Okay, I know I just told you this blog won an award for being a great dance blog. As Nichelle at Dance Advantage points out, however, all the lists of best dance blogs to date have been compiled by organizations outside the dance community. (This was the case with the award mentioned in my last post.) So, she decided it was time readers of dance blogs voted on their own list. (Great idea, Nichelle, and high time!)
She has grabbed the bull by the horns, as they say, and will vote on 10 blogs to decide on the top blog and blogs of 2010. Which blogs get put into the running will be determined by the number of comments on a blog post written about the contest and published in each dance blog. Here’s what that means:
To get My Son Can Dance into the running, you must leave comments about why you think this blog should be voted the best dance blog of 2010 right here on this particular blog post. And you have to leave your comment by December 22. To even be in the running, this particular blog post that you are reading has to receive a lot of blog comments.
You can read all the contest details here.
I have always enjoyed writing this blog. It started out as my way of sharing my son’s trials and tribulations as a dancer and the things my husband and I had learned about raising and supporting a young male dancer with dreams of one day becoming a professional dancer. It then turned into a more journalistic endeavor with me occasionally interviewing a dancer or dance teacher or inviting a guest blogger to add their expertise. I now have plans to expand the site with some special reports and other written products, including the long-awaited book about mentoring boys who want to become professional dancers.
Over the years so many parents and dancers have written in to tell me how much they love this blog. If you have found the information here useful, please take the time now to reiterate that sentiment. Leave a short note in the comment field so My Son Can Dance might be considered as on the Best Dance Blogs of 2010–or maybe even become THE Best Dance Blog of 2010. Getting such an honor from the actual dance community would really be something amazing and meaningful.
Thanks in advance…for being loyal readers and supporters of my work. Your comments, emails and questions continue to make this blog worth writing.
Your passion for this subject shines through and I’ve enjoyed reading your blog so much! All the best in 2011~
A great blog about boys in the dance world and the issues they face as well as general info on summer intensives, physical issues, etc.
Boys and Ballet nominates My Son can Dance for Top Dance Blog of 2010
My Son can Dance explores the issues facing young male dancers from the perspective of a parent. The readers follow Nina and her son Julian’s journey into the world of dance. Along the way we learn from their experiences. We share their laughter, frustrations, struggles, and achievements. Nina also gives advice and tips that are a great help to parents.
Boys and Ballet has followed My Son can Dance for over two years. The blog’s link and RSS feed appears on our site.
My son took ballet and tap when he was in elementary school, and although he never went beyond that level, he is a better person because he respects the athleticism and talent that goes into becoming a dancer, and would be the last male to criticize those that make it a career or hoby. ‘My son can dance’, the blog, is a great way to encourage all parents to include their sons in a dance program, and ultimately see the benefits that it offers, in all aspects of life, regardless of how far they go with it.
I have enjoyed reading this blog. Although I have never danced, I have played in a supporting orchestra many times. Hearing the stories from the dancer’s point of view is always interesting.
Wonderful blog by a great writer and passionate mom! Always enjoy reading the articles, which are both informative and inspiring!
Informative and encouraging exchange for families with boys talented and interested in pursuing dance..keep it up!
Thanks for such a great blog and for the unique “Mom’s-eye-view” of a kid
growing up in the arts. Best of luck to you and your family, and best wishes for the continued success of your son’s dancing and your writing.
Thanks again,
Zach
Nina, I so admire what you are doing not only for your son, family, and the dance community, but for our culture in general. Good men develop because they are encouraged to develop their talent as boys. Our society needs as much art as it can get. The commitment that you have made to support your son in dancing is a contribution with a large ripple effect. It must be nice to know that you make a difference!
You have continued to provide an amazing and dedicated blog which is filled with useful information, tips and even special guest contributors on a range of topics for the arts community both amateur and professional alike. As a fellow mom and promoter of the arts, I salute you for all of your hardwork… you deserve the honor and more! Looking forward to 2011!
From a non-dancing mom whose first dancer was a boy, I cannot thank you enough for the boy specific advice you have posted on your blog. From dance belts to tights to summer intensives, you have helped us navigate uncharted waters many times. Your moving studios post helped my son realize other boys have been in the same position and that it is okay to leave your friends to follow your dreams. Thank you!
This blog has been so helpful to me as a mom of a dancing boy. I love the posts and hearing about what her son’s process as he makes his way as a dancer.
I feel privileged to be able to follow Julian’s journey as a developing young dancer. This blog offers insight, advice, and humor. Nina never lets it get old, constantly writing something fresh and new. Good luck in the contest.
As a mom with zero dance experience, with a boy who not only dances, but is apparently pretty good at it (or so folks in the know keep telling me), this blog helped me get “caught up” in lingo and know-how (like, what a dance belt is and how my son should wear it!) so that I don’t feel like a floundering idiot when his teachers talk to me.
GREAT blog, and so great to feel like there’s an actual community of us moms-of-boys-who-dance. I hope you win the award — you certainly deserve it!!
Thank you for this site. I wish I had found something like this fifteen years ago when my son was beginning to think of dance as a career. Now, he’s just finished another Nutcracker season as a free-lancer. It’s a tough world and can be tough on parents, too. But like all things worth doing for their own sakes, it has great rewards. Thanks for building a community for these boys and their parents!
Nina’s blog is an invaluable source of information and support for parents who are trying to navigate the complex, often counter intuitive world of dance. As the director of American Cinematic Ballet and a male teacher, I recommend this blog to all parents and particularly those who’s sons have the endeavor to be professional dancers. I am also looking forward to contributing to this blog in the near future. Bravo Nina!
Cheers
Hi- this is such a great topic for a blog. Boys can blossom and thrive with dance too!
Nina produces excellent quality information from a great point of view. We all know how many daughter’s mothers are involved in Dance….but, with a son who dances, you have a mom with different observations, ideas and knowledge to offer.
I am a male tap teacher and enjoyed quite a few years working with Nina’s son. It is wonderful to see her contribute something back into the world of Dance and nothing beats positive, intuitive knowledge and information.
Thank you. Tap w/u Soon,
Anthony
Nina, you are amazing! I really love your blog even though I have only a 14-year-old granddaughter studying ballet. I experience with her both the geat joys, sorrows, long hours of dance training, the sacrifices these young dancers have to make in order to excel.
Keep up your amazing work!!!
P.S. I just now am able to read the email since I’ve been having problems with my computer.
Nina’s blog is always informative and a joy to read!!
Hey, Bass! Please vote for me here: http://danceadvantage.net/2011/12/27/vote-top-blogs-2011/ I really appreciate the support. Tell your friends to vote, too!