Author: Ashley Marinelli Ever heard the phrase “Jack of all trades, master of none”? It’s meant to be a warning about spreading yourself too thin, to encourage people who lack focus and dedication to pick one pursuit and stick with it, rather than flit from activity to activity. Thankfully, however, this adage does not apply to dancers (phew). Not only do dancers possess focus and dedication in spades, but we’re also really good at multitasking. We have the ability to pick up

High school dancers are often faced with the difficult choice of whether or not to attend college and, as if that isn’t a big enough decision, they are then tasked to decide whether or not to pursue an academic major in dance. But there are so many options for dancers, from conservatories to BFA programs within large universities, BA programs with a liberal arts focus, dance minors, and options in between...plus the opportunity to join a dance team at a variety of levels. Wit

As we gear up for the start of competition season—which is just around the corner and we can’t wait—many dancers pause their competition rehearsals to take part in the beloved holiday classic, The Nutcracker ballet. Set to composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s iconic score, the timeless story was originally adapted from E.T.A. Hoffman’s storybook, The Nutcracker and the Mouse King, and the work has evolved into a holiday classic that is widely performed and hugely celebrated ac

Check out our podcast episode on this hot topic! Subscribe now on Apple Podcasts! Whether we hear it from teachers, judges, directors, or casting agents, the importance of technique is a constant topic of conversation in the dance field. As dancers, we work tirelessly to hone our technique, ultimately striving for perfection—or as close to it as we can possibly get. Whether you’re a budding ballerina, future Broadway star, or Beyoncé’s next backup dancer, the time you devote

Sweet, sweet summertime - lazy days and late nights, sleepovers and family vacations - we look forward to summer as a welcome reward for a productive dance year. While everyone, students and teachers alike, should absolutely enjoy the relaxed pace of the summer season, there is also a wealth of knowledge to be gained from continuing your dance training in between recital and company auditions. IDA judges and teachers Kelsey Nelson, Maddie Kurtz, and Jessica Olinik share with

Check out our podcast episode on this hot topic! “Ballet is the foundation of all dance styles.” * How often have we heard this old adage? Based on what judges see every weekend at dance competitions, it would seem that we don’t hear it often enough! As dance educators, we are the first line of defense against how students view ballet - if we treat ballet as simply a means to an end instead of the exciting, beautiful art form that it is, we are grooming a generation of dancer

Dance competitions, whether for a new competitor or a veteran of the stage, can be exciting and nerve-wracking weekends! “Did I remember all my shoes?” “What if my hairpiece falls off?” “I have finals next week and 16 routines to perform and haven’t even cracked a book!” Never fear! In this week’s blog, we are sharing some tried and true ways to lessen anxiety, prepare for a fun weekend, and help others in the process! No doubt - competition can be stressful! Even the word “c

Author: Ashley Marinelli I recently visited my mom's house. I had been judging a dance competition in the area and took the opportunity to visit family and to reminisce a bit. The house in question is one that my parents built when I was in high school. I lived there my junior and senior year before moving away to go to college, and, as you might expect, the house is packed full of memorabilia from that era of my life. As I walk into my old bedroom, I am immediately thrown ba

Check out our podcast episode on this hot topic! Subscribe now on Apple Podcasts & Spotify! Author: Christina Belinsky These days, the lines between each genre of dance are becoming more and more fluid. Hip hop is taking cues from lyrical, contemporary is infused with acrobatics, and musical theater is incorporating all styles of movement. It can be confusing to properly place your competitive dance routine into the correct category. I am here to give you some guidance by br