Members of the English National Ballet are teaming up with scientists to determine whether ballet can help Parkinson’s patients. A class of approximately 40 students will work with the famed ballet company over a period of nine weeks, learning various elements of classical ballet, including Nutcracker. Watch the video here.
Archive for the ‘General Interest’ Category
Can Ballet Help Parkinson’s Patients?
Tuesday, January 17th, 2012NYCB’s Megan Fairchild Blossoms as an Artist
Tuesday, January 17th, 2012
Photo Credit: Ramsay de Give for The Wall Street Journal
“It was so overwhelming. It was the worst time in my life,” Ms. Fairchild, who is now 27, said recently. “It’s not just a happy thing. It’s a lot of responsibility.” Read the rest of Megan’s incredible story here.
En Pointe!
Friday, January 6th, 2012Three ballerinas from Australian Ballet talk about metarsals, metho baths and the meditative nature of sewing in this short film about pointe shoes. Perfect for budding ballerinas wearing their first pair of pointe shoes this year! Check it out!
EN POINTE! from The Apiary on Vimeo.
Angela Sterling: Ballet Photographer
Sunday, December 18th, 2011
Leslie Rauch, Principal Pacific Northwest Ballet with Angela Sterling, Photographer
Check out this great video featuring dance photographer, Angela Sterling! Pay close attention to the clip because at approx. 3 mins, 50 seconds, you’ll see Leslie Rausch, Principal Dancer, Pacific Northwest Ballet, wearing Class Act Tutu’s V-Neck Tutu Bodice and Classical Tutu Skirt.
And as a little side note, Angela provided the gorgeous photos you see here on Class Act Tutu as well as Vala Dancewear. {Pretty awesome, huh? 
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Thank you, Angela for sharing your talents with the dance world!
Our Deepest Sympathies to all of Ballet West…
Monday, December 12th, 2011
Mark Goldweber, ballet master for Ballet West and director of Ballet West II, died December 9th of cancer. He was 53 years old.
Goldweber always remained a dancer, even after he retired from the stage and began teaching, said Ballet West demi-soloist Beau Pearson. “He really gave himself to the art form more than anyone I’ve ever known.”
And he was a consummate teacher, whose corrections in class were more than just repetitive reminders. “They were something that would open up a whole new idea and change everything you were doing,” Pearson said.
Read the remainder of the story here.
‘A Very Young Dancer’ – All Grown Up
Friday, November 18th, 2011
“In the fall of 1976 “A Very Young Dancer” leaped into the imaginations of a generation of little girls. This children’s book by the photographer Jill Krementz chronicled the day-to-day life of a 10-year-old student from the School of American Ballet, following her to class and through her starring role as Marie in New York City Ballet’s “Nutcracker,” for which she was was handpicked by George Balanchine himself.
Fans of the book might have assumed that Stephanie went on to an adult ballet career as well. But like countless other young dancers in professional children’s schools, Stephanie saw her career end in adolescence, a time of rebellion and discovery. Most move on to other interests. But for Stephanie leaving the school was filled with shame and secrecy. Finding her new place in the world — after the attention that came with the book — was a long and painful journey littered with troubled relationships and financial struggles, with moments of deep darkness and depression…”
I don’t know about you, but I distinctly remember borrowing this book every week from my school’s library for years!) Read Stephanie’s brilliant interview and learn more about her life after ballet, here.
Sneak Peek: Joffrey – Mavericks of American Dance Movie
Thursday, November 17th, 2011Check out this awesome sneak peek of the new movie, Joffrey: Mavericks of American Dance!
About the movie:
The first documentary to tell the full story behind the world renowned Joffrey Ballet. The intensity, the love, the joy, and the enthusiasm are coming to a screen near you. Joffrey: Mavericks of American Dance premieres in New York City January 27, 2012. Visit http://www.joffreymovie.com to find out about a screening in your area.
Breaking News: Vasiliev & Osipova leave Bolshoi
Monday, November 14th, 2011
People watch the opening ceremony of the Bolshoi Theatre on October 28 (AFP/File, Yuri Kadobnov)
This just in: Russia’s Bolshoi Theatre is stunned by the announcement that two of its most celebrated dancers are leaving…
“Ivan Vasiliev and Natalya Osipova, a real-life couple whose amazing technique and passionate performances have won a worldwide following, have both handed in their notice, Bolshoi spokeswoman Katerina Novikova told AFP.
In a decision that has rocked the ballet world, they are moving to the Mikhailovsky Theatre of Saint Petersburg, a well-regarded house that is nonetheless overshadowed in Russia’s second city by the world famous Mariinsky.
The departure of possibly the two greatest attractions in its entire company is a huge blow for the Bolshoi ballet just weeks after it re-opened its historic theatre after a painful closure of over half a decade.” Read all about their departure here.
Love & Marriage
Thursday, November 3rd, 2011
Photo Credit: Candice DeTore / The New York Times
A hearty “Congratulations!” to Lauren Fadeley (soloist) and Francis Veyette (principal) with Pennsylvania Ballet on their wedding this past Saturday. The couple met in Philadelphia in 1997 as dance students — she was 12 and he 17 — at the Rock School for Dance Education’s summer program.
“They paired the two of us together in a publicity photo shoot,” Ms. Fadeley said. “I was so young, and he was hot stuff at the time.” You can read more about their exciting courtship here.
When you’re finished, be sure to check out this great interview with Boston Ballet husband-and-wife duo, Yury Yanowsky and Kathleen Breen Combes. (Soooo sweet!)
Alessandra Ferri & Sting Music Video
Thursday, November 3rd, 2011We are absolutely loving this video featuring the incomparable talents of Alessandra Ferri and Sting! (The dancing kicks in around 2:30 seconds.)
What do you think? 
