Ballet for Boys

February 27, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Boys in Ballet

In this class no girls are allowed. Is ballet for boys too? Now, more than ever! Just take a look at what male ballet dancers are doing today in Kings of the Dance and Lost in Motion. Ballet for boys is getting a boost on both sides of the Atlantic: in the United States with the Petit Oasis Foundation and in the UK, with the Boys Only! programme. The Royal Academy of Dance (RAD), in partnership with Dance Base, presents their Boys Only! weekend workshop for boys between the ages of 8 and 18 … [Read more...]

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Definition of Ballet

February 26, 2012 By 4 Comments
"Ballet Comique de la Royne Louise, 1581."

What are the origins of the word ballet? Is it French or Italian? The definition of ballet comes from the Italian.  (Most answer French at first and that's because ballet terminology is in French, most of us quickly assume the word ballet also comes from the French language!) Actually the word ballet comes from balletto, meaning small dance in Italian. Dr. Giannandrea Poesio, historian and dance critic, who writes for the Royal Opera House, explains: Definition of Ballet Ballet: … [Read more...]

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Interview with Melissa Hough and James Gotesky of the Houston Ballet

February 26, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Interview with Melissa Hough and James Gotesky of the Houston Ballet

Over a month ago, I wrote about Houston Ballet's new take on the ballet Cinderella. I applaud director Stanton Welch for daring to stage a more contemporary version of the ballet. Now, Melissa Hough and James Gotesky speak about Stanton Welch's "Cinderella" in the following interview on Public Radio KUHF in Houston. Listen now to the recorded interview of Melissa Hough and James Gotesky. We hear about Houston Ballet’s revival production of Cinderella, opening tomorrow night at the … [Read more...]

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Parts of a Pointe Shoe [Slideshow]

February 26, 2012 By 2 Comments
Parts of a Pointe Shoe Construction

When choosing what pointe shoes are best for you, there are some factors you need to become familiar with and consider. There are two main Parts of a Pointe Shoe: box and shank. Four other parts to consider when trying on ballet toe shoes are the vamp, platform, sole and the heel. Still other components are the wings, which are the sides of the shoe at the level of the box, the quarter, which are the sides but run behind the wings, the throat (see right image) and the binding, where the … [Read more...]

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The Ritual of the Reverence

February 26, 2012 By 4 Comments
The Ritual of the Reverence

Reverence is french for revering or respecting someone of higher stature (authority) by means of a curtsey or bow. The ritual of the reverence in ballet is performed at the end of a dance sequence on stage before an audience and at the end of each class as a sign of gratitude towards the teacher and the pianist. Treva Bedinghaus, Guide to Dance for About.com, writes on the ritual of the reverence in ballet: The last exercises of a ballet class in which the ballet dancers pay respect to … [Read more...]

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Jennifer Homans: The History of Ballet

February 24, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Jennifer Homans: The History of Ballet

Former ballerina, historian and dance critic, Jennifer Homans has been passionate about ballet her entire life. She began her dancing career at 8 and danced professionally until the age of 26. Her latest book, Apollo's Angels reveals her insights on the history of ballet. Her views are fascinating, to say the least. After 15 years of intense investigation, she has arrived to interesting conclusions. Follow the article and video below. The History of Ballet A dance critic for The New … [Read more...]

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Beloved Ballerinas From The Past [Slideshow]

February 21, 2012 By 6 Comments
Beloved Ballerinas from the Past

Pas de Quatre was a historic ballet because it united four beloved ballerinas from the past. The ballet was choreographed by Jules Perrot in 1845 to Cesare Pguni's music. It premiered in London on July 1845 with great anticipation. Who Where These four Beloved Ballerinas from the Past? The reason for this was that it brought together, on one stage, the four greatest ballerinas of the time. The ballerinas were, in order of appearance, Lucile Grahn, Carlotta Grisi, Fanny Cerrito, and Marie … [Read more...]

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National Ballet of Cuba Gets Three Standing Ovations

February 20, 2012 By Leave a Comment
National Ballet of Cuba Get Three Standing Ovations in Vancouver, Canada with Don Quixote.

This weekend the National Ballet of Cuba performed at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre in Vancouver to enthusiastic fans. Kevin Griffin from the Vancouver Sun reports on the troupe's execution of Don Quixote where the National Ballet of Cuba gets three standing ovations! Classical ballet dancing doesn't get much better than the National Ballet of Cuba. National Ballet of Cuba Gets Three Standing Ovations Vancouverites got their first chance to see some of the best dancers in the world on … [Read more...]

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Staying en Pointe

February 20, 2012 By 2 Comments
Staying en Pointe

Staying en Pointe is what a ballerina strives for. Getting your first pointe shoes is what every little girl dreams of. Pointe shoes are the extension of the female dancer, transforming them into ethereal beings, into wilis and sylphides. They are the right of passage of every aspiring ballerina. Lianne Turner of CNN asks Tamara Rojo to share her knowledge of the most important tool a dancer uses in her performances. Staying en Pointe They are the most important element of a ballerina's … [Read more...]

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Featured Ballerina: Bridgett Zehr

February 20, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Bridgett Zehr, Featured Ballerina on Classical Ballet News

While I was doing some research on ballet pointe shoes for my upcoming ebook, I came across Bridgett Zehr, principal dancer of English National Ballet and I was blown away. Her exquisite figure, sense of musicality and lyricism is breathtaking as you will see below in her interpretation of Coppelia's pas de deux beside her partner Zdenek Konvalina. I was further amazed to find out that Bridgett had been injured and forced to stop dancing a full year. One year in a dancer's life is an … [Read more...]

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