Is ballet considered a sport?

The one question that really irks a dancer's mind is the one looming over this paragraph. Other athletes such as football players and basketball players may claim that dance is not a sport, but we beg to differ. Many professional athletes actually take ballet because it builds the foundation for strength, balance, and endurance. It is the perfect cross-training sport such as swimming is for dancers.

After scouring the internet for many scientists' answers on the infamous question, the article below seems to describe ballet in the best possible way. Take a look and tell us what you think!
 
Classical Ballet: An Art or a Sport? | Breaking Muscle

Musical Theatre Performance Company Annie Auditions!

The Musical Theatre Performance Company is holding their annual auditions for the 2012-2013 year production of Annie. Here are some quick tips you will need to know for the big day!

Audition Dates and Times:

McLean:           Monday, August 27^th

                        Sign-in at 5:15 PM

                        Auditions 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM

Potomac:          Tuesday, August 28^th

                        Sign-in at 4:15 PM

                        Auditions 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM

Bethesda: 

                        Friday, September 7^th

                       

                        Ages 5 and 6

                        Sign-in at 3:45 PM

                        Auditions 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM

                        Ages 7 and 8

                        Sign-in at 4:45 PM

                        Auditions 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM

                        Ages 9+

                        Sign-in at 5:45 PM

                        Auditions 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM

FAQs:

What can my child expect at the auditions?

Auditions will start with a physical warm-up followed by the instruction of choreography. Students will learn the combination together and then be broken down into smaller groups to show in front of our teachers. The acting portion of the audition includes a warm-up, acting games, and a possible read from the script.  Lastly, the audition will finish with the vocal section. They will learn a piece of music from the show and perform in smaller groups for the teachers. 

I'm auditioning and I am really nervous...help!

Relax! Get a good night's sleep and eat a good meal the day of. Don't worry about how the other auditioners look or do in class just focus on your performance. If it helps, get yourself in the 'Annie' mindset by watching the movie or listening to the music prior to the audition. This will help familiarize yourself with the story, characters, and music. 

When are the rehearsals?

           

The Bethesda Company rehearses on Friday afternoons.

                       

Showtime: 4 PM – 5 PM

                        Encores/Headliners:  5 PM – 7 PM

            The Potomac Company rehearses on Tuesday afternoons:

                        Showtime only:  5 PM – 6 PM

            The McLean Company rehearses on Monday afternoons:

                        Showtime only:  6 PM – 7 PM

*All other information about the production will be discussed at the audition during your sign-in process and/or during parent meetings for selected students on September 14th.

 

When are the performances?

           

            February 8-10, 2013!!

When/how will we be notified of casting?

 Regardless of when they tried out, students will be notified of their rank in the company by email by September 12^th . Specific casting will not be discussed until Friday, September 14^th.

How old do you have to be to audition?

All students need to be 5 years old by September 1st, 201...NO exceptions!

Who do I talk to for more information or questions? Who is the director and how can I get in touch with her?

You can call Ballet Petite at 301-229-6882 to find out any information. Also, you are welcome to e-mail the director at sallyk@balletpetite.com. Do keep in mind that you may not get an immediate response by e-mail, but they will be answered in a timely fashion. 

GOOD LUCK!!!

Camp may be ending soon, but Fall Classes are here!

Whose ready for another year of exciting and magical times at Ballet Petite and Youth Performing Arts? Fall classes start August 25th and there are a ton to choose from. From ballet to broadway to hip hop, there is a genre for every child.

Are you itching to dance sooner? It is not too late to register for one of our camps. The camp themes range from Tappin' Toes to American Girls. Visit our website for details or call us at 301-229-6882 for more details.

...And in honor of the camps sessions we have had so far, we wanted to include the some memorable quotes from some of our campers. This is just a little insight into a child's hardships during the Ballet Petite and YPA Camps:

"I just don't like this tutu. I need something fluffier."

"I have glitter in my belly button"

"Why is my mom staring at me in the window with a big smile on her face?"

"Can't we just stay in dance class all day and night? We do not ever have to go home!"

What has your tiny dancer said about Ballet Petite? We want to hear it! Post it on our blog!

Rhythmic Gymnastics: Julie Zetlin

 The 2012 Olympics boasts many athletes, but we have a special attendee from close to home - Julie Zetlin from Bethesda, Maryland! She is the only Rhythmic Gymnast the US sent to London and will be competing for Team USA against some powerful performers from Russia and Eastern Europe. If you've never heard of rhythmic gymnastics before, you're not alone - the sport has a very short history in the US and no one from Team USA has ever medaled at the Olympics. The sport is built around four apparatuses: ball, ribbon, clubs, and hoop. Flexibility, balance, complicated turns, and ballerina-like feet are crucial to a gold-worthy performance. Each routine is performed to music - ranging from the classical to the contemporary. Zetlin, in an interview with DC 101, said she came to the 2012 Olympics to encourage other rhythmic gymnasts to keep working hard, especially in the US. As opposed to artistic gymnastics, rhythmic gymnasts reach their peak in their 20s, a much older standard. Julie will be competing August 9th and 10th, so be sure to watch for her on TV and cheer her on!

Daily Camps fit your schedule with ease.

We are offering daily camps at our Gaithersburg, McLean, and Cabin John locations. The camps have a wide range of exciting themes that are  sure to engage your dancer.Our daily camps run Monday through Friday at two times, 9:00-12:00 and 12:00-3:00. Please call for vacancies 301-229-6882.

At our Cabin John location last week we hosted a Fancy Nancy themed camp that was enthralling for or 3-7 year old campers.

Other themes have included:

The Little Mermaid-McLean Studio

Rapunzel- McLean Studio

Snow White-Cabin John Studio

Ballet Performance Company Auditions!

In case you haven't already seen it, every year our Ballet Performance Company presents The Nutcracker at American University's Greenberg Theatre in early December. The shows always bring out an audience and participation in the Company gives aspiring professional dancers experience in rehearsal, backstage preparation, and performance! In addition to weekly rehearsals, Company members are required to take a certain number of classes depending on the role they have been cast in. This ensures that our dancers are well prepared to rehearse choreography during their BPC time, as they have been already been learning the fundamentals needed during class. Our second set of auditions will be the first week in August. Please email balletperformanceco@balletpetite.com if you will not be able to attend BEFORE the audition has passed! Miss Melissa will not be scheduling make-up auditions after August 1st.

Ballet Performance Company

Nutcracker Auditions

Wednesday, August 1st

Sign in @ 5:00 pm

Audition @ 5:30 pm

All Ages*

Bethesda Studio

4701 Sangamore Road

Bethesda MD 20816

*all dancers must be 5 years of age by August 27th, 2012.

American Girl Camps at Ballet Petite

This summer we are excited to bring American Girl Camps to you and your family. This week launched our first session of camps, and the girls are having a blast ! Many of the campers have brought their American Girl dolls, but all cuddly friends are welcome.

You haven't missed your opportunity to sign up for our American Girl Camps, there are still openings:

Bethesda

Week of July 30th

Week of August 20th

McLean

Week of July 30th

Potomac 

Week of July 23rd

Happy campers take a break from dancing to pose with their dolls