Physically Returning to Dance: Tips on Handling Load Tolerance and DOMS

It’s an exciting time of the year: the leaves are just starting to change colors, there is a crispness to the morning air, and most importantly, we are returning to the studio to dance!

While dancers usually stay very active in the summer, it’s not usually the same intensity or type of training as during the school year. You might have been swimming, hiking, biking, playing beach volleyball, etc. You might have been dancing but the daily dance classes and training were probably less intense or more intermittent. And the classes might have been virtual.

DWC Ambassador Kendall Hadley On The Mental Challenges Of Injury

Overcoming the physical and mental challenges of my injury was one of the hardest things I have gone through as a dancer.

In both 7th grade and my sophomore year of high school, I dislocated my knee during dance class. The first time I came out of a jump and landed poorly and sat out for four months. The second time my pointe shoe slid out from under me and I sat out for six months.

Coaching For Excellence and Debunking Misinformation

Ms. Robbins also wishes to see a greater focus on keeping Washington’s aspiring ballet dancers performing at a national level and being prepared to audition for international schools and companies. In her teaching and coaching philosophy, she believes in breaking down mechanics, dynamics, and coordination to find the root cause of a challenge a dancer is facing to eliminate incorrect muscle memory or habits that hold them back or cause weakness/insecurity in their performance. She is passionate about coaching pirouette and jumping techniques as separate classes in her workshops and developing dancers who articulate their epaulement and footwork at a high classical standard. Through KMCoaching intensives, Ms. Robbins aspires to help PNW-based students supplement their year-round training with hands-on attention and challenging high-stamina classes, to ensure dancers feel prepared to take the next steps in their careers.

Tips For Preparing Your Pointe Shoes for Summer Ballet Intensives

An exciting summer of dancing is in store for many dancers this year with summer ballet intensives right around the corner. Intensives are a great way to challenge oneself, try new skills, meet new people, and experience different ballet styles. They are also called “intensives” for a reason, as dancers are typically dancing hours a day for weeks on end, sometimes in different states. At Dancewear Center, we want to make sure our customers are prepared for an exciting summer of dancing by providing them with the tips and supplies they need to be successful.

Thriving in Dance College

Becoming a good artist requires a lot of time and is a highly individual process. True art, in its various forms, comes from observing the world, coming to know yourself, and the synthesis between the two. There is no substitute for the hours of training, studying, and absorbing that need to be done in order to hone your craft and distinguish your voice as an individual.

The Importance of Effective Communication Between Teachers and Students

If you are hurting in any way, be candid! Your health and safety are the number one priority in every situation, though sometimes it may be nerve-wracking to speak up. Be conscious of your value and take care of your body, both on and off of the dance floor. Being sensitive to students' needs and concerns is very important for teachers. Effective communication can be used to communicate the needs of students and teachers alike so that everyone can feel more comfortable and safe at the end of the day!

Whim W’Him’s Olivier Wevers on Equitable Treatment in Dance

One 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.

How to Make a Ballet Bun

As dancers, we tirelessly strive to improve our technique and artistry in each class. A big part of putting in this work is focusing on the task at hand without distractions. And as any dancer with long locks knows, hair can often be a big distraction! We’ve all been there - constantly tucking falling strands behind our ears, jamming bobby pins into our scalp, trying to re-do our ballet bun in between combinations, the list goes on. Knowing how to do a proper ballet bun can significantly benefit a dancer, as it can keep them focused on their training and performance and not on whether their updo will stay put. Read on to learn DWC’s tips for achieving the perfect ballet bun.

Celebrating Vintage Jazz at Sister Kate Dance Company

Sister Kate Dance Company teaches its SKDC Boot Camps in October, January, and April. The Boot Camps offer a chance for anyone to experience what it’s like to be a vintage chorus line dancer. Over the course of four weeks, participants learn original choreography from a Sister Kate dancer, work on their stage presence, connect with other eager and enthusiastic dancers, and even have the chance to perform in front of a live audience. This year’s October boot camp theme is “A Coven of Witches,” so dancers can expect a spooky, Halloween-themed performance opportunity. Tickets for the October 2022 boot camp open on September 1st, and Robin recommends grabbing yours early! Check out Sister Kate’s website and social media for more information.

What Is a Pointe Shoe?: A Guide to the Advanced Dance Footwear

Dancers often try on many pairs of pointe shoes in their first fitting to ensure that the best fit possible is selected. At DWC, we strive to make out fittings both a fun and educational experience, so dancers can expect to be informed about the different properties of the different shoes they try. Once the best shoe for the dancer is selected, it’s important that students have their teacher approve of them before they begin sewing them.

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