Monday's Blog Brag: ballerina by day...

This week, I am going to brag about a girl named Ashley, and her blog, ballerina by day....

Here are some of the things that she blogs about:

Perfecting Pirouettes


Behind the Velvet Curtain


Turnout Troubles


Fun Finds

Monday's Blog Brag: ballerina project

It's time for Monday's Blog Brag! This week, I am not necessarily featuring a blog. I am featuring ballerina project, and you can best see their amazing works through their facebook page. They do, in fact, have a blog, and click here to view it. But on the facebook page, a new photo is posted almost everyday! Here are some of their best photos.

Monday's Blog Brag: Beginner Ballerina

ps: Did you enter the No Tricks - Just Treats Giveaway? If not, scroll down or click here to enter.

Are you ready for Monday's Blog Brag? Let's get started!

Today, I am going to brag about a blog called Beginner Ballerina. Here are some of the things that she blogs about:

Improving Your Arches

Late-Bloomer Profiles

All About Going on Pointe



Posture Tips

Monday's Blog Brag: Grand Allegro

ps: Did you enter the No Tricks - Just Treats Giveaway? If not, scroll down or click here to enter.



This week, I would like to brag about a very special dancer named Sara. Sara runs an amazing blog called Grand Allegro. Heard of it? It is a great source on finding a professional dancer's point of view. Here are some of the things she blogs about:



Happenings at the Company

Opening Seasons

Youch!

Off to Colorado!


I'd also like to give a big Congratulations to Sara! She is going to be in the production of Dracula! Who knew they made a ballet out of that? Anyway, she got the part of Lucy, and one of the Brides! Congrats!



That's all for Monday's Blog Brag!

Monday's Blog Brag: HannahBallerina

HEY! HO! HEY! HO! HEY! HO! RAISE THE ROOF! It's time to party with HannahBallerina!

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Ok, not really, but we are gonna learn some cool stuff about her!


Following Our Dreams

Updates on Her Life



Ballet Reviews



Pointe Shoes



And Much, Much More!


Go check out HannahBallerina, and come back tomorrow for Tuesday's Tips!

ps: my keyboard is being a spaz and everything is underlining

Monday's Blog Brag: StuffDancersLike

Ok!!!! it's time for Monday's Blog Brag!!!! Today I am going to brag about my newest follower[s], ConnectionsDance!!!! Two girls named Anne and Brianna call themselves ConnectionsDance, and have a blog called StuffDancersLike. Let's take a look at a few of the things they post about:

Exercise Tips




Advice




Amazing Videos


Go check them out, and come back tomorrow for Tuesday's Tips!!!

Note: If you want you blog featured on Monday's Blog Brag, become a follower and blog about me!

Monday's Blog Brag: Ballet NEWS

Alright, I do believe it is time to brag about the amazing, Ballet NEWS! Ballet NEWS is a website run by an amazing journalist who pulls only the finest of news strait from the scene for us to know and hear about.


Here are a few of the things that she posts:



Ballet Reviews


"Cupcakes and Conversation" with Famous Dancers


Short Films

And of course, Ballet News!!!



I hope that you liked this week's Monday's Blog Brag! Come back tomorrow for Tuesday's Tips

Monday's Blog Brag: Determined Dancer

Today, I am going to brag about a girl name Andee's blog, Determined Dancer. Determined Dancer is a really neat blog, and Andee is a ballet teacher, and wants to be in a professional company. Here are a few of the things that she blogged about:

Building Stamina

Products


Questions


Awesome Pics


Determined Dancer is an awesome blog to read because it's important to see ballet through all eyes, the audience (watch ballets), the student (study hard), and the teacher (read her or his point of view ;) ).

Andee has been so kind to put together an article for you guys! Thanks So much Andee!


Dancing Knows No Age

Many say age is just a number. To a dancer age is much more. It is a constant reminder of the short precious years you have to make it as an outstanding or professional dancer. Relax, take a deep breath and know that at any age you can achieve your goals as a dancer and capture an audience.

A lot of students new to dance get intimidated when they hear dancers with more experience say things like: "I have been dancing for ten years". Hearing such things can act as instant intimidation. What a lot of inexperienced dancers don't know is that true technical training does not start at age three. Most students do not begin to learn true technique until around age eight. Students who begin dance at an older age do however have certain advantages. Maturity comes with age and many young dancers do not realize how important it is to put 110% into their dancing. Many will take their valuable years as a youthful dancer for granted and get lazy. A dancer that starts out later knows how imperative it is for them to be completely dedicated and work twice as hard. As a teacher, I appreciate the ballerina who started later than the other students. Teachers value dancers who work hard and they can see the seriousness and determination in a late start dancer. The maturity that you posses will help develop your personal style as a dancer and it will help you learn how to perform and not just dance through the motions. No teacher or audience wants to watch a robot, they want to see an artist. Your maturity will help you grasp artistry much faster because you are putting vast amounts of effort into learning every aspect of dance to keep up with the dancers who are more seasoned.

Technique is not everything but it is a priority for all ballet dancers. As a beginning dancer it is hard not to struggle with technique. It is difficult for advanced dancers let alone a new dancer that tends to over analyze every single aspect of their body. Making sure that you are doing your best to have proper placement of your body is very important but do not pay so much attention that you drive yourself crazy. Over analysis can lead to physical and mental exhaustion. A lot of dancers focus too much on things like having multiple turns and insane extension. Sometimes they focus so much that they tend to put the "small things" on the back burner. Things like strong sculpted feet and turnout are two things that I would recommend dancers pay close attention to every time they dance. Being a hard working blossoming dancer means that each class will be challenging and exhausting. Regardless, you should always take class and perform full out. You do not want to get lazy or learn bad habits. It is much easier to learn good habits than spend your precious time learning to break the bad habits that you have picked up. Another thing I would suggest to any dancer is to not compare yourself to other dancers. Correction, I should say: do not over compare yourself to other dancers. I say that because comparing others abilities to our own talents is simply something we all do as humans. It can be very destructive if you are too critical of your body and its limits. Believe in yourself and set your own goals. Short term and long term goals are wonderful tools to help keep yourself on track. Set goals that you know you will be able to reach in a short period of time and also set goals that are far out of your reach. Try writing them down in a journal or even put them in your phone. This way everyday you wake up you will have an idea of what you are working towards and then you can visualize and map out your progress.

One of the most important pieces of advice I could give any dancer is to prepare for setbacks. Every single dancer deals with their own demons and you need to learn how to tame them. One year I took a summer dance intensive at Idyllwild Arts Academy in California and learned something that I remind myself as a dancer daily..."There will always be someone younger, better, and that can do more pirouettes." Find something that keeps you down to Earth and remind yourself of that daily. There is nothing worse than a dancer who walks around like they have a tiara on their head at all times.

Find out what you want to get out of dance. Regardless if you want to be a principal dancer in a company, a ballet teacher or if you just enjoy dancing because it makes you happy, do yourself a favor and give it your all. You do not want to wake up one morning and wonder "what if?". No matter what your age or skill level may be, push your body to the limits and dance because you love it. With a lot of hard work and the passion that drives you, rest assured you will blossom into the dancer that you desire to be.

I hope you liked Monday's Blog Brag! Come back tomorrow for Tuesday's Tips on foot technique.

Monday's Blog Brag: MetroBallet

Today, I am going to brag about a really neat blog, MetroBallet. MetroBallet is a really great website to find tips, from a really neat person named Samantha. Here are some of the things you can find on her blog:




10 Reasons to Drink Water

Highlights for New Products



Tips for Starting your Day Off Right
(hmmmm sound familiar?)

Tips for Steps

Check her blog out, and come back tomorrow for Tuesday's Tips and a little (BIG) surprise!


PS: When I say BIG, I mean HUGIGANTINORMOUS. fyi

Monday's Blog Brag: Survival Guide for Dancers

This week, I'd like to brag about a blog named Survival Guide for Dancers. This blog is run by a 15 year old girl named Chloey. She, like me, started ballet as a late beginner, and LOVES ballet!





Here are a few of the things that she posts about:





Contemporary Dances



Turnout Tips



Famous Dancers



Help with Pointing

Check her blog out, and come back for Tuesday's Tips on Bag Organization!

PS: Did you see my new button on my sidebar? Post it on your blog!