Why can’t I jump as high as my male partner? We both have to perform the same series of jetés in a workshop performance and practicing isn’t helping. I’m starting to panic. —Amy, Cincinnati, OH The gender gap between men and women for jump height is significant whether you’re playing basketball or dancing ballet. Research […]

While I’m lucky to have a high arch, my demi-plié stinks. I keep getting the same correction to make it deeper. Any ideas? —Foot Challenged, Winston-Salem, NC Fake it! A high arch gives you a beautiful pointe but a shallow plié. Structurally, your ankle is not able to go any deeper. The more you and […]

It’s been a year since I sprained my ankle and it continues to hurt, even with physical therapy. I’ve had to skip class, and I worry that my injury could ruin any chance of landing a job when I start auditioning. It hurts the most when I do grand pliés. Is there something wrong with […]

I had a two-month injury and thought it would make me miserable. Instead, I’m experiencing a huge wave of relief at being out. Should I feel guilty about not missing dance? I still love it but hate never feeling good enough. —Injured Perfectionist, Fort Lauderdale, FL There’s no need to feel guilty. Being injured can […]

I feel like a loser after auditioning for a ballet company. Instead of a job, I landed a position in their trainee program. I refused it and switched to a school with a Limón curriculum, which doesn’t do it for me. Now what? —Failure, New York, NY It’s natural to do an about-face and search […]

My girlfriend wants me to say “no” to extra work outside of the company. During breaks, I typically teach master classes, do gigs and choreograph. I love these opportunities, but I’m always tired and it interferes with our time together. What should I do? —Principal Dancer, New York, NY There are many reasons for overwork, […]

My nerves have been a mess since auditioning for a Nutcracker my teacher recommended me for. I freaked out because I was afraid to disappoint her. I didn’t get hired, although my audition material is being kept on file by the artistic director. I feel like a complete failure. —Loser, Hoboken, NJ I seriously doubt […]

I had to stop physical therapy for a chronic subluxing knee after suffering a second-degree leg burn from spilling hot cooking oil. I’ve been to the doctor, used antibiotic cream, and washed and bandaged the burned area daily based on his directions. But it’s taking forever to heal! I don’t understand why my body won’t […]