News

Ah, summer in NYC's Central Park: Sun, fun and--hundreds of girls in pointe shoes? That was the delightfully incongruous scene this Monday, August 2nd as hundreds of ballerinas gathered in the park in an attempt to break the Guinness World Record for "Most Ballerinas on Pointe at One Time." (The previous record of 220 was set at the Youth America Grand Prix last year.)  American Ballet Theatre's Craig Salstein and Michele Wiles led the attempt, which was the brainchild of former ABT trustee Ellen Schiavone and well-known dance photographer Gene Schiavone.

Whether you're training in an elite academy, a wealthy suburban conservatory or a studio in the middle of Rio de Janiero's dirt poor favelas, the path to becoming a professional dancer is never easy.

Nashville Ballet is adding a new element to their second company this fall: a pre-professional training division for advanced dancers looking to hone their skills. The new program is designed as an entry level into the performing division of Nashville Ballet 2. The cost is $1000 a year for in-depth training, performance opportunities and mentoring from faculty.

Dayton Ballet in Ohio is launching a new choreography contest. The project will coincide with a music composition contest. Three choreographers will be chosen to create a new work on Dayton Ballet dancers, to a recording of new music by the three chosen composers. Choreographers will have 45 hours with Dayton Ballet dancers of their choice to rehearse, and winners will receive a cash prize. Cincinnati Ballet's Victoria Morgan, Ballet Austin's Stephen Mills and BalletMet's Gerard Charles will judge.

To apply, submit a DVD of your work by September 15 to:

The Washington Ballet just announced that they will launch a trainee program this fall. Choreographer Carlos Valcarcel will serve as ballet master for the one- to two- year program for pre-preprofessional students ages 17 and older. It's aimed at students who want to fine-tune their technique and gain valuable performance experience before auditioning for companies.

ABT soloist Simone Messmer is more than your typical bunhead. The girl has pizzazz—an effortless vivacity that's simply magnetic both onstage and off. So I'm super excited to share that she has been chosen to receive the 2010 Leonore Annenberg Arts Fellowship.

The first time I saw William Forsythe’s choreography I hated it. Passionately.

I’d just started at NYU and our choreography class was required to see Ballett Frankfurt out in Brooklyn. Unfortunately, my parents happened to be in town that weekend. But I brought them along, assuming anything called “ballet” would be safe.

Ever dream of what it would be like to dance with the Paris Opera Ballet? Frederick Wiseman's newest film La Danse goes behind the scenes to document every aspect of the company: sweaty, intense rehearsals with etoiles; administrative meetings about fundraisers and retirement benefits; painters adding another coat to the hallways; and even a beekeeper making honey on the roof of the Palais Garnier!

Congratulations to Vaganova Ballet Academy, Pointe Viewers' Choice winners for October. Their video, “Behind the scenes with Eric Conrad, Part I: Partnering Class” features three couples partnering in a classroom setting. Each couple demonstrates excellent technique through the adagio exercise of pirouettes, arabesque, penchee, and developpe. Each woman has her own strength, whether it be high extension, beautiful feet, or captivating port de bras.

Congratulations to Luminario Ballet, Pointe's Editors' Choice Video of the Month winners for October. Their piece “Bouquet” was choreographed by Michael Smuin, former artistic director of San Francisco ballet, and set by San Francisco Ballet prima Evelyn Cisneros. The gentle and ethereal pas de deux features a brilliantly glowing couple as the blue-tinted lighting radiates off of their bright white hair, skin, and austere costumes.