Watching Eric Best navigate the sensuous curves of Stanton Welch’s Tapestry, during Houston Ballet’s Jubilee of Dance [in December 2023], the dancer’s flow and exactitude merged into a seamless whole. His generous port de bras caressed the space, drawing out Welch’s nuanced choreographic lines. With his crisp technique, subtle swagger, and beguiling fluidity, Best catapulted from […]
The Houston dance community is as big and sprawling as the city itself. Houston, the fourth-largest city in the U.S., is recognized as more ethnically diverse than most cities of similar size. Its dance scene reflects that size and diversity, with a range of companies, schools, and choreographers. Most Houstonians divide the city into “inside […]
Naturally drawn to dance from a young age, Harper Watters also sought out a sense of community throughout his training. The only boy enrolled at his local studio in New Hampshire, Watters eventually enrolled at Walnut Hill School for the Arts, which brought him to a life-changing audition for Houston Ballet’s summer intensive at the […]
Dance Magazine has announced who’s included in this year’s “25 to Watch!” This annual feature showcases dancers, choreographers, directors, and companies on the brink of skyrocketing. Get to know this year’s trailblazers and breakout stars who are forging their paths in the dance world here. Header collage photo credits, left to right, top to bottom: Ryoko […]
When it comes to in-studio dancewear, the pros know that the right look, piece, or material can mean the difference between a day feeling confident and comfortable, or just plain out of sorts. With so much time spent honing their craft in dance clothes, choosing those items takes equal parts strategy, creativity and a healthy […]
I recently spoke to the dancers and management of Houston Ballet, where I dance, as part of ongoing conversations covering racial injustice. I was going to start by asking them how they were doing. But I quickly realized what kind of reaction I’d get. It’s the one you have the morning after a six-hour rehearsal […]
We’re all spending a lot more time on social media these days, whether that means aimless scrolling, taking advantage of the plethora of class and workout options streamed direct to your living room, or leading classes yourself. But the deluge of at-home dance footage has resulted in the unexpected collision of two of our favorite […]
It’s National Bullying Prevention Month—and Houston Ballet breakout star Harper Watters is exactly the advocate young dancers facing bullying need. Watters is no novice when it comes to slaying on social media, but his Bullying Prevention Month collaboration with Teen Vogue and Instagram is him at his most raw, speaking about his own experiences with […]