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 […]
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 […]
Julian Dances the “Groom” and “Mr. Peanut”
I am sorry I can’t travel to Germany more often. I would have liked to see Julian’s recent performance in Giselle and his upcoming one in Impressing the Czar. Semperoper Ballet recently ended a run of David Dawson’s Giselle. Although Julian was not originally scheduled to dance the part of the “Groom,” an opportunity arose for […]
Help Save My Dancin’ Son’s Former Ballet School
Some of you may have heard that Ballet San Jose is struggling to keep its doors open. That means the school is also at risk. Only generous donations from those who appreciate the arts or who want to ensure their children can attend a premier ballet school in Silicon Valley will save the dancers’ jobs […]
The European Ballet Apprenticeship and How to Make it Successful
It has taken me more than a year to get clearance to write about Julian and to give Julian a voice here on this blog, when he feels comfortable having one. As a professional dancer, he can’t just have me blabbing about him whenever I want. He and I both have to consider his reputation […]
Mark Foehringer on Preparing a Dancin’ Boy for the Professional Dance World (Part 1)
My husband and I firmly believe that one of the things that makes Julian such a good dancer is the variety of dance training he received but, in particular, the years of contemporary dance training coupled with his classical ballet training. This also makes him a more marketable dancer. Of course, a dancer most have […]
Visiting My Dancin’ Boy in Dresden
Seeing Julian dance in the Nutcracker was, of course, a highlight of my trip to Germany. However, spending time with Julian and seeing a bit of his daily life was another one–and actually one of the things I was most looking forward to about my trip to see him. While I in Germany I spent […]
Cooking, Mice, Russian, Variations, and Auditions
It’s been a while since I wrote anything about Julian. Since some of you may be wondering, here’s the news from Germany… Julian is enjoying life in Europe. He likes Dresden, the food, the life, the dancing, the company members. He is learning German slowly…not using his online Rosetta Stone course much. He says it’s […]
Wilhelm Burmann Talks About How Boys Can Succeed as Dancers (Part 3)
This is the third and final part of my interview with Wilhelm Burmann, who many professional and aspiring professional dancers take class from daily at Steps on Broadway in New York City. Willy has trained the best of the best in the New York dance community. From corps members to principles and soloists to Broadway […]
Wilhelm Burmann Talks About How Boys Can Succeed as Dancers (Part 2)
It’s been over a month since I posted Wilhelm Burmann Talks About How Boys Can Succeed as Dancers (Part 1)—or anything else here on this blog. I apologize. My life has been crazy. You’d think it would be calm and simple without my dancin’ boy at home. Life works in mysterious ways, and just as […]
Wilhelm Burmann Talks About How Boys Can Succeed as Dancers (Part 1)
The day that Julian walked into Wilhelm Burmann’s advanced professional ballet class at Steps on Broadway in New York City he became one of the many dancers whose careers have been touched by this ballet teacher. In fact, on that morning, like most others at Steps, Willy’s class was filled with soloists, principles and corps […]
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