Interview with Marijn Rademaker
Photo credit: Stuttgart Ballet / the arge lola - Kai Loges + Andreas Lange
Marijn Rademaker is the principal dancer for the Stuttgart Ballet. He has performed many galas around the world and has guested with the Zurich and Hamburg Ballets. He has won many dance awards, such as the Grace Prize (1999), Der Faust in the category Best Performer Dance for Äffi (2006), Future Prize (2009), and Premio ApuliArte (2009). He is currently the principal guest artist with the Dutch National Ballet for the 2011/2012 season, where he will be dancing in Nutcracker, Swan Lake, Giselle, and the opening Gala. To learn more about Marijn, visit his website at http://www.marijnrademaker.de
AAD: When did you first begin dancing? Continue reading…
Interview with Jacqueline Beaulieu
Jacqueline Beaulieu
Jacqueline Beaulieu is an accomplished actor, director, model, and professional ballerina. As a classical ballerina, Jacqueline has worked with the New York Theater Ballet and The Metropolitan Repertory Ballet. A co-founder, co-owner, and Artistic director for many years at Beaulieu Ballet School, Jacqueline taught Classical Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Theater Dance and more. To learn more about Jacqueline, visit her website at jacquelinebeaulieu.com/
AAD: When did you first begin dancing?
Jacqueline: I started dancing when I was 2 1/2 years old.
AAD: Why Ballet?
Jacqueline: My parents enrolled all of us in ballet and tap when we were old enough. My older sister started it when she wanted to go to school but was too young for pre-kindergarten. Our parents thought that she would enjoy dance school. Classical Ballet has become my favorite especially through the years. I like the elegance, presence, fine tuned movement and the personal challenge of performing everything on pointe. Continue reading…
Joffrey Ballet to hold auditions for Nutcracker children’s cast
Click for Larger View
From the Joffrey Ballet:
“With our fall performance of Don Quixote right around the corner, we are already gearing up for our annual holiday tradition, The Nutcracker! Robert Joffrey’s innovative choreography – mixing tradition with fresh interpretation – has made the Joffrey Nutcracker an American classic. And, of course, our production of The Nutcracker would not be possible without our wonderful children’s cast.”
Auditions for the Joffrey’s children cast will be held September 18th at the Joffrey Tower (10 East Randolph in Chicago’s loop).
Interview with Brian Lawton
Brian Lawton
Brian Lawton is a professional dancer and teacher in New York. He currently dances with Swing X, The Big Apple Lindy Hoppers, The Ground Grippers Dance Company, and teaches at DanceSport. To learn more about Brian and his dancing, visit his site!
AAD: When did you first begin dancing?
Brian: I first started dancing in the fifth grade when I began taking classes at the Pennsylvania School of the Performing Arts, where I was trained in classical ballet, lyrical, jazz, tap, musical theatre and more for nine years. Upon graduating from high school, I traveled to New York City where I first encountered social dancing in the form of Lindy Hop and quickly became addicted.
AAD: What style of dance do you prefer and why?
Brian: Lindy Hop is by far my dance of choice. I love it’s high energy and inherently joyful nature and believe that it suits my personality. Whenever a swing song comes on, I can’t help but tap my toes and break into dance. However, I also love how dynamic the dance is. Continue reading…
Interview with Carlos Lopez
Carlos Lopez. Picture by Jesus Vallinas.
Carlos Lopez is a professional ballet dancer most recently known for joining the American Ballet Theatre in 2001, and being appointed a soloist with the ABT from 2003 – 2011. He was principal dancer with the Victor Ullate’s Ballet company for 10 years, and has guest performed with Tbilisi’s National Ballet, Ballet Nacional De Cuba, Ballet Etudes of Miami, The Capital Ballet Company, and many others. He is currently freelancing in New York. To learn more about Carlos, visit his site at CarlosLopez.org
AAD: When did you first begin dancing?
Carlos: I started dancing At Victor Ullate’s ballet school when I was 11 years old, but I remember that before that, I used to watch a lot of movies with Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers and I was always dancing around the house all the time.
AAD: What style of ballet do you prefer and why?
Carlos: I would say after all this time that I don’t have a preference of style. Each of them gives me different reasons to like it. Classical is probably the most demanding and can be very stressful sometimes, but because it’s so pure and so precise it’s also very rewarding when you do it well. I also like that I can portray different characters in different stories. In more neoclassical or contemporary ballets I love the freedom of body movement that I can use and also I think you can show your personal style and own way of dancing.
AAD: How would you describe your passion for dance?
Carlos: I would say it’s a necessity that I have to express myself through the music. Even if I’m not moving with my body I dance when I listen to music. I love the control of my body, the hard work transformed in art, the adrenaline my body projects when I’m on stage. Continue reading…
Interview with Brittany Fridenstine-Keefe
Brittany Fridenstine-Keefe. Photo by: Rex Tranter. Click for more pictures.
Brittany Fridenstine-Keefe currently freelances in NYC and teaches Gyrotonic both in her home studio and at STEPS and Kinespirit in Manhattan. She has previously danced with Pacific Northwest Ballet, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, Ballet Memphis, Minnesota Dance Theatre, the James Sewell Ballet and American Repertory Ballet as well as numerous guest artist appearances across the world. This fall she will be joining Morphoses under the direction of Luca Veggetti. Morphoses will be perform a contemporary rendition of the Bacchae at the Joyce at the end of October. To learn more about Brittany, visit her site at My Spiral Motion.
AAD: When did you first begin dancing?
Brittany: I first began dancing when I was about 4 years old. I enjoyed it instantly, but it became important to my growth when I became crossed-eyed at about 4 1/2 years old. I had double vision due to the muscle imbalance and dancing helped keep me coordinated and developing regularly with my peers. Eventually my vision was surgically corrected, but dancing became an important part of my life.
AAD: What style of ballet do you prefer and why?
Brittany: This is a funny question to interpret. Ultimately I think that ballet provides a framework of all movement. The seven basic movements being: to bend, to stretch, to rise, to dart, to jump and…..I find that exposure to all styles of ballet is vital in today’s work, but today’s dancer should be versatile in a number of styles including those outside of the ballet genre. Continue reading…
Interview with Professional Dancer Sheena Jeffers
Sheena Jeffers
Sheena Jeffers is a dance instructor in Richmond, Virginia. After graduating from Governor’s School for the Arts, she attended Virginia Commonwealth University to pursue degrees in English and Mass Communications. She continued her dance training while in college through VCU and Richmond Ballet. She is currently pursing her Masters in Dance Education. She teaches Jazz, Tap, Musical Theater, Improvisation, Contemporary and Hip-hop to ages 3-adult. As a dance educator, she hopes to teach the history, terminology and proper execution of various styles to her students, while opening communication of the dance world through her blog: www.sheenajeffers.com/blog
AAD: When did you first begin dancing?
Sheena: One day at pre-school, we performed for our parents. I was the little girl in front, bossy, sassy and in control! All of my classmates watched me for guidance, because I remembered all of the dance moves. My mom said she knew then that she had to sign me up for dance. She signed me up for ballet class when I was 5 years old, and from that day on… I’ve never stopped dancing!
AAD: What style of dance do you prefer and why?
Sheena: My favorite styles are Jazz and Contemporary. I love Jazz because you still get the Ballet technique in class to make you strong, but it’s stylized. I’ve always loved the spunk and flare that Jazz brings to the table. I feel like Contemporary is still growing and changing on a daily basis, but that’s one of the qualities I love about it. I’m a very emotional dancer, and Contemporary is an outlet to express stories, emotions, philosophies while pulling from various styles of dance. The style isn’t defined, which is fascinating, and yet it requires a properly trained dancer to execute properly.
AAD: How would you describe your passion for dance?
Sheena: There is a scene from the 1948 movie, The Red Shoes, between the choreographer and the ballerina. He asks her, “Why do you want to dance?” She responds, “Why do you want to live?” To that, he ponders, than says, “Well I don’t know exactly why, but I must.” She smiles that says, “That’s my answer too.” The truth is, I could sit here and go on for days telling you how dance has helped me grow into the person I am, and that it’s taught me self-discipline, courage and confidence. I could describe to you all of the doors dance has opened for me, and how I’ll always believe in love because I have dance. But even after telling you all of that, it still wouldn’t be enough to adequately express my complete respect and overwhelming awe for this art form, and all those involved with it.
AAD: Tell us about your decision to become a professional dancer.
Sheena: It wasn’t an easy decision, because the world isn’t as accepting of wanting to work in the Arts as it is to those who want to work in business. However, the Arts and business are very much so related. I’ve always known I wanted to become a dance educator. So I’ve made it my priority to continue my own dance education in order to pass along the most detailed, accurate and up-to-date information to my students. This has taken time, money and effort on my part, but it’s all worth it in the end! I’d never change my career goals.
AAD: What would you tell a prospective student to get them interested in dance?
Sheena Jeffers
Sheena: I’d tell them they’d have to try it to believe me, but that this will be the best, most fun, most freeing thing they’ll ever do! It’s like bungee jumping, scuba diving, and mountain climbing all in one experience.
AAD: What is the most challenging thing about your career?
Sheena: Money and time. Working as a dancer and dance teacher, you have to plan ahead! You have to know when you’ll be working, and when the check will be coming. This way, you can manage your life on time. I would also say, when you open your passion up to the public, you open a very personal thing up to very public comments and criticism. You have to have tough skin in order to deal with the pressures and emotions that come along with that.
AAD: What do you feel and think when you’re on stage?
Sheena: I try not to think when I’m on stage! And it’s so fantastic! I do all of my “thinking” during classes and during rehearsals. I work everything out before hand: the counts, the entrances, the exits, the angles of the body, where my arms/legs/head/eyes/feet should be. I rehearse full-out every time so that my muscle memory kicks in, and the piece is absorbed into my body. Once I’m on stage, I trust my body and all of the hard work I’ve put into it. I free my mind, and go! Mentally, I’m in the piece. Physically, I’m in the piece. Emotionally, I’m in the piece. I’ve come off stage to notice that my foot or knee is bleeding, and I had no idea how or when it happened!
AAD: How do you keep yourself motivated and maintain creative thinking during your off time?
Sheena: I read, and read, and read. Books are keys into other worlds, personalities and times. I love reading so much that I pursued a degree in English. Reading has a lot to do with my dancing and my choreography. It’s all about telling stories and stringing together intricate pieces of everything in our world to share it with someone else. I also write, take yoga and ask a ridiculous amount of questions to those around me. I love getting to know people and their stories.
AAD: What is the most valuable advice you have received from a teacher or mentor?
Sheena: “Just show up.” I have had so many wonderful teachers, and all of their advice I carry with me every day. But one day my teacher said, “Just show up.” This statement has made such a huge difference in my life. On those rainy days, when pulling on ballet tights was the last thing I wanted to do… I showed up anyway. On long rehearsal days when my feet were bleeding and my body was aching… I showed up to rehearse full-out again and again. It’s not just about physically showing up (though that will open many doors); it’s about showing up mentally and emotionally: being present in the moment.
AAD: Anything else you would like to share with readers of All Around Dance?
Sheena: The dance world isn’t an easy one, know that going in. Trust your instinct. Don’t let criticism, or someone’s opinion destroy you. Know who you are, and then show the world. And always remember… dance is a gift but it’s also a responsibility. Once you’ve learned it, don’t forget to pass it on.
Interview with Adult Beginner
The Adult Beginner - Click for more
The Adult Beginner is a very entertaining blog featuring the ups and downs of beginning ballet as an adult. The posts are real, catty, hilarious, and more than worth the visit. For all of you other adult beginners, you have just met your firebrand.
AAD: When did you first begin dancing?
AB: Er, don’t know if I’d even call it dancing just yet. I still mostly just blob around like a big googly blob monster.
AAD: What style of ballet do you prefer?
AB: My teacher is Russian and he teaches Vaganova style ballet. Its big and soulful. I like it!
AAD: How would you describe your passion for dance?
AB: Well, it’s about yeah big and about so tall, mostly charcoal in color with a scattering of aurora-borealis crystals. Sometimes when I squeeze it a puff of white feathers is released. It’s not very heavy but it’s kind of unwieldy, gotta get it balanced just right.
AAD: Tell us about your decision to become a dancer.
AB: I’m not a dancer, I’m a student. I’ve talked to other ballet students about this, seems this is a thing everyone must decide for themselves: When does a student become a dancer? For some it’s immediate; they dance, therefore they are dancers. For others, not so immediate. Both philosophies are totally valid. The Adult Beginner is often envious of people who self-identify without getting all think-y about it.
AAD: What would you tell a young prospective student about dance to get them interested?
AB: I would make a gesture from my feet up to my head and say, “just look at alllll this!” Oh, wait, how young of a young prospective student are we talking here? ’Cause, like, The Adult Beginner is thirty-four, I mean a young prospective student could be anywhere from three to, well, nigh-on forever, right? But, like, for serious, these obliques could cut you. And I’ve been taking ballet not even two years now. Ok, to get a young little-kid-type prospective student interested in ballet I’d probably just show them some ballet. I mean, like on YouTube or something. I wouldn’t show them myself. Poor things would be scarred for life.
AAD: What is the most challenging thing about dance for you?
AB: Um…dancing? Yeah I’m going to go with the dancing.
AAD: What do you feel and think when you’re on stage?
AB: Hmmm. Well, last time I was onstage I’m pretty sure all I was thinking was, “hope I get this actor through her quick-change on time.”
AAD: Do you attend any classes, conventions, or professional organizations?
AB: Yes, I totally attend classes. I attend them attentively. With my full attention. (Ok I guess I’m just being a brat now).
AAD: How do you keep yourself motivated and maintain creative thinking during your off time?
AB: I like to be interviewed!
AAD: What is the most valuable advice you have received from a teacher or mentor?
AB: My teacher will regularly call out people’s names in class and say, “Too serious, my dear, too serious…” and then wait for a smile to appear, and then he’ll say, “Yes! That’s it! Very good!” Which is really good advice. People who love ballet often love it so much they become Deadly Serious, and forget to be lighthearted and carefree and lose all sense of humor. I think it’s really valuable that he reminds us to have fun.
Interview with Henrik Lamark
Henrik Lamark
Henrik Lamark is a professional ballet dancer who has danced for and with companies in America, Europe, and China. He also runs the dance blog Tights and Tiaras. His blog features some really great content that you should check out. We regularly do!
AAD: What has been the source of your motivation when it comes to your career in dance?
HL: I always loved to dance, and that feeling has always been my motivation, even if it wasn’t always as clear to me as it is today. I’ve been lucky to have several great and inspiring teachers, and my parents always supported my dancing – both factors that helped me in developing and continuing my dancing. But in the end, if I didn’t love it, I wouldn’t have continued pursuing a career in dance.
AAD: What is your favorite ballet style and why?
HL: I am classically trained, and classical ballet will always be something very special to me. I love dramatical dance, plays, the theater as a form and the ability to tell a story with movement, so classical ballet fits very good in there. That said I am always searching for new ways to express myself, and love watching performances in other styles than I usually perform. I have a great respect for different artists ability to communicate something in ways I can’t or never tried, and I truly enjoy watching all kinds of dance.
AAD: How do you keep yourself motivated when you fall into a slump?
HL: Usually, I always try to focus on something different when things are hard, to concentrate my energy towards something which is good that keeps me motivated to work with those things that aren’t. I am a very active person, and doing other sports or activities always helped me get a little distance to the studio and the work there when I need it. It might be a good swim, a trip on my bike or some hours in a shopping mall for that sake, but for me it is important to do other things than dance, too. Dancers have a tendency to get very caught up in the work, our little “world inside the world”, but I think it’s both healthy and important to focus on something else in between the tendu’s.
AAD: Concerning your career in dance, What is the most valuable advice you have received?
HL: It’s not a single advice, but the attitude to always keep going, to keep working and don’t pay much attention to people that doesn’t want you good is what has gotten me to where I am today, and the best advice anyone can give.
AAD: Do you still attend classes/conventions/professional organizations?
HL: As often as I can.
AAD: Do you have any special workouts that you use to stay in tip-top shape for ballet?
HL: I do exercise outside the “normal” training in the theatre, and have a program I follow with varying loyalty. I wrote some posts on how to keep in shape on my blog, www.tightsandtiaras.com.
AAD: When you perform, what are you feeling/thinking onstage?
HL: In an ideal situation, a performance is already so drilled that the dancer is able to concentrate on the role, the expression or the content of the dancing
Henrik Lamark as 'Ego' from Youri Vamos' Carmina Burana, Hungarian Opera House
when performing. I love being on stage, but I could never explain in words what I feel there. It’s rather what I don’t feel. In the time I am on stage, all the trivialities and problems of this world doesn’t exist, it is a great mixture of tranquility and tension, calmness and adrenaline.
AAD: What kind of advice would you tell a young boy who is struggling with being picked on for ballet?
HL: Forget about them. I know it seems like ages, but when you grow up, all the girls are going to dig your dancing 
Believe me, people picking on others for their interest or such are really just sad, unfulfilled people – be happy you do something you enjoy, and something you don’t do just because all the other guys does it. By finding something you enjoy, your life will be filled with joys and happiness, where theirs are going to remain sad and empty. Be strong, work hard, and if the “pickers” gets too close, show them the various uses of a grande battement 
AAD: You have mentioned on your blog that you tend to be blunt and straight-forward. How has that affected your career?
HL: I find most people appreciate honesty. But I have also learned to keep my mouth shut when I have to. It’s an importance difference between being straight-forward, and being rude or insulting. Interestingly, I find that most all my dance partners say they appreciated my straight-forwardness when working with me a lot, they always know where they have me, and if there is a problem or something I’m not satisfied with, they know I will tell them. Therefore, it is easy to relate to me (at least in the studio ) and there’s no surprises.
AAD: If you could dance for any company in the world, what would it be and why?
HL: There are so many great companies in the world, and so many different styles and expressions. The best company in the world isn’t necessarily the best company for me, though, and I don’t have one particular company where I would prefer to dance before all others. I think you don’t really know what company works for you until you have worked there a while, therefore, it’s impossible to say which one would be the ideal company. I would like to work back home in Norway at some point, though, I’d love to dance for the Norwegian audience. But right now I’m just starting here in Győr in Hungary, and can’t wait to get to know the rep, the colleagues and the audience here. So right now, that company would be the Győri Ballet 
AAD: Growing up (or currently), what technique was hardest for you to perfect?
HL: The classical ballet technique is a bitch, and not something you perfect. Is is something you work with everyday as long as you are dancing, striving towards perfection, but never reaching it. It is the beauty, and curse, of ballet.
AAD: Do you think you’ll ever want to choreograph or teach classes?
HL: Teach yes, choreograph, well… I wouldn’t say I’m not going to choreograph anything, because I may, but it will be when I feel I really have something to say that is so important that I can’t keep it in me. For now I get out that energy through dance, and feel no need to choreograph. Also, it’s a shitload of work
Picture Of The Day
Reasons why I love this picture:
The lighting is perfect.
I can see their leg and arm muscles just perfectly.
But my favorite part of this whole picture is the tone. What a serene face on this little girl’s face. You can just see how they truly enjoy ballet and it’s really inspiring to see such young faces enjoying such a beautiful thing.
Photo courtesy of Piccsy
