What's Happening At Dance Spirit

January 26, 2012

There’s never a dull day at the Dance Spirit office — we’re always running around like dancers during a backstage quick-change

With 2011 behind us, the new year is off to an exceptionally busy start. We’re moving, shaking, shimmying and working on some great projects to share with you throughout 2012.

Here’s a rundown of the latest happenings at Dance Spirit:

The February issue is on newsstands!
We’re kind of in love with this issue, featuring the ultra-cool dancers of NYC-based modern troupe KEIGWIN + COMPANY. Click here to read associate editor Margaret Fuhrer’s cover story on the company. Plus, the issue is packed with need-to-know audition information and advice on everything from how to create the ideal dance resumé (Clear Talent Group agent Shayna Brouillard makes it easy for you!) to what to wear to your ballet, commercial, dance team or convention scholarship auditions. And if you dig the issue, be sure to let us know! Write us a letter — you just may see your name printed in an upcoming issue of DS.

We’re sending the April issue — the dance team issue! — to the printer next week
. This one is a good one, dance teamers. We normally keep our cover stars a secret until the issue comes out, but we’re too excited not to share this: The April cover girls are the gorgeous, talented, smart and oh-so-enthusiastic members of the Knicks City Dancers! Ally, Sierra and Sarahbeth (at right) were sheer perfection at the shoot. Not only were they classy and poised, they also delivered picture-perfects shots all throughout the day. We’ve loving clawing through all the photos shot by Erin Baiano and are psyched about the stories we have in store for April.

We spent some time at “So You Think You Can Dance.”
It’s hard to believe that our favorite dance show is now entering its 9th season! We’ve been fans since Season 1 and the days of Nick Lazzarini (heartthrob alert!). Rachel Zar (meet her below) and Michael, the DS fashion editor, staked out the “SYTYCD” auditions in NYC this week to size up the talent. Their verdict? See for yourself. Click here to watch Nigel and Mary chat about their Season 9 expectations — plus Nigel gets his hand on the November issue of DS featuring Season 8 winner Melanie Moore! (Spoiler alert: He loved it!)

We have a new managing editor!
Meet Rachel Zar
, who will be keeping us all in line and making sure each issue gets out the door on time. Rachel spent the past few years as an editor at Dance Teacher, our sister publication, and we’re psyched to have her on board. (She also edits another sister site, DanceU101, which is your go-to spot for college dance information.) A bit about Rachel: She danced with the Ballet Chicago Studio Company growing up and, at 16, shifted her focus from pointe shoes to jazz squares. She was offered a spot in the Joel Hall Dance Center’s teen company — a jazz company — and performed with the group until heading off to college at Tufts University, where she majored in English and was president of the student-run Sarabande Dance Ensemble. Rachel is a brilliant editor, a talented writer and a really cute dresser. She’s also got a flair for sarcasm, which is always appreciated around here. Rachel edits the Up Front, Talk To Us, School Buzz and Jazz Spotlights for each issue, so be sure to check out her work.