“Your port de bras is such an integral part of technique,” says Ballet West principal Emily Adams. “Your arms elevate your dancing artistically.”

Whether it’s a split second of suspension at the top of a jump or an unexpectedly weightless transition, some dancers appear as though they’re dancing on air. Understanding the dynamics of buoyancy can unlock a world of artistic possibilities, transforming everyday steps into poetry.

“It can be just as exciting and moving and powerful to see a dancer make one small, subtle movement—that can be just as electrifying as seeing someone do a giant grand jeté,” says Cecily Campbell.

No matter which dance style you specialize in, taking the time to hone movement dynamics can bolster your artistry, enhance your choreography, and help your dancing stand out.

Cultivating dexterity in your digits—and harnessing the choreographic meaning it can instill—can benefit dancers of all styles and genres.

No matter how many times you’ve rehearsed a dance in the studio, getting onstage can feel like the air has suddenly become thinner. Between the nerves and adrenaline likely boosting your heart rate and the size of the stage demanding you to travel further than you’re used to, it’s normal to find yourself huffing and puffing by the time the curtain closes.

Ranee Ramaswamy, Youth America Grand Prix artistic director Larissa Saveliev and choreographer Marc Kimelman offer tips to ensure your eyes are conveying exactly what you want them to say.

Dancers of nearly every genre need fleet feet for dazzling, pyrotechnic­ footwork. But complex, quick footwork tests almost all the technical skills that dancers strive for—balance, coordination, speed, strength—and can also be a mental game, requiring intense­ focus and the right combination of freedom and precision.