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Sunday, May 14, 2017

Sunday Giving Profession






Sunday Giving Profession

When we think of giving professions, we think of doctors, teachers, clergy, etc. But dance is a giving profession, too. Every time a dancer (or any performer) steps onstage, he or she is giving something to the audience.

All the classes, the sweat, and the unending effort that goes into creating a artist comes out in each performance when the “gift” is presented to the audience.

 You may never know how much you affect a single audience member by your performance – but know that you do. That’s a powerful thing. It’s a giving thing. 

Performing is more than how you feel about what you did on stage. It’s about how much you gave to the audience.

From the Big Blue Book of Ballet Secrets:
Motivational Secret #60:
“Your greatness in life is not what you have, but what you give.”

Link of the Day:

Quote of the Day:
“As we work to create light for others, we naturally light our own way.”
Mary Anne Radmacher

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My latest books are two coloring books! They are available on Amazon.

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Saturday, May 13, 2017

Saturday Fuzzy Statute





Saturday Fuzzy Statute

When ballet is performed as perfectly as possible, it has a breathtaking clarity. Everything is sharp and well defined, and has a look of a high-definition photograph. Nothing blurry.

Which brings me to today’s Ballet Statute #110: There is no fuzzy ballet. There is a designated place for everything, and everything in its place. This creates a clear picture. The legs are not allowed to pose somewhere between devant and a la seconde, for example. It is either in devant, or a la seconde, or it is traveling between the two. Never a fuzzy pose somewhere in the middle.

When you watch videos of accomplished dancers, you can see this clarity in action. No fuzzy ballet!

From the Big Blue Book of Ballet Secrets:
Ballet Statute #110:
“There is no fuzzy ballet.”

Link of the Day:

Quote of the Day:
To conquer frustration, one must remain intensely focused on the outcome, not the obstacles.”
T.F. Hodge

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 Leave a comment about any instructions, ideas, or images that worked best for you!

My latest books are two coloring books! They are available on Amazon.

Want to know more about me? Read my interview at Ballet Connections:

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Friday, May 12, 2017

Fun Friday Slurp





Fun Friday Slurp

Since I seem to be naming things differently lately, consider the tendu. It never leaves the floor, and must press against the floor as it moves in and out. In other words, it slurps.

What if we called them Slurpees, instead of tendues? This way it would be immediately obvious that they should move (press) against the floor and not lift off it. 
They would slurp in and out, thus maintaining contact and in doing so would develop strength and finesse in the feet effectively.

Slurpees! Think about it.

From the Big Blue Book of Ballet Secrets:
Ballet Secret #4bb:
“Instead of calling it a tendu, call it a Slurpee.”

Link of the Day:

Quote of the Day:
“A system is only as effective as your level of commitment to it.”
Audrey Moralez

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 Leave a comment about any instructions, ideas, or images that worked best for you!

My latest books are two coloring books! They are available on Amazon.

Want to know more about me? Read my interview at Ballet Connections:

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Thursday, May 11, 2017

Throwback Thursday and Harry Fox



Throwback Thursday and Harry Fox

Around 1914, a new dance appeared – the Foxtrot. It was allegedly invented by Harry Fox, a comedian and actor who performed in the Ziegfeld Follies. In 1913 his act included a unique trotting step to ragtime music. People began to call this movement “Fox’s Trot”.

Harry Fox was born Arthur Carringford on May 25, 1882 in California. After taking odd jobs and performing wherever he could, Harry got his big break in 1904 in a play in San Francisco called "Mr. Frisky of Frisco".

In later years he was known for appearing in Beatrice Fairfax (1916), The Play Boy (1930), as well as performing with Ziegfeld. He apparently adopted the name “Fox” to honor his grandfather.

Harry Fox died on July 20, 1959.

The Big Blue Book of Ballet Secrets
Dance History Factoid #151:
“The Foxtrot is believed to have been invented by Harry Fox.”

Link of the Day:

Quote of the Day:
“My favorite dance is the Foxtrot. It's a proper dance with proper music. It has class.”
- Anton du Beke

                Help expand the knowledge base!
 Leave a comment about any instructions, ideas, or images that worked best for you!

My latest books are coloring books! They are available on Amazon.

Want to know more about me? Read my interview at Ballet Connections:

Or "Like" me on my Facebook Author Page:

Or visit my Pinterest page: