The majority of dancers focus solely on the development of their dance skills. Yet, to become a truly world-class dancer, you need more than excellent technique, performance ability, and knack for learning choreography. You also need the mindsets and habits that help you succeed. If you have the passion for and desire to dance, and […]
Don’t Blame Your Failure on Lack of Dance Talent
Have you ever watched a professional athlete play in a game, listened to a musician perform his music, read the words of a novelist, or looked at the work of an artist and thought, “I wish I had that kind of talent”? And have you ever watched a dancer performing on stage and said, “I […]
Dancing Boys Need Our Support
Two weeks ago, I was reminded why I began this blog in April 2018. I saw how difficult it was for my (then) 13-year-old-son to pursue dancing. I’m not talking about physical challenges, though. I’m talking about the emotional and psychological ones. Julian started at the age of three. By the time he hit first […]
10 Tips to Help You Push Yourself or Your Dancing Son to the Next Level
Do you push yourself to be better or do better? Do you drive yourself to start or to finish? Do you strive achieve your goals and your potential and purpose? Dancers tend to do this all the time…unless they get bored, complacent, or unenthusiastic. Plus, it’s so easy not to push. After all, doing it […]
What is High Performance and Why Do Dancers Need It?
Many people think the term “high performance” applies only to machines, like cars. However, high performance applies to people like you—dancers (and the parents of dancers)—as well. The most successful people in any industry are high performers. Dancers, also, need to become a high-performers if they want to succeed. You may not have been born […]
How to Let Your Dancing Son Spread His Wings—Alone
Today’s guest post is written by another dancin’ mom, Lindsay Clinton. She writes about finding the courage to let her dancin’ boy out from under her wing so he could fly toward his dreams. The blast occurred at 8:30 a few blocks from Charlie’s New York City home. He immediately responded to my text, “I’m […]
The Life of a Freelance Dancer
Freelance dancer. Most young dancin’ boys don’t think about the freelance life as a career option. However, for some, this is a choice. For others it’s a necessity—at least part of the year. In the United States, the dance season is short. Most dancers must freelance during the eight to fourteen weeks the company is […]
How to Become a Good Partner (from a Ballerina’s Perspective)
Partnering. It’s a huge part of a male dancer’s job. For some, partnering feels difficult and they hate it. For others, it’s comes naturally, and they love it. No matter where you or your son fall on this spectrum, it’s necessary to become a good partner to succeed in a dance career. Male dancers who […]
Dancing Des Grieux: An Artistic Director’s View
It’s not often a dancin’ mom gets to have a long chat with her dancin’ son’s artistic director—especially when he dances professionally. However, I had the unique opportunity to interview Aaron Watkin, the artistic director at SemperOper Ballett in Dresden, Germany, just after my son, Julian, danced the biggest role of his career, Des Grieux […]
A Young Male Ballet Dancer’s Perspective on Performing Manon
This past November 2015, my son, Julian Amir Lacey, premiered in the lead role of the three-part ballet, Manon, produced by SemperOper Ballett in Dresden, Germany. This famous ballet was choreographed by Kenneth MacMillan, and the MacMillan Foundation chose Julian to perform the principle part in two of six performances. Julian danced the role of […]
How to Audition for Your First Dance Job
Young men who choose to dance have many opportunities and reasons to audition. They audition for summer intensives, for positions in companies, and for specific roles. When the time comes to audition for companies, hopefully, they’ve gotten some experience so they can put their best foot forward. When Julian danced at Teen Dance Company (now […]
At What Age Should Dancin’ Boys Begin Partnering?
Little dancin’ boys want to do what big dancin’ boys do. They want to dance with the girls—to partner. But how much partnering should your young dancer do and at what age? Knowing the answer to this question can make the difference between a long career or one that never begins. Julian was eager to […]
The True Beginning of Your Son’s Dance Career
You may think your son’s career begins when he takes the stage for his first recital, wins a competition, or gets asked to be on a dance team. Or you might mark the big day at the point he signs a contract with a dance company the first time he takes the stage as a […]
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