Author Archives: Julie Diana

About Julie Diana

Julie Diana is a principal dancer with Pennsylvania Ballet. She holds a BA in English from the University of Pennsylvania and writes for various dance publications.

On Balance: How to Nail Long Balances

Posted on Dec 1, 2011 by .
Houston Ballet’s Melody Mennite holds a long balance as Lise in La Fille Mal Gardée. Photo by Amitava Sarkar.

Few things top that jaw-dropping moment when a ballerina hits a balance—and just stays. And when you’re over your leg … Continue reading →

Posted in Ballet

Making School Work

Posted on Sep 1, 2011 by .

Gone are the days when dancers had to choose between a professional career and a college education. Now, even the … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized

Hop to It!

Posted on Apr 11, 2011 by .
Photo of New York City Ballet's Lauren King demonstrating hopping on pointe. Photo by Nathan Sayers.

You’re at a performance of Giselle, watching the ballerina hop on pointe during her Act I variation like it’s the … Continue reading →

Posted in Ballet, How To

Road Warriors: Surviving Life on Tour

Posted on Mar 1, 2011 by .

Teresa Espinosa was 23 when she booked her first major world tour. It was Janet Jackson’s Velvet Rope Tour, which … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized

How to Dance in a Tutu

Posted on Jan 1, 2011 by .
NYCB's Jennie Somogyl in Balanchine's Serenade Photo by Paul Kolnik

Shortly after joining San Francisco Ballet at 16, I wore my first real tutu: a gorgeous white number for George … Continue reading →

Posted in Ballet, How To

Web Bonus: Tutu Care

Posted on Dec 29, 2010 by .
Boston Ballet's Larissa Ponomarenko Photo by Angela Sterling

(Click here to check out “How to Dance in a Tutu.”) Cleaning the skirt:Don’t get the netting or the hoop … Continue reading →

Posted in Ballet, How To