summer classes! FTW:]

Anne here again! Sorry, I'm on blogging tirade!:] Anyways, today is Monday. For most of you, it is a horrid day filled with annoying alarm buzzes, wishful thinking, and empty coffee makers. But for people like me, who have no job, I LOVE MONDAYS! Especially because of summer dance class!

As a child, I wasn't too keen on taking dance classes in the summer, but when you are bored, you are willing. But, as I got older (and by talking to my dance teacher, the amazing Jennifer DeBritton), I realized that unlike dance classes during the school year, summer classes really perfect your technique! Think about it: during the summer, there is no big performance the studio is trying to put together and your dance teacher isn't trying to choreograph anything for a show, which means that there is a lot of time on your teacher's hand to help your technique! Don't you just...love it?

Anyway, I'm taking classes all the way in Pelham, GA with the Flint River Dance Arts! It's so much fun! I learn new things, meet new friends, and perfect my technique! fdshfsdjkfsdjfhsd! It's so much fun! The studio is in this beautiful old school building and it is to die for. The class I'm taking right now is every Monday from 7-9:30. It includes ballet/pointe and partnering (which is a real hoot for me because I've only partnered a few times). Best part is, it's cheap! Only $15 a class!

Of course, the classes are only going to last until the Summer Intensive (which is from July 19-23). But hey! It's still sooo much fun! And speaking of the summer intensive, a guy from SYTYCD is going to be teaching some of it! Since I only just started watching SYTYCD last season, I don't have a clue who he is... but his name is Peter Sabasino and I'm going to be looking him up any day now:]

But yeah, so excited! I think Brianna and I are both taking the Intensive so, we'll let you know how that goes!
Hugs, Kisses, and Calluses:]
Anne
ps-Since I have no idea how to put names to links...here is this long link for you to check out Flint River Dance Art's facebook page!:] http://www.facebook.com/pages/Camilla-GA/Flint-River-Dance-Arts-Dance-Theatre-South/324064956170

"Dance is not just an art form, its a heart form"

Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know, I am WAAYYY late with this! But, I'm going to talk about my views of this season of So You Think You Can Dance anyway!

I totally agree with the judges about performing. So many of this season's dancers are not giving us a show. They are not telling a story. They are just doing a bunch of movement that just so happen to follow well with the music. A lot of dancers, even professional dancers, don't know how to perform well. Dance is not about plastering a generic smile on your face while you do a set of movement, it is a form of EXPRESSION! You have to, as Brianna stated in her last post, feel the music.

Nothing is more disappointing to me than watching a beautifully techniqued dancer with absolute NO emotion. As a dancer, you are an actor. It's just the way it is. It is up to you to tell the story. If you don't, then the audience just feels awkward and confused. Most of the audience you are performing for, are not skilled dancers. They expect a good show. Therefore, they are NOT going to look at your feet, like your choreographer or other skilled dancers (ahem me and Bri). Instead, they are going to look at your FACE. So, give them a story! Don't leave them hanging or questioning! GIVE THEM A SHOW! There is obviously something your choreographer or teacher wants to express through a dance, which means that you have to express/feel that as well. Be believable with your acting. Make me believe that you are a single mother with no job and is beaten daily by her ex-boyfriend. Make me
believe that you have found the man of your dreams at the local cafe. Make me believe that you are angry at the world. MAKE ME BELIEVE YOU! Weak emotions equal weak dance.

On a quick note, WHO IS EXCITED ABOUT NATIONAL DANCE DAY JULY 31!? Dont forget to download the dance at http://www.dizzyfeetfoundation.org/
hugs, kisses, and pointed feet!
anne:]

"I wanna feel music to know what it taste like."

Brianna here! If you watched the premiere of "So You Think You Can Dance" this season, then you saw the black, deaf guy that auditioned. I sat there, texting Anne the whole show, critiquing each audition. Then, I saw him. At the end of his audition, I had chill bumps all over me and tears in my eyes. I don't know if it's the fact that I also have a high interest in the deaf and sign language or what, but I suddenly had a revelation after watching him dance. I suddenly realized that everything I have been dealing with in my head, everything that overwhelms me, that it was okay...because I have dance. I don't only dance because it's my passion or because I love praising God with my dancing. I dance because it's what makes sense to me. If I can just dance, I know that I'm okay. Everything suddenly becomes so clear and real to me when I dance. I face my problems when I dance. I face my fears. So if you're out there, no matter what you do, be it dance or not, never lose sight of why you do what you do. Always keep that inspiration alive, the fire. Learn to FEEL to know what it TASTE like.

I wish I was really Spanish...

So, I'm going to start with the first blog! It's weird to think I, Anne, am writing one...just so odd. Oh well, let me cut to the chase! I have been told I have a very...ethnic look. People say I look Indian, Greek, Egyptian, etc; when actually, I really have no ethnicity at all (unless you count one-sixteenth French...I don't). I'm just a white girl with dark features is all. But, I owe to God for giving me this "ethnic flavor" because that's probably the main reason I got casted as Lead Spanish in Ballet Theatre South's (forever more called BTS) 2008 production of the Nutcracker. Since then, I have gone Spanish crazy! I re-choreographed the dance for my school's talent show this year and during the recital, we danced to a song from Carmen! All this has made go on to Youtube frequently to find classical Spanish variations. It is seriously become a top researched subject, I kid you not.

Why? Simple: Spanish Variations look more fun! It is sultry, daring, and flirty....yet not really slutty. I love the attitude and the Spanish-esque moves! All of it can be soooo addicting! And have you heard the music?! I love all the trumpets and other Spanish-y sounds. None of it really sounds all that depressing, it all sounds pretty fun to me!

And let's not forget the props...9 times out of 10, you dance with a fan. I mean, despite having to learn how to use it properly while dancing, you are basically being given the okay to wipe--or should i say fan--the sweat off while doing a dance! Totally comes in handy. Also, the colors are generally red and black which, to me, really gets the audience's attention. And let's not forget the lace and the rose: which reiterates that whole sultry yet not slutty thing. Just a touch of it makes it look so very nice!

Now that it's summer, my trips to Youtube-topia are becoming a lot more frequent (being that I have no job or no summer dance classes to attend yet...). So I have decided to post a few of my favorite vids just for you!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hg8oxM1QXWs&feature=related
(looove their mirroring fouettes! love it!)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AvrG1bE2Xak&feature=related
(i HAAADDD to be a kitri variation...its a no brainer!)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Vw6bbqXm2A&feature=related
(carmen...another no brainer! GOOD GRAVY HER FEET AND CONTROL ARE AMAZING! this is the song my class danced to..nowhere NEAR as good as this!)

So, in conclusion, I am so tempted to lie now when people think I am Mexican or Spanish because I really wish I was...why couldn't my parents have been Spanish diplomats or something? Hope you've enjoyed!