Boys mature at a different rate than girls. They deal with their emotions differently, and often have different issues as they move through puberty and into young adulthood. I think this can become even more pronounced for the young male dancer who may find him self sticking out like a sore thumb amongst his peers […]
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 […]
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 […]
Help Save Lives by Ending Homophobic Teen Bullying
I know I promised a different post–Joey Dowling–but I’m still transcribing and working on that one. Life has been a bit crazy. Sorry. This issue is way more important, and I’m sure homophobic bullying and teasing affects more than a fair share of our young dancin’ boys. I know it has affected Julian over the […]
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 […]
Learning How to "Handle" a Partner
With the Second Stage show put to bed, Teen Dance Company has turned its attention to choreography for its big show, the spring Concert, which will be it’s 10-year anniversary event. The kids spent six hours in the studio on Sunday this past weekend working on their first piece of choreography. Each of the 4-5 […]
Alone Again…How Many Boys are in Your Son's Ballet Class?
Today I received a comment from someone (see yesterday’s post) whose 13-year-old son is lucky enough to be in a boy’s ballet class. Not only that, it’s taught by a male ballet teacher! Whoo hoo! But she rightfully was grateful that, even though there are only four boys in attendance, her son has a class “that […]