If you have not heard of Shannon Gillen, now is the time to look her up: http://www.shannongillen.com/.
This talented choreographer surprises viewers with her quick witted, relentless movement and intricate partnering...the best, smartest eye candy out there! Her choreography involves everything from flinching to an in depth look at the shipping industry...who knew dance could be so diverse!? Check her out and look at BOLTEK if you have a moment...
http://www.shannongillen.com/#!video
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Saturday, August 25, 2012
Proia, Please!
I took a fun, quick, and challenging ballet class this afternoon! Alexandre Proia teaches Adv-Inter Ballet at Peridance (Tues- Thurs & Saturdays) and I highly recommend the class. Proia entertained us today by urging us to explore the movement at the ballet barre and to push ourselves to try that fourth pirouette. He is also beautiful to watch during his demonstrations and any man that asks the pianist to play "All That Jazz" gets my vote! His class is packed full of choreography and you will get to move, move, move as he allows you to try his combinations several times. It is an experience not to be missed!
Proia has danced, choreographed, and taught for The New York City Ballet and Paris Opera. He has also worked with School Of American Ballet, Pacific Northwest Ballet, The Alvin Ailey School, Joffrey School, & Juilliard. DANCE MAGAZINE did a great piece on him that you should check out: http://dancemagazine.com/issues/May-2010/Teachers-Wisdom-Alexandre-Proia
Try it out!
Proia has danced, choreographed, and taught for The New York City Ballet and Paris Opera. He has also worked with School Of American Ballet, Pacific Northwest Ballet, The Alvin Ailey School, Joffrey School, & Juilliard. DANCE MAGAZINE did a great piece on him that you should check out: http://dancemagazine.com/issues/May-2010/Teachers-Wisdom-Alexandre-Proia
Try it out!
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Timeless Dance
Getting back to dance class, after weeks, months, years can be painful...and not just physically. Walking into class and seeing the disciplined ones overextending themselves with their stretchy bands or the dance teacher that hugs the regulars, calling them by their first names, pet names, or stage names, can be quite intimidating. Everyone seems to know one another, know the combination, and know something that you don't. I often want to leave before the class has even started. Going back to class for the first time can be the pits, but it doesn't have to be!
Despite a three week "vacation" from dance (and having recently turned 32!) I chose to put my leggings on and show up for two classes at Peridance today, http://www.peridance.com/. I actually had a fantastic time and wanted to share a few tips that may help you re-enter the fabulous, but sometimes fear-inspiring world of dance class...
1) KNOW THYSELF - it is best to just be plain honest about the kind of shape you are in and what level of class is best to take. Today, I started with an Adv-Intermediate Contemporary class with Funes. Contemporary is the easiest, least daunting, for me and I've taken Funes' class once before; therefore, I had an idea of what to expect. After Funes' class, however, I went to a gentler, lower level ballet class taught by Warren. Ballet is not my strong suit and I have not taken it all summer, so I decided to ease in and be very nice to myself in the process. Start slow, but not too slow. If you are a professional dancer or BA or MFA student, an inter-advanced or just intermediate seems to be the ideal place to start. Regardless of your dancing status, dropping down a level can be the best way to re-enter, you can always go back to the more advanced classes when your body and brain feel ready.
2) SET AN INTENTION OR GOAL - Sometimes the goal is to be accurate and spot on when doing the combination and sometimes the goal is just to keep up. After exploring what kind of shape you are in (as suggested above), you can then decide what you want out of the class. For example my intention today was to show up, stay, and sweat. It wasn't pretty, but I got through the 3 hours of class and left feeling reconnected to the dancer in me and the cobwebs in the "pick-up" part of my brain were slowly swept away.
3) PHONE A FRIEND - I called a friend before class and admitted that I was terrified, I talked it out for about 3 minutes, which was a huge help. I realized this was a minor fear/problem in the big scheme of things and I was able to relax and go in a smidge more confident. Also, a dancer friend called me right after class and I loved getting to say I just finished! He was thinking of taking class later on and I like to think that my experience may have encouraged him to do so...who knows!? Pay it forward and encourage others to dance, or simply call a friend in the hopes that you could end up laughing about your fears vs. trembling.
4) DON'T COMPARE YOURSELF TO OTHER DANCERS - this is REALLY hard when you are staring into a mirror with people on all sides of you, but pick a spot in the room that you are comfortable with and stay as far away from being a weird stalker or sizing people up as you can. Do your best to stay tapped into what's happening inside your own body, muscles, joints, and brain. How does a holding that arabesque feel or where is your center when you are fuete-ing around? What does your body feel like today? Also, hear the music, smell the sweat, watch the teacher move, and do your best to focus on your own performance. If you are, however, enamored with another dancers extension, let them know and give them a compliment. Let's make dance studios friendly and encouraging spaces! Think of those around you, but do your best not to compare.
5) SELF CARE - hydration, Tiger Balm, Ace, ice? Treat yourself to a healthy meal or coconut water after a sweaty class. Should you notice anything is aching pick up some Epsom Salts and/or frozen peas on your way home. Lastly, take a moment to thank yourself for showing up...it isn't easy, sometimes, but nothing feels better than showing up and taking a good class.
Good luck, dancers!
Despite a three week "vacation" from dance (and having recently turned 32!) I chose to put my leggings on and show up for two classes at Peridance today, http://www.peridance.com/. I actually had a fantastic time and wanted to share a few tips that may help you re-enter the fabulous, but sometimes fear-inspiring world of dance class...
1) KNOW THYSELF - it is best to just be plain honest about the kind of shape you are in and what level of class is best to take. Today, I started with an Adv-Intermediate Contemporary class with Funes. Contemporary is the easiest, least daunting, for me and I've taken Funes' class once before; therefore, I had an idea of what to expect. After Funes' class, however, I went to a gentler, lower level ballet class taught by Warren. Ballet is not my strong suit and I have not taken it all summer, so I decided to ease in and be very nice to myself in the process. Start slow, but not too slow. If you are a professional dancer or BA or MFA student, an inter-advanced or just intermediate seems to be the ideal place to start. Regardless of your dancing status, dropping down a level can be the best way to re-enter, you can always go back to the more advanced classes when your body and brain feel ready.
2) SET AN INTENTION OR GOAL - Sometimes the goal is to be accurate and spot on when doing the combination and sometimes the goal is just to keep up. After exploring what kind of shape you are in (as suggested above), you can then decide what you want out of the class. For example my intention today was to show up, stay, and sweat. It wasn't pretty, but I got through the 3 hours of class and left feeling reconnected to the dancer in me and the cobwebs in the "pick-up" part of my brain were slowly swept away.
3) PHONE A FRIEND - I called a friend before class and admitted that I was terrified, I talked it out for about 3 minutes, which was a huge help. I realized this was a minor fear/problem in the big scheme of things and I was able to relax and go in a smidge more confident. Also, a dancer friend called me right after class and I loved getting to say I just finished! He was thinking of taking class later on and I like to think that my experience may have encouraged him to do so...who knows!? Pay it forward and encourage others to dance, or simply call a friend in the hopes that you could end up laughing about your fears vs. trembling.
4) DON'T COMPARE YOURSELF TO OTHER DANCERS - this is REALLY hard when you are staring into a mirror with people on all sides of you, but pick a spot in the room that you are comfortable with and stay as far away from being a weird stalker or sizing people up as you can. Do your best to stay tapped into what's happening inside your own body, muscles, joints, and brain. How does a holding that arabesque feel or where is your center when you are fuete-ing around? What does your body feel like today? Also, hear the music, smell the sweat, watch the teacher move, and do your best to focus on your own performance. If you are, however, enamored with another dancers extension, let them know and give them a compliment. Let's make dance studios friendly and encouraging spaces! Think of those around you, but do your best not to compare.
5) SELF CARE - hydration, Tiger Balm, Ace, ice? Treat yourself to a healthy meal or coconut water after a sweaty class. Should you notice anything is aching pick up some Epsom Salts and/or frozen peas on your way home. Lastly, take a moment to thank yourself for showing up...it isn't easy, sometimes, but nothing feels better than showing up and taking a good class.
Good luck, dancers!
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