We're Back!

Hello Dancers! We missed you! Apologies to everyone who could not get ahold of us - our power was out for a few days, as well as our server which powers our website. We are so excited to be back online and have heat again! Here are some pictures of how we spent our snow days in the office!

<-- over here, you can see we lit candles to try and keep warm. It works better than you'd think!

<-- we also made sure to bundle up! scarves, hats, mittens, wool socks... you name it, and we had it on! -->

On Saturday, when we still had no heat and limited power, we held combo classes for any ballerinas who showed up. Big and small - everyone loves a story dance!

We hope you had a great time on your days off from school! But mostly, we hope to see you in class this week!

Happy Dancing!
- Molly

Ballet Terms

When your dance instructor says, "Tendu derriere!" Do you ever wonder how its spelled? Well, the American Ballet Theatre website has a wonderful Ballet Glossary for you! When practicing outside of class, it is essential that you are performing your exercises just as your instructor taught you. If you forget a part of the exercise, the videos on the ABT glossary can help put you back on track! Check out this ballerina teaching us how to echappe: http://www.abt.org/education/dictionary/index.html.

I Heart Ballet Petite!

We are getting ready for Valentine's Day here in the Boutique! Any excuse to put up pretty decorations is what we love! And - we get in some different Twinkle Pops! What do you "heart" about Ballet Petite?

Dance Your Dream!

Do you dream of dancing in a certain ballet onstage? (I know my favorite would be Coppelia!) Well, if you can dream it - you can do it! Just look at Miss Emily Short. She has been dancing for over 11 years and as a little girl, she dreamed of being Clara in the Nutcracker! This year - she got to dance her dream! Next, she will be Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz. Keep on dancing, Emily!

MTPC Performance Company

Congratulations for the Musical Theater Performance Company
for a great weekend of School House Rocks, Live Jr!
You girls were fantastic!

Dancing at the MOMA

Did you know that dance is not only an art form performed on a stage, but it is a method many performance artists use in their pieces performed at museums? Recently, the Trisha Brown Dance Company took over the MOMA's atrium to perform work imagined and choreographed by the artist Trisha Brown herself. The picture above is from the work "Sticks." As you can see in the image, the dancers are using themselves and their props to create an amazing visual image comprised of lines.

Check out more: here.

Happy Dancing!

- Molly

Dancing with Natalie Portman

According to InStyle.uk.co's recent interview with Natalie Portman, the prima ballerina of Black Swan " ...did ballet, swimming and toned every day for a year." This training readied her to dance (as well as act) the lead in this dance thriller. Now that's devotion!

Happy Dancing,

Sophie

Snow Day!

We are having a snow day here at Ballet Petite! There are no classes but our Bethesda office is open if you need to make any calls. We are catching up on our winter 2011 session and getting ready for our spring recitals!

FYI - we follow Montgomery County Public Schools : http://tinyurl.com/39n3r48

Dancing for Dr. King

In honor of Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday, a few young congregants from a church in Massachusetts performed a liturgical dance. I was struck by this article, mostly because I had never heard of liturgical dance before, and it led me to start thinking about the ways that different people and different cultures use dance as a form of expression. It seems the public focus as of late has been on dance as a form of exercise, which it undoubtedly is. It is also important to consider the other meanings dance can hold.

Regardless of reason, we believe firmly in the value of dance!

Happy Dancing,

Sophie

Classic Ballet.... with a Twist!

To keep ballet fresh and exciting for each generation, choreographers and designers may choose to use a classical ballet story and update it with some modern flair. For instance, Discovery Theater in Anchorage, Alaska is hosting a performance of Swan Lake by Alaska Dance Theater. The troupe has renamed Swan Lake "Qug'yuq," which is the Inuit word for "swan," and has moved the setting to a village in Alaska. Instead of an evil sorceror, the antagonist is now a Raven, a traditional symbol for trickster in Inuit culture.

The Alaska Dance Theater is not the only dance troupe to do this. Many companies choose to add their own perspective on ballet's like the Nutcracker, which is done so often every year, that companies need their performance to stand out. Many will incorporate different types of dance into the production, such as the New Jersey Foundation for Theater and the Arts. Potomac High School in Fairfax County, VA, chose to add a little hip-hop and tap to their 2006 production of the Nutcracker.

What are some classic ballet stories you use in class? How do you think you would update them if you gave a special performance?

Petite Boutique: Welcome!

The Petite Boutique got a brand new paint job! We want to make the store as pretty as can be so everyone walks in and feels welcome! Thank you to everyone for being patient as we moved merchandise around to paint! The store looks brighter already :-)

Choreography

Have you heard of "So You Think You Can Dance?" Well, there's a new competition on TV, but it focuses on the choreography behind the dancers. Top choreographers from across the country compete for a cash prize in The A.W.A.R.D. Show! The show is focuses on contemporary choreographers and the winner receives $10,000 toward the creation of a new work. This money can come as a big break to many young up-and-coming choreographers looking to make their mark on the dancing world.



Choreography is such a crucial part of dancing, especially as you begin to master the steps and nuances of a certain genre. Many dancers go on to become choreographers later in life, which allows them to stay active in the dancing world even if they might not be on stage. If you think that sounds like something you'd be interested in, check out this article: http://www.stylecareer.com/choreographer.shtml.

A Double Dose of Cinderella at Ballet Petite

Ballet Petite announced this week that, for the first time in Ballet Petite history, both the Ballet Performance Company and the Musical Theatre Performance Company will be doing the same story for their spring performance! "Cinderella" the ballet will be performed by the BPC, and "Cinderella Jr." the musical will be performed by the MTPC! There's been a little bit of confusion regarding the auditions, but Season 2 promises to be an exciting endeavor for both companies!
Happy Dancing,

Sophie

School House Rock: a History

Hello Dancers (& Singers!)

In preparation for our musical theatre performance this Saturday and Sunday, I decided to research School House Rock. The play you will see is actually based on a TV show that aired back in the 1970s and 80s. The show was musical and educational, introducing kids to grammar, science, economics, mathematics, and much more! You might think learning on a Saturday would be boring, but the show won 4 daytime Emmy's!

Click on the picture above to check out a video of one my favorite songs - "Interjections!" And don't forget to come out to the Jewish Community Center of Greater Washington in Rockville for this weekend's performances!

Monday Update

Hello Dancers!

Are you excited for School House Rocks Live, Jr this weekend? I know I am! Tickets are still on sale for $10 each so be sure to get yours! Performances are Saturday at 5pm and Sunday at 3pm at the Jewish Community Center of Greater Washington in Rockville, MD.

Do you like to shop for the holidays even after they're over? Well you're in luck! We have all of our holiday items on sale for 30% off until January 16th!

Are you not finding a class to fit your schedule? Don't stress! We are able to create custom classes based on teacher and studio availability. We only need 2 children to run a class - so invite your friends!

And last but not least, Ballet Performance Company auditions are this weekend in multiple locations! Be sure to check the website:
https://sites.google.com/site/balletperformanceco/. All dancers must have turned 5 by September 2010.

Happy Dancing!

American Ballet Theatre at the Kennedy Center

Some exciting things are happening in dance during the month of January! As part of The Presidency of John F. Kennedy: A 50th Anniversary Celebration, ABT will be performing The Bright Steam and a mixed program from January 18th -23rd. Go to http://kennedy-center.org/calendar/index.cfm?fuseaction=showEvent&event=BLBSE for details.

The First Saturday at Ballet Petite

Today was the first Saturday of the Winter Session at Ballet Petite, and I am EXHAUSTED! I was substitute teaching for Miss Roberta, who is still enjoying a fabulous winter holiday, and while it was a pleasure to be in the classroom, I forgot how exhausting teaching a slew of Saturday morning classes can be!

The halls were FILLED with excited dancers and their families this morning! Despite a snowy start, our classes were filled to the brim and everyone had a wonderful time.
Happy Dancing,
Sophie

School House Rock!

We are just SO EXCITED for the opening of "School House Rock" next weekend; we simply couldn't wait to get all dressed up in our promotional costumes just as soon as Miguelina brought them over from Production! Nancy, Kasey, and Katie are seen above donning those stylish sequined headbands, and Nancy even has an apron to match!

The kids have been rehearsing so hard for the show, which opens just a week from tomorrow. Best of luck to them!
Happy Dancing,
Sophie

Black Swan

Its been nearly impossible to be even remotely involved in the world of dance and NOT hear earfuls about "Black Swan." Our teachers have been speculating, but (surprise!) hardly any of us have seen it! We're considering a group outing to immerse ourselves in the world of a movie ballet.

New Class: Intro to Ballet (Low)!

Welcome to Winter 2011!

We have a couple of changes going on with our classes.

If you are used to taking Classical Child II you might see your class name change to

Intro to Ballet - Low! This is our transition class to get your ready for

our upper level classes starting next Fall. Instead of one story every week

you'll be working on Variations every 2 - 3 weeks, which you will perform for

audiences (aka your parents!)

Also, I have noticed many of our students who were in Dancing Together

have moved up into Magical Morning - Congratulations! It is really fun

dancing with mom or dad, but it is also fun to dance on your own with your fellow

ballerinas! I hope you are having a blast!

Happy Dancing!

Winter Session begins!

Hello Dancers!

Today officially begins our Winter 2011 session! Priority registration for Spring session has already started - so if you are in a class that you would like to keep for the next session, you can register to keep your spot until January 30th. After that, registration for all classes will open for Spring!

If you can't get into a class, be sure to ask about a custom class request! If we have a studio/teacher available, we'd love to create a custom class for your aspiring ballerina and her friends!

Also, don't forget that we are also offering music lessons in petite piano, guitar, and voice! Just email amandas@balletpetite.com for more details!

Happy Dancing!