Join us for an inspiring interview with our esteemed DWC Ambassador, Abby Jayne DeAngelo! 💫 Abby Jayne's journey in the world of ballet began under the guidance of the renowned Marcia Dale Weary at Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet (CPYB) in her hometown of Carlisle, PA. With a passion for sharing her love of ballet with the next generation of dancers, Abby Jayne founded Adage Ballet Academy in Seattle, WA in March 2021.
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Seattle Dances is one of Seattle’s top dance journalism pages that features upcoming performances and various interviews with local dancers in the area. We got the chance to speak with Kaitlin McCarthy who is the current editor and director of operations of Seattle Dances! Read on the learn more about what Seattle Dances is all about and their mission for the Seattle Dances on the dance community!
Read MoreKirsten’s favorite thing about dance, she shares, is the connections people make through this art form are something that she finds to be the best thing about the dance world. “Through my teaching, I’ve seen people from different economical lives come and dance together and I think that that is just amazing,” she shares. She also shares that the connection through an emotional basis and a common love of dance is something that is very important to keep going. The relationships that she has made through people that she has taught are something that is very important to her and sets an example for the connection that dance can make through people.
Read MoreOne of Whim W’Him’s most important values is putting “people first always,” something that is not always upheld in the dance world. That’s why Olivier shares that ensuring his dancers are well-paid has always been a priority of his. “They are artists…They are highly skilled professionals and they should be paid for that,” he stresses. He started Whim W’Him with the intention of “changing the landscape of how dancers are often abused and exploited,” particularly when it comes to being under-compensated for their work.
Read MoreMy mission is to support dancers and their personal growth inside and outside of the studio to produce better performance outcomes and a more sustainable dancer long-term,” Josh says of his goal behind Flexible Mind Counseling. Through individual and group therapy sessions, Flexible Mind Counseling provides clients with “a bridge back to understanding [their] authentic needs.
Read MoreWhile some folks have taken steps to destigmatize mental health discussions in the dance industry, there is still an overwhelming pressure to compete against your peers within the studio environment, which can lead to adverse mental health issues. DWC staff member and pointe shoe fitter Tija Dupont opens up about her dance journey, goals for the future, and destigmatizing mental health in the dance industry.
Read MoreMany people are drawn to dance because it is a means of self-expression, allowing individuals to share their emotions with others and have a creative outlet to relieve stress. In many ways, clothing operates similarly to dance for many people, as it communicates a lot about a person’s identity and can invoke specific emotions in viewers and wearers alike. Founder of Jule Dancewear Julia Cinquemani knows all too well that wearing clothes that don’t fit right can make a significant impact on people, particularly with dancewear. Combatting this phenomenon was the inspiration behind Jule Dancewear, as well as creating dancewear products that cater to dancers with a variety of body types. Read on to learn more about Julia’s journey to Jule Dancewear.
Read MoreFor many young students, dance education consists of verbal instruction and demonstration from a teacher. While that has proven to be an effective means of teaching, having alternative methods, such as using visual aids and storytelling, can immensely benefit students. Thus, Terrel Lefferts and her daughter Kaelyn or “Ballerina Konora” have created Once Upon a Dance, a business that creates interactive movement and dance books for children of a wide array of ages.
Read MoreAs children, partaking in extracurricular activities outside of school isn’t just an option, it’s downright encouraged. Our parents sign us up for anything they can to keep our bodies active and our minds engaged: soccer teams, chess clubs, dance classes, you name it. When we transition into high school, we’re encouraged to volunteer, join sports teams, and get involved in our community to bolster our college applications. We channel our time, energy, blood, sweat, and tears into these activities. In many cases, they transform from being mere hobbies to intense passions that help us persevere through our awkward adolescent years.
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