Just a quick update.

Sorry, I have a lot planned not enough time. So How are your auditions going? Good I hope. I am knee deep in rehearsing a "romantic" ballet for a spring performance.

I have 2 websites of mine you should take a look at:

http://teenink.com/mystuff.php?act=mywork Some of my writing

and

http://hollys-autographs.webs.com/apps/photos/ My autograph collection, let me know if you need any addresses, the gymnasts' are posted under their pictures.

Thats all for now!

Is Ballet The New Twilight? (Artical)

(http://popwatch.ew.com/2010/11/30/ballet-movies-dance-of-the-mirlitons/)

Okay, I know, I know. But bear with me here: Both surround beautiful things that can cause bodily harm (Twilight: vampires; ballet: pointe shoes), both involve glitter (Twilight: sparkly vampires!; ballet: sparkly costumes!), both involve forbidden love (Twilight: between vampires and humans; ballet: between ballerinas and Hostess products), and both are enjoying their moment in the spotlight. That’s right: Ballet is so hot right now. Or, I should say, the dark underbelly of the ballet world is so hot right now.


Let’s run it down: For months now, chatter has surrounded Darren Aronofsky’s Black Swan, a ballet thriller about the art form’s dangerously competitive nature that has ignited Oscar talk for star Natalie Portman. Then a pack of black leotard-clad ballerinas toasted the a-hole that is Kanye West in his “Runaway” video. Furthermore, New York City Ballet principal Jenifer Ringer made headlines yesterday after The New York Times‘ Alastair Macaulay said the dancer “looked as if she’d eaten one sugar plum too many” in his review of the company’s Nutcracker. (Dude, as a writer, I love me my puns, but that was way harsh, Tai.) And finally, news broke today that Chloë Moretz, Jackie Earle Haley, and Bailee Madison have joined Kristen Bell in Dance of the Mirlitons, a film about a curvy ballerina with a stage mom (Bell) who attempts to make it in the tough business. (Co-director Daniel Dubiecki’s rep confirms The Hollywood Reporter‘s report with EW; Madison will play the ballerina, Moretz will play the class’ ace pupil, and Haley will play a sadistic Russian ballet teacher in the film, which will also be helmed by Evan Greenberg.)


And yet, I’m conflicted about ballet’s trendy, dark turn in pop-culture: I love the romantic mood surrounding dance films like The Turning Pointe, and I love Center Stage‘s silly spin on the art (though, admittedly, even that frivolous film addressed eating disorders). But as a former ballerina, I’m also all too aware of the pain and suffering attached to dance. I’m happy to see it represented for what it is: A fairly painful art form that involves plenty of blood and gumption. (Not to say that Black Swan is 100 percent realistic or that youngsters should flock to the theaters to see the very R-rated film.) It’s important that the young folk realize the dangers of dance before becoming seduced by the glitter and glitz. (See? Like Bella! I know… I hate myself now too.)


What do you guys think?

Interview

I'm looking to interview several dancers. You can e-mail me at dancingteenblog@gmail.com if you would like to be considered.

Ethan Stiefel News

Ethan Stiefel has been named artistic director of the Royal New Zealand Ballet.

(http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/culturemonster/2010/10/ethan-stiefel-named-artistic-director-of-royal-new-zealand-ballet.html)

Jacob's Pillow November Challenge

Jacob's Pillow in Becket, MA is known world wide for it's major Summer festival and school. The webstie has stated that

"Jacob's Pillow has received an exciting challenge to raise $100,000 by November 30, 2010. If the challenge is met, the anonymous donor will match it with an additional $100K gift to support the Festival, Education, Archives, and Community Programs. "

(http://www.jacobspillow.org/)

Summer Intensive Auditions are around the corner

2011 summer intensive auditions are just around the corner. Some companies/schools already have their schedules posted.

Boston Ballet (http://www.bostonballet.org/school/summer/SDP-Auditions.html)
ABT (http://abt.org/education/nationalaudition.asp)
SAB* (http://www.sab.org/summercourse/national_auditions/audition_tour_schedule.php)
PNB (http://www.pnb.org/PNBSchool/Classes/SummerCourse/#AuditionTour)
San Fransisco (http://www.sfballet.org/balletschool/summersession/auditions.asp)
Joffery (http://www.joffreyballetschool.com/audition-dates-and-locations.html)

Many other schedules are up.

*SAB is having a Los Angeles workshop for dancers ages 10-14
Check it out (http://www.sab.org/summercourse/laworkshop/)

Amazing youtube Channel

Check this out!

http://www.youtube.com/user/dpsenhrox#p/u/2/ujxS5VvFmps

Piano versions of popular songs :)

Dance Family Survival Guide-INJURIES

Dancers are prone to Injuries. When you are sore you think you may have twisted your ankle (or knee or wrist), just follow RICE

R-Rest-relax, don't work to hard immediatly afterwards
I-Ice-wrap up an ice pack in a towel and put it on the sore spot
C-Comperssion-wrap it up in an ace bandage to prevent swelling
E-Elevation, try to keed it higher that your heart level (reduces swelling)

A great web site that caters to dancers is (http://www.med.nyu.edu/hjd/harkness/patients/injuries/)

They prase things like a dance would: “I landed badly from a jump and now it hurts to walk.”

Dance Family Survival Guide-MOM

Mom-If your an old timer, you can skip this. If your a new mom I advise you read on. At the start of the dance year you may feel overwhelmed; all the classes, dress code, nutcracker, how on earth are you gonna curl you daughters hair for "Party Child". These tips should help:

1. Don't buy a $30 leotard. Discount dance and othe online companies are great for cheaper leotards. Make sure you read the reviews for each product. (http://www.discountdance.com)

2. Don't let you child dance on an empty stomach. A sanwich, granola bar, fruit, cheese and crackers=good. French fries, cookies, candy=bad.

3. Do allow your child to miss class if they are sick (most schools will want them to attend rehearsl-even just to watch).

4. Don't be a stranger. Call the studio with any questions, ask your child for any handouts. Ask you child what they learned in class.

5. Do learn how to make a good ballet bun. (http://justanotherdancingteen.blogspot.com/2009/05/ballet-buns.html)

6. If your daughter's hair needs to be curled see link. I will try to put up a video tutorial as soon as I can.
(http://justanotherdancingteen.blogspot.com/2009/12/25-days-of-nutcracker-day-3.html)
AND
(http://justanotherdancingteen.blogspot.com/2009/11/25-days-of-nutcracker-day-4.html)

Nutcracker and Leotards!!

Nutcracker season is upon us again. I have been very busy with rehearsals. I've learned a few variations/dances from the Nutcracker but my favorite is Marzipan. It is hard but very pretty and fun (once you get the steps down).

Any of you who are in New England should be sure to check out Albany Berkshire Ballet's Nutcracker (http://berkshireballet.org/), click on "Nutcracker". Check out this great video to see some of the costumes:



Discount dance seems to have a ton of new stuff (including Halloween costumes) So be sure to check that out.
(http://www.discountdance.com/frame_set.php3?mf=http://www.discountdance.com/dancewear/leotards/page1)

Back to Business

Sorry about the lack of posts! The rest of my summer at BBT was great. I guess next year they are going to do Swan Lake for an end of summer production, thats a big ballet. (http://bossovballet.com/summer.asp).

How have your classes been so far this year. Your Nutcracker auditions?

One Week Done

So my first week at BBT is done, it's going by so fast. We have a super intensive schedule. A 2 hour technique class, an hour class (pointe, floor barre, ect.) after breakfast. Lunch at noon, the an hour and a half class followed by 2 or so hours of rehaersal for the show. Thanksfully we have the weekends to rest. I hope you are all having fun at you intensives!!