dance advantage
Dance Blog Spotlight: Maria’s Movers, Move. Create. Educate.
Each month we are featuring a different dance blog on our “spotlight” at 4dancers. Here’s the one we have chosen for December–Maria’s Movers, Move. Create. Educate.
Maria Hanley
1. Can you tell readers a bit about your background in dance?
I grew up dancing. Since the age of 3 I loved it. I think that might be why I love teaching 3′s so much. My Mom and Dad signed me up for dance because they thought it would bring me out of my shell! I think it worked, but not until later in my life.
The thing is I never wanted to be a professional dancer, I always wanted to be a dance educator. When I was at college for dance so many of my classmates wanted to be professional dancers. I remember one of my professors saying to the class of aspiring dancers, ” teaching will always be your fallback.” I never agreed. I work hard everyday to make sure I am a loving and creative dance educator who really want kids to love and appreciate dance.
2. When did you begin your blog—and why did you start it?
I started Maria’s Movers, Move. Create. Educate. because I wanted a place to keep and share my ideas. When I first started out, I had trouble finding people who wanted to talk about teaching young children. I thought this would be a way I could talk about it and whoever wanted to talk, read, and join in was welcome. It has become such an amazing resource for me and I hope other dance educators find it useful too.
4dancers Turns 2
What began for me in November 2009 as a very part-time, “side thing” to practice blogging for my writing site, Freelance-Zone.com has almost become a full-time job. For those of you who don’t know, I started 4dancers on a whim. As I developed the site, to my pleasant surprise, I found that there is a pretty amazing audience of dancers, dance teachers and other dance lovers out there on the web.
When I began the blog, there weren’t as many sites out there dedicated to dance. Nichelle, with the popular site, Dance Advantage was one of the biggest out there (and still is!), and there were other fun dance blogs I discovered along the way too. I had no idea at the time how rich the online dance world would become. Now I am fortunate enough to be in the good company of sites such as Tights and Tiaras, Tendus Under A Palm Tree and Move. Create. Educate, all of which are featured for 2011 in the new column, “Dance Blog Spotlight”. I’ll be adding to that list in 2012–there are plenty of sites out there to highlight!
Today 4dancers has a network of 2000+ Twitter followers, a stable of 11 amazing Contributors, and because of you–the readers–this blog will be my primary focus in 2012. I’ve found “home” here in the online dance community, and since 4dancers is turning 2 this month, I thought I would take the time at Thanksgiving to say a big thank you to each and every one of you that have supported me and the other writers here along the way.
After all, this site isn’t for me–it’s for you.
In the coming year you can expect to see more interviews with Joffrey ballet members, information on the upcoming documentary “Joffrey-Mavericks of American Dance“, interviews with members of Ballet San Jose and other companies (TBA), more on The Rockettes, teaching tips, products and video. There’s plenty to come!
If there is something in particular you would like to see on the site, leave a comment, or shoot me an e-mail at info (at) catherineltully (dot) com. Over the next month I’ll be putting an editorial calendar together, and I’d be happy to include some things with input from readers.
Once again, my most heartfelt thanks for visiting this site. Have a lovely Thanksgiving holiday, and check in on Monday to see the first interview with a member of Ballet San Jose.
- Catherine
Dance Blog Spotlight: Dance Advantage
Today on Dance Blog Spotlight we have Dance Advantage–one of the leading blogs about dance on the web. Read about how Nichelle got started on this endeavor below…
Nichelle Strzepek, Photo by Lorie Garcia, Studio 4d4, Satin Stitch, Frame Dance Productions
1. Can you tell readers a bit about your background in dance?
I grew up in a small town, next to a slightly larger college town in Pennsylvania. I was very involved in the arts: community musicals, school plays, band, church choirs, color guard, and of course dance. My childhood dance school is a pretty typical ballet/tap/jazz studio, with one exception, and that is that the owner’s specialty is none of those. In her “creative modern” classes movement is a medium and she helps children and youth “paint” their own pictures, giving them the structure and the tools to express themselves artistically. It’s creative movement very much in line with Virginia Tanner and Anne Green Gilbert. I firmly believe that foundation and the care with which it was provided is why I am still in love with dance today.
I did it ALL at that studio from about age 5 through high school. It was not a pre-professional dance education but when I majored in dance, what I lacked in training I made up in enthusiasm, dedication, and diligence. The technique came along and I had some fantastic teachers. I married my husband halfway through college and when I finished, I did a lot of teaching in all kinds of environments: college, studios, community programs, homeschool groups, theaters. I danced in a few modern dance companies and choreographed at every opportunity.
Though I’ll admit there have been times I’ve wished I was just spectacular at ONE thing, I am a Jack of all trades (master of none) with a variety of experiences and skill sets. It’s not a bad place to be, actually.
410 Questions With…Roger Lee
Today we have 10 Questions With… Roger Lee…
Roger Lee, Photo by Liora Kuttler, © 2010
1. How did you become involved with dance?
In 2001, at the age of 12, I auditioned for the first FOX 29 Good Day Philadelphia Hip-Hop Dance Team. I auditioned with over 300 amazingly trained dancers and was selected as one of 12 original team members. From that moment on I knew that dance was my calling. I have been pursuing it ever since!
2. What are you currently doing in the field?
I am the newest company member for SHARP Dance Company, a professional modern-based company in Philadelphia (www.sharpdance.org). I also work as a freelance choreographer, performer, producer and dance illustrator (www.rogerleecreations.com). I am also exploring a career as a dance journalist and blogger, writing for Dance Advantage (danceadvantage.net). My latest dance writing can also found in the latest edition of Dance Magazine College Guide 2011-2012. In addition, I am completing coursework to obtain my Masters in Arts Administration from Drexel University, focusing on public relations and management for the performing arts.
3. Would you share a special moment from your career with readers?
1Starting A Dance Blog
Starting a dance blog can be a very satisfying thing. If you love dance, researching and writing about the subject may be something you would enjoy. Getting a blog up and running is pretty simple, and it doesn’t have to cost you anything either. If you want to just try it out and see how it goes, here are some tips for getting started:
Think up a name for your blog
Set up a free account at WordPress.com
Brainstorm some topics you’d like to write about
Choose from the list for your category headings
Go behind the scenes and play around a bit
Write an “about” page that tells readers a bit about who you are
Write and publish your first post
It may sound simple—and it really is if you just want an outlet to express your thoughts and ideas on dance. Getting a more formal blog up and running can be more challenging, but starting out this way lets you play around with ideas and get your legs under you. If you find that you would like to do something a bit more serious, you can always upgrade your account with WordPress and get more features.
I started 4dancers on a whim—following the steps I just described above. I had no special knowledge of blogging, and I didn’t have a grand plan for what I was going to do with the site. I just jumped in.
If you are going to try your hand at a dance blog, I recommend looking at some other sites to see what they are doing that you like—and what they are doing that you don’t care for. It can help you pick some subjects and find a general direction. Here are some that you can peek at for ideas–or check out my blogroll:
If you do decide to blog, be sure and drop me a note—or leave a comment here so I can check out your site!
510 Questions With…Lauren Warnecke
Today on “10 Questions With…” we have a fellow Chicago dance professional who I met online and have gotten to know and like very much. Her name is Lauren…
1. How did you become involved in dance?
Lauren Warnecke
When I was 6 years old, my parents took me to see a podiatrist because I was experiencing a lot of ankle pain during the night. I pronate and have a very high arch, and the doctor recommended ballet as a way to strengthen my feet and ankles. I had always wanted to do gymnastics, but once I started ballet the love affair did not stop.
2. What are you currently doing in the field?
I wear a lot of hats. The non-traditional trajectory of my career has lead me to pick up skill sets in production, sound design, teaching, writing and non-profit management. Currently I am the Performing Arts Coordinator at a non-profit organization, where I run dance, music, and theatre programs in addition to managing a black box venue that we rent to small performance groups. I also teach, and am training in the Cecchetti Method. I’ll take my grade II teachers’ exam this January! I serve on the board of directors and write grants for a small dance company, freelance as a modern dancer/choreographer, stage manager and sound designer, and write a dance science column for Dance Advantage. It’s a busy life!
3. Can you share a special moment from your career?
0Check Out Dance Advantage’s “Giving Thanks Giveaway”
Nichelle at Dance Advantage has a fun giveaway going in the spirit of Thanksgiving…it’s nearing the end, so be sure and check it out today or tomorrow.
And when you do, take a look around the site–she’s got some amazing resources on there!
Dance Web Roundup
Today I’d like to share with you some great posts from around the “dance web”. Take a peek at some of these great blog entries and let me know which one you connect with the most–and why:
“Life Lessons on Injury: Arriving at Plan C” by Lauren Warnecke on Dance Advantage
Bedtime Stories: Spartacus by Henrik Lamark on Tights and Tiaras
The First of My Many Realizations About Modern Dance by Rebecca King on Tendus Under A Palm Tree
Dance Journal For Success by David Hunter on Ballet For Men
A Night At The Ballet by David Wilson on Dave Tries Ballet
If you’ve recently read something you liked a lot–feel free to share that here in the comments section as well…
A Blog Sampler
Today I’d just like to take a moment to point out a few of the dance blogs I read on a regular basis. There are a lot of good ones out there, so this list is by no means comprehensive–but I thought I’d highlight a few in case you haven’t had the chance to check them out.
As always, if you have any suggestions, feel free to add them in the comments section!
Ballet for Men - Written by David Hunter, this blog is a great resource for guys who are interested in ballet. Not only is there a ton of “how to” information there, but you can listen to podcasts as well.
Tights and Tiaras - This blog is authored by Henrik Lamark, a Norweigan ballet dancer with a flair for the written word. Read up on the stories of the great ballets, get behind the scenes and learn some ballet terminology or learn about life as a dancer from his point of view.
Demicontretemps - Eric Taub’s writing is a joy to read, and he recently started posting video on his site as well. Drop by and check out his musings on dance for a treat.
Art Intercepts - Meet Lauren Warnecke, a Chicago-based dancer and educator and enjoy her posts on topics such as anatomy for dancers, dance injuries and other scientific information.
Dance Advantage - Nichelle’s mega-resource for dancers, teachers and parents. You could spend hours looking through all the great information here.
Dave Tries Ballet - A new site by – you guessed it – Dave, who is just starting out in ballet. A very interesting read.
Dance.com Blog - Another dance blog you could spend an afternoon browsing. Here you’ll find dance news as well as posts on all types of dance styles.
KinerEnterprisesInc. Blog - This recently re-vamped site offers tips on social media, business advice and more.
The Ballet Bag - Expect the unexpected on this delightful ballet blog. Always entertaining, well-written and informative.
Pas de Trois at dancing3.com - Not to toot my own horn here, but our new site (David Hunter, Henrik Lamark and I) is something I’d love for you to check out if you have the time. We’re hoping that people will really join in the conversation so we can all learn more about one another.
Tendus Under A Palm Tree - A lovely blog by Rebecca King, a Corps De Ballet dancer with Miami City Ballet.
Twitter: Great Dance Follows
If you are a Twitter user you probably already know about Follow Friday, designed to suggest people to follow to others. Today I’d like to point out a few of my #FF faves so that you can hook up with them on this popular social networking site…and of course, don’t forget to follow @4dancers!
Check out:
I’m sure I’ve missed a bunch here, so if I didn’t get yours on the list…please leave it in the comments section so that people can check you out! I love Twitter for keeping up on what is going on in the world of dance. If you haven’t tried it, give it a chance…it’s a lot of fun!
