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 […]
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 […]
Getting Over the Fear of Wearing Tights and a Dance Belt
I can’t recall how often I’ve been asked by a young male dancer how he could overcome the fear and awkwardness of showing up in class or on stage in tights and a dance belt, but it’s been more than just a few times. My response is pretty much always the same. So, I thought […]
My Dancer, Your Dancer and ADHD
Today I’m going to write about our dancers and how they deal with life. I’ve written about Julian and his struggles in school, but a recent development has made me realize the issues he has had in school since he was quite young actually also are issues he has had in dealing with life in […]
High School Graduation and SAB Workshop Approaching
The end of the year is fast approaching. When it comes to dance, everything seems to be moving along well for Julian. His foot seems to have healed up, although I’m not there to speak to anyone. The physical therapist says after spring break he need only come back once a week, and he has […]
Time to Start Auditioning for Companies & Summer Intensives
The School of American Ballet (SAB) students receive guidance about summer intensives and company auditions just before Thanksgiving break. The boys are brought in to see Jock Soto, the head of the men’s division, and he asks them what summer programs they might be interested in attending. He then advises them on their choices. He […]
Rupert Pennefather on Being a Dancer
I do have news of Julian and how he is doing at SAB, but I thought I’d change things up a bit today. While I was in New York City I was contacted by email and offered the chance to air an “exclusive” video of Royal Ballet principle Rupert Pennefather speaking about some of the […]
How to Survive Driving Your Son Long Distances To Dance
Every once in a while I’m reminded of the commitment my husband and I have made to our son, Julian, and that it isn’t necessarily “normal.” Well, let’s just say, not everyone makes this type of commitment to their child. On Sunday I was speaking to my neighbor as we exchanged holiday gifts and explaining […]
Dancin' Boy Issues: Post #2
Okay…finally back after a brief hiatus. Sorry about that. I can’t even remember what all has happened since my last post…A Chorus Line is over. We are on to Spring Concert rehearsals. Anyone who follows me on Facebook can see Julian’s solo from A Chorus Line. Someone posted it and I shared it. I’m not […]
Denise Wall On Raising Dancin' Boys (Part 2)
In this continuation of my interview with Denise Wall, which I conducted while Julian and I were in New York City last summer during the ABT Summer Intensive, she discusses issues of sibling rivalry, sexuality and peer pressure. Denise and I met at the New York City Dance Alliance finals, where students from her studio […]
Standing on the White Line
A bit like the dancers who took part in the interviews that ended up becoming what we now know as the musical A Chorus Line, Julian got brutally honest the other night and told his dad and me that he was afraid he might burn out if he didn’t take a short break from only […]
Life in the Dance Lane
In case you were wondering, I haven’t abandoned this blog. I’ve been a bit busy…first with the Jewish High Holy Days and then with my second ACL surgery in 14 years. Yes…that fall down the stairs in New York ended me up under the orthopedic surgeon’s knife on September 29th (after a preliminary visit to […]
New School Year, New Dance Year, New Attitude
Julian began school on Monday. This year he’s a sophomore. He seems to have a new attitude (Thank God!) about school, schoolwork and grades. In fact, one of his best friends and a fellow dancer told me yesterday that Julian is “a different person.” It seems he was angry at her for talking on the […]