101 Reasons to Study Ballet - #17 Bunhead

Reason # 17 You Can be a Bunhead

What is a bunhead? It is a term used as a playfull name for a ballet dancer or ballet student. Female ballet dancers wear their hair in a bun for class and for most performances. You can't just wear a bun hair style to be a bunhead you must take ballet class, read ballet books, watch ballet videos and go to ballet performances. Basically in the most essential respects; fundamentally you must walk, talk, eat, sleep and dream ballet. There is always something new in the ballet world to see and discuss. Ballet is a living breathing art form and you can be part of it. Go to see a ballet or take a ballet class. http://www.theballetcenter.org/

101 Reasons to Study Ballet - # 16 Just For Kicks

Reason # 16  Just For Kicks

There are two meanings here - one ballet is fun and you will have a great time studying ballet, two - you do kicks in ballet class. A kick in ballet class in called a grand battement it is a powerful movement where the dancer takes the leg as high as possible, while the supporting leg remains straight. Do not try to push your kicks high the first time. You will injure yourself to the extent that you may never be able to kick high again. Ballet is a process that take time and effort. You will be rewarded with a beautiful body and a fun activity. try a ballet class today - just for kicks.http://www.theballetcenter.org/

How Do I Become A Professional Dancer

                   To become a professional dancer it takes - hard work, dance classes, a good healthy diet and a true passion for dance. Find a good dancing school, one that has professional dancers on staff. Most ballet companies have an apprentice program. Often dancers are hired into ballet companies from their apprentice programs. Do your research and find the best program for you. 
                   Apprentice Programs look for students with potential for a professional career in dance,
his or her physical capabilities and strengths, attendance in classes, self discipline and maintenance of a suitable body weight. Ballet students should attend at least 5 ballet classes per week, pointe class for female students and rehearsals for performances. Time on stage is very important. You need experience on stage. Dancing in a classroom and performing on stage is different. 
                   Audition - learn how to audition. Go to auditions before you need to  - there are auditions for Summer Ballet Intensives, Apprentice Programs, Trainee Programs and professional paid jobs. Audition until you feel strong and comfortable.
                    A dancers job is demanding both physically and emotionally. It takes long hours of classes, rehearsals and performances. 

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that dancers and choreographers earned a mean hourly wage of $16.55 as of May 2010 (www.bls.gov). States that had the highest level of employment for dancers were California, New York, Nevada, Hawaii and Missouri.

www.theballetcenter.org

How To Choose A Ballet School

What do you need to know to find the right ballet school.
First - Find a professional ballet school, even if you only want to introduce your child to ballet. It is best to learn proper technique. Take a look at the schools website. Look for a school with a professional ballet company in residence.
Second - Visit the school. Talk to the staff. Ask how many students have become dance professionals.
Look for a professional setting at the school. Ask about the dance floor. It should be a "floating dance floor".
Third - Small class size allows for more individual instruction. The teacher can catch any problems before they turn into bad habits or improper technique. Proper names of steps should be taught. French is the vocabulary of ballet.
Fourth - There is no license issued by the government to teach ballet so anyone can teach ballet. Ask for information on the teachers background and look at the schools website and read the bios of the teachers. A good school will have a good website with lots of information for you to read.
Fifth - look on Youtube to see if the school has videos posted so you can see the students and teachers.
This is a good start on how to find a ballet school for yourself or your child.

Dance Scholarship Auditions

As a not-for-profit dance organization, our mission is to make dance available and affordable to everyone.

To help accomplish this mission, The Ballet Center has a long history of offering a broad scholarship program to encourage and support our serious dance students. 

The Ballet Center offers significant reductions in tuition for those who qualify.  During the 2012 – 13 school year, Artistic Director Debra Punzi will offer fifty (50) scholarships to deserving students. 

Scholarships are full or partial and depend on skill or financial need. The Ballet Center is the only school on Long Island that offers this great scholarship program. Many of our students have gone on to professional careers in dance: teachers, professional dancers and choreographers. Ms. Punzi believes serious and talented dancers should be rewarded and encouraged.

Serious about dance? Apply for a TBC Scholarship.

Scholarships are awarded through the audition process. Students wishing to apply for a scholarship must file an application and audition at The Ballet Center, 1863 Pond Road, Ronkonkoma, NY 11779.

Audition Dates:
Sat June 23 - 11:00am
Wed July 18 - 7:00pm
There is a $10 application fee.

For more information Call 631-737-1964 or email balletlongisland@aol.com