Volume 1, 2009

Quote of the Month
To dance is to be yourself; larger, more beautiful, more powerful
Agnes DeMille

Favorite Studio Video

Turns at rehearsal...This video is one of my favorites because of the synchronization in the second position turns. After dance camp in the summer of 2007 the students continued working “nail” those turns. Now, they do them with arm variations and leaps in the middle….they impress me! Click the pic to watch the video.

Favorite Dance Website
arsity.com provides page after page of information for dancers. It's a great site for students to learn more about dance than just within the studio; technique, vocabulary, camps, college try-outs, and much more. I grew up as a UCA Cheerleader and UDA Dancer, participating in their camps and competitions. This site provides college dance team information, dance vocabulary and AMAZING videos of dance teams. Sometimes I get lost in the site and spend way too much time, especially in the Coaches Corner page. Make time to visit Varsity Wired and check out the competition videos.

Favorite Dance Movie

Breakin 2 – Electric Boogaloo was a tremendous influence in my dancing. I saw that there was much more than padde bourres and chaine turns. I was around the age of 10 and would spend hours (using a VCR) rewinding the dance scenes and trying to learn them. My favorite is the scene at the very end where everyone is wearing fluorescent colors…80’s girl! Believe in the beat that's on the street, it's hoppin' and poppin', they're breakin' and lockin'. If you can't beat the system...break it!

 

Favorte New CD
Beyonce - I Am Sasha Fierce

Beyonce really stepped out of “safe zone” and showed us another side musically and vocally. She is raw and pure with her singing, nothing digital about it! There is a more contemporary rock side in the music and I love that it is such a variation from what she has done before. Her second album is Beyonce as normal, for the ladies. A bit more techno but catchy. Track 7 CD 2 is my favorite; Lyrical/Hip-Hop. See it?

Favorite Old CD
The Best of Nancy Wilson

Nancy Wilson….what do I say? Her vocal range is not tremendous like a Mariah or powerful like a Whitney, but all her own. You will love the sounds of a real orchestra and wind instruments. The vibe is relaxing and the songs are organic…Enjoy!