Dancing in PMA Theatre Guild's 2014 production of Hairspray (I'm the girl in the red). This story gets a little personal. If you have been in the dance world for years, you understand the impact it can have on your life. While I fully believe that it has a positive impact on its artists' lives, dance (especially ballet) can take a toll on a dancer, too. First of all, ballet consumes your entire life. This can be difficult during your teenage years. Four or five times a week, I would come home from school and immediately change out of my navy blue uniform tights into my ballet tights, throw my hair up, and rush to the studio. I'd be there until past dinner time then come home and try to get all of my homework done (including honors and AP course work) by a reasonable hour to get to bed. Dancing full time is stressful during high school. It became difficult for me to manage my time between dance classes, rehearsals, teaching, homework, studying, projects, college planning, other extracurriculars, and my social life. For the first two years of high school, I managed it well. I was comfortable with telling my friends that I couldn't hang out because I had dance and I was used to wearing ankle weights around the house and doing barre every afternoon and stretching before going to bed. Dancing this much is also physically exhausting, so it was no surprise when I would fall asleep during study hall. I was constantly sore, constantly tired, and constantly spread too thin, but I believed that all of my sacrifice would be worth it when I made my dreams come true. I hate to break it to all of the dreamers out there, but sometimes, dreams don't come true. This is a lesson I had to learn when I was sixteen years old. I learned that at the ballet barre, the girl on your right is more flexible than you are and the girl on your left has higher arches. I learned that the girl across the room picks up choreography faster than you and the girl in the front of the room can do sixteen fouetté turns en pointe. I learned that no matter how much you stretch, you will never have a 180 degree arabesque or turnout. I learned that no matter how much you practiced, your director won't always give you the role you desire. I learned that no matter how badly you want something, you're not guaranteed to get everything. That's something very hard to teach, especially to little girls in tutus who want nothing more than to be the Sugar Plum Fairy in The Nutcracker. You tell your kids that they have to work for their dreams, but how are they supposed to keep their faith in you when their dreams don't come true? Dreams are complex things that dancers constantly have to keep in check. This is a lot for a sixteen year old girl who is dreaming about everything from being Clara to getting a date to the prom to take in. It's important to teach kids to follow their dreams, especially in dance, because this is what motivates them to work and become the best dancers they can be. However, a lesson I imagined learning is how to love dance even when my dreams don't come true. When I have a junior in high school, I got in the car after class one day and told my mother I wanted to quit dance. I didn't end up stopping my training, but I mentally "checked out" of dance. When I had too much homework or band practice, I didn't go to dance. When I was in class, I didn't care if I messed up the combinations or not. I lost my motivation to improve, and for a long time I forgot why I was dancing in the first place. Then Hairspray happened. Anyone who went to my high school has probably stopped reading by now because this show was two and a half years ago and everyone's sick of hearing about it by now, but it was a very significant part of my dance journey I wouldn't be the dancer I am today had I not gone through this experience. I had always taken an interest in theatre; my parents took my sister and I to see various musicals in Boston and NYC such as In the Heights, Rent, and Anything Goes. Musical theatre was something I'd always wanted to do, but I never had the time or self-confidence to pursue it. When my school announced that the spring musical was Hairspray, I nearly lost it. This was the musical I'd obsessed over ever since I saw Zac Efron as Link Larkin in the 2007 film version when I was in the fifth grade. Hairspray is such a fun musical especially for dancers, so on a whim I decided to audition. I was one cast as one of the council members and a featured dancer, and I was blessed with the opportunity to choreograph a few numbers for the show. I had been cast in many ballet productions (The Nutcracker, Coppelia, etc.), so I knew what it was like to be in a show, but Hairspray was new territory for me. I thought the dancing would be easy for me, as I was used to intense ballet training, but it was more of a challenge for me to loosen up and just have fun. I was playing a carefree (somewhat ditzy) character; I couldn't be an uptight little bunhead. I also realized how uncomfortable and uptight I was on stage, something that being on stage with my best friends and learning to improv with them helped me overcome. By being a student choreographer, I was given the chance to teach different levels of dancers, an experience that made me realize I have what it takes to become a dance teacher. And most importantly, I learned how to have fun dancing again. It was hard work, but a fun experience to learn different styles of dances and perform them with my cast mates. It was fun working together with my classmates late at night and during study hall and lunch periods to try and pull our dances together. We would be so excited to start rehearsals because we loved doing the dances. As much work as it was, I had more fun doing that show than I had had doing traditional dance stuff in the longest time. Hairspray reminded me of how amazing it feels to dance, and I am forever grateful for the opportunity. The joy I felt dancing out the closing number, "You Can't Stop the Beat", is one of my favorite memories of high school. I didn't have to force a smile for the stage; I was genuinely happy. Theatre wasn't something I ever expected myself to do, but sometimes we get what we need from the most unlikely places. Musical theatre is something I encourage all dancers (especially ballet dancers) to get involved with. Ballet is a form of dance theatre, and ballet dancers can benefit from the acting, improvisation, and stage presence experiences, as well as get comfortable with other styles and make yourself more employable as a dancer and choreographer. Musical theatre is not as rigid, but it is just as much work as ballet, so I suggest all ballet dancers broaden their horizons and give it a try. A lot of teachers and dancers would see doing a musical as a distraction from training, but I strongly believe musical theatre will only supplement one's dance education. From my last performance with PMA Theatre Guild, Damn Yankees
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When we're kids, our parental figures made us go to dance class. I was woken up on Saturday mornings, had my hair whipped up into a bun, and driven to dance class. Being forced to go to dance class every Saturday morning was my first sense of commitment. One time during a family weekend getaway vacation to Maine, my mother made the hour drive home for the day just so my sister and I could go to dance class. I learned that when you participate in something, attendance is not optional. While this might seem like I was "forced" to dance, my parents wouldn't have made me dance if I didn't want to. And if I had been allowed to sit home and watch Lizzie McGuire on Saturday mornings instead of go to dance class, I wouldn't know what it means to be dedicated to something AND I would be way behind on my dance education. This early sense of dedication to dance stuck with me through my grade school days. Now that I am out of high school and in my young adult years (yea, I don't believe I'm a legal adult, either), dance class is not an obligation for me. I no longer dance at a full time studio, so the only time I'm expected to go to technique class is when I'm at school (as a dance major, it is essential that you show up to class, just like you would any other subject). During the summer, dance is completely optional. No one is shutting the TV off and forcing me to go to class. I don't have any grades depending on my attendance. I don't have any rehearsals that I need to be at. I could sit home and watch as many episodes of Keeping up with the Kardashians as I want! If my friends want to hang out, I don't have to use class as an excuse to not go. I can sleep in and stay out as late as I want; it's not like I have dance in the morning! I'm at the point in my life where someone might ask me why I am going to dance class. Going to dance class has become MY choice. I'm not influenced by a parent or a professor to go to class this week. But as a ballet dancer, it still feels weird to go weeks on end without class. Why? The answer is simple: I WANT to go to class. Does that sound crazy? My classmates are probably rolling their eyes at me as they read this, wondering why I don't just enjoy my summer off and go back to class in the Fall like a normal person. I guess it's a bold statement to come out and say that I actually enjoy ballet class. I'm the kind of kid who doesn't want class to ever be cancelled. Are there days when I'm tired, feeling lazy, or have better things to do? Of course there are. But that doesn't mean I don't want to improve my technique, strengthen my muscles, practice learning combinations, or simply feel the joy of taking class. There is no better feeling in the world than dancing, so why would I pass up the opportunity to dance a few nights a week? I encourage all dancers to stay in class year round. Even if it's just for a few weeks over the summer, you can only benefit from taking more classes. Summer is a perfect time to go to workshops and intensives and take classes with teachers you normally wouldn't have time to. Summer is also a great time to land that triple pirouette you've been dying to master or stretch out your muscles for a better grande jeté. Instead of wearing yourself out at the gym, why not wear yourself out at ballet class? If you love dance and want to be the best dancer you can be, staying in class is SO important. Plus, who doesn't want to be in the best shape possible for Nutcracker season? Casey Myer Photography
Selena Gomez in Another Cinderella Story Every now and then, dance shows up in mainstream media, typically in movie or TV shows. Even though I've written an article about why you shouldn't watch Lifetime's Dance Moms, here's a list of my favorite dance oriented movie and shows that you SHOULD watch! 12. Mad Hot Ballroom (2005) As if middle school gym class isn't awkward enough, try having to learn how to dance...with your crush! Mad Hot Ballroom is a documentary that tells the story of a New York middle school that teaches ballroom dance to its students and has them to compete in local competitions. This film is interesting, quirky, and good for laugh or two. Available on: Netflix (DVD rental), Amazon Video, iTunes 11. The Red Shoes (1948) This film is a twist on the classic fairytale about a girl who puts on a magical pair of ballet shoes that takes away her ability to stop dancing; in this version, an aspiring ballet dancer both dances the lead role in The Red Shoes ballet and struggles with the demands of the professional ballet world. This movie is good for old-fashioned movie fanatics and ballet lovers. Available on: Netflix (DVD rental), Amazon Video, iTunes 10. Another Cinderella Story (2008) Because we couldn't get enough of the teenage dream that is A Cinderella Story (2004), four years later Selena Gomez (Wizards of Waverly Place) starred in Another Cinderella Story, the tale of a young, aspiring dancer living under the thumb of her cruel stepmother (Jane Lynch). In this version of the fairytale, Mary (Gomez) wants nothing more than to follow in her late mother's footsteps and go to dance school. With the help of her dreamy pop star boyfriend (Drew Seeley), will she be able to live her dreams, or will she serve out the rest of her life as her stepmother's maid? Find out in this geared-for-tweens but great for all ages film. Available on: Netflix (DVD rental), Amazon Video, iTunes 9. The Turning Point (1977) Another oldie but a goodie...The Turning Point tells the fictional tale of a retired ballet dancer who gave up her dance career to have and raise her daughter, who is now following her in footsteps and training to earn a place in the company her mother once danced for. This film shows the ups and downs of balancing a "normal life" with a career in dance and shows the competitiveness of the ballet world. Because this movie couldn't be awesome enough, the beautiful Mikhail Baryshnikov has a featured role in the film. 8. First Position (2011) The documentary First Position follows 6 young dancers around the world as they prepare for the Youth America Grand Prix, a prestigious ballet competition that can open doors for aspiring ballet dancers. This film gives an inside look into the dedication, commitment, and sacrifice that goes into turning children into stars and making their ballet dreams come true. The film also features inspiring stories, such as Michaela DePrince's, as well as jaw dropping performances. First Position is good for audiences of all ages and audiences with little to an extensive amount of knowledge of the ballet world. Available on: Netflix (Instant Play or DVD rental), Hulu, Amazon Video, iTunes 7. A Ballerina's Tale (2015) A Ballerina's Tale is a documentary about the life and career of American Ballet Theatre principal Misty Copeland. Copeland's story of overcoming challenges and doubts from others and bringing diversity to the ballet world inspires people both in the dance world and outside of it. This documentary is good for anyone who loves a good underdog triumph story as well as any fan of ballet. Available on: Netflix (Instant Play or DVD rental), Amazon Video, iTunes 6. Ballet Shoes (2007) Based on the novel by Noel Streatfeild, Ballet Shoes is the fictional story of three orphan girls who are enrolled in a performing arts academy in the hopes that they will make careers for themselves. One of the girls is a ballet prodigy, one falls in love with theatre, and the other struggles to find her place in the entertainment world. This movie is great for both young and older audiences. For all you Harry Potter fans out there, watch a young Emma Watson portray Pauline Fossil, one of the film's main characters. Available on: Netflix (DVD rental), Amazon Video 5. Hairspray (2007) Based on both the 1988 film and Broadway musical of the same name, Hairspray tells the story of a young, overweight girl who dreams of nothing but dancing on a local television show with her thinner classmates. Tracy Turnblad (Nikki Blonsky) leads an all star cast in this movie about challenging society standards and proving that everyone, regardless of appearance, weight, social class, and race can shine on the dance floor. Available on: Netflix (DVD rental), Amazon Video, iTunes Also look out for Hairspray Live!, airing on NBC on December 7, 2016. This TV adaptation of the musical will star newcomer and Marymount Manhattan College student Maddie Baillio as Tracy Turnblad along with seasoned performers such as Kristin Chenoweth (Velma Von Tussle), Harvey Fierstein (Edna Turnblad), Martin Short (Wilbur Turnblad), Jennifer Hudson (Motormouth Maybelle), Derek Hough (Corny Collins), and Ariana Grande (Penny Pingleton). 4. Bunheads (2012) Back when Freeform was still known as ABC Family, there was a great scripted serious about a Vegas dancer (Sutton Foster) who ends up teaching ballet at a small studio in California. Foster's character feels trapped at first, but then grows to love her students and her role in their lives. to The show featured stunning dance performances, heartfelt stories, realistic drama, and the perfect amount of humor. The show ended three years ago and the jokes still crack me up. Disclaimer: The show was cancelled (even though I wrote a very lengthy letter to the producers of ABC Family as to why it should be renewed) due to low ratings and ended with story lines unresolved, but I would still recommend this show because it managed to warm my heart and make me laugh all at once. Long live Bunheads! Available on: Netflix (DVD rental), Amazon Video, iTunes 3. Breaking Pointe (2012) The CW's documentary series Breaking Pointe follows the company members of Ballet West during their performance season with the company. The series gives an inside look into the troubles and triumphs of professional ballet dancers. The show features beautiful dance performances, drama, romance, and humor. Breaking Pointe opens eyes to what it's like to do ballet for a living. Available on: Netflix (DVD rental), Amazon video, iTunes 2. Center Stage (2000) This is my favorite dance movie of all time. Center Stage tells the fictional story of the fresh-out-of high school ballet dancer, Jody, on her quest to get into American Ballet Company (a parody of American Ballet Theatre). As an apprentice to the company, her naive eyes are opened to the competition, the harsh realities, the romances, the drama, and the joy of the professional ballet world. Along with her new friends, enemies, and dancer friend-boy (meaning he's not really her boyfriend but he can do everything a boyfriend can do but in a noncommittal way because rest in peace actual dating and relationships), will Jody find her place in the professional dance world? Watch this ridiculously awesome movie that features innovative choreography to find out. Available on: Netflix (DVD rental), Amazon Video, iTunes 1. Dance Academy (2010) If you are going to watch just one of the shows or movies on this list, it should be Dance Academy. Dance Academy's fictional story begins with a young Australian girl who (spoiler) is accepted into an elite dance academy (not really a spoiler because there really wouldn't be a show if she hadn't gotten in), a feeder school for Australia's most prestigious ballet company. Along the way, Tara (the main character) makes friends and enemies and learns how hard she's going to have to work in order to hold her own at the academy and earn a place in the company. This show is very relatable to teenage/young adult dancers and anyone who loves dance or a good "dramady" in general. The series is full of beautiful dance performances, drama, humor, and wit, and is something all dancers should watch. Unlike Bunheads (rest in peace), the show concludes after three seasons with all of its plot lines concluded. This show is heartfelt and very under rated. It is also available to stream on Netflix (with a subscription) so start binge watching ASAP! Available on: Netflix (Instant Play and DVD rental), Hulu, Amazon Video, iTunes Please note: the online availability of each movie or show is based on when this article was published. Do you love any of my twelve dance movies and shows, and/or are there any that you think should have made my list? Feel free to share their titles in the comments section below! Xenia Goodwin in Dance Academy Top photo originally published on Youtube.com
Bottom photo originally published on Xeniagoodwin.blog.cz I still remember watching the very first episode of Lifetime’s reality show Dance Moms. It was July 13, 2011, and all of my friends at my dance studio were so excited to watch this new show about dance. At the time, dance wasn’t as prominent in the mainstream media as it is today, and I was curious to get an inside look into the competitive dance world, as I have never been a competitive dancer. At first glance, the show was about mothers who wanted their children to succeed in the dance world so badly that they would spend any amount of money and stay at the studio for any amount of time just for their children to win a tiara at a dance competition. I still remember that first episode, when Melissa isn’t sure how to handle her daughter, Maddie, wanting to leave rehearsal early because she feels sick. I still remember the first fight Kelly had with her daughters’ dance teacher, because she didn’t want to remove her daughters’ manicures before they went on stage at a dance competition. I still remember the team’s first routine entitled "Party Party Party", where the girls showed off their acrobatics and attitudes on stage and placed first at the competition. Like millions of people around the world, I was intrigued by this show; I loved watching the girls and their mothers sacrificing their lives and working hard to achieve their dreams. I loved seeing the girls’ excitement when they were given a solo, how great they looked on stage, and how happy they were to win week after week. As a young dancer, I also felt their pain, like when Brooke wanted to have other hobbies but didn’t have the time because she always had dance things to do, when Paige ran off stage crying because she forgot her routine, and when Chloe had to compete with the same song as someone on the rival team. I also felt their joy when they bonded over bus rides to competitions, when a casting director from New York took an interest in Maddie, and when the team won a national competition. The show was an overnight success, making the dance teacher behind it all, Abby Lee Miller, a household name. It became a weekly routine for me to come home from dance class, eat dinner, put on Dance Moms, take bets on who would be on the top of the pyramid this week and who would get a solo, watch the girls rehearse and try on costumes, listen to the moms complain and prepare for competition, laugh over the jokes made on the bus rides, watch in awe as the girls performed, and cross my fingers as they announced the competition results. One could make an argument that Dance Moms has changed dance’s role in mainstream media; So You Think You Can Dance has changed its identity from a competition for older dancers to dancers under the age of thirteen and there’s now a Teen Choice Award for Choice Dancer. The dancers themselves have made names for themselves because of this show, too. Maddie Ziegler has starred in multiple music videos for the musical artist Sia, Chloe Lukasiak was cast in the film Center Stage: On Pointe (one of the many sequels to the 2000 classic) Brooke and Paige Hyland have modeled for dress designer Sherri Hill, Mackenzie Ziegler, Nia Frazier, Brooke Hyland, and Kendall Vertes have all had successful music sales on iTunes...the list of opportunities these girls have gotten because of their starts on the reality show goes on and on. Whether you’ve seen the show or not, you might be wondering... why is this show a negative thing? Seriously, what’s the big deal?
The problem with Dance Moms is that it normalizes emotional abuse in the dance world. Is that an extreme accusation? Of course it is. But there is nothing “unextreme” about Abby Lee Miller. From day one, she has pinned young girls (when the show first aired, Maddie Ziegler was 8 years old and Chloe Lukasiak was ten) against each other in a pyramid of headshots where the girls were ranked against each other based on their dancing abilities. The pyramid isn’t where Miller’s cruel antics stopped. Miller has done everything from throwing a chair at Paige Hyland to constantly replacing the girls with someone half their age. At first, it was fun for fans to make fun of Abby Lee Miller’s craziness because we knew at the end of the day she had her dancers’ best interests at heart. We saw this when Chloe considered quitting dance and Miller told her she could be a Rockette someday if she kept training and when she choreographed a dance for Maddie to pay tribute to her late grandmother. It didn’t look like emotional abuse when I first watched the show, but then I kept watching...and heard what the cast of the show said off camera. One of the most haunting stories is from former star of the show Chloe Lukasiak where she confesses that the real reason she left the team and the show is because her dance teacher made fun of her for having a medical condition in which one of her eyes doesn’t open as wide as the other. Another story is from the Hylands, who claim Paige suffered from anxiety brought on by Miller constantly making fun of her and belittling her. Even from the footage on the show we see Miller playing clear favorites, denying girls opportunities, and flat out bullying them. Are the girls beautiful dancers? Yes. Have they found success in both the competitive dance world and in the spotlight off stage? Yes. But my question to the dance world is this: is Miller’s emotional abuse NECESSARY to this success? It only takes common sense to give the answer of “no”. Do students needed to be pushed in order to become professional dancers? Yes. Do they need tough love? Yes. Do they need to be taught how to be realistic about their dreams? Yes. Do they need to sacrifice their whole lives for dance? Often. Do they sometimes need healthy competition in order to push themselves and prepare for the competitive job market in the dance world? Yes. But do they need to be bullied? Do they need to be brought to tears because they believe they are not good enough, just because they are not their dance teacher’s favorite? Do they need to get chills every time their dance teacher walks in the room? Do they need to give up the opportunity to dance on national television just to go to a dance studio where they won’t be treated this way? Do they need to be pinned against their friends and their mothers just to win their dance teacher’s approval? No. Never. Being cruel to her students is NOT part of Abby Lee Miller’s job description. Her job is to teach her students how to dance, achieve their dreams, focus, work through difficulties, make it in the dance world, and most importantly, how to LOVE the art form of dance. While dance is not always pretty tutus and turn sequences and tiaras, it is NOT supposed to be a negative experience of a child’s life. In her acceptance speech for the award of Choice Dancer at the 2015 Teen Choice Awards, Chloe Lukasiak inspired people everywhere when she said, “To anyone who has ever been told that they can’t do it, that they shouldn’t do it, or they aren’t good enough — ignore it. Do it anyways, and prove them wrong”. These are some beautiful words of wisdom from such a young girl, and while I am proud of her for overcoming Miller’s emotional abuse, she should have never have been told she wasn’t a good enough dancer. For one thing, she is a beautiful dancer (I guarantee she could out dance myself and many of my peers), but even if she wasn’t incredibly talented, there is no reason for a teacher to tell a student they aren’t good enough; it is their job to teach them how to perform to the best of their abilities. Teachers are meant to inspire their students and help them get as close to achieving their goals as they possibly can, not tear them down because they don’t personally like them or because it makes for good TV. The problem with Dance Moms is that is both misrepresents the positive relationships between the majority of dance teachers and their students, and glorifies the negative ones. While it may just be a reality show to most, it is a reality to others that should not be accepted by mainstream media. To any student who is mistreated by a teacher like Abby Lee Miller, or who is lead to believe that dance is supposed to be like it is on Dance Moms, I encourage you to find a more positive place in the dance world. And to those who are fans of the show, I encourage you to care more about the beautiful art form that dance is, and less about the drama that comes along with it. Photo originally published on Inquisitr.com Whether we like it or not, everyone gets a label. Whether you're Johnny, that kid who plays baseball or David, that kid that plays guitar, or Josh, that boy who does theatre, your label usually has something to do with your hobbies or passions. My label? I guess you could label me as that ballet girl. That kid who got hit in the eye in the first grade during a t-ball game because she was too busy rehearsing a recital number to realize a ball was headed straight for her. That girl who'd rather do fouettes at a school dance than grind on some boy. That girl who was late to that same school dance with her hair in a bun and tights underneath her dress because she had rehearsal before the dance. That girl who you can't hang out with on Saturday because she has ballet class. Wanna go to the mall on Friday with that girl? You can't, because it's Nutcracker season and she'll be in rehearsal all night. What about Thursday? She has dance then, too. Wednesday? Nah, she helps out with the younger dancer's classes on Wednesdays. Gotta get those community service hours! Tuesday? Tuesday is ballet day. Monday? Is that even a question? Maybe hang out with her during lunch? Possibly, except she might be having an emergency rehearsal for the school musical in the auditorium with her dancers during lunch. Hi, my name is Becca, and I am that ballet girl. When I tell people I am a ballet dancer, there are 10 options for a response people will give me:
So you don't eat, right? Can you do a split? I saw The Nutcracker once. It was kinda boring; I didn't know they didn't talk in it! I did ballet as a kid. It was so boring, so my mom let me quit and do gymnastics instead. Are all the boys gay? Ugh, I hate how my studio makes us take ballet. Modern is SO much cooler. *puts arms over head and spins in circle* Have you seen The Nutcracker? Have you been in The Nutcracker? I saw Misty Copeland in a commercial once. While those responses can usually be answered with a simple roll of the eyes, my favorite question to get is, "why?". Usually, I brush off the question and tell people I just love it, but the reason I am Becca, that ballet girl is so much deeper than that. Ballet has had the most positive influence on my life. It has given me discipline, structure, grace (mom, if you're reading this, please don't comment on how I'm constantly walking into things around the house), a good work ethic, focus, ambition, friendships, passion, and beauty. Ballet is a such a beautiful thing itself. Think about it; ballet doesn't even need words to tell a story. It's literally bringing a story to life just through movement and stagecraft! There is no better feeling than the high you get from dancing on the tips of your toes on stage in front of a sold out audience. There is no better way to clear your head than to do barre exercises and focus on your technique. Ballet is my entire life, from the time I spend in the studio and on stage to the work ethic I learned in ballet class that I apply to school and my job to the times I start grande jete-ing across my backyard just for the hell of it. Without ballet, I wouldn't be the person I am today. Hi, my name is Becca. I am that ballet girl, and this is my blog. |
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September 2020
Offline Updates7/16 Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, the showcase I was selected to choreograph for at NYU was unfortunately cancelled. However, I was able to turn my work into a mini-documentary about the choreographic process and art prevailing during these trying times. You can watch my video my clicking the button below!
9/18 Follow my new Instagram just for my dance things!
12/23 I was one of NDEO's Guest Bloggers this year! Read "Teaching is a Vocation. Not a Fallback" on their Behind the Curtain Blog!
9/27 I will be presenting my research at the National Dance Education Organization National Conference next week! See my research project by clicking the button below!
4/15 While working on PMA's production of The Addams Family, I got to combine my two favorite styles of dance (ballet and musical theatre) for "The Moon and Me"! Watch my talented students dance by clicking the button below!
2/20 I am choreographing PMA Theatre Guild's Production of The Addams Family! Come see these amazing high school students perform at Presentation of Mary Academy in Methuen, MA April 13 & 14! Tickets available at the door.
2/20 I am stage managing BSU's Dance Kaleidoscope this year! Show dates are March 29-31 at Bridgewater State University in Bridgewater, MA. Come see this student choreography showcase!
11/5 I will once again be dancing in a BSUDC concert! Tickets to WinterDance are now available!
8/24 NDEO's National Honor Society for Dance Arts has published one of my articles in their newsletter! Read an updated version of "Audition Advice" here:
5/16 Interested in learning about movement concepts? Visit Becca's new Educational Dance website!
5/8 BSU Dance Company's Dance Kaleidoscope 2017 is now on Youtube! You can watch my performances by visiting the VIDEOS page!
4/23 I recently performed for the residents of Allerton House in Hingham, MA! You can watch part of my performance here!
Amesbury Children's Theatre presents...James and the Giant Peach Jr, featuring choreography by me! Click for tickets!
2/8 My piece "Barefoot" is now available to watch online! Click to watch!
2/5 Happy to say I have been cast in BSU Dance Company's Spring concert Dance Kaleidoscope! I will be dancing in 3 faculty choreographed pieces, including excerpts from The Sleeping Beauty in which I will be dancing the role of Lilac Fairy! Show dates are March 31-April 1 at Bridgewater State University.
Click the button for more info! 1/15 Ballet with Becca is now on Facebook! Click to visit the page, and be sure to like it while you're there!
1/14 I am happy to say I will be attending artEmotion's summer intensive in June! I will be dancing in the one week artEmotion Adult Program. If anyone would like to join or audition for any other artEmotion program, visit their website!
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