Dance is supposed to keep one young—but centenarians are still comparatively rare in the business, with even the unsinkable Martha Graham making it only to 97. In fact, the only truly celebrated dance centenarian I can think of off-hand is the founder of Britain’s Royal Ballet, Ninette de Valois, who died about five years ago […]

What color is her parachute? Bahiyah Sayyed Gaines makes her Broadway debut in Purple.     Bahiyah Sayyed Gaines uses a single sentence to explain her decision to walk away from life as a principal in the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater: “I had a baby,” she says. Late last fall, sitting in an empty […]

Jazz dance teachers share their perspectives.     “My class does not emphasize the new trends,” says Nan Giordano. “It’s not that we don’t like trends or don’t like music that is trendy. But we are technically based and very clean. Our style is pure passion.”   In August, Giordano hosted the Jazz Dance World […]

Choreographers are hard to pin down. They work in the dark, not knowing what they are creating until it’s done—or until it’s been done for a few years. So it’s not always easy to interview them about their work.   William Forsythe has developed his own “systems” for generating movement. To read his straightforward interview, […]

Lil Buck’s jookin’ Dying Swan was the sensation of Fall for Dance at New York City Center. Unfurling from a rounded position with luxurious musicality, gliding feet, and liquid arms, he seemed to embody the romantic spirit—in sneakers and jeans. Lil Buck is one of our “25 to Watch,” but he’s also the tip of […]

With this issue, Dance Magazine begins a new monthly column where we ask distinguished dance teachers their advice about technique, performing, and health. Assistant Editor Tamara Johnson interviews master teacher David Howard.   Photo of David Howard from the DM Archives.   Turns generate so much excitement in the audience, and triples are becoming more […]