Melissa shares about Nutcracker traditions and how it can be such a defining experience for young dancers en pointe. Learn about the importance creating a strong foundation for pointe work so you (or your dancer) are prepared for pointe work.

Understand: alignment, neuromuscular control, and the anatomy of a pointe shoe for an optimal experience.

Check out the Prepared for Pointe Work course and more resources for pre-professional dancers and their parents: https://www.theballerinatist.com/

For young dancers in rigorous dance training programs, balancing dance with academics can be challenging. There is a range of options to find equilibrium. Learn about the timing of educational shifts and the differences between pre-professional training, a trainee or apprentice program, conservatories and universities so you and your dancer can make informed decisions every step (and jete) of the way.

This episode covers the chapter on Academics in the Parenting for Dancers ebook: https://www.theballerinatist.com/thingsdancersneed/p/parenting-for-dancers-how-dance-training-works-and-how-you-can-help-your-dancer-be-successful

Learn more about dance education and career planning resources: https://www.theballerinatist.com/

What do you do with feedback? Maybe you (or your dancer) is getting feedback that is unclear. The Feedback Filter in the Parenting for Dancers ebook is a great tool to get the most out of feedback to help your dancer grow with confidence.

Get the book: https://www.theballerinatist.com/thingsdancersneed/p/parenting-for-dancers-how-dance-training-works-and-how-you-can-help-your-dancer-be-successful

Schedule a coaching call: https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule/31df4fbb/appointment/29534329/calendar/6361592?appointmentTypeIds%5B%5D=29534329

Check out courses at Dance Education Laboratory: https://www.danceedlab.com/courses/calendar/

Michal Harvey is our final episode in our season engaging with artists based in Middle TN. Michal is a comprehensively trained Pilates instructor through Balanced Body, a ballet teacher, and a former professional ballet dancer. A Nashville native, Michal trained with The Centennial Youth Ballet. In 2010 she earned a B.A in Dance from Belhaven University. Michal pursued a number of dance performance opportunities with regional companies in Jackson, MS; Jerusalem, Israel; and Fort Worth, Texas, where she danced professionally with Ballet Concerto.

Michal relocated back to Nashville in 2013 to a full-time faculty position with The School of Nashville Ballet. She received her Master’s in Organizational Leadership and Communication from Belmont University in 2019. She currently teaches at P3 Nashville and Centennial Youth Ballet.

In our conversation she shares about balancing training with long term goals, being open to new directions, and establishing one’s identity outside the dance studio.

Takeaways from our conversation:

-we grow as we learn

-accountability (and a support system) fuels growth

-learning from weaknesses

-seeking sustainability in a practice 

Thanks for listening to our conversation, thanks for sharing this episode with a friend and for leaving a review. 

You can learn more about dance education and career planning for dancers at https://www.theballerinatist.com/

Dancers all around the world are wrapping up their summer dance programs - which is kind of like the Olympics of dance.

Celebrate but don’t forget to debrief your SDP experience - because it will help you confidently make decisions moving forward.

Melissa shares things to cover; and the how and why of interpreting the highs and lows of an SDP.

Learn more: www.emceemovement.com.

Helping your dancer prepare to become the director of their path in dance is critical to their transitions through opportunities. Key pieces to this include: audition mindset, healthy boundaries, proactive communication, mentorship, financial literacy, accountability and transparency.

Even though the majority of your dancer’s training and performing will take place in group settings, progression as a dancer is a solo role. So, understanding how to advocate for themselves based on their goals, values, and purpose is critical towards a meaningful experience in dance.

I referenced artist Netta Yerushalmy and the River to River Festival.

Get the Parenting for Dancers book: https://hpdtn.com/thingsdancersneed/p/parenting-for-dancers-how-dance-training-works-and-how-you-can-help-your-dancer-be-successful

Learn more about dance education and career planning for dancers at www.theballerinatist.com.

Learn how to make the most out of teacher relationships - from communication to feedback and even becoming a teacher. Teaching is more than just telling people what to do. It is a craft and skill to be nurtured.

This is an excerpt from the Parent for Dancers guide which can be found here .

For more resources on dance training and career planning for dancers, visit emceemovement.com.

Get Melissa’s guide to Summer Dance Programs - Melissa worked for Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, Boston Ballet, Miami City Ballet, and San Francisco Ballet’s summer programs. She created an ebook for Parents with her tips and recommendations from her experiences in different cities with different companies so they can prepare their dancers to have a fun, meaningful experience at summer dance programs.

Get the guide: https://hpdtn.com/thingsdancersneed/p/rockyoursummerdanceprogram

Learn more about dance education and career planning for dancers: emceemovement.com

Dancer-choreographers Brandon Masele and Laura Defretin shared about their work Rave Lucid which is being presented by Oz Arts Nashville February 29-March 2nd. Brandon, an Electro dancer and Laura, a hip hop dancer worked together in this piece to bring electro dance to the forefront as its own independent technique from hip hop dance. You’ll hear about their growth as creative partners and independent artists, their dedication to illuminating the nuances of their forms, and the process of finding synergy on stage, in movement.

Matthew Robinson has a diverse background of movement experience in dance and martial arts. He performed with The West Virginia Dance Company and Roanoke Ballet Theatre while studying to receive his BFA from Radford University. In Cleveland, OH he performed with The Dancing Wheels Company. He also choreographed for and worked with The Cleveland Dance Project Company, performed with North Pointe Ballet and MorrisonDance. He currently dances with di Mossa and Nashville Dance Collective - for which he serves as Artistic Director - as well as continuing to freelance choreograph, dance, and teach.

Attend NDC’s April shows: https://www.nashvilledancecollective.org/events

You can learn more about dance education and career planning for dancers at emceemovement.com.