by Amy Brandt | Sep 25, 2012 | Company Life
Are there ways to increase my chances of being offered a merit scholarship? I’m auditioning for colleges this year and am going to need as much financial help as I can get. —Ana I spoke with Mary Margaret Holt, director of the School of Dance at the...
by Amy Brandt | May 23, 2012 | Company Life
My teacher said that I could three-quarter my pointe shoes to make it easier to get right on the box, but I’m not sure how. I’m afraid that I might ruin my shoes. —Doireann Three-quartering pointe shoes is easy, but does take some practice. Try it on...
by Amy Brandt | Mar 15, 2012 | Company Life
My teacher recently asked me to stop wearing toe pads and simply tape my toes. She says this will strengthen them. However, I don’t see the point in subjecting myself to more blisters and corns—especially since the pain detracts from my ability to focus on...
by Amy Brandt | Jan 18, 2012 | Company Life
Look inside most company studios and—in addition to barres and a piano—you’ll likely find a television monitor, DVD player and VHS recorder. Production offices moonlight as video libraries, stacked with row after row of past performances. And with...
by Amy Brandt | Jan 18, 2012 | Company Life
I never know what to eat before a performance. If I have nothing, I’m famished, but I hate dancing on a full stomach. What do you recommend? —Etina Carbs, carbs, carbs—complex carbohydrates, to be exact. “There’s this mentality that carbs...
by Amy Brandt | Nov 15, 2011 | Company Life
My Nutcracker auditions didn’t go as planned—I’m only in snow and flowers corp. I’m having a hard time listening to the other dancers talk about their parts. How can I get over this? —Olivia I’ve been in your shoes, and know...
by Amy Brandt | Oct 2, 2011 | Company Life
I’m going on tour for the first time this month, and I’m worried about my meals. How do you stay healthy on the road when you can’t prepare food at home? —Daria Years of touring have taught me that you can eat well on the road—you...
by Amy Brandt | May 17, 2011 | Ask Amy
I want to do everything I can at my summer program to improve my dancing so I can be placed in a higher level this fall. How do I make sure I get the most out of every class? – Leila, MD I used to keep a notebook of corrections over the summers. You want to...