For many young dancers, attending a summer intensive is their first major training experience outside of their local dance studio. Whether it’s a classical ballet program or a weeks-long workshop with a renowned modern dance company, a summer intensive can kick off the transition from student to professional. But how can you make the most […]

With the pandemic raging on, dance studios have had to get creative to stay open. Some are hosting virtual classes, others are setting up outdoor workshops, many are offering a hybrid of online and in-person classes. But their efforts to save their businesses hinge on their local dance communities. Without support from their students, many […]

Young dancers are often set on a specific career goal, whether it’s becoming a principal at their dream ballet company or performing backup for their favorite pop star. But are today’s students becoming laser-focused on one style too soon? In sports medicine, a growing body of research suggests that specializing in one form of training […]

These days, it feels like in order to master the technical feats required of professional dancers, you can’t get enough of a head start on your training. Younger and younger Insta-protégés knocking out quadruple pirouettes or showing off their extreme flexibility give the impression that spending those formative childhood years immersed in dance gives you […]

For generations, dancers have been thrust into professional life at a young age without much preparation or tools, sinking or swimming on their limited industry know-how. Today, some independent programs are presenting unique models that bridge the gap between student and professional life through networking, performance opportunities and more. A Career Focus One of the […]

The first time New York City Ballet soloist Unity Phelan went onstage as an understudy, she was waiting for the curtain to rise when the announcement was made that she would be replacing beloved principal Sara Mearns. “The whole audience went ‘Awww,’ ” Phelan recalls. “We all started cackling. Tyler Angle said, ‘This means they […]

While some dancers return year after year to the same beloved summer intensive, others travel the globe seeking novel ways of moving. Aspiring dancers can find myriad possibilities for their summer months, and with so many choices, such varied costs and so much competition, summer study can be tough to navigate. Dance Magazine asked five […]

When you’ve spent years performing ensemble work and nailing perfect unison, it can be jarring to be handed your first solo. You might feel the weight of commanding the audience’s attention all on your own, even as you reach a milestone that is meant to be a reward. Shifting your mind-set may be even more […]