What Goes Into a Dance Resume?

While tweeting on Twitter today (yes, you can find me on Twitter at http://twitter.com/ninaamir), I saw a link offered as the answer to a question about the difference between a regular resume and a dance resume. So, of course, I clicked on the link. I discovered a short and sweet explanation of what goes into a dance resume. The piece is really meant for kids applying to college dance programs, but I think the information is relevant to all dancers–and your boys likely will need a resume at some point. I know Julian has been asked to have a resume on many occasions already.

Anyway, here’s the link to the article:  http://danceu101.com/content/how-do-i-create-dance-résumé. I hope you find it useful. It comes from danceu101.com, a site put together by the editors of Dance Spirit, Dance, Pointe, and Dance Teacher magazines.

Speeding Towards Nutcracker Performances

OMG! I can’t keep up with everything. November notoriously is a terribly busy month for me and for Julian. I have another blog that I must handle every day (see www.writenonfictioninnovember.wordpress.com) and Julian has Nutcracker rehearsals on Saturday after TDC rehearsals  and all day on Sunday.  Not to mention that I was editing two books and going to physical therapy twice a week for my knee (post ACL surgery).

We are speeding along towards the Nutcracker performances, which take place the first weekend in December. Unlike many other Nutcracker’s, which have performances close to Christmas, this one–put on by San Jose Dance Theater–is held early (Dec. 4-6), which is actually kind of nice.  However, the rehearsal were just on Sunday mornings, but now they are taking up a lot of Saturday afternoon and most of  Sunday as well.

However, on top of this, Julian also has decided to try and put together a piece with a young dancer friend for Y0uth American Grand Prix this year. (Like he doesn’t have enough on his plate.) He also hopes to adapt the student choreography piece he has created at TDC into a solo he can perform there as well. So, he is attending ballet classes on his day off from TDC on Wednesday’s (most often he goes and takes jazz class on this day) at Los Gatos Ballet and then having a YAGP lesson. He has another lesson on Sunday after Nutcracker rehearsal.

If you are wondering when he has time for his homework…well…he seems to get most of it done. We have had less trouble this year with missed assignments (Notice I said “less.” ), but his grades are not a whole lot better. That said, he really does seem to have the time to do the work; he just is more focused on dance and…girls. His social life these days has gotten the best of him. He has a girlfriend, and when he isn’t with her, he has other social activities, in particular his BBYO group.

As for the YAGP competition, he’s been told that this year will be an “experience” year; he and his partner probably stand little chance of winning anything, especially since they started rehearsing late. If they choose to compete again next year, maybe they stand a chance.

If you are wondering why he is focusing so much on ballet–if he has decided to become a ballet dancer, the answer remains the same: He simply wants to be a great technical dancer. Additionally, working on a pas de deux for YAGP allows Julian to do more partnering–something he doesn’t get to do normally during the year. He is also getting quiet a bit of partnering experience this year as the Prince in the Nutcracker. He feels this will help him as a dancer overall; in particular, it will help him as a ballet dancer. Also, this will give him experience he felt he lacked when it came to American Ballet Theatre’s summer intensive, which he plans to attend again, and the skills the other boys brought to the table from their ballet programs. (Julian is not in a full ballet program.)

Last, I’d like to report that his piece of choreography at TDC seems to be going very well. Choreography appears to come quite naturally to him, and his teachers seem quite pleased with his work. The girls like the piece, too. I can’t wait to see it. I haven’t had a chance to watch it being performed at all. I’m hoping maybe tomorrow…

Last…I have not forgotten about the Denise Wall piece. It is on my to-do list (still) and I will…I promise…get it posted very soon!

Oh…by the way…Julian’s girlfriend’s sister dances at a studio where they have a photo of him on the wall along with several posts from My Son Can Dance. How cool is that!

Looking for Info on Grants and Scholarships for Dancer in Financial Need

This past week I received a comment here on this blog from a mother who fears her daughter will have to drop off her dance team due to the fact that the family has encountered some financial hardships this year. The economic recession has been tough on many people. We’ve felt it, too. My husband’s business has just been sold and, although he has consulting work for a few months, we don’t know what the future will hold work-wise for him after that either.

This mother asked me if I knew of any dance scholarships or grants for which she could apply to help pay for her daughter’s dance fees. She’d already fallen behind in payments and feared she would soon be asked to pay up or remove her daughter from the team. I don’t personally know of any scholarships or grants for dancers in financial need. However, I think it would be super to provide a list of this type of resource. Not only are there many kids in the same financial straights right now as this little girl, but there are other children who would love to dance more seriously but who can’t afford to do so. (Those of us with boys often find them being offered scholarships…or given them if we ask. Girls aren’t so lucky.)

So, if you know of any such financial resources for dancers, please post them here as comments. That way dancers who need financial help will be able to seek it out in the appropriate places. If you send me enough resources, I’ll compile them into a blog post.

Thanks!