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Pointe Exercise Jan 08

Dancers tend to think of pointe work in terms of “getting up’ onto their toes. Far more difficult though, is the actual coming down. When it’s well-executed, the descent from pointe, just like the des... read more >>

Saut de basque prepartion exercise Sep 07

Saut de basque is a difficult step to execute correctly. There is a preparatory exercise which I find very helpful. Here it is, with the counts underneath: ‘and’ Demi-plié in 5th éffacé (ouvert... read more >>

JUMP for the skies Mar 07

Using your feet when you jump sometimes just doesn’t happen, no matter how hard you try. There are reasons for this and if you are aware of them then it will help you. Firstly, we all agree that a... read more >>

Breathing in ballet Jan 07

In contemporary dance, breathing is given a lot of importance and you’ll often hear contemporary dancers breathing very audibly on stage. In classical ballet, we tend not to think about it quite so m... read more >>

Glissade Tips Jul 07

Here is a glissade derrière as used in allegro, taken in slow motion. One: You must start your glissade from a demi plie in 5th position with the weight firmly on both legs. Too often, dancers t... read more >>

Artistic Directors

Christopher Wheeldon

Facilitator: What’s your greatest motivation? Interviewee: My greatest motivation – music, always. You mean choreographically? Facilitator: Yeah. Interviewee: Yeah. Facilitator: And since you wer... read more >>

ESTAMPAS PORTEÑAS Carolina Soler May 08

At the age of six in Lima, Carolina Soler commenced her studies in dance at the Lima Municipal Ballet. In 1972 she entered the Choreartium Association Ballet, where she performed as a soloist and prin... read more >>

On Tour with Victor Trevino’s Les Ballet Grandiva Jan 08

COMPANY HISTORY Les Ballets Grandiva is an all male comedy ballet company, one of only a handful in the world. At 10 years old, it is the newest and also the largest company of its kind in the world.... read more >>

Stepping In: Sam Fox Jan 08

You are the first Artistic Director of STEPS that has gone through the company themselves when younger. What kind of experience did you have with STEPS the first time round? At STEPS I was given expo... read more >>

IVAN CAVALLARI Mar 07

The whole of WA is jumping out of its tights awaiting the arrival of the new Artistic Director of the WA Ballet: Ivan Cavallari. Born in Bolzano, Italy he trained at Teatro La Scala, and the Bolshoi. ... read more >>

Dank Micich AD of WA's STEPS Youth Dance Company Jan 07

The first thing I want to know is where did you train? I trained at the Victorian College of the Arts, so yeah, I’m not a Perth person. So what brought you to Perth? I was really keen on Buzz Dan... read more >>

Audition Tips

AUDITION STYLE TIPS Sep 07

The number 1 tip, if you feel good you will look good! Gals & dudes If auditioning for a musical, do your research and find out what style the musical was set in then duplicate it by visiting Op S... read more >>

Commercial Dancers Give Great Advice Jul/Aug 07

BENJAMIN VEITCH “The most valuable lesson I have learnt in an audition would have to be the realisation of ‘me’. You can easily get caught up in the politics and hoo-ha of the performing arts scene. ... read more >>

Choreographers

Ross Coleman

It’s Danni Brown calling from Dance Train. Interviewee: That’s great. How are you? Facilitator: Very well, how are you? Interviewee: I’m very tired. Facilitator: I can imagine. I’ll be quick. I... read more >>

Graeme Murphy Mar 08

Graeme Murphy is one of this country’s most revered artists. For 3 decades he has been the creative driving force behind our most prestigious contemporary dance company, Sydney Dance Company. 2008 see... read more >>

Kelley Abbey... Dance Director, Choreographer & Performer Ja

Chatting with Kelley and watching her take a pro-class at Brent Street studios was enough to stimulate and motivate me for the whole year! Her obvious love for the art of dance is in her every word ac... read more >>

HAIRSPRAY Nov 07

The evolution of ‘Hairspray’ has got to be one of the most unique journeys a theatrical production has ever made. In 1988, John Waters created the original cult film, starring newcomer Ricki Lake. In ... read more >>

FRANCES RINGS Story Teller - Choreographer Sep 07

Bangarra Company is made up of an extraordinary group of performers who are not only technically brilliant they dance with soul and move their audiences including myself to tears. I had the honour ... read more >>

Ginger Cox in New York Mar 07

Albert Einstein was quoted as saying “It is the supreme art of the teacher to awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge.” A truly inspirational, talented and motivating force, who continually ex... read more >>

Dreamgirls The Movie by joel Piesley Mar 07

25 years after first bringing Broadway audiences to their feet, the Tony Award-winning musical sensation, ‘Dreamgirls’ comes to the big screen. Based loosely on the rise of Diana Ross & the Supremes, ... read more >>

Dancers

Melanie Harriman

Melanie started dancing when she was 2 ½ at a youth club in Canterbury, she was a mad cartwheeler and her mum recalls that her arms were so short her head only just cleared the ground! As her love of... read more >>

On Tour with Les Ballet Grandiva

This exciting, talented and unique group of dancers is certainly a treat for any audience. This comical production, topped by exquisite dancing is certainly a must see for ballet lovers and theatre go... read more >>

Joshua Consadine NIDA

Facilitator: When did you leave Sydney Dance? Joshua: It was the end of last year. So I don’t know, I think it was November, somewhere around there when we finished. Facilitator: So were you with t... read more >>

Deborah Brown

Deborah has been involved in dance for over twenty years, and has worked with such choreographers as Elsie Seaguss, Natalie Weir and Lance Davies. In 1983, aged 5, Deborah began dance classes at the... read more >>

SYTYCD Runner Up Rhys Bobridge

Facilitator: Hello Rhys, Dani Brown from Dance Train how are you gorgeous boy? Interviewee: Good how are you? Facilitator: I’m good. Are you in any sort of real life yet or is it still madness? Int... read more >>

SYTYCD winner Jack Chambers

Facilitator: Hello! Interviewee: How are you going? Facilitator: Very well how are you? Interviewee: Good thank you Facilitator: Have your feet touched the ground yet? Interviewee: It all seems v... read more >>

Bree Landridge Jul 08

Tasmanian born Bree Landridge at 23 years of age is currently working at Universal Studios Japan playing the roles of Wendy in Peter Pan and Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz. At the time of the interview (... read more >>

Jason Lewis The Next Step Jul 08

This is one of those unique opportunities to experience where the next generation see their art evolving. With hip hop, jazz, break, tap, vocals, an original score and even some modern-day slapstick c... read more >>

Danielle Rowe Jul 08

South Australian born Danielle trained at the Cheryl Bradley Dance Studios for eleven years, then with Marie Walton-Mahon (now National College of Dance) in Newcastle before moving to Melbourne to joi... read more >>

Amanda Balen Jul 08

Later on the year she will be writing her own column dedicated to working in the US including Green Card, visas, agents and class tips. A must read for all pro dancers looking at leaving our shores fo... read more >>

Tré Armstrong May 08

Choreography credits include: • “A Raisin in the Sun” (ABC 2008 MOW) – Executively Produced by and starring Sean “Diddy” Combs, Phylicia Rashad, Sanaa Lathan, Audra Macdonald, John Stamos • “Repo: ... read more >>

Q&A for TOP 4 SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE May 08

Well what an amazing 1st season of So You Think You Can Dance (Australia) (aka sytycd) we have been privy to. Like you I have laughed, cried, walked out (and back in very quickly). The contestants hav... read more >>

Nicole Marshman-Geyl May 08

When our favourite dancers leave the stage it is often the last we see or hear of them. Where do they go, what do they do? It is often a difficult decision to finish performing and one that leaves man... read more >>

DARREN McINTYRE JOINS THE MILWAUKEE BALLET, WI-USA

Darren has traveled the world performing as a Guest Artist, with many companies and recently received several contract offers to perform as a Guest Artist in Japan, The US and Australia for 2007/2008.... read more >>

HEIDI ZOLKER & TIMOTHY COLEMAN Mar 08

Heidi and Timothy have a different situation to many other dancers, they are a couple on and offstage and are both overseas living the same dream. They met in New York, shortly before accepting their ... read more >>

Emee Dillon - SDCo Mar 08

Dtrain fans will recognise this beautiful dancer from our May/Jun 2004 issue when she was interviewed by Editor Dani Brown about breaking into the industry for the first time. The dream was to be a da... read more >>

Natalie K Marsland Jan 08

Natalie K Marsland is one of those frightening bolts that hit the choreographic scene not too often. A style of her own, Marsland is far from approaching her peak and yet sailing on a cloud that is n... read more >>

Phantom of the Opera - Sarah Bakker Jan 08

We first met Sarah on the cover of the Jan/Feb 07 issue as someone to look out for, could it have been spotted any better? NUP! From Ballerina to Soprano Singer and now also Christine’s understudy Sar... read more >>

RIELY ALECIA SAVILLE Nov 07

Riely Alecia Saville began her early training at The Dance Class School of Ballet in Sydney. She then attended the Ransley Ballet & Dance Centre, on the Gold Coast, where she trained with Dawn & Joy R... read more >>

Studying Abroad tips… Nov 07

KM=Kathleen Myer (18yrs) originally from Lisa Clark School of Ballet now in 2nd year. LK=Laura Kinross (19yrs) originally from Ransley Gold Coast Youth Ballet now in 2nd year. LH=Louisa Hutchinson (... read more >>

The Life of a Ballerina Nov 07

Amy Brandt The Suzanne Farrell Ballet, Washington & ad hoc Ballet, New York How old were you when you started ballet/dancing and what made you decide to start ballet/dancing? I started ballet less... read more >>

In Joshua’s Corner… Sep 07

What are you up to currently? I'm currently touring the UK in the Donmar's production of Guys and Dolls. See www.guysanddollsthemusical.co.uk TOUR SITE. I am playing the role of Havana Boy and Live... read more >>

GRANT TURNER in A Chorus Line on Broadway Sep 07

GRANT TURNER (Frank; u/s Zach, Larry, Don) Australian (Newcastle) minBio: National tours: Chicago, Cats. The Radio City Christmas Spectacular. Steel City (Australia, NYC). Toured 17 Countries with Ta... read more >>

DEIDRE GOODWIN in A Chorus Line on Broadway Sep 07

DEIDRE GOODWIN (Shelia) American (Oklahoma) miniBio: Broadway: Chita Rivera: A Dancers Life, Chicago (Velma Kelly), Nine (Our Lady of the Spa), Never Gonna Dance (Velma), Rocky Horror Show, Jesus Chr... read more >>

Renée von Stein Mar 07

“…when I am on stage in front of an audience, I forget about everything and I really enjoy what I am doing.” Renée Von Stein started dancing when she was 3 ½ and the majority of her early ballet t... read more >>

Alison Faulk DIRECT FROM LA Jan 07

“…follow what you love passionately and with every ounce of your being” With a professional career spanning film, TV and stage, Alison’s most recent achievement was assisting choreography on Pink’s I... read more >>

Mark Hodge Jul 07

“I think the moment you feel like you know everything is the moment you stop learning and stop developing.” It would seem that Adelaide born Mark Hodge was born into show business and destined t... read more >>

Paul White Contemporary Dancer Jul 07

Paul trained in Classical Ballet, Contemporary, Tap, Jazz, Folk, Voice, Drama and Acrobatics. He has worked across many genres of dance including - commercial in Jupiters Casino show Inneurve, Ballet ... read more >>

James Stafford @ Universal Studios Japan Jul 07

James Stafford @ Universal Studios Japan “Sometimes you're just not 'good enough’. That's okay: you can always work towards being better.” James Stafford is currently performing at one of the wor... read more >>

David Jonathon from West Australian Ballet Jul07

David Jonathon David Jonathon is one of the most exciting artists at the West Australian Ballet. Having recently won the Martin Bequest travelling scholarship, he’s off to visit the dancing world i... read more >>

Health and Fitness

Wood Sprung Flooring Jul 08

What is a wood sprung floor? A sprung floor is one that absorbs shock, enhancing performance, and greatly reducing injuries. There are different types of sprung floors – traditional wood basket weave... read more >>

Injury Prevention Pack for Dancers May 08

Always rest the injured area (this means don’t do anything that is painful until you have worked out how severe or not the injury is), if the area is swollen elevate it to assist the swelling to drain... read more >>

CHEERLEADERS TRADE SWEAT FOR STRENGTH

As we all gear up for another competition season it is important that we incorporate strength and conditioning programs into our weekly training sessions. A complete conditioning program is n... read more >>

power arms with PILATES Jan 08

Using the wrists, elbows and shoulders to move the arms in a coordinated and seamless manner helps centre the entire body, which is paramount to improving dance technique. As a dancer we mainly foc... read more >>

What happens in a physio assesment? Jan 08

Q1: Many dance schools and companies screen their dancers through a physiotherapist. Can you talk us through what such an examination would entail and what is the purpose? A: The purpose is to gain s... read more >>

Australian All Star Cheer & Dance Scene in Action Nov 07

As you step onto the competition floor the rest of the world stops. Your heart skips a beat; you can actually feel the vibration from the roar of the crowd. The music is set. The judges are ready. The... read more >>

Collapsed Arches Sep 07

HOW DOES COLLAPSING ARCHES OCCUR? There are four arches in each foot but we are most familiar with the inside or medial arch which runs from under the big toe back to the heel. Our arches are formed ... read more >>

Nutrition! Dancers and Carbs

GET TO KNOW YOUR BODY AND TWO IMPORTANT WORDS CARBOHYDRATES AND GLYCOGEN! Carbs are a great source of energy for your muscles. In simple forms when you eat carbs they go into your stomach, then stor... read more >>

Massage for Dancers Mar 07

Everyone knows Massage can help relax, de-stress tired muscles and bring back function to the body. And we are not just talking her about ‘normal’ function as it applies to the general population, but... read more >>

TOP TEN INJURIES Jan 07

Hi gorgeous dancers. Over 2006 we have received great questions from enlightened dancers wanting to look after their bodies and ensure a long healthy enjoyment of dance. So to keep fit over the summer... read more >>

Pilates Pelvic bridge Jan 07

BI=Breathe In BO=Breathe Out -Lye on your back in neutral spine with your knees bent at 90˚ with feet hip width apart. -Arms down by your side and shoulders actively drawing away from your e... read more >>

Helping your physician to diagnose your injury Jul 07

1. How should a dancer prepare for a first time consult with a physiotherapist in regards to a long-term injury and what should they bring? The dancer must advise the physiotherapist that the appoint... read more >>

STRENGTH TRAINING FOR DANCERS by Amanda See Jul 07

STRENGTH TRAINING FOR DANCERS by Amanda See There are many myths surrounding strength or resistance training for dancers. When performed correctly and as part of a balanced fitness program, it can pr... read more >>

Motivation

2007 Hollywood Tour

Are you ready for the most incredible DANCE EXPERIENCE of your life? Are you interested in a career in dance, including music videos, commercials, TV, film and shows in Hollywood? Do you want to lea... read more >>

Questions that boys need answered

1. How do you deal with wearing that tizzy costume! Chuck it! And the excess make-up, too! A few years back I adjudicated the Brisbane Eisteddfod and in a section summary commented to the audience ... read more >>

Dancesport: Competitive Ballroom and Latin Dancing Confronts

What Are Issues Facing Dancesport in Australia Today? Attend any Dancesport event and you will commonly witness a venue bustling with competitors, seats packed with spectators and heats starting as e... read more >>

TAP Jul 08

Hey Everyone. Welcome back to the second column of Let’s Talk Tap. Today I thought we would talk about the importance of personality when we are tap dancing. As with all forms of dance, it is incre... read more >>

Cheerleading Shoes Jul 08

Consider Cheerleading shoes as part of your uniform and Cheerleading equipment. Your favourite runners or dance shoes may look good but are they providing you with the necessary support to achieve all... read more >>

LET’S TALK TAP May 08

Hi Guys – and welcome to the first installment of LET’S TALK TAP. Our very own space to discuss all things TAP – very exciting! Australia has such a vast array of tapping talent all over the country, ... read more >>

SYTYCD ROCKS ONCE AGAIN!

The show combined new and some not so new but favourite routines, such as Jack and Kate’s Hip Hop routine (Singing in the Rain), Henry and Vanessa’s African Samba, Rhys and Jemma’s Waltz, Graeme and R... read more >>

A Chorus Line History

1974 January 18 - First Tape Session with 22 dancers August- September - First Workshop 1975 January-February - Second Workshop April 16 - First off-Broadway Preview (The Public Theater - Estel... read more >>

New Years Resolutions DON'T WORK! Mar 07

It is proven that within a few short weeks most people who make a New Years Resolution have given up on it or not followed through! THAT IS BECAUSE NEW YEARS RESOLUTIONS DON'T WORK! Let me tell ... read more >>

Dance your way to the top Jan 07

Reaching your dancing goals can be as easy as 5, 6, 7, 8. But life is hectic and its often hard to keep your focus day in and day out. Sometimes the dance studio’s the last place you want to be. I... read more >>

Competition Tips from Megs Cooper Jul 07

“It is great to think that a piece we get to see could be choreographed by the next Kelley Abbey. I was lucky enough to have my Prix De Lausanne solo choreographed by Natalie Weir,” said Megs. Meg... read more >>