The Shen Wei Dance Arts member visits an energy worker to keep her body in tune. Koppe in Shen Wei’s Undivided Divided. Photo by Stephen Xue, Courtesy Shen Wei Dance Arts. Cynthia Koppe is searching for “dynamic fullness and an integrated whole.” Through a multifaceted, holistic approach to cross-training, which includes running, yoga […]
At home and on tour, this Martha Graham Dance Company principal stays centered with yoga––on her iPad. Chien-Pott in Nacho Duato’s Depak Ine. Photo by Yi-Chun Wu. PeiJu Chien-Pott doesn’t have much time for cross-training. As a principal with the Martha Graham Dance Company, plus a wife and a mother to a […]
Deadlifting 140 pounds gives her a noticeable edge in the studio. Meiss builds explosive power by jumping on and off a 24-inch box. Photo by Sian Richards, Courtesy NBOC. As a student, Chelsy Meiss was told that to become a professional ballet dancer, she should never lift weights. “ ‘No one likes an overly […]
The Houston Ballet principal focuses on functional fitness. Walsh in Forsythe’s The Vertiginous Thrill of Exactitude. Photo by Amitava Sarkar, Courtesy Houston Ballet. Connor Walsh never used to cross-train. But a torn meniscus in February 2013 transformed his outlook. “It made me realize I needed to improve my ‘regular person’ strength, which […]
Ballet Beautiful keeps her strong on the road. Mentzer in Afternoon of a Faun, with Pennsylvania Ballet’s Jermel Johnson. Photo by Candice Lauren, Courtesy Mentzer. After leaving her soloist position at Pennsylvania Ballet to join the Phantom of the Opera national tour, Abigail Mentzer had to adapt to the ever-changing routine […]
The Dance Theatre of Harlem dancer uses her weekend to work on problem areas. Salvatto rehearsing in the DTH studios. Photo by Quinn Wharton, Courtesy Pointe. Gabrielle Salvatto doesn’t let a moment go to waste. She sees every day as an opportunity to get stronger, and even keeps a Pilates reformer in […]
This Pacific Northwest Ballet principal goes for a run almost every day. Above: In Kiyon Gaines’ Sum Stravinsky. Photo by Angela Sterling, Courtesy PNB. As a kid, Pacific Northwest Ballet principal Maria Chapman loved sprinting, but she gave it up for ballet at age 13. She started running again only after joining […]
FlyBarre helps her build the strength she needs to succeed as a Rockette. Elegant and leggy, Sara Hoenes can skim any stage with confidence: Her resumé boasts gigs ranging from James Sewell Ballet to an international tour of Zorro. But tackling her first season as a Rockette with the Radio City Christmas Spectacular […]
Join our mailing list to receive the latest news and updates from our team.