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 […]
Our First Regional YAGP Experience and Results
Well, the Northern California regional YAGP results are in…on many levels–at least for us. Julian and his partners did really well, as did the other dancers from City Ballet. He and his young partner came in first in the ensemble division for their Nutcracker Grand Pax. Whoo hoo! He and his other partner came in […]
First Day of YAGP Offers this Mom a Surprise
I showed up at the Youth American Grand Prix regional competition in Northern California expecting to see some awesome dancing. I sat down in the dark theater ready to watch the 14-year-old contemporary dance category. After Julian’s two-year stint in a pre-professional teen contemporary dance company, I was excited to see the entrees. I rubbed […]
YAGP Here We Come!
I haven’t written too much about Julian’s preparation for Youth American Grand Prix. In fact, early on this year, I said he wasn’t gong to be allowed to compete because his technique was not up to par. However, that all changed after the Nutcracker performances ended. At that time the director of City Ballet School, […]
Salim Gauwloos (Part 1): Classical Training Helps in Hollywood
As many of you know, while Julian and I were in New York City last year, he spent a week taking classes at Broadway Dance Center. One of the highlights of that week were the three classes he took with Salim Gauwloos, who many people know as “Slam.” Julian even gave up the chance to […]
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 […]
A New Year, A New Website for Boys/Men Interested in Ballet
Happy New Year! Can you believe it? With the blue moon shining over us–a unique event–we entered into a new decade. I hope this will be a fantastic and unique year for all our dancin’ boys and young men. I also hope you everyone is enjoying their “vacation from dance.” We actually didn’t have one. […]
On to YAGP and 2nd Stage…
Nutcracker’s over for another year. Julian did a great job. He looked quite regal in red and white, and his partnering was commendable. The production, overall, was superb. Now we are on to Youth American Grand Prix rehearsals. We started rehearsing earlier this fall, but the kids took time off during the last weeks of […]
Speeding Towards Nutcracker Performances
OMG! I can’t keep up with everything. November notoriously is a terribly busy month for me and for Julian. I have another blog that I must handle every day (see www.writenonfictioninnovember.wordpress.com) and Julian has Nutcracker rehearsals on Saturday after TDC rehearsals and all day on Sunday. Not to mention that I was editing two books […]