Ah, summer in NYC’s Central Park: Sun, fun and–hundreds of girls in pointe shoes? That was the delightfully incongruous scene this Monday, August 2nd as hundreds of ballerinas gathered in the park in an attempt to break the Guinness World Record for “Most Ballerinas on Pointe at One Time.” (The previous record of 220 was […]
Whenever I take class, I sometimes feel like there are a million and one things going through my head: “Turn out your feet (but from the hips)” “Straighten your knees” “Softer port de bras” “Relax your shoulders” “Ribs down” “Wait, not too much—stay lifted” “Play with the music […]
When I daydream about Antony Tudor, I instantly picture his signature works: Leaves Are Fading, Dark Elegies and Jardin Aux Lilas. But with successful creation comes clear instruction; something I often forget when “cooing” over great choreography. In 1951, Tudor became the Director of the Metropolitan Opera Ballet and one of the first faculty members […]
Sometimes ballet can feel a bit like arithmetic: Turnout should stay at exactly 180 degrees, arabesque should rise to at least 90 degrees, fifth position should have zero space in between your toes and heels. But although there are certain marks we all aim to hit, the artistry in ballet comes from the limitless ways there are […]
New York City Ballet principal Abi Stafford recently performed in Cuba as part of the Havana International Dance Festival. Read her follow-up post here. DAY 1 Seven of my NYCB colleagues and I are heading to Havana, Cuba for the Festival, joining other prestigious companies, including American Ballet Theatre and the Royal Ballet. It’s truly […]
Ballet dancers train long and hard to excel at what they do. It is imperative that they be confident in their technique when they step onto a stage, as doubt can have a crippling effect on a dancer’s ability to perform a movement that they’ve practised and rehearsed scores of times. I’ve often had the […]
I was recently talking with my parents about Alexei Ratmansky’s new Nutcracker, which he’s choreographing for ABT. It’s coming to the Brooklyn Academy of Music in December, and I for one can’t wait to see it. By all accounts, it will be more grown-up, with a fresh, yet classical approach to the story. How exciting! […]
For all of the endless groaning that goes on backstage during Nutcracker season, the holiday warhorse brings many benefits for the ballet world. Aside from the influx of revenue for companies and opportunities for dancers, Nutcracker also often gives audiences a chance to see top-notch guest artists from all over the world. Here are just […]