The Power of the Pause
“Music is the space between the notes.” ~Claude de Bussy What a wonderful quote! What an inspired man. He could see that it is not just the things that you add that make a piece work, but the things that you leave out. It’s about the space. The power of the pause. The lingering air. [...]
Dance From a Place of Strength
When I was a new student, I tried to learn from as many different teachers as possible. I trusted everything they said because they appeared so fluid, beautiful and knowledgeable to me. I wanted to be just like them. The problem is, we can all only be ourselves. So, once you get a strong foundation [...]
Knowing When to Break the Rules = Winning!
Are there any Adele fans out there? Any Grammy fans? If so, you may have heard that Adele’s six Grammy wins this year have people taking a scientific look at the cause of her magic. Guess what? It’s formulaic and can be repeated! (That’s what I love about knowing theory and the technical bits of [...]
When Are You Going to Get Rid of that (Choreography) Crutch?
If you are a stage performer, troupe member or member of a theater production, choreography is a MUST! You can’t go out there without it if you want a cohesive, intricate piece that is reproducible and creates a predictable effect over and over again. Choreography even has its place in the classroom. It gives form [...]
When an “Audition” is Not an Audition
There are people who like to take advantage of eager young dancer’s desire to perform. They make proposals that sound like they are open to the idea of having a dancer when all they really want is a free show. If someone isn’t offering you a fair wage in exchange for your work, walk away. [...]
Finding Your Happy Place
Belly dance is a wild community. There are so many different varieties: American Tribal Style, Turkish, Classical Egyptian, neo-tribal, burlesque, Ghawazi, Bollywood-esque, cabaret, Saidi, vintage cabaret, Fallahi, modern Egyptian… (sigh). You get the idea. Beginners routinely mix with professionals at shows and workshops. Big names are easily accessible via the internet. Beginners can look as [...]
Cocooning
Sometimes you just got to take a break. You send so much out that there isn’t enough juice left inside to keep you running optimally. That’s when I say it’s time to go cocooning- or another way to say it is that you have burned out, baby! It’s time to take a break, have some [...]
Making Your Dance Unique and Impressive
It’s two days after Christmas. I am listening to Christmas music, basking in the afterglow of a wonderful holiday. When I listen to music, I actively listen. I can’t just have it in the background. The juicy melodies and harmonies demand my full attention. What I heard reminds me of some dancers. All the songs [...]
Are You Ready to Perform?
The answer to the question, “Am I ready to perform?” cannot be answered with a simple yes or no without some clarification. I think the venue is all important. If you are a student, I think the answer to this question is always “yes” if you are dancing in a student show or recital. Dance [...]
Dance Class Etiquette
Dance is meant to be social and fun, but above all, it is a place of learning. By observing a few rules, the educational experience can be heightened for everyone. * Unless you have a compelling reason to have your cell phone on (such as an ill child or parent in the hospital), turn off [...]
