Avoiding injury after a break from dance

With Christmas fast approaching, it is important for dancers – both professional and amateur – to be mindful of their festive break, and work towards minimising their risk of injury after a holiday. Returning after a break can be hard for anyone but for dancers it is important to make the transition as easy as possible. The body must be brought back into action, and it must be remembered that the first few weeks back are high risk when it comes to injury. Continue reading Avoiding injury after a break from dance

Rambert2: auditions and new dance commissions

Britain’s leading contemporary dance company is inviting the world’s finest early-career dancers to join Rambert2, Rambert’s second ensemble designed to develop and showcase the next generation of highly skilled, thinking dancers. Open auditions for the 2019/20 cohort will be held at Rambert’s studios in London from 3 – 6 February 2019. Continue reading Rambert2: auditions and new dance commissions

BalletBoyz® presents THEM/US

This spring, the internationally lauded dance company BalletBoyz will present the London premiere of Them/Us, an innovative double bill and a brand new collaboration from the company’s own critically acclaimed dancers and the Olivier Award-winning choreographer Christopher Wheeldon. A co-production with Sadler’s Wells, Them/Us will arrive at the London venue from 5–9 March 2019, with opening night on 6 March. Continue reading BalletBoyz® presents THEM/US

New Musical Theatre academy launched in Manchester

Katy Lipson, Joseph Houston and William Whelton recently launched Hope Aria Academy, a new part-time drama course situated in Manchester: founders Katy, Joseph and William recognised a need for more opportunities for Northern-based performers to specialise in musical theatre. All three founders have backgrounds in musical theatre training and are currently full-time producers and theatre owners, actively working in the industry. Continue reading New Musical Theatre academy launched in Manchester

One Dance UK’s shortlist for its first Awards

One Dance UK has announced the shortlist for the first One Dance UK Awards, shining a spotlight on the sector as a whole. Nodding to the outstanding contribution of people working in dance, the annual event is an opportunity for people in the industry to unite, celebrate, acknowledge and recognise the people who have made an impact on the vibrant UK dance landscape. Continue reading One Dance UK’s shortlist for its first Awards

What is the recipe for pirouette success?

Pirouettes are often a dancing nemesis for young aspiring performers who dream of making dancing their career. Often physical skills and attributes are deemed most important for pirouette success, however it is arguable that attitude and approach hold as much weight as the physical skills required to perform multiple turns. Common faults include being off balance, not engaging core muscles and holding the turn out, not coordinating the arms, head and eyes, not spotting something specific and not using the floor correctly when taking off, then not controlling the ending of the pirouette. Continue reading What is the recipe for pirouette success?