In this final installment we talk about artistry, and how she is building the character of the Firebird with Alexei Ratmansky. I have to say that it was such a great pleasure to finally meet Misty and to have such an honest and open conversation with her. I was so impressed with her integrity and her work ethic, as well as her desire to mentor and inspire young dancers. I can’t wait until June to see her Firbird at the Met!!! Can’t wait!!!
Here is the final part!
Hello My Lovelies so here is the deal.
To show that you are in leave your name and your 5 “vows” as a comment! And join the Facebook Fanpage that way you will get the updates!
I have compiled some of the post that I think are helpful and inspirational but I want you to surf through the DANCE STUDIO and see what else might be there for you. If you find something feel free to copy the link and post it on the Fan Page letting the others know they should check it out. Good LUCK!
Here is a series that explains the importance od proper pelvic placement and a demonstration of how including exercises!!
Here are some simple concepts that will help you change the way you “think” about “how” you straighten the leg, and some exercises to help you first find the proper muscles to lift the knee cap up- (not back) and then strengthen the muscles above the knee then so that the leg with be strong and secure. I find that it’s best to try to find and connect with these new muscles outside of class where you can really focus solely on isolating the area. In class there is too much to worry about (the combination, the counts, the arms, moving across the floor, trying to turn and jump). These are simple exercises that can be done on the bus stop, while waiting for the train, (and you won’t look crazy!) or when you are just standing around. This way you can put the muscular information into your body when you can concentrate and feel what you are doing. The body will remember and when you do get into class you fill find that the muscles will start to fire almost without thought. It’s also a good idea to add these exercised to your warm up so that you can set up your legs before class to set. Don’t get discouraged, it’s new and seems daunting but the body learns and responds quickly. Stick with it
Hear Erika explain what she felt when she employed the concepts we talked about…
Dancer Madeline Crawford – Her Body Story- (her secret to success- her Dance Journal)
Here is the second installment of the Physical Therapy Tips (search physical therapy- or scroll the dance studio for the first) There is a new one about every 3 weeks!
Dance has no Shortcuts:There is no App for that!
The WORK WORKS (when it comes to changing you body!)
Check out what Dancer/Choreographer Camille Brown has to say, her Body Story is amazing!
search “Camille A Brown” for the 2 other segments
Here is Alvin Ailey’s Linda Celeste Sims talking about Body Maintenance:
Dance has no “Short Cuts”-There’s no APP for That!
The Original GPS, the problem is not your body but your mind!
Get the most out of your training: 5 things young dancers should do to
An Open Letter to My Body
Here are the instructional Videos on how to correct Hyper Extended legs (Harmony!!!)
Here is the final segment of my chat with Camille A.Brown, here how she found her fit with Ronald K. Brown/Evidence, the importance of saying THANK YOU,what she looks for in a dancer, how to approach a choreographer you are interested in working with (important, my young ones) and how she feels about her body now. I have to say that this interview inspired me even more to learn more about the dancers I love to watch and admire. Everyone has a body story and it is so interesting to hear people’s individual journeys, whether it is overcoming physical obstacles, injuries, or just learning how to be a working dancer and staying healthy. I so adore Camille BRACCHIO! (private joke) but in watching these clips I fall in love with her all over again. She is so honest and generous with her information ( not everyone is like that). Thank you thank you Ms.Camille A Period Brown! Enjoy!
* the beeping towards the end is Camille’s phone she is ALWAYS in Demand!lol
Here is the second part of my delightful conversation with Camille A. Brown. In this segment she talks about her body image where they came from. Hear the SHOCKING weight revelation she drops I was stunned. She talks about how the at North Carolina School of the Arts and the techniques there helped changed her body! The Work Works! She also reveals how her body type and the issues that came with them was the source of her finding her choreographic talent. I think one of the most important things that came out of this segment is when she talks about how NCSA was a great fit for her- and our conversation around that is great information for all you looking for Colleges and even high schools or dance programs (even summer intensives). So without further ado Miss. Brown!
First I have to say that I have long been a fan, and friend of Camille, I have admired her work, her authenticity, honesty and sense of humor. We have gotten together to talk about life, art and girl stuff for ages and always with a great deal of laughter (as you will see) When I started My Body My Image she was one of the first interviews on my list. Pinning her down was the issue- that girl is always on the go getting it done. Camille is a petite fire ball of a woman with a unique at times sort of little girl like voice which at first might make you think she’s a push over but when it comes to her work, her point of view and doing business she might as well be 6 feet tall with a wrestler’s build a voice with some bass to it, she does not mess around! The thing I like best about her is her honesty. She is direct about all things, always works to be honest and maintain her personal integrity and while being respectful especially when she knows it might be hard to hear or it might result in a conflict- especially with her work. She’s like a lioness! (ok that description means a lot more with her new hair color! lol) It was my pleasure to sit and chat with her in a 3 part series in the about how she came to dance, her training her body issues, and how she overcame them. In later segments we get into how she started choreographing and her time dancing with Ronald K. Brown’s Evidence. (I think it’s funny that she shares the middle initial and last name thing with one of her mentors!) I call this a chat rather than in interview because it ending up with us being more like girlfriends kicking back then me having an Oprah moment. However I think that this the best way to “get” Camille. She is so very generous with her knowledge and supportive of her dancers (all of them including the students she works with around the country). Her body story is so moving and inspiring and I am so happy that she shared it with me—and you! and now Part 1 of Camille A Period Brown!
Evolution of a Secured Feminine
For more information on Camille A. Brown: http://www.camilleabrown.org/
Please Excuse my “Stop Bitching and Start a Revolution” Jack Kerouac tee, I forgot I had it on!!! but in a sense I have stopped bitching and started a revolution so in a way it is apropos, albeit possibly in appropriate for a certain age group (who in private probably use worse language) however it’s no excuse! just listen to Camille!!!
Hey my P(2)ASers!
I just wanted to check in to see how you are doing with the challenge! I will be coming around to check in on your progress. I would love to hear what you have experienced. Take a moment and comment on what your first week of 100%ing felt like, did you experience a change? was it harder then you thought? are you enjoying it or is it too much? Let me know we all want to hear!
I have to say that I am a bit disappointed in the fact that only 6 of you have “signed” in… I saw a lot of hands go up when we launched the challenge….
I hope that even though you may not have signed your name through the comment box that you have taken on the challenge, viewed some of the compiled information and are in the game!!!
can’t wait to hear!
click READ MORE to leave your comment
Ms. H
I am so pleased to bring you part 3,4, and 5 of my discussion with CLCB’s Artistic Director Benoit Swan Pouffer and it only got better and more interesting. In parts 1 and 2 we talked about his vision for the company, the rep, and what makes a “Cedar Lake” dancer.
In Part 3 we get into how he feels about the body male and female, does he have a type? does weight, height matter? (side note: I love the way that he says “ebony” –e Bonnie!! that French accent get’s you every time!)
In Part 4 Swan shares what the Cedar Lake audition process consists of (and get ready- a ballet class is first) and he tell us what catches his eye! (Side note: I just think he is so sweet, he is so understanding and compassionate and gentle when how talks about dancers)
Part 5 is one of my favorites I posed 2 questions asked by a student and a friend. The first was from Annie Gagen a student in the Jazz/Contemporary program at Joffery Ballet School- she wanted to know “What are your pet peeves?” were! (he loved the question and replies “Dats goood, no one has ever ask me dis!” His answer was great! And then a Friend ask me to asked “How old is too old” don’t You want to know?
Ok So here we are Professional Performing Arts High School Level B is up for the challenge!! 30 days at 100%
100% Focus- You have to be in it to Win it!! Get all the the information! If you are talking you are missing something
100% Effort– Remember we don’t ask for perfection, we ask for your effort!
100% Consistency- We created this challenge to create consistency. You have work with the same level of focus, detail, intensity and intent IF you want to experience a transformation and have it Manifest!! (V. to make clear or evident to the eye or the understanding; show plainly:)
To show that you are in leave your name as a comment! And join the Facebook Fanpage that way you will get the updates!
Here is the second installment of the Physical Therapy Tips (search physical therapy- or scroll the dance studio for the first) There is a new one about every 3 weeks!
Dance has no “Short Cuts”-There’s no APP for That!
The Original GPS, the problem is not your body but your mind!
Get the most out of your training: 5 things young dancers should do to
An Open Letter to My Body
Here are the instructional Videos on how to correct Hyper Extended legs (Harmony!!!)
Here are some simple concepts that will help you change the way you “think” about “how” you straighten the leg, and some exercises to help you first find the proper muscles to lift the knee cap up- (not back) and then strengthen the muscles above the knee then so that the leg with be strong and secure. I find that it’s best to try to find and connect with these new muscles outside of class where you can really focus solely on isolating the area. In class there is too much to worry about (the combination, the counts, the arms, moving across the floor, trying to turn and jump). These are simple exercises that can be done on the bus stop, while waiting for the train, (and you won’t look crazy!) or when you are just standing around. This way you can put the muscular information into your body when you can concentrate and feel what you are doing. The body will remember and when you do get into class you fill find that the muscles will start to fire almost without thought. It’s also a good idea to add these exercised to your warm up so that you can set up your legs before class to set. Don’t get discouraged, it’s new and seems daunting but the body learns and responds quickly. Stick with it
Hear Erika explain what she felt when she employed the concepts we talked about…
I have been wanting to have an in depth conversation with Swan (as he is affectionately known)for a while now. Since his taking over of the company, Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet has quickly risen to the be “The company to dance for”. Part of the reason has been the innovative and eclectic choreographers Pouffer has brought in to set work as well as his diverse, highly trained and versatile dancers. I was eager to pick his brain about what he looks for in a dancer and how he feels about the body. I also wanted to ask him what all of you young dancers want to know “What does it take to dance for Cedar Lake, What does he look for!”
I was so highly impressed with his sensitivity and thoughtfulness. Often when people become directors they, in the midst of trying to run the company forget what it was like to be on the marley. When Swan speaks of his dancers (or dancers in general) he still sounds like a dancer, he is sensitive and empathetic to how vulnerable dance makes you, he still understands how stressful the striving for perfection and the need to be what someone else wants you to be. He encourages, celebrates the individual.I encourage all young dancers to watch these clips and listen carefully he gives great advice and tips whether you want to dance with CLCB to not.
for more information on Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet and upcoming performances check out cedarlakedance.com
As promised Sheyi is back with some great information that is important and pertinent, she answers the question: How do you talk to your physical therapist? Since we can’t see pain, the words we use to describe what is going on in our bodies are all that physical therapists have to go on, especially if you are there trying to figure out what it going on. Even if you come in with a diagnosis, getting you fully recovered is a collaborative effort and good, clear communication is always the best place to start.
Check out what she has to say
Talking tips, Be able to explain:
1) How you did it? When did the pain start? When does it hurt (walking running etc.)- How often does it hurt? (i.e. does it come and go)
2) Be able to describe your pain: dull, sharp, radiating, constant, stabbing, tight, stuck. Use adjectives and similes to help get your point across “it feels tight like it’s being twisted like a rope”
2) Be able to communicate when it is better or worse: when you first wake up at the end of the day etc.
Dancers be sure to take note of what you were doing when you felt the pain, what movements you feel it in, and when you don’t is just as important. What you can do is just as important as what you can’t it can be the key to pinpointing the problem.
Remember you are the private investigator, the more intel you come with the better your Physical Therapist can help you!
Get Health! Stay healthy!
Please send questions!!!
