A new training program at Festival Ballet Providence called Leap Year is welcoming pre-professional and professional dancers who don’t have a studio or company to dance for this season. The endeavor is the brainchild of Kathleen Breen Combes, FBP’s executive and artistic director. “I kept getting these emails of dancers saying they just need a […]

From Basil to Bluebird, ballet men have long been given iconic allegro variations, and the triumphant codas, mazurkas or tarantellas that accompany them. With technically demanding feats, male ballet training tends to emphasize jumps and batterie. In general, men are more privy to additional allegro combinations at the end of multi gender classes, as well […]

On the morning of May 1, Miriam Barbosa posted a photo of her daughter, Itzkan, on Facebook. The image itself is striking—Itzkan stands smiling on pointe in front of Miami City Ballet, where she has spent the last year as a pre-professional student, perched atop a mountain of old pointe shoes of all different sizes. […]

Company class triggers my biggest doubts when I compare myself to leading dancers with fantastic feet or extensions. Why can’t I be more like them? I work just as hard, but I can’t seem to do it. —Katy, San Francisco, CA All dancers are different. You’re always going to find someone who can do something […]

Next semester, there’ll be a new course name on the syllabus of Boston Conservatory at Berklee: “Constructed Gender Identities in Classical Ballet: Men’s Variations.” But this is not a new course, just a new title. The old name is one you might recognize: “Men’s Class.” Ballet class at Boston Conservatory at Berklee College. Photo by […]

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 […]