I’m a journalist and author currently writing a book meant to mentor young boys (age 10-17) who dream of becoming professional dancers.
I have a son, Julian, who has been dancing for eleven years. Now 14, he spends six, sometimes seven, days a week in the dance studio practicing mostly ballet, jazz, modern, contemporary, lyrical, hip hop, tap, and break dancing. He dreams of being an all-around dancer and possibly even becoming a triple threat — singing, acting and dancing his way to stardom on Broadway or in movies. He’s known what he wanted to be since he was quite young; in fact, he asked to dance at age three and hasn’t stopped since.
I realized what a difficult road it was for young male dancers to hoe early on in Julian’s career. So, now I’m interviewing some of the top male dancers out there and asking them to offer their best advice and their worst experiences and their tips for surviving the tough early years so young boys who want to follow in their footsteps will have the strength, inspiration and tools to do so.
This blog is meant to chronicle my struggles, what I have learned and my experiences with my son in the hope that maybe I can mentor some other parents of young boys who want to dance.
8 Comments
obviously can’t wait to read this new issue of Dance Teacher. I am so happy that Denise finally get some of the recognition she deserves. She is a hero, the one with super power, what few people have as an hability, humanism. Thank you Nina for making this story happen. From what I can read on your blog here, I already know I will love reading both the article and hopefully your upcoming book.
Sincerely,
David Benaym,
Editor in Chief,
Movmnt Magazine
you blog is great!! congratulations!
Thank you for creating this blog. I am a mother of a young son who loves to dance, and I had no idea of the egos and other hurdles that existed. At least it is go to know it isn’t in my head, and I am not alone in this sea of pink tutus and stage moms. I just want my child to continue dancing, be a child, and have fun.
Wow!
Thank you! Thank you!I too am dad to a dancing boy. Ballet/Hip-hop/Beyonce loving 7 year old!
Your blog is so comforting!
Really enjoy this blog! I look forward to your book being published. I have taught many boys yet had little communication from them, or parents, during the grueling process of professional training.
Hello ~
I am wondering if you know of any scholarships available for young dancers. My 12 year old daughter, Sky Van Vliet, has been dancing since she was 2 1/2 years old. She has been dancing at M.A. Dance Project of Cedar Park, Texas for almost 6 years. She currently takes ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, hip hop, modern, contemporary, musical theatre, turns and progressions, ballroom and a choreo class for her dance company. She is a 5th year member of the IMPACT Dance Co. in Cedar Park Texas. She would normally be taking a tumbling class as well, but to her dissappointment we can not afford to enroll her this year. My husband and I have fallen on hard times financially. And while Sky’s studio has been very understanding, we have fallen far behind in dance company fees and tuition. And I just don’t know how we will be able to manage to keep her doing the thing she is so passionate about. On the bright side we can pay in February when we get our tax return but I do not feel that they are willing to wait. Sky will be broken hearted to be kicked off of the dance company she has been with since she was 7 years old. Please inform me of any scholarship programs that you may be aware of. We would even return the favor to someone else in need in the future. Thanks. Kim Osgood-Van Vliet
Kim,
I’ve posted a blog asking for others to comment on your request. I don’t know of any scholarships or grants offhand. Maybe we’ll get a response from someone, though. Keep checking back! Good luck…I know it’s a tough position.
Thank you for just…, you know… I’m really touched. I hope someday, when Sky is a little older, we can put together a scholarship of our own. I think it is so terribly important to keep feeding the passions of our children.