The 5,6,7,8!

April 9, 2019

6 Essential Must-Do’s Before You Next Competition

Technique Technique is gold. Without a doubt, it is the first thing judges see. Let’s face it, it doesn’t matter how amazing the choreography or costumes are if it lacks...

Dance Dreams
October 18, 2018

What’s Behind the Curtain—Broadway

  Broadway, a street that runs the length of the island of Manhattan, is best known for the stretch that runs through Midtown. This is the Theater District of New...

Dance Dreams
July 5, 2018

A Dance Major’s Journey Around The World

  More than just the sway of a belly dancer’s hips, the footwork of a samba dancer or the passion of a flamenco dancer – dance is a form of...

Dance Dreams
June 28, 2018

Being Your Own Boss: The Requirements of Being A Freelance Performer

  What does it take to make it as a performing artist? Besides being able to sing, dance and act, today’s artists also have to be their own boss— the...

Dance Dreams
June 21, 2018

Feeling the Music: My Experience Dancing with a Deaf Dancer

  “Ok and this part of the music, when the strings come in and she sings the note really long, enter and start the next phrase with the jeté we...

Dance Dreams
June 14, 2018

Side Hustles for Dancers

    Being a dancer, or artist of any kind, is hard work—rewarding to the soul, but often not for the bank account. Does the term “starving artist,” sound familiar?...

Dance Dreams
June 7, 2018

Best Cross-Training For Dancers

    As dancers, we are both athletes and instruments. Our bodies must be strong, athletic machines held akin to Olympians. Dancer’s bodies are also our means of communication, creation,...

Dance Dreams
May 24, 2018

5 Hairstyles to Shake Up Your Studio Look

    Do you ever get in a hair slump? Do you ever have days where your saggy ponytail is killing your vibe in the studio? Days where up-do isn’t...

Dance Dreams
May 17, 2018

New York City, My New Home

Sure, I like visiting New York City, seeing amazing Broadway shows and experiencing the culture.  Being in a city different than my own was exciting. The sharp edges of glistening...

Dance Dreams
May 2, 2018

Radio City Music Hall Fun Facts

If you are reading this article, it’s likely you know that NYC’s Radio City Music Hall is home to the infamous Radio City Rockettes. These high-kicking dancers grace the stage...

Dance Dreams
April 11, 2018

Food, Glorious Food!

Competition season is upon us again, and dance parents everywhere are asking the same question: how do I make sure my dancer stays healthy?   One answer is to provide...

Dance Dreams
April 2, 2018

How to Stay Healthy During Competition Season

Competitions season is in full swing and perhaps your weekends look a little like this: Travel Dance Sleep Repeat   This schedule is exhausting for both body and mind, which...

Dance Dreams
March 15, 2018

Loving your “Perfect Dance Body”

Recently my friend asked me “What do you like about your body?” It took me a long time to respond.   I know  what I dislike, but what do I...

Dance Dreams
February 12, 2018

Countdown To The Top 10 Animals with Major Moves

Humans aren’t the only species who like to break it down on the dance floor— there are some creatures big and small around the globe who can really put on...

Dance Dreams
February 8, 2018

6 Essential Must-Do’s Before Your Next Competition

Technique Technique is gold. Without a doubt, it is the first thing judges see. Let’s face it, it doesn’t matter how amazing the choreography or costumes are if it lacks...

Dance Dreams
January 11, 2018

10 New Year’s Resolutions for Dancers

It’s 2018, so #NewYearNewMe—or so your Instagram caption claims. But “new me” is a vague goal, and goals without plans don’t help you in the long run. This year, make...

Dance Dreams
January 4, 2018

Say Hello to Molly – Student, Dreamer, DANCER!

Get to know Molly Hawkins, a dancer from a Coast Guard family who’s in college and likes coffee, Coldplay, and dance companies who push boundaries.   Name: Molly Hawkins  ...

Dance Dreams
December 14, 2017

5 Survival Tips for Tour

Traveling the world to dance: it’s the stuff dreams are made of, right? But what is everyday life really like on tour? Does it live up to the hype? The...

Dance Dreams
November 30, 2017

Why Dancers Should Be TV Extras

A few months ago, I saw a call on Backstage for an HBO TV Show. The show (which I can’t name yet—no spoilers!) was searching for Background talent, or “extras.”...

Dance Dreams
November 9, 2017

15 Must-Follow Dance Instagrams

From world-renowned ballet and contemporary companies to unknown independent artists, Instagram has provided a platform for dance to be showcased to the world, and is a well-spring of inspiration for...

Dance Dreams
October 4, 2017

Celebrating Rejections

Not long ago I wrote a post about why hearing “no” means you’re doing everything right. It’s true, suffering rejection is a good thing—I wear my “no’s” with pride!  ...

Dance Dreams
September 21, 2017

Taking the Next Step: Finding the best college dance program for you

So, you’ve decided to make it official! Here are a few pointers on picking the right dance program for your educational goals. I’ve also included a list of the top...

Dance Dreams
September 18, 2017

Ballet and Bugs: Why You Should Share All Your Quirkiness With Your Studio

For two years, I was a Trainee with a professional ballet company which meant I spent about six hours a day at the studio. We took daily technique class, pointe,...

Dance Dreams
September 14, 2017

How to Make the Most of Every Audition

I’ll be honest- auditions used to be some of my least favorite parts of being a dancer. They’re stressful and anxiety-inducing. They would put me in a mindset where I...

Dance Dreams
August 29, 2017

15 Corny Dance Jokes to Brighten Your Day

Check out this list of fifteen of the cheesiest dance jokes out there. Tell them to your friends during stressful rehearsals, or just read them to yourself when you need...

Dance Dreams
August 24, 2017

Choosing The Right Competition For Your Studio

With over 150 different competitive dance organizations and conventions touring the US during competition season, it can be a daunting task to find the right competitive event(s) for your studio’s...

Dance Dreams
August 10, 2017

How to be a Gryffindor in a Dance Audition

Training to be a professional dancer in New York is like training to be an Olympic athlete.   You’re in the studio every single day. You cross train. You sacrifice...

Dance Dreams
August 10, 2017

Inside Disney with Lindsey Smith: Part 2

On our previous post, we met Disney performer Lindsey Smith. Lindsey is a dancer, teacher, and choreographer. At Disney World, she is both a dancer and a teacher for young...

Dance Dreams
July 20, 2017

Inside Disney with Lindsey Smith: Part 1

Growing up, my first exposure to song and dance was through the beloved Disney films. I remember singing “Part of Your World,” into my toothbrush to a captive bathroom audience...

Dance Dreams
July 18, 2017

Stretches You Didn’t Know You Needed

It’s so easy to get stuck in a routine when it comes to stretching. We go through the same ones in generally the same order when we stretch on our...

Dance Dreams
July 13, 2017

Ballon Back into Shape: Maintaining your instrument after an injury

We’ve all been there- working our hardest, at our physical peak, pushing ourselves beyond our mental and physical limits in class and rehearsal, and then it happens. You’re injured, and...

Dance Dreams
July 10, 2017

Messing Up Onstage and How to Cope with It

It was too late. I had been somewhat unsure of which knee to kneel on, so I guessed. I didn’t have time to ponder it; the music’s tempo was fast....

Dance Dreams
July 6, 2017

What I Learned from Teaching Dance: The good, the bad, and the inspirational

There’s an old saying that’s thrown around the artist community: Those who can’t do, teach. I can’t think of a more inaccurate description of the work of an artist/teacher. Teaching...

Dance Dreams
June 29, 2017

How to Audition Without an Equity Card

What is an Equity audition? If you’re new to the Broadway dance scene, you’ve probably heard this term before and been confused by it. Let’s break it down. “Equity” refers...

Dance Dreams
June 27, 2017

My First Month in the Concrete Jungle

I left my first visit to New York at the age of seventeen with a sore neck, like most tourists, from staring up at too many skyscrapers. I was a...

Dance Dreams
June 22, 2017

Balancing It All: How To Manage Stress

School for six hours of the day. Change in the car as you rush to dance right afterward. Scarf down some dinner at home before diving into two hours of...

Dance Dreams
June 22, 2017

What Is An Equity Card and Do You Need It?

As you enter the professional performance world and begin to seek out auditions, you’ll likely hear these words.   “Is it Equity?”   The answer to this question can tell...

Dance Dreams
June 20, 2017

10 Things You Want a Non-Dancer to Understand

“Twerking” is not a real move. And no, we will not demonstrate it for you in the hallway.   It’s not a “recital.” It’s a performance.   It’s not “practice.”...

Dance Dreams
June 14, 2017

Everything I Need to Know I Learned in Dance

Only days before my final AP Calculus exam, I performed The Nutcracker in front of three thousand people. My childhood Nutcracker runs were twenty shows long; I had a show...

Dance Dreams
June 13, 2017

Dancing for The Mouse: A Look at What It’s Like to Work as a Disney World Performer

If you’re an energetic, enthusiastic and expressive dancer looking for a fun and challenging performance job, theme park performances are a great option to explore! And with more than 60,000...

Dance Dreams
June 8, 2017

Business or Pleasure?: What It’s Really Like To Work On A Cruise Ship

After spending my adolescence in a dance studio I had itchy feet to get out of my hometown and experience something new. Motivated by fierce wanderlust and a love for...

Dance Dreams
June 5, 2017

Inside the Audition Room

While attending a dance workshop for Hamilton, I met a dancer who had no idea what Hamilton was. This put her at a disadvantage. The most important function of a...

Dance Dreams
May 31, 2017

10 Dancewear Companies Run by Real Dancers

Finding the perfect leotard, warm-ups,  spandex shorts, or skirt can be frustrating sometimes. It’s so hard to find unique dancewear that fits and expresses your personal style. These 10 dancewear...

Dance Dreams
May 30, 2017

How I Used My Passion for Travel & Dance to Fuel My Career

After spending my adolescence in a dance studio I had itchy feet to get out of my hometown and experience something new. Motivated by fierce wanderlust and a love for...

Dance Dreams
May 24, 2017

5 Faces You Make in Rehearsal

Oh, rehearsal. It’s like getting on the world’s best rollercoaster: you’re thrilled about the adventure, but you’re worried your legs might give out afterward.   A grueling day of choreography...

Dance Dreams
May 18, 2017

8 Dance Movies Every Dancer Should See

Some of the best dancing ever has been on the silver screen! Here’s a list of 8 of the must-sees for dancers of every age and style:   8. The...

Dance Dreams
May 10, 2017

My Disney Story: Auditioning for Disney

Sweat was already dripping down my forehead as I walked into my first Disney audition. It was a hot Florida Spring day. The room was full of other sweaty dancers...

Dance Dreams
May 1, 2017

What’s in My Audition Bag…and What I’ll Never Forget Again

In my final year of college, I attended my first Broadway audition.   I have an extensive background in concert dance. I had been to many auditions, but never a...

Dance Dreams
April 28, 2017

An Open Letter to All Dancers

Dear Dancers, New York City is the concrete jungle where dreams are made of and because of Dance Dreams, I had the opportunity to spend a whole week, in July, in...

Dance Dreams
April 18, 2017

Just Not Feeling It! Keeping your energy up.

How to Keep Your Energy Up Especially When You Have to Perform But Don’t Want To   When I danced with Richmond Ballet, Nutcracker season was our busiest time. It...

Dance Dreams
April 17, 2017

Finding Auditions Online: Where to Start

The time has come! You are ready to nail your first audition—prepped with your dance shoes, a head shot, and the fierce determination of a dancer who has trained their...

Dance Dreams
March 29, 2017

Tips and Tricks for Your Tired Feet

As dancers, our feet are one of our most used tools, and their wellbeing is vital to having a good class, rehearsal, or performance. The strength and flexibility of our...

Dance Dreams
March 23, 2017

How Competition Dance Prepares You For Real World

As a young girl, I took dance class every day after school. It was my extra-curricular activity. While my friends were participating in team sports or clubs, I was racing...

Dance Dreams
February 24, 2017

Why Hearing “No” Means You’re Doing Everything Right

Maybe you’ve heard this audition advice before—behind every “yes” there are fifty “no’s.”   I’m here to testify that sadly the age-old adage is true. But don’t hang up your...

Dance Dreams
February 24, 2017

“Why Not Me?” A New York Dance Story

About a year ago, I stood in the wings of New York City Center watching Jacqueline Green—a dancer with The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater—twirl across the stage. Sweat flew...

Dance Dreams

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Broadway Dance Dreams

2019
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