [Read more...]

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Zena Rommett’s Floor-Barre® Technique: Personal Review

January 18, 2012 By 8 Comments
Zena Rommett's Floor Barre® being taught by the Founder.

Dancers, from classical ballet to modern, Broadway actors and singers, even athletes swear by Zena Rommett's Floor-Barre® Technique. Among her students, Zena has taught Judith Jamison, Tommy Tune, Patrick Swayze, Lar Lubovitch (and company), principal dancers with ABT, NYC Ballet, Joffrey, Martha Graham, Jose Limon, and many more. Former dancers, who are teachers now, include: Robert Atwood, Douglas Bolivar, Dawn Hillen and Mark Rubin. Since 1968, Zena Rommett's Floor-Barre® Technique … [Read more...]

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Football and Classical Ballet

January 15, 2012 By Leave a Comment
football and classical ballet

What do a former football player and a ballerina have in common? Football and classical ballet? Nothing, you might think. But if you look closely, you'll find more similarities than not. Both require hard work and discipline. Both require sacrifice and focus. Both require passion. Sean James co-founder and president of Student Athletes appears with Misty Copeland, soloist with American Ballet Theatre, in the video below, merging sports with the arts. The video helps promote James' foundation … [Read more...]

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Michael Fokine’s Ballets Revived

January 15, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Michael Fokine as Lucien in Paquita

This month, a program of  Michael Fokine's Ballets Revived is what the Mariinsky Ballet has in store for audiences. Fokine was an innovator, "a groundbreaking Russian choreographer and dancer." His ballets Les Sylphides, The Firebird and Scheherazade were revolutionary for the early 20th century. With Fokine, modern ballet was born. Michael Fokine's Ballets Revived Look closely at the works of the Russian-born Fokine, a reformer born in 1880 who is a pillar of modern ballet: In the response … [Read more...]

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