Can you recall the moment you knew dance had to be it? For many dancers, that lightning struck during an utterly unforgettable performance—something they watched early in their training, or at a moment when they needed an encouraging boost. Dance Spirit asked seven industry leaders about the performances that made the biggest difference in their […]
For years, it was hard for competition dancers to find professional jobs that made full use of their technical polish, astonishing versatility, and onstage ease. But recently, some (smart) companies have begun recruiting comp kids, drawn to their adaptability and fearlessness. We’ve compiled a list of nine companies that are fit for comp queens and […]
For dancers, summer is synonymous with summer intensives—weeks-long programs filled with classes, rehearsals, and cross-training. And today, many dancers are trying to cram as much as possible into their warm-weather “breaks” by enrolling in two, three, even four intensives over the course of a single summer. But while dancing literally all summer might sound like […]
When it comes to the West Coast, it’s easy to see why L.A. often steals the show—flashy classes, performances and companies, all under the captivating Hollywood lights? It’s a dance lover’s dream. But the West also offers tons of other strong dance communities, and they’re worth knowing. Packed with everything from renowned ballet companies to […]
Jacoby in Lightfoot León’s Softly As I Leave You (Bill Cooper) Powerhouse contemporary ballerina Drew Jacoby’s sinewy strength and magnetic stage presence have made her an audience favorite all over the world. After studying at the School of American Ballet, San Francisco Ballet School and Pacific Northwest Ballet School, Jacoby joined Alonzo King LINES Ballet […]
Majestic yet modest, ethereal yet grounded: It’s no wonder that chameleon-like Kara Wilkes has become one of Alonzo King LINES Ballet’s MVPs since joining the company nearly five years ago. A Wisconsin native, she danced with Milwaukee Ballet, North Carolina Dance Theatre (now Charlotte Ballet) and Victor Ullate Ballet in Spain before landing at LINES […]
Adji Cissoko landed a job in the corps of the National Ballet of Canada at age 19, after spending only one year at the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School at American Ballet Theatre. Four years later, the 5’ 9” native of Munich, Germany, has made another bold move: Cissoko recently joined Alonzo King LINES Ballet. You […]
I have a confession: I’ve been a dancer my whole life and a dance editor for 3 years, and, until last night, I’d never seen Alonzo King LINES Ballet. I’d heard phenomenal things, and I’d seen photos—beautiful, perfect images of never-ending limbs, bulging muscles and limitless flexibility. (Several are on Dance Spirit’s Pinterest page.) So […]