BALLET FOREVER - YOUR BALLET MAGAZINE

Review: Grand Rapids Ballet's 'Firebird' soars with artistry and emotion

Grand Rapids Ballet began the 2019-20 Season with a powerful performance of “Firebird” last weekend. Michigan’s only professional ballet company stands out as an art leader that keeps redefining dance as an art form. The show features Yuri Possokhov’s beautiful version of the classic Russian tale of “Firebird,” along with three performances by talented choreographers Penny Saunders, Adam Hougland and Grand Rapids Ballet Artistic Director James Sofranko that explore the multifaceted creativity of dance. Grand Rapids Ballet’s “Firebird” opened last weekend with four performances on Oct. 18-20, and the company will present one more performance next weekend, Friday, Oct. 25 at the Peter Martin Wege Theatre in downtown Grand Rapids.
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Review: Grand Rapids Ballet's 'Firebird' soars with artistry and emotion
Why boys should enroll in dance class

Dance class benefits growing boys and may be one of the secrets to successful athletic performance in many sports. All children can get valuable exercise, flexibility, endurance and motor skill growth from dancing. Boys also need the lessons in fitness and discipline that are a part of dance. Discover how dancing can help young boys grow into strong young men.
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Why boys should enroll in dance class
Help your child overcome stage fright

Stage fright or performance anxiety is common among children, especially young children who must perform in front of an audience of strangers for the first time. Performing can be scary for young children. Learn how to ease your child's anxiety and get her more comfortable with performance situations.
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Help your child overcome stage fright
Choosing ballet slipper for dance class

Choosing the right ballet slippers for class is important to prevent injury and learning proper technique. Many dance studios only specify that a ballet slipper should be made of leather or canvas. There are a variety of ballet slipper styles available from many different brands, but not all are created equal and some are not a good choice for a beginner. You want to find the ballet slipper that meets the needs of your dance level and fit you well.
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Choosing ballet slipper for dance class

Adult Ballet: Begin ballet as an adult

Is it too late to begin ballet if you are an adult? It is never too late learn ballet. Adults of all ages and fitness levels are discovering the benefits of ballet exercise for overall health and fitness. Adult ballet classes are growing in popularity as an exercise option. Taking a ballet class can be a fun way to exercise and improve flexibility. Many people think there are age restrictions to starting ballet or that you need a certain level of physical fitness to pursue it. You can learn ballet at any age and fitness level. You don't need to be naturally flexible to participate either. The dance movements will improve your flexibility. Ballet can be a lifelong activity.

Ballet improves limited flexibility

Can you learn ballet if you are an adult with limited flexibility? Yes, you can learn ballet at any age and any level of flexibility. Ballet is a physically demanding art that requires a lot of athleticism and strength. However, you can learn ballet at any fitness level, and the ballet exercises will make you more flexible and stronger over time. It is also a physical activity that you can do for your entire life, even well into old age.

How to choose the right type of ballet class for your child

When you are searching for a ballet class for your young child between the ages of 3 and 7 years old, you will find that many studios offer opportunities to learn ballet through a ballet creative movement class or a combination ballet and tap class. All of these classes introduce dance in a way that helps develop motor skills, coordination and rhythm in fun combinations developed for younger children. Choosing between a combination ballet and tap dance class or a ballet class often depends on your child's individual interests and the classes available in your area.

Choreographer Spotlight: Val Caniparoli

There are some choreographers who have a special way of creating ballets that touch the emotions and bring out the unique beauty of dance. Val Caniparoli is one such choreographer. Few choreographers can boast of a repertoire that includes a mix of ballets based on literary classics and cutting-edge dance themes than Val Caniparoli. The San Francisco Ballet-based choreographer has been dancing and choreographing for over 40 years, with several long-running shows that are continuously performed. A choreographer and principal character dancer at San Francisco Ballet, Caniparoli has created works for the repertoire of more than 50 dance companies all over the world. He has a gift for creating beautiful works of classical ballet as well as fusing it with other styles of dance to create thought-provoking and artful masterpieces. Find out about Val Caniparoli’s dance journey, his inspirations for dance, and learn why he is one of one of the most highly sought-after choreographers in the field of dance today.