Archive for kids
August 7, 2007 at 2:04 am · Filed under dance, kids, teaching, birthday, students, TAYLOR, summer school
Posted by Taylor Gordon
Having attended numerous dance “camps” growing up, I’ve met my fair share of counselors and mentors. It wasn’t until this summer, however, that things changed: I WAS a counselor (I guess the old saying is true: if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em)! I have spent the last 6 weeks working at Ballet Academy East as a counselor and assistant teacher for 18, 7-year old ballerinas, and last week I said goodbye to many little friends and memories.
(me as an assistant teacher)
I was a bit skeptical about the job at first. I have been assisting in ballet classes twice a week over the past year, and many of the teachers and administrators complimented my ability to work with the kids. It made sense for me to take the position, but I wasn’t so thrilled about giving up my summer. As the program progressed, though, it turned out to be almost as fulfilling of a “camp” experience for me as it was for the little ones!
The days were long, but once we got into the swing of things it got easier. I was supposed to be at the studio at 8:45 every morning, with the kids arriving for check-in at 9am. I always ended up getting there at 8:30 to do the necessary preparations for the day (set up coloring supplies, lay out ballet slippers, line up tap shoes). The other 3 counselors and I would laugh over something one of the kids said the day before as we guzzled our coffee and got set up.
Then the herd arrived. One by one they trickled in, kissing their mothers in pearls goodbye (this is the Upper East Side, after all…). After taking attendance and going through the routine of “what did you do over the weekend?” with each one, we finally got to the dance activities.
Though it IS considered a regular summer camp, including other things like crafts, origami, gymnastics, swimming, and games, it is first and foremost a ballet school. With that in mind, it was interesting to me to see the schedule of events each day. Our group, the oldest of 3 age groups, was there Monday-Thursday, 9-3:30. In all that time they only had 2 ballet classes!
To supplement the short time for being on their toes they had a range of other dance classes: jazz, tap, modern, and choreography. Of course they each had their favorite of the selection, but they were all required to participate in each discipline. Granted these were beginner classes and attention spans were short. But the amount of material and choreography these children were exposed to was unbelievable.
I think it’s really important for people to experience a wide variety of styles so that we don’t become one dimensional in our art form. It is wonderful and so fortunate that these children were given the opportunity to learn about different ways of moving and creating movement at such a young, influential age. They even had their first Yoga classes (and, I admit as funny as it is, it was MY very first time taking yoga as well)!
Once I got over the shock of responsibility to the these kids and the amount of constant attention they need, I was able to enjoy myself. Not only did I befriend many of them (and get babysitting jobs as a result) but I got to observe the process of teaching and learning dance from a new perspective. Over the course of the 6 weeks I saw physical improvement in each of them, not necessarily in the challenges of ballet, but in dancing in general.
It made me think back to my early days of summer dance camp. I attended regular day-camp at our local high school when I was really young, but I began traveling an hour out of town for dance camp at the age these kids are now: just 7. I don’t remember the specifics of what these days were like or even if I particularly enjoyed them, but I do know that they inspired me enough to enter that ballet school for my first year of pre-professional training that fall.
As far as I can recall, we didn’t have such a wide variety of classes outside of dance. It was truly ballet based, but we did get our jazz and modern classes on occasion. Another difference from today’s camp is that (to my knowledge) we only had one teacher in the room with us at a time, whereas here the kids had a teacher, and assistant, and at least 2 counselors in the studio at all times to help learn the steps. I think this unique factor makes a huge difference because the kids have that sense of personal connection and attention while dancing.
I feel like this sense and the notion of variety truly diminish in the later years of ballet training (even summer training). Gradually teachers become distant from students, both physically and emotionally. Perhaps some of it is about being politically correct, but that can’t account for all of it.
There is a major shift in attention and interest as students age. In addition to this change, the emphasis on diversity is often replaced by a desire for a cookie cutter effect of perfection. In my experience, jazz and modern classes are often seen as a distraction rather than a useful cross-training supplement to strict technique.
It was kind of sad when I had to leave the camp last week, even though it continues for another 2 weeks. They all gave me a nice goodbye because my last day was actually the day after my birthday(!) so they gave me a big card and cute group hug.
(picture of the birthday card the kids made me)
The reason I left early though is because I’m heading home to Boston for a week as of tomorrow. I haven’t visited home since Christmas (yes, I’ve been that busy) so I’m looking forward to a nice break. Also, before I leave I’m auditioning for Phantom of the Opera on Broadway in the morning! I auditioned a few months ago and they called me to invite me to come back, so wish me luck!
Recent Posts by taylor gordon
February 19, 2007 at 1:05 pm · Filed under ballet, dance, friends, london, american ballet theater, KATE, kids, scotland, contemporary, cities, city, twylatharp, twyla tharp, abt, choreographer
| 
| Posted by Kate Bordwell
Where HAVE I been?
Well, last night I was at Sadler’s Wells in London watching ABT perform Symphonie Concertante, Spectre de la Rose, Swan Lake Act II Pas de Deux, and In the Upper Room. Unfortunately the Winger’s own David H. was having a well-earned night off, so I didn’t get a chance to see him dance and offer you all a fresh critique of his technique! I’ve not seen ABT perform before and I felt this programme was interesting because it consisted of a range of pieces that showed what the various members of the company did well. The only thing that was new to me, was In the Upper Room, and it was this that I had chosen the programme for. I am a huge Twyla Tharp fan - I think the style is so natural, so energetic, so fun, so athletic - and having read David’s posts about this piece I vowed I would take the first opprtunity I had to see it performed. I didn’t realise I would have a chance so soon! I thought it was truly wonderful, the best thing in the night, one of the best things I have seen. The costumes and the smoke were very effective but it was the dancing I loved. I have no idea where those dancers get their stamina from. It was a marathon, but we wanted more when it ended.
Previously to this, where have I been? Being between houses for the last three or four months has rendered me slightly incommunicado - no wireless broadband to fuel my fire. As it is I am posting this from the train to Glasgow, which has been my home for the past four weeks. The joy of a first class ticket: broadband and free tea.
So far, in Glasgow I have:
- Taught European History (the very precise 1500-2000 variety) to first-year university tutorial groups
- Been to a nightclub on a boat on the Clyde that played swing dance and rock n’roll music and let me in for a discounted price because I was “fabulous enough”
- Had debates in old man’s pubs about postmodernism
- Eaten Tunnocks Snowballs
- Revelled in travelling on the mini subway trains
And a whole bunch of other things which I promise to post about soon. I have not yet taken a dance class, but I will check out the classes at the Scottish Ballet, as I have heard they are good, and I am not entirely enamoured with going to the smelly university gym all the time.
So this weekend I was only in London for a few days. I took the opportunity to say good bye to my friends, and to various other things. My husband is still living in London because we haven’t managed to sell our house yet (grr to the lawyers) so we went on one of our inflamously long walks around London yesterday.
On Saturday we met friends at the Museum of Childhood - they brought a child. Their child, Saskia was two and a half and had been taken to her first Nutcracker at Christmas. She and I danced in the car park.
Then in the evening we met many of our friends in The Duke of Cambridge to say goodbye. This is an organic pub quite close to Sadler’s Wells, in Islington. The food is great. We had great fun but were very sad to be leaving everyone behind. Here’s me with two lovely friends, looking slightly worse for wear…
I will miss my friends, the shops, dance classes at The Place and the Royal Ballet most. Most of the stuff I see at Sadler’s Wells comes to Edinburgh or Glasgow so I won’t miss too much in the way of touring companies. But for the glitz and glamour and excitement of Big Ballet I will have to go to the Royal Opera House, which will just so happen to involve staying with friends, perhaps hitting the shops and taking a class or two, so I am not complaining. My new life in Scotland just means I get to do everything I do, nation-wide.
Recent Posts by kate bordwell
December 1, 2006 at 5:47 pm · Filed under ballet, studio, student, american ballet theater, kids, teaching, SUSAN
| | Posted by Susan
For a few lucky students in southern California, this past Thanksgiving probably had less to do with stuffing and spiced apple cider than it did with tutus and pointe shoes.
True to the parting promise they made when they left California this past June, Amanda McKerrow and John Gardner returned to the state over the holidays and, with the help of some of our friends at Danse Conservatory and Classical Dance Center, held special lessons and master classes for the students with whom they had grown so close in the year past.
There is little I can say to describe how wonderful the reunion was–how excited the students were to see and take class from their former teachers and how pleased both Amanda and John were at the progress the dancers have made in the past few months. I figured I should let the photographs do the talking:
Cleo and Amanda are thrilled to see each other.
Warming up and catching up, all at once.
Amanda does pliés and port de bras with the class.
Amanda explains to Madeleine and Hadley where to place the foot in a passé.
Sammy very carefully follows Amanda’s lead.
Amanda and Anabella lead the class in a chassé temps levé combination.
Amanda corrects Kyle’s placement.
Balancing in passé.
The girls have Amanda’s full attention…
John, too, watches the dancers carefully.
John gives Jazel a “point”-er.
(Poor pun intended!)
Amanda takes class with the students.
The students work hard for their teachers.
Amanda watches Alyssa practice a variation.
John keeps Emma focused during barre.
Andie gets partnering pointers from both Amanda and John.
John and Jennifer practice a little pas de deux.
Amanda joins Rachel in a port de bras.
One student stopped me to give me a hug and said, “I feel as though Christmas came early this year.”
I couldn’t have put it better myself if I tried.
Recent Posts by susan kim
November 26, 2006 at 4:10 pm · Filed under SLOAN, kids, stage, contest
| | Posted by Sloan
Hi everybody! Long time, no post.
Sorry about that, it’s been a busy few weeks.
By the way, a happy belated turkey day to everyone 
So in the last newsletter we suggested that the contributors tell us a bit about their first time on stage.
Megan was the first, writing about her experience in The King & I with Nureyev. (amazing!)
My first stage experience was not quite as glamourous, but it was also in The King & I. I was also one of the little girls, but it was in a production by the Natick High School in Massachusetts, where I lived. Unfortunately, I was not very well suited to the role with my blonde hair, so every day for the run of the show my mom would spray my hair with this black stuff that we would then have to wash out at the end of the night. That was my strongest memory… coming home incredibly tired and just wanting to go to bed, and mom telling me I had to get in the bathtub to wash out my hair. I guess it prepared me a bit for some of the rigors of performing on a daily basis.
I remember loving the music and wishing I could sing like the “adults”… I was totally in awe of the high school drama students who were playing the leading roles. Then I saw the movie and thought Yul Brynner was just about the coolest person I’d ever seen.
I think that was it for me and the stage for a while, unless my mom remembers something else that I don’t. I eventually began ice skating, which soon led to ballet, and ultimately led me here.
If anyone out there feels inspired to SHARE their first performing experience with us… send it our way!
Pictures, or no pictures - the two best stories will win a winger t-shirt.
Send your stories to:
wingers @ thewinger.com
Recent Posts by kristin sloan
October 14, 2006 at 9:37 pm · Filed under ballet, dance, studio, student, CARLA, kids, seattle, teaching
I would like to share with everyone a little bit about the story of Arc School of Ballet and how I got connected with Marie Chong. Marie is the artistic director of ARD Dance Productions and director of Arc School of Dance. After Marie ended her career as a professional dancer she decided to continue in the dance world by creating her own company. Her company has performed here in Seattle for the past 8 years and in 2004 Marie decided to open her own school where she could train dancers of all levels. Arc School offers dancers more than just ballet. Marie provides them with modern, jazz, african, pilates, gyrotonic and even aerial dance (low flying trapeze!!!).
So I ended up meeting Marie at a time in my life where I feel the desire of teaching dancers and sharing with them what I know. And that is what is happening in my life right now. Besides from dancing at PNB I now teach at Arc School of Ballet on my days off, in another words, on Saturdays and maybe during the week when I have an easier schedule. Today was my third class at Arc and it has been a pleasure being there and exploring this side of me and my new students.
This is the main studio at Arc School and some of my students changing their shoes from point to flat shoes so they can take jazz class. As you can see the studio is huge and full of light. A very inpiring place to dance.
Marie’s mom, mama Chong, working at the reception of the school. Marie’s family are all involved with the school. It’s a family affair!!!!
Recent Posts by carla korbes
October 14, 2006 at 7:52 pm · Filed under ballet, dance event, student, CARLA, kids, seattle, teaching
| | Posted by Carla
Marie teaching two little bailarinas her steps for the Nutcracker. They are performing the Nutcracker on December 8th, 9th and 10th .
This is the poster for Arc Dance Productions next performance. They are performing October 20th and 21th at 7:30pm at the Shorecrest Performing Arts Center. Marie is presenting pieces from Betsy Cooper, Jason Ohlberg, Christina McNeil Dobson and 2 new pieces that she just coreographed. If anyone is in Seattle I would really recommend going and seeing the performance, I will be there!!!
You can go to her website and learn more about the shows and about Marie and the school at:
www.arcdance.org
Here is a upclose of the beautiful poster for the DANCESCAPES- A Mixed Repertoire.
Recent Posts by carla korbes
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