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Young Ballet Dancer’s Life Cut Short After Bicycle Accident

by Romy Macias, Senior Editor | Jun 6, 2014

Twenty-year old Sarasota Ballet dancer, Pedro Pupa died Wednesday evening from injuries after being hit by a delivery truck. The Sarasota Ballet issued a news release describing Pupa, who had been with the company for two years, as “a talented dancer and a truly outstanding young man.” “Our hearts are breaking, as our much-loved little angel, Pedro Pupa was taken so tragically from this world,” said Margaret Barbieri, assistant director of the Sarasota Ballet. “We are still in disbelief and it is going to take some time for us all to come to terms with the sadness we feel for our enormous loss. Pedro was a very special young man with such energy and a zest for life, but most especially we will remember him for his beautiful smile that radiated and lit everywhere he went and also for his great love and passion for dancing. For more on this story, visit the Bradenton Herald. Young Ballet Dancer’s Life Cut Short After Bicycle Accident Pedro Pupa, brazilian dancer, is seen in the video below at 17 performing the Drum Variation of Graduation Ball. He was already very talented at such a young age! Take a look. Video can be found on YouTube. Young Ballet Dancer’s Life Cut Short After Bicycle Accident “He was a gentle and happy soul, and always showing such generosity to all his friends, family and colleagues. He was also brave and determined, when an injured knee prevented him from dancing, he fought all odds to work back and become an even better dancer. Only a few hours before the accident, he was at the studio... read more

Happy Birthday to Johan Kobborg, Principal Dancer, Choreographer and Teacher! [Video]

by Romy Macias, Senior Editor | Jun 5, 2014

Happy Birthday to Johan Kobborg, Principal Dancer, Choreographer and Teacher! Johan Kobborg (born 5 June 1972) is a Danish ballet dancer, choreographer, director and visual artist. He is most noted as a ballet dancer, having been a principal dancer with both the Royal Danish Ballet and the Royal Ballet in Great Britain, as well as making guest appearances with other international ballet companies. Happy Birthday to Johan Kobborg, Principal Dancer, Choreographer and Teacher! In June 2013, he announced that he and Cojocaru would leave The Royal Ballet at the end of 2012/13 season. Their last performance in London was in Mayerling on 5 June, his 41st birthday, followed by scheduled performances on 10 and 12 July with the company in Tokyo.[3] Since 2013 he has been artistic director of the Romanian Nation Ballet Company in Bucharest. He has a four-year contract. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johan_Kobborg Enjoy this excerpt of Manon with Mr. Kobborg and Alina Cojocaru, performed in 2013. Video courtesy of YouTube. Happy Birthday to Johan Kobborg, Principal Dancer, Choreographer and Teacher! Visit Mr. Kobborg’s website: http://www.kobb.org.uk/ and YouTube channel. Maek sure to wish him a very happy birthday in the comments box... read more

My Jaw Dropped When I Heard ‘Expert’ Call Bowe Bergdahl A Narcissistic Ballet Dancer! [Video]

by Romy Macias, Senior Editor | Jun 4, 2014

The hosts of Fox & Friends and Fox News psychiatric consultant Keith Ablow set a land-speed record Wednesday morning when, during a segment ostensibly psychoanalyzing freed Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, they traced the soldier’s participation in a ballet to President Barack Obama’s essential un-Americanness in two minutes flat. That they did it while admitting that they knew next to nothing about Bergdahl is what makes it art. My Jaw Dropped When I Heard ‘Expert’ Call Bowe Bergdahl A Narcissistic Ballet Dancer! “The fact that he was a dancer and a lifter — not a weightlifter, but I guess he would lift the ballerina — what does that mean?” Brian Kilmeade asked, with an assist from fellow host Steve Doocy. “Supposedly he was recruited by these girls to have that role,” Ablow replied. “I think front and center on any stage is this guy’s M.O.: unless it doesn’t feed him narcissistically — you can’t give him a job unless you’re going to tell him you’re the star and we’re going to keep you at a throttle of twelve out of ten.” “Well, he definitely wanted out of Afghanistan and maybe it’s his way of closing GTMO regardless of the consequences,” Doocy said. “He wants out of America, my friend,” Ablow said. “Trust me.” Ablow prefaced the entire exchange by conceding he had not evaluated Bergdahl or his parents “formally,” which is TV-psychospeak for “at all.” So is he implying that ballet dancers are narcissistic? That they don’t know how to adhere to the rules of an institution? Dr. Ablow has never seen a ballet company at work. He has no... read more

Resplendent Turn-of-the-Century Photographs Of Ballet Dancers!

by Romy Macias, Senior Editor | May 31, 2014

Delight your eyes with these beautiful black and white images taken at the turn of the century to ballet icons on pointe either in their dressing rooms, class or backstage. It always amazes me how the lack of color in a photograph gives great contrast in lighting and depth. Here, the subjects, Anna Pavlova and Ida Rubinstein appear to be suspended in time. Take a close look at the effect the shadows have in making the images come to life. Eerie, right? Resplendent Turn-of-the-Century Photographs Of Ballet Dancers! Resplendent Turn-of-the-Century Photographs Of Ballet Dancers! For more images go to BuzzFeed.com. Resplendent Turn-of-the-Century Photographs Of Ballet Dancers! Share this beautiful gallery of Anna Pavlova’s with your friends!... read more

Celebrate Maya Angelou’s Life: Author, Poet, Teacher, Activist, Human Being [Videos]

by Romy Macias, Senior Editor | May 28, 2014

Maya Angelou, writer, dancer, actress and educator, quietly passed away today. We honor her life as her spirit lives on. Celebrate Maya Angelou’s Life: Author, Poet, Teacher, Activist, Human Being Video via CNN YouTube channel. Legendary author and poet Maya Angelou has died at the age of 86. More from CNN at http://www.cnn.com/ Celebrate Maya Angelou’s Life: Author, Poet, Teacher, Activist, Human Being Maya Angelou, born Marguerite Ann Johnson; April 4, 1928 – May 28, 2014) was an American author and poet. She published seven autobiographies, three books of essays, and several books of poetry, and is credited with a list of plays, movies, and television shows spanning more than fifty years. She received dozens of awards and over thirty honorary doctoral degrees. Angelou is best known for her series of seven autobiographies, which focus on her childhood and early adult experiences. The first, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings (1969), tells of her life up to the age of seventeen, and brought her international recognition and acclaim. Read her biography at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maya_Angelou Video from ABCNews. Celebrate Maya Angelou’s Life: Author, Poet, Teacher, Activist, Human Being “My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive, and to do it with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.” – Maya Angelou Comment below what from Dr. Angelou’s life touched you. Perhaps one of her poems, or books? You might have watched her on Oprah Winfrey’s TV show. Honor her life today and share this post. Thank... read more

Why Don’t Ballet Dancers Get Dizzy When Pirouetting? [Video]

by Romy Macias, Senior Editor | May 21, 2014

Interesting study found that ballerinas’ brains adapt to suppress dizziness when doing pirouettes, thanks to years of training. Why Don’t Ballet Dancers Get Dizzy When Pirouetting? A study has found important differences in ballet dancers’ brain structures that stop them from feeling dizzy while spinning. Dr Barry Seemungal, the neurologist who led the research, explained to the Today programme that it was a “training-based phenomenon”. Article from BBC. Researchers at the Imperial College London say they’ve discovered differences in the ballet dancers’ brain structure that help them suppress that dizzy feeling. They say their ballet brain study could lead to new therapies to help the one in four people, researchers claim, who suffer from chronic dizziness. “[The ballet dancer’s] brain adapts over years of training to suppress that input [of dizziness],” says Dr. Barry Seemungal, who lead the research. The study also indicated the more experienced the dancer, the smaller that area of the brain. Seemungal says if science can target that same brain area or monitor it in patients with chronic dizziness, researchers can begin to understand how to treat those patients better. Complete article at CBS News. Video courtesy of YouTube. Why Don’t Ballet Dancers Get Dizzy When Pirouetting? They found that the part of the cerebellum which processes the signal from the balancing organs, was smaller in the dancers. The cerebellum is the part of the brain that governs body movement. “It’s not useful for a ballet dancer to feel dizzy or off balance,” said Seemungal. “Their brains adapt over years of training to suppress that input” — allowing them to continue dancing after spinning around in a... read more

If This “Ballet” Commercial Doesn’t Upset You, Then I Don’t Know What Will! [Video]

by Romy Macias, Senior Editor | May 21, 2014

If This “Ballet” Commercial Doesn’t Upset You, Then I Don’t Know What Will! Before you jump to watch the video below, read the short text below and picture in your mind what the person saying this would look like: “I don’t even think about it at this point. I just express myself and I let myself go. I don’t think about what I’m gonna do, I just do it. I’ve been dancing since I was three. My mother put me into it. And ever since I’ve loved it. It’s so useful, because now I understand my body, I understand how it moves and I also know how to express myself in a manner that people can see. It definitely gave me discipline. You learn to take direction, especially for ballet because it’s so structural. But, eventually you just get comfortable with something. The more you feel it, the more it transcends and the more you see it in a performance. It’s not just about yourself, it’s about the people you’re dancing with or the audience you’re connecting to. No matter how good the person is, if you connect with someone while you’re looking at them, it’s because they’re showing their emotions when they’re dancing. They’re not just dancing. You have to feel it, you have to want to do it. That’s why it’s a passion for me, because I really want to do it, It inspires me to move. I can’t imagine my life without it.” Free People Clothing came out with a commercial advertising their dancing line. Now watch the video below and see what YOU think and... read more

She Graduated And Skipped the Corps de Ballet! You’ll Never Guess Who [Video Interview]

by Romy Macias, Senior Editor | May 14, 2014

Anna Pavlova’s broke the mold of what it meant to be a ballerina in the early 1900’s. She Graduated And Skipped the Corp de Ballet! In this video I talk about Anna Pavlova’s amazing career and her dancing style. Listen to the entire video for some interesting stories about this endearing ballerina. For more of my videos go to my YouTube channel. She Graduated And Skipped the Corps de Ballet! Since there is no known recording of Anna Pavlova dancing the Mexican dance, I chose to share the video below of the “Jarabe Tapatío,” the dance Pavlova chose to dance in her 1919 tour to Mexico! Source: http://terrar.io/2013/05/pavlova/ Video courtesy of QuetzalVerde. Thanks! She Graduated And Skipped the Corps de Ballet! How about that? Isn’t it amazing how a “frail” ballerina was able to take ballet to audiences all around the world? If I’ve peaked your interest, then click on this link for more on Anna Pavlova and her amazing... read more

Are You A Dancing Mom or Mom to a Dancer?

by Romy Macias, Senior Editor | May 11, 2014

Are You A Dancing Mom or Mom to a Dancer? Being a dancer and a Mom can be a real challenge, yet full of satisfaction, as many ballet moms can account for. If you fall into this category, you know what I mean. However, being a mom to a training ballerina has it’s own obstacles to leap over! 😉 Are You A Dancing Mom or Mom to a Dancer? So this image and short post is for you. Enjoy Dan Freeman’s of TDFoto.ca with expectant ballerina Keiichi Hirano and have a Happy Mother’s Day!... read more

Spanish Choreographer Celebrates International Dance Day in A Unique Way… You Won’t Believe How!

by Romy Macias, Senior Editor | May 7, 2014

April 27th marked a day of celebration, a celebration of dance around the world. Spain was no exception with Victor Ullate’s choreography inspired by Pablo Picasso’s “Guernica” and music by Enrique Morente. Spanish Choreographer Celebrates International Dance Day in A Unique Way Victor Ullate created the piece for his son, Josué, for having been chosen as this year’s dance revelation: Positano de la Danza Léonide Massine. Watch Josue perform in this... read more

Zena Rommett Leaves Legacy Behind: Floor-Barre® Technique for Dancers and Non-Dancers! [Video]

by Romy Macias, Senior Editor | Apr 17, 2014

Zena Rommett leaves legacy behind for scores of dancers, athletes, actors and “regular” folks who found a balanced exercise program. Zena Rommett (1920-2010) Video source: YouTube. Born in Italy, Ms. Rommet came to the United States at the age of 5. Zena Rommett was the originator of the world renowned Zena Rommett Floor-Barre Technique®. The technique utilizes the floor to correct and refine body alignment, and includes gentle exercises to strengthen joints, increase vitality, and help rehabilitate injuries without the pressure of gravity. Among the countless Floor-Barre enthusiasts are performers Tommy Tune, Judith Jamison, Lar Lubovitch, Melissa Hayden and John Curry who proclaim they ‘owe it all to her genius’ for saving and extending their careers while she coached them to a new level of perfection, freedom and confidence. For more on this visionary teacher, visit: http://www.stepsnyc.com/faculty/bio/Zena-Rommett/ Zena Rommett Leaves Legacy Behind Unlike traditional ballet barre exercises, which require students to stand upright holding a barre attached to a wall, Ms. Rommett’s Floor-Barre begins with students stretched on the floor and proceeds with gentle exercises to refine bodily placement, strengthen joints, increase vitality and help rehabilitate injuries without the pressure of gravity or the tendency toward rigidity that sometimes accompanies traditional standing-barre exercises. As she said in a 2008 interview in Dance magazine, “Many dancers don’t know how to stand correctly.” Source: The New York Times. Student: I don’t know if I’ve ever met a teacher like Zena, who cares as much about what she’s teaching. She’s focused on her work and carrying it through. She is a teacher’s teacher. The more you take her classes, the easier dancing... read more

Ballerina Considered “Sickly” Looking Overcomes All Odds [Video]

by Romy Macias, Senior Editor | Apr 11, 2014

Considered “Sickly” Looking, Anna Pavlova Trained Hard To Become an Accomplished Ballerina Anna Pavlova’s early training years were difficult as she had several obstacles to overcome. Watch the video below to find out what they were and who was her most influential teacher. Video from Romy Macias’ channel on YouTube. Classical ballet did not come easily to her. Her severely arched feet, thin ankles, and long limbs clashed with the small and compact body in favour for the ballerina at the time. Her fellow students taunted her with such nicknames as The broom and La petite sauvage (The little savage). Undeterred, Pavlova trained to improve her technique. She would practice and practice after learning a step. Quote from Anna Pavlova at wikipedia.org. Considered “Sickly” Looking, Anna Pavlova Trained Hard To Become an Accomplished Ballerina I hope you’ve enjoyed learning these interesting facts about the young ballerina, Anna Pavlova. Stay tuned for the next video on Anna Pavlova’s... read more

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