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Oct 29, 2020
Ava Rikki, Courtesy Mondesire
I'll Never Forget My First Pair of Flesh-Tone Tights
I remember when I encountered the color cinnamon. Such warmth and comfort instantly saturated my soul. It was the summer of 2015, a time I will never forget, and I was trying on my first pair of flesh-tone tights. The band fit perfectly on my waist with such a calm gentleness. They were tights that looked like me—not ballet pink, the color that many were taught could be the only one in the ballet world. It was me, all the way from my head to my toes. No breaks, perfect continuity.
<p>Earlier that year, I'd auditioned for Dance Theatre of Harlem's summer intensive. The Black-owned company had changed the face of ballet and was filled with so many people that looked like me. Their dancers' complexions range from dark chocolate and sun-kissed to sweet caramel, vanilla and more. They represent the endless palette and possibilities of shades of skin that can—and should—exist in the dance world.</p><p>I knew that the DTH School was a place I wanted to, I needed to, get into. The day I found out I got accepted into the summer intensive I could not believe it. A dream that once felt so far away was suddenly so close. I'd be able to look around and see people who looked like me with such hope and security that I belonged. I knew, without a doubt, that this was the beginning of forming my sense of self and identity in this art form.</p>
<p>On the first day of the four-week summer intensive, I was nervous but eager to work on my craft. The moment I turned the corner of 155th Street, my heart sped up. Gentle spots of perspiration began to form like beads on my forehead. My clammy hands could not stop fidgeting. This was it. I had read about Dance Theatre of Harlem, seen them perform, and now here I was, about to become a part of the community.</p><p>During orientation, the faculty reviewed the syllabus and requirements. One requirement? "Flesh-tone tights, please, ladies." When I heard this my cheeks rose so quickly because of the smile plastered on my face. I was so happy and comforted that they were enforcing that we wear tights that looked like us. This was an essential factor, but something that I found was constantly lost or considered insignificant in previous programs I had attended—but not this one.</p>
<p>After orientation I headed downstairs to the school's store to look for my tights. The fact that I could even say "my tights" felt so weird, yet right. I was immediately greeted and shown a box entirely filled with flesh-tone tights. It was like heaven on earth. Eventually, after going through each shade, we decided on the perfect match for me: cinnamon. As I read the packaging, the word immediately rolled off my tongue with such liquidity. I instantly was filled with security and joy. This would be my first time wearing my flesh tone.</p><p>Once I was finished getting ready for my placement class, I stood in front of the mirror and looked at myself. I saw a beautiful girl. A brown-skinned girl. No breaks from the melanin on my face to all the way down my legs. A tall girl that had just a little more confidence when she stood up and just a little more pride in her heart. A chocolate-kissed, beautiful, tall dancer, and nothing less than that.</p><p>I knew I was ready for this placement class now. I was ready to show them who I am without any apologies.</p>
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Oct 28, 2020
Courtesy Dani Hernandez, REDO U Media Design
Creating Your First Website: Pro Tips for Making a Striking Online Impression
Before COVID, having an active social media presence may have been enough to supplement your in-person efforts of auditioning, taking class and planting yourself in your local dance community. Now that most auditions are virtual and online submissions have been on the rise, it takes more to stand out. "Art is going to continue, but it will look different," says Rebecca Herrin, ballet instructor at the University of Oklahoma School of Dance, who advises her students on how to be competitive in the industry. "So many dancers are doing the same thing, and it's important to get your work to rise to the top."
To be competitive as the industry adapts and evolves, a professional website is the online presence you'll need to help you stand apart from all the chatter. Here are the basics to get you started.Why You Need A Website
<p>Dani Hernandez, founder, CEO and head designer of <a href="https://redoumediadesign.com/" target="_blank">REDO U Media Design</a>, notes the unforeseeable and uncontrollable challenges of relying solely on social media to showcase your work. YouTube sends viewers away from your content by suggesting relevant videos, Vine is no longer used and TikTok could be banned. "A website is yours," says Hernandez, whose client list includes choreographer <a href="https://alblackstone.net/" target="_blank">Al Blackstone</a>. "You control it, and you don't have to worry about an algorithm."</p><p>What's more, when someone lands on your site, you know they're searching specifically for you and not just anyone in your field. "Directors are looking," says Kevin Thomas, artistic director of Memphis-based company <a href="https://www.pointemagazine.com/collage-dance-collective-2646384423.html" target="_blank">Collage Dance Collective</a>. Thomas has been able to connect with new dancers online by visiting their websites after COVID-19 disrupted the company's usual in-person auditions this year. "This is a way to get a gig," says Thomas, adding that he recently hired a new company member this way, without having to meet him in person.</p><img lazy-loadable="true" src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDYyODAyNS9vcmlnaW4ucG5nIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYzNDQxMzE2N30.3yPs8NCkbw9k0cpjSTXQUID3BZxuaWDgIR4C3MjQs1E/img.png?width=980" id="50aa2" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="e43956cd0243078855a0659b300861fc" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" alt="A laptop shows a webpage that features a photo of a woman with curly black hair and a yellow sweater next to her biography and social media links" />
Stroming's "About" page offers a detailed bio, plus links to her resumé and social media pages.
Courtesy Dani Hernandez, REDO U Media Design
How to Get Started
<p>If you opt for the DIY route, there are a number of web platforms, like <a href="https://www.squarespace.com/" target="_blank">Squarespace</a>, <a href="https://www.wix.com/" target="_blank">Wix</a> or <a href="https://wordpress.com/" target="_blank">WordPress</a>, that are relatively easy to use. They're low-cost, with monthly prices of less than $20 or annual subscriptions for a couple hundred. Most will include a custom domain and won't require self-hosting or any coding ability.</p><p>If you're like <a href="https://www.alisonstroming.com/" target="_blank">Alison Stroming</a>, a former member of Ballet San Jose and Dance Theatre of Harlem who's now freelancing in Los Angeles, you may prefer to leave the web design to a professional. If that's the case, you'll invest anywhere from $500 to $2,500, depending on what you want to include on your site, according to Hernandez.</p><p>Either approach you choose will be well worth the investment, Stroming contends. She's landed both auditions and jobs from her website, which Hernandez designed. "I don't remember the last time I went into an audition and handed them my resumé," says Stroming, since directors have typically seen her materials beforehand. "It's really important to have your own site. If you don't have one, get on it."</p><div style="padding: 20px 0 40px;">
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<img lazy-loadable="true" src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDYyODM0Ny9vcmlnaW4ucG5nIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY1MzgxNzU5MH0.pIqg7Ypnn49kiy6hZU_UGcpx_6wIC-rq3mTbMTXWoNM/img.png?width=980" id="2d33f" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="61802f90b2acc51118764ebfdddaaaa7" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" alt="A close-up of the top right corner of Alison Stroming;s website shows a drop down menu with options for "stills," "video" and "press."" />
A drop-down menu on Stromings' site offers separate pages for photos, videos and press.
Courtesy Dani Hernandez of REDO U
<p>Your site will likely be someone's first introduction to you, so you should immediately establish who you are and what you do. On your homepage, be sure to include an engaging photo and a concise statement about you and your work. "Your homepage has to be something that grabs you," says Herrin. "Not just a headshot. It has to be an artist-in-motion pic with a written intro that makes me want to dive deeper into your site." Hernandez agrees, adding that you don't need to spend a lot on photography. "You can use your phone to take high-quality, non-distracting photos," she says.</p><p>Include additional content—such as videos of your work, any press you've had, upcoming shows or classes, a PDF attachment of your resumé, and contact information—as separate pages within your site. (Tip: Ditch the unprofessional email addresses you may have developed in high school, says Herrin. Establish contact info that you'll be proud to share with others in the industry.)</p>
<img lazy-loadable="true" src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDYyODc3Ny9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYzMzkwMjkzOH0.hAOlzLS99cXmHb0Q9ioCiBlBeOOxSBsj0AK3Bf8bDmM/img.jpg?width=980" id="bdc00" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="ee73431323f92ea56c082dcc201b2455" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" alt="A gold pen lays on top of a notebook of graph paper showing a drawing of a website layout." />
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<p>You can also include your side hustle or any products or services you offer. But don't overdo it, says Hernandez. Make sure the site's design isn't overcrowded, and that your brand or professional story is very clear. "You want to feel at peace and intrigued when you look at a website," she says. "Have them wanting to come back for more."</p><p>If you're just getting started and don't have much content to share, that's okay. It's still important to start with what you have and to put your best foot forward. "Be mindful of your audience," suggests Thomas. "Your site should look professional and tell us who you are. We want to know who we're hiring," he says.</p><p>Finally, Hernandez and Herrin agree that your site should evolve as you do. Keep it active by updating it as you accomplish new things in your career. "Once it's up, it's a work in progress," says Herrin. "A website is a living thing," adds Hernandez, "and it's so important for young dancers to know that."<strong></strong></p>
Expert Tips from Web Designer Dani Hernandez
<ul><li>Use an easy-to-remember domain name. A good structure is "www.[firstname][lastname].com" or "www.[firstname][lastname][dance].com."</li><li>Keep your website design simple. Use white space to ensure that it's not too busy, and stay away from too many fonts or colors.</li><li>Remove the web platform's name from your domain name and site footer. Having "Powered by Squarespace" or "www.[sitename].wix.com" in your domain isn't as professional.</li><li>Align your browser favicon—the small image that displays next to the page title in browser tabs—with your brand. Using the web platform's default image brings credibility down.</li><li>Try not to overwhelm your website with a lot of photo content, as it will slow the load time tremendously. Only choose a handful that you think will showcase your best. </li></ul>
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Oct 27, 2020
Serghei Gherciu, Courtesy Bayerisches Staatsballett
Osiel Gouneo on His Cuban Roots, His Favorite Roles and His Grandfather's Powerful Life Lesson
In Pointe's Fall 2020 issue, Bayerisches Staatsballett principal Osiel Guneo talked to us about his career, life as a new dad and what he misses most about his home country of Cuba.
<p><strong></strong><strong>What has been the biggest adjustment to living in Europe compared to Cuba?</strong></p><p>I never realized that cold weather could have such a negative effect on me! But Europe's artistic side has been so influential for my career. Caring ballet masters, new choreography and good friends have all been really positive aspects of my time here.</p><p><strong>Which accomplishment are you most proud of?</strong></p><p>People label artists. A certain painter makes nice landscapes, or a boxer is known for his defense. I'm proud to have reached a level where I can show different sides of myself. Carlos Acosta paved the way in Cuba. He showed that ballet is more than tricks. I am proud to continue that approach.</p>
<img lazy-loadable="true" src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDYwMjgwOC9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYxNjAxNjg4MH0.nuENUAvSYejVxDEjkEC42BLgC4lKxvU6-MhyutkF77c/img.jpg?width=980" id="a6e19" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="ced5753282ce8bd651b1b8545db1ec41" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" alt="Osiel Gouneo wears a black jacket, vest and tights and lunges back on his left leg while holding ballerina Laurretta Summerscales by the waist. Summerscales, in a long-sleeved green and pink 19th century dress, leans against him and does a developp\u00e9 with her right leg." />
Gouneo and Laurretta Summerscales n John Cranko's Onegin
Serghei Gherciu, Courtesy Bayerisches Staatsballett
<p><strong>What part of your Cuban culture do you miss most?</strong></p><p>I miss the Cuban energy. In Cuba, there is a very strong link between family and music. I have memories of the whole family together, eating and dancing. After work, no matter how tired I was, there was always time for friends—a game of dominos and a little rum. Now, I go home and wind down, send emails and watch TV. </p><p><strong>You became a father in March. What has parenthood been like?</strong></p><p>My baby was born during the coronavirus pandemic. It was actually perfect timing, because we've been able to spend so much time together. We're adjusting to the new schedule, fighting lack of sleep and figuring it out as a family.</p>
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<img lazy-loadable="true" src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDYwMjkyMS9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY0NTA5NTc3Mn0.k4Yf0ApB0X5WK7ce3gTyMl7Ljtla8X7GiaFryCawj0U/img.jpg?width=980" id="ae063" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="8161ef8968082238191d10f0d9935ca6" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" alt="Wearing orange tights and vest and gold dance boots, Osiel Gouneo leaps to the left and extends his right arm forward, holding a dagger." />
Gouneo as the title role in Yuri Grigorovich's Spartacus
Serghei Gherciu, Courtesy Bayerisches Staatsballett
<p><strong></strong><strong>What quality do you admire most in your colleagues?</strong></p><p>I value honesty above anything. I want the truth so that I can keep growing. I'm so grateful when my friends show me that respect.</p><p><strong>What roles have taught you the most about yourself as a dancer?</strong></p><p>Certain roles have highlighted different phases in my life. I identified with Spartacus when I was younger, and then with Des Grieux in <em>Manon</em>, who gives everything for love. Ali, Basilio, Acteon and Solor were all roles that opened doors for me.</p>
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<p><strong></strong><strong>What lesson has served you best?</strong></p><p>My grandfather taught me to have self-respect and pride. He said that as a Black man I had a burden to bear, and that I should never let anyone put a foot on me. In Cuba, one of my dance teachers used to put me down all the time, pushing me way beyond my limits. Because of my grandfather's advice, I was able to use the teacher's criticism to work that much harder. Now I know that good values and pride can be turned into love.</p><p><strong>How do you want to be remembered?</strong></p><p>I want to be thought of as a complete artist, and as a person who dared to step forward. I recently got to try acting. It was fun to see how far I could go with spoken word—to be dramatic without mimicking. It felt more comfortable, somehow. That's the sort of challenge I've always been drawn to: risks that take my career to the next level. I'll always be hungry to be better. I've learned that I can be content with my life, but I'll never be satisfied.</p>
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Oct 27, 2020
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Are You Rethinking a Dance Career Due to COVID-19? Read This Advice First
Olivia Duran started ballet when she was 3 years old, and it was love at first plié. From there, "I just kept going," she recently recalled over the phone, "and that was that!" Soon, she found herself at Elmhurst Ballet School, the prestigious training program affiliated with England's Birmingham Royal Ballet. She completed the school's full eight years of coursework, but as she neared the professional world, Duran felt more drawn to life as a cruise performer than as a traditional ballerina. Her final year was marked by audition circuits in London, which eventually landed her a contract with MSC Cruises.
After graduation in 2019, Duran returned home to Hampshire, UK, for a few short months to wait for the contract to begin—but with the onset of COVID-19, cruise ships stopped sailing and the job never came to fruition. Her stay at home became far more indefinite, and she was left to consider a life without dance at its center.
<img lazy-loadable="true" src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDU5Mzg2Ny9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY2MjE4MTM1OH0.QPHb0sqRxX9XK00y85M90tlGuucBarIpZGvHhHM_llM/img.jpg?width=980" id="59675" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="6830da14418773676575a8d3d8eb90a7" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" alt="A group of young ballerinas wearing yellow tutus, pink tights and pointe shoes stand in a diagonal line in tendu devant effac\u00e9 with their left legs in pli\u00e9. Their right arm is curved and their left arm is extended out to the side." />
Olivia Duran (second from right) performs Paquita with the Elmhurst Ballet Company.
Andy Ross, Courtesy Elmhurst Ballet School
<p>Duran is definitely not alone—as COVID-19 continues to prevent the dance world from returning<strong> </strong>to the stage, many advanced students and young professionals struggle with increased uncertainty as they try to launch their careers. Jessica Wheeler, the school principal at Elmhurst, currently works with several recent graduates who never had a chance to audition before the pandemic's start. Now, Wheeler allows them to return to school and receive free training in return for work experience alongside the school's staff.</p><p>But as the return to performances lingers further into the future, more young grads may be left wondering: Is this really for me? </p>Evaluate Your Relationship to Ballet
<p>Patch Schwadron is a career-counselor supervisor at <a href="https://actorsfund.org/" target="_blank">The Actors Fund</a>, which supports artists in the U.S. in their post-performance lives. (<a href="https://actorsfund.org/services-and-programs/career-transition-dancers" target="_blank">Career Transitions For Dancers</a> became a program of The Actors Fund in 2016.) Recently, she's spoken with clients and colleagues about the "chaos theory," a notion that Schwadron describes as "basically, nobody knows what's going to happen, so the best thing dancers can do is add to their skill set in preparation for future opportunities that align with their interests."</p><p>To start, Schwadron suggests asking yourself: "What is my relationship to ballet?" Make sure you answer honestly, and only for yourself. Then, let that guide your responsibilities going forward. "If it's 'I need to be a ballet dancer because it's the thing that really makes the most sense while I'm on this planet,'" she says, your responsibility is to keep in shape. But maybe you like working backstage or studying dance history—those would require different responsibilities, like researching education programs and perhaps finding local mentors to guide your search. Make a timeline for yourself to keep reevaluating. Every three or six months, ask if your relationship to dance has changed, and if it has, you can shift those responsibilities along with it. </p><img lazy-loadable="true" src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDU5Mzk3Ni9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY1ODQ3NjkxNH0.U0SM0E85D49Q1D2GsT-C_wJFLdK3UoeNYYkX7-u9zPw/img.jpg?width=980" id="42054" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="ea9fce2fde756245df37889f39eaa7a1" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" alt="A pondering young female dancer in a green leotard, pink cardigan and pink tights rolled at the calf sits in the butterfly position on her bed and looks towards a window." />
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Think Beyond Your Dance Skills
<p>Wheeler employs similar advice with her students, and tells them to think about the future through the lens of a portfolio career, or one that incorporates multiple jobs. "The kinds of contracts where you would see dancers go to the Birmingham Royal Ballet or another large company and then just stay for a very long period of time are getting fewer," she explains. This was happening even before 2020, and COVID-19 will no doubt change the landscape even more. Now, she sees opportunities for students to build their future from a larger array of options: Some graduates "ended up setting up their own business or going into teaching or becoming a dance photographer," she says.</p><p>Going forward, Schwadron tells clients to start seeing themselves as people with expertise in a wider variety of subjects; in other words, you are a consultant with a range of services. One of the services will be your excellent dance skills, but during the wait for theaters to reopen, now might be a good time to develop some more. The Actors Fund offers no-cost workshops for strategies like this, but Schwadron also encourages students to try volunteering in their local communities. Start small, and only stick with what you like. </p><img lazy-loadable="true" src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDU5Mzg3NC9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY1ODkyODI4M30.LYqhdyi_gZD-KX2Ob-I97CCT-ebhouu4jnw28bCJ5vU/img.jpg?width=980" id="8e5ce" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="e1870306fed395a3e71e39e7fda66816" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" alt="Young woman sitting at home with pen and paper" />
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<p>Many of these tactics helped Duran weigh her options after her contract was canceled. At home, she took advantage of the extra time to research another longtime interest: midwifery. After some more reflection, Duran officially changed course and is now in the beginning stages of midwifery training. "For me," she reflects, "it was when I would go to dance class and I would just enjoy it. It sounds like a really strange thing to say, but it was no longer 'I want to do this, this is what my life is.' It became just 'I love doing this for fun.'"</p><p>The distinction took time to identify, and sometimes it was hard to separate the feeling of change from the feeling of failure. But "it's not failure to decide that it's not what you want anymore," Duran says, "it's really growth." </p><p>Both Wheeler and Schwadron echo Duran's message: Changing your focus should never be taboo. "Success can look like a lot of different things to a lot of different people," Wheeler says. Take the time to figure out what it looks like to you. </p>
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Oct 19, 2020
Peter Mueller, Courtesy Cincinnati Ballet
2020 Stars of the Corps: 10 Dancers Making Strides In and Out of the Spotlight
The corps de ballet make up the backbone of every company. In our Fall 2020 issue, we highlighted 10 ensemble standouts to keep your eye on. Click on their names to learn more!
Dara Holmes, Joffrey Ballet
Dara Holmes and Edson Barbosa in Myles Thatcher's Body of Your Dreams
Cheryl Mann, Courtesy Joffrey Ballet
Wanyue Qiao, American Ballet Theatre
Wanyue Qiao as an Odalisque in Konstantin Sergeyev's Le Corsaire
Gene Schiavone, Courtesy ABT
Joshua Guillemot-Rodgerson, Houston Ballet
Joshua Guillemot-Rodgerson (far right) with Saul Newport and Austen Acevedo in Oliver Halkowich's Following
Amitava Sarkar, Courtesy Houston Ballet
Leah McFadden, Colorado Ballet
Leah McFadden as Amour in Colorado Ballet's production of Don Quixote
Mike Watson, Courtesy Colorado Ballet
Maria Coelho, Tulsa Ballet
Maria Coelho and Sasha Chernjavsky in Andy Blankenbuehler's Remember Our Song
Kate Lubar, Courtesy Tulsa Ballet
Alexander Reneff-Olson, San Francisco Ballet
Alexander Reneff-Olson (right) as Von Rothbart with San Francisco Ballet principal Yuan Yuan Tan in Swan Lake
Erik Tomasson, Courtesy SFB
India Bradley, New York City Ballet
India Bradley practices backstage before a performance of Balanchine's Tschaikovsky Piano Concerto No. 2.
Erin Baiano, Courtesy NYCB
Bella Ureta, Cincinnati Ballet
Bella Ureta performs the Act I Pas de Trois in Kirk Peterson's Swan Lake
Hiromi Platt, Courtesy Cincinnati Ballet
Alejándro Gonzales, Oklahoma City Ballet
Alejandro González in Michael Pink's Dracula at Oklahoma City Ballet.
Kate Luber, Courtesy Oklahoma City Ballet
Nina Fernandes, Miami City Ballet
Nina Fernandes in George Balanchine's The Nutcracker
Alexander Iziliaev, Courtesy Miami City Ballet
