One of the main reasons I wanted to become involved with Dancewear Center was to learn more about the many dancers, groups, studios, etc. that are located in the greater Seattle area. At this time I cannot even say I’m at the tip of the iceberg because I am just at the beginning of learning about the dance community here. I am grateful to be able to follow the web of connections through Dancewear Center sharing people, their activities, and more online. This sliver of a glimpse into the world of creativity, lovers of dance and unique perspectives that are literally all around us has inspired me.
I started dancing at what some would consider a “late” age, when I was 15 years old.
I often wonder what it would have been like if I hadn’t started with ballet. If I had started with hip hop or jazz or freestyle would I still feel like I had started late and that I wasn’t good enough, or is that just the nature of ballet? We’ve always heard that if you don’t start learning the technique when you are three years old, you will never be successful. Is it the same for other styles? Or was it the pressure I put on myself? Would the insecurity have been different? I guess I’ll never know. I’m glad I was able to move on and find what was a good fit for me.
Classical ballet for me has always been more than just dance. It's about telling powerful stories through movement, music, and emotion. In a world where people flock to sports arenas to root for their favorite teams, drawn by the drama of good versus evil and the thrill of having a stake in the game, ballet offers a similarly captivating experience through its storytelling. Why can’t we seem to bring people to our theaters in the same masses? For audiences both seasoned and new to ballet, the narrative element is key to creating a connection. I believe that storytelling is the bridge that can make ballet accessible and engaging for everyone.
Summer break is an essential time for dancers to rest and recover from their rigorous schedules' physical and mental demands. However, staying active during this period is crucial to maintaining fitness, flexibility, and overall well-being. Here’s how dancers can balance rest and activity effectively.
The majority of my story up until this point was spent not being taken seriously because I was “medically stable” while I was in treatment from 2017-2018. I was lucky enough to have made it this far without any major health scares, and that was no longer true following this new development in my eating disorder. I will spare you the nitty gritty details of the symptoms I was experiencing at this time, but my health deteriorated to a point that I finally confessed to my nutritionist what was actually going on in the spring of 2021. I had not, until that point, divulged to anyone what I was actually doing.
If you read my previous blog post (originally written in 2019, and re-released in 2022 and 2024), Dance, My Eating Disorder, and Me, you have a pretty good understanding of my story up until March of 2020. My thoughts and feelings on this particularly touchy subject have developed over time, and with the many different things I have experienced as I have lived through the world in the last 5 years. I hope my story can help you if you are currently struggling.
Mental health and self-image have been a struggle for nearly every dancer I have met. The dance industry, along with many others, wasn’t built with the health of the dancers in mind. I have witnessed dancers battle with body dysmorphia, negative self-talk, and especially maintaining a healthy amount of self-care. I have been dancing for the last fifteen years of my life. I have watched so much talent and passion washed out of my peers simply because they burnt out. Kids who could have had a professional dance career, or at the very least maintained a love for the art, didn’t because it came down to choosing between their health and well-being, or dance.
I have such a crystal clear memory of the first time my ED reared its ugly head. I was at lunch with a group of my friends, and I happened to look down at the nutrition facts on the package of chips. Within the hour, I had counted all the calories I had eaten so far that day, and had a calorie goal set for myself for the next week. From that moment on, I was fighting a downhill battle.
LGBTQIA+ communities go underappreciated and unrepresented in spaces where recognition is necessary. Without these communities striving for inclusivity and freedom of expression, the styles that we know and love today would be completely different. In LGBTQIA+ culture, dance is a very important part of expressing joy and expressing themselves anytime they can. Attend any Pride event or gay club and you will see the joy and expression that dance can bring to such a big community. Here are just some of the ways that LGBTQIA+ communities have paved the way for dance!
🌟 Meet Jeanne Robson, our newest DWC Ambassador! 🌸 Jeanne's dance journey began at the age of 5, leading her to train at the Atlanta Ballet School and School of American Ballet. She danced professionally with Pacific NorthWest Ballet in Seattle before transitioning to a career in education, earning a BA in Education and specializing in early childhood classrooms.
Meet Lea Aparis, co-director of Body Language Studio in Renton, WA, as we celebrate AAPI month! 🌸 Lea is a former professional dancer for the NBA's Seattle SuperSonics, and she shares her journey of building a successful small business. 💃 With an extensive background in various dance styles, from ballet to hip-hop, Lea is a dynamic force in the dance community. Join us as we dive into her inspiring story of passion, dedication, and love for dance!
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.
Join us for an exclusive interview with our newest DWC Ambassador, Bethany Lynch! 🌟 Bethany is a talented dancer currently performing with The Garden Dance Company, Movement 26, and other local groups and productions. She brings a wealth of knowledge and experience, having graduated from Western Washington University in Spring '23 with a BFA in Dance, BA in Business Marketing, and a Minor in Arts Enterprise & Cultural Innovation (AECI). 🎓 Don't miss this opportunity to get to know Bethany and hear about her journey as a dancer and advocate for the arts. Tune in now and be inspired!
Dance is a full time commitment and sport that takes hours of dedication. As a teenager however, school is also a commitment. This balance is not something everyone can master, here are a few ideas that have helped me to find that perfect middleground.
While they look very similar, demi-pointe and pointe shoes are actually incredibly different! Demi-pointes are a training shoe to help build your strength and get your toes and feet ready for the real deal. For many they are an important and necessary tool to use before stepping into a pair of pointe shoes.
It may seem a long way off but the end of the school year is approaching! Many of us dancers are getting ready for our end of year recitals and shows! With so many things on our plate, it is easy to forget things, so we here at DWC made a little list so you are sure to have all your necessities for tech, dress, and shows!
It’s officially March! Women’s History Month is upon us which calls for highlighting some amazing women in the dance community. The ballet world has come a long way through the years, but none of those achievements would be possible without the accomplishments of these amazing women. From Françoise Prévost to Misty Copeland, women have paved the way for the ballet industry for centuries. Here are a few women that influenced the ballet world to make it what it is today:
Tightening the taps of your tap shoes is an easy but crucial thing to know how to do! DWC Social Media Manager, Emma, will show you what you need, how to do it, and some important tips to remember!
From small house parties in New York City to loudspeakers across the world, hip hop has become a global sensation over the last handful of decades. Emerging from a prolific Black community in The Bronx, hip hop culture continues to develop and expand in unique ways, from musical innovations to developments in the B-boy and B-girl landscape. But where exactly did it all begin?
In June 2021, the hashtag #BlackTikTokStrike went viral on TikTok. Many Black creators decided to refrain from creating new TikTok dances until they received credit where it's due. Since TikTok’s conception, Black creators have been paving the way for the popular dance trends that become instantaneously viral online. For example, the viral “Savage” dance to the popular Megan Thee Stallion song was created by then-teenager Keara Wilson and has received tens of millions of views and even a recreation by Megan Thee Stallion herself. One of the most popular dances of all time on the app is the “Renagade” dance, performed to K Camp’s “Lottery.” This dance was created by 14-year-old Jalaiah Harmon and made popular by TikTok superstar Charli D’Amelio. However, as Natachi Onwuamaegbu of The Washington Post points out, D’Amelio, a white creator, “gained millions of followers before she acknowledged the dance’s Black creator.” Similarly, white TikTok star Addison Rae Easterling was invited on The Tonight Show to perform eight viral TikTok dances, none of which she choreographed. Credit to the original creators was not given.
As someone who has been dancing now for over 20 years, I never considered the challenges and differences that would happen standing at the front of the room rather than at the barre. I started out with just substituting classes here and there, but at the beginning of the 2023 school year, I joined the amazing staff at Body Language Studios (BLS), and was on a rotation of substitute teachers at Evergreen City Ballet (ECB). There is still a sense of feeling like the new kid on the first day of school; I had only taken one class previously at BLS, so it was an atmosphere I was very unfamiliar with. Now with some time teaching under my belt, and a more familiarity with different technique levels, here are a few things I have learned:
At last, the gift-giving season is upon us! When it comes to shopping for holiday gifts, an unnecessary amount of stress can easily accrue. What do I get for them? What’s on-trend? Will they like it? Countless questions circle through our brains, making an activity that’s supposed to be festive feel a bit overwhelming. That’s why here at Dancewear Center, we’re making your life a bit easier by giving you our ultimate guide to holiday shopping for your favorite dancers! From stocking stuffers to affordable activewear to luxury leotards, DWC is your one-stop shop for holiday gifts this season. Read on to learn about our top picks that you can get for 30% off at our Small Business Saturday Sale, starting with the more affordable finds and leading into more upscale items.
In the enchanting world of dance, where precision and strength weave the tapestry of excellence, I find myself on a transformative journey exploring the profound connection between dance and Pilates. I am currently an apprentice in Romana's Pilates International Teacher training at Kinesia Pilates Seattle. Join me as we unravel the synergy between these two disciplines, understanding why Pilates is not just a companion but an indispensable ally for dancers. Moreover, we’ll delve into the exciting prospects for those of us who dream of becoming Pilates instructors, forging a unique path where passion for dance intertwines seamlessly with a burgeoning profession.
Summer ballet intensives. I had just turned thirteen when I went to my first intensive. It was the first time I had ever been away from home for that length of time. One of the other girls at my studio (and good friend) went with me on this adventure. My parents drove 6 hours to Walla Walla, we unpacked and I was overfilled with emotions. Those for weeks were one of the worst experiences of my dance life. The winter of 2022 I decided to give the whole summer intensive thing another shot. As simple as that sounds, several challenges awaited me.