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 […]
Remembering What Was Given Up to Get to Dresden
Julian moved to Germany this week, boarding a plane at 7 a.m. on Wednesday morning August 8 with his father. I sat in the car outside the airport and watched them check in. I didn’t drive away until the bags—four (including one of his dad’s) and a carry one—were checked and they headed for security. […]
Dealing with Dancin’ Boys from a Distance
It’s been about a month since Julian left for New York City and his senior year at the School of American Ballet and Professional Performing Arts School. I guess it’s about time I gave you an update. If you’ve been wondering why I haven’t until now…well… First, It’s been a tough 4 weeks with him […]
My Son Can and Does Dance…Got a Problem With That?
Today I was reminded of why I began this blog: Being a male dancer at a young age is a tough road to hoe. It was tough for Julian in first grade and it continues to be tough for him as a junior in high school. Anyway, I was reminded when I saw a tweet […]
What Dancin' Boys Shouldn't Do…But Want to Do (or Do) Anyway
Do your dancin’ boys ever want to do something other than dance? Do they have other interests…like soccer, snowboarding, or football? Julian used to play soccer, and he was quite good. When we’ve had time and money to go to the Sierra’s in the winter, he’s loved snowboarding, but we haven’t gone recently–much to his […]
Denise Wall On Raising Dancin’ Boys (Part 3)
In this third, and last, part of my interview with Denise Wall, owner of Denise Wall’s Dance Energy in Virginia Beach, VA, and coach of such star dancers as her own sons Danny Tidwell and Travis Wall (Travis is also a star choreographer), she offers tips on raising boys who dance. (To read the first […]
Denise Wall On Raising Dancin' Boys (Part 1)
Two years ago I wrote a cover story for Dance Teacher magazine based on an interview with Denise Wall. I proposed the story to the editors there because I felt quite taken with the dancers her studio, Denise Wall’s Dance Energy in Virginia Beach, VA, turned out. They not only had phenomenal technique but danced […]
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 […]