As dancers, we thrive on that ability to transcend the normal and become someone (or something) else on stage.  It places us among the lucky few people who have the opportunity to experience that intangible freedom of another world.

Congratulations to Vaganova Ballet Academy, Pointe Viewers' Choice winners for October. Their video, “Behind the scenes with Eric Conrad, Part I: Partnering Class” features three couples partnering in a classroom setting. Each couple demonstrates excellent technique through the adagio exercise of pirouettes, arabesque, penchee, and developpe. Each woman has her own strength, whether it be high extension, beautiful feet, or captivating port de bras.

Congratulations to Luminario Ballet, Pointe's Editors' Choice Video of the Month winners for October. Their piece “Bouquet” was choreographed by Michael Smuin, former artistic director of San Francisco ballet, and set by San Francisco Ballet prima Evelyn Cisneros. The gentle and ethereal pas de deux features a brilliantly glowing couple as the blue-tinted lighting radiates off of their bright white hair, skin, and austere costumes.