Ballet superstars don't get much bigger than Wendy Whelan and Desmond Richardson. This winter, the two inimitable dancers teamed up for a one-night-only performance in New Orleans to commemorate Richardson's last season as a performer with Complexions. If you haven't seen Jim Lafferty's gorgeous shots of their rehearsals in our April/May issue, you're missing out. This is one outtake we didn't have room for in the magazine, and I had to share it. Whelan is so lifted, has such breath in her arms with Richardson as a strong, grounded counterpoint. I love the stretch that extends through both of their bodies in that moment just before her toe hits the floor. Enjoy!
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Sep 21, 2020
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Ask Amy: My Parents Want Me to Get a Job and Cut Back on Dance Classes
I am thinking about pursuing a career in ballet. However, my parents have made it clear that at some point they want me to get a job, which they acknowledge would mean possibly dropping dance, or at least not taking as many classes. I agree that getting a job is important so that I'm able to make my own money, but dropping dance classes is the exact opposite of what will get me to where I want to be. Any suggestions? —Kaia
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<p>Getting a job is important for learning responsibility and becoming more self-sufficient. At the same time, pre-professional ballet training is a serious and expensive time commitment. If you really want to dance professionally, you need to make sure your parents understand your goals and what it takes to get there. You may want to consult your teacher first, or even schedule a meeting with your parents and instructor to get an idea of how many classes you need to be taking.</p><p>Ask your parents how many hours a week they expect you to work and what they want you to put your money towards, whether it's for spending, a savings account or funding your dance training. Then, see if you can come to a solution or compromise: Could you temporarily drop classes in other dance genres until summer, when you have more time? What about a seasonal job, when your dance studio is on break? If your parents want you to financially contribute to your training, would they be open to a work–study arrangement at your studio?</p>
<p>As for job ideas, you may want to first inquire at your dance school (allowing you to save on travel time and gas money). Perhaps they have some opportunities to student teach or assist younger children's classes. With all of your dance training, it would be smart to start developing teaching skills. Teaching can be an excellent source of income during seasonal layoffs at a ballet company or provide spending money in college and beyond—and can also lead to a second career as a teacher or studio owner!</p><p>If assistant teaching isn't possible, see if you could work a few shifts a week in your studio's office or at a nearby dancewear shop. That way, you'll still be connected to your dance community.</p><p>Other ideas include a regular babysitting job, tutoring or weekend work at a coffee house. Look for flexible shifts that don't conflict with the bulk of your dance classes. Keep in mind that balancing work, school and ballet training is a lot to manage. If your parents refuse to budge, and you need to cut back on your training, talk to your ballet teachers so that they understand why—they may have some creative solutions.</p>
<p><em>Have a question? Send it to </em>Pointe<em> editor in chief and former dancer Amy Brandt at </em><em><a href="mailto:askamy@dancemedia.com">askamy@dancemedia.com</a></em><em>.</em></p>
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Sep 18, 2020
Laurent Liotardo (post-production by Nik Pate), Courtesy ENB
Catch English National Ballet’s Rising Stars in the Emerging Dancer Competition Livestream
The coronavirus pandemic may have postponed English National Ballet's annual Emerging Dancer competition last spring, but the show must go on—digitally! You can still watch ENB's best and brightest talent during the competition's livestream, taking place on September 22 at 7:20 pm BST (that's 2:20 pm ET). Now in its 11th year, the competition for the Emerging Dancer Award will be broadcast live from the company's East London production studio for the first time. Tickets are available for $6.99 per device and will remain available to view on demand until September 29.
<p>ENB announced its six 2020 Emerging Dancer <a href="https://www.pointemagazine.com/2020-emerging-dancer-finalists-2645029840.html?rebelltitem=2#rebelltitem2" target="_self">finalists</a>, selected by their peers, last February. The repertoire for the evening includes a pas de deux from <em>Talisman</em>, with <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpQnidi23YM&feature=emb_logo" target="_blank">Ivana Bueno </a>and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PTxDwA-bf7A" target="_blank">William Yamada</a>; a pas de deux from <em>Satanella</em>, with <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DEpyGZvEDhc" target="_blank">Emily Suzuki</a> and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZgJ9T6QqQ2g" target="_blank">Victor Prigent</a>; and a piece from <em>Diana and Acteon</em>, with <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4MtJEg17xuM" target="_blank">Carolyne Galvao</a> and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZ9329EAttA" target="_blank">Miguel Angel Maidana</a>. The contemporary section will feature three brand-new original works created especially for the event by choreographers Mthuthuzeli November (Ballet Black dancer and choreographer), Stina Quagebeur (ENB first artist and associate choreographer) and ENB lead principal <a href="https://www.pointemagazine.com/search/?q=jeffrey+cirio" target="_blank">Jeffrey Cirio</a>. There will also be special performances by last year's Emerging Dancer Award winner Julia Conway and the People's Choice Award winner Rhys Antoni Yeomans.</p>
<span style="display:block;position:relative;padding-top:56.25%;" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="5952a51a539209ce08cdb76e5b811f61"><iframe lazy-loadable="true" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Wr3wDQL9hOw?rel=0" width="100%" height="auto" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;"></iframe></span><p>For the first time the live viewing audience will be able to vote for the People's Choice Award winner on the night of the performance by using a new text-to-vote system (a UK number will receive any international votes). Viewers will also enjoy backstage access to the event throughout the broadcast, with interviews and much more. The recipient of the Corps de Ballet Award will also be announced during the evening, acknowledging the on- and offstage work of a corps member chosen by ENB's artistic team.</p><p>The Emerging Dancer competition is the company's first major live event since January and kicks off ENB's 2020 digital autumn <a href="https://www.ballet.org.uk/blog-detail/new-autumn-2020-season/" target="_blank">season</a>, which includes nine new commissions and the launch of the online viewing platform ENB At Home. </p>
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Sep 17, 2020
From left: Alaina Broyles, Courtesy Werner; Courtesy Underwood
Gaynor Minden's Latest Dancer Lineup Features a Body-Positivity Activist and Its First Guy
Pointe shoe brand Gaynor Minden recently welcomed 32 young dancers to its coveted roster of Gaynor Girls. But this year, the company included two applicants who push the boundaries of what it means to dance on pointe. While both Mason Simon Underwood and Colleen Werner are longtime GM wearers, they stand out from the rest of this year's group: Underwood is the first ever Gaynor Guy, and Werner is a body-positivity activist.
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</p><p><br/></p><p>These two influencers prove that you don't have to fit into the stereotypical ballerina mold to love dancing on pointe. Get to know these inspirational young dancers below.</p>
Mason Simon Underwood
<p>Mason Simon Underwood's favorite variation is Aurora Act III, from <em>The Sleeping Beauty</em>. Last month <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CD-E14vASJ7/" target="_blank">on Instagram</a>, he shared a video of himself rehearsing it in his family's living room. His lines are long and clear as he moves confidently on pointe. Underwood, age 16, started dancing when he was 12, and like many of his peers at the School of Nashville Ballet, he got his first pair of pointe shoes two years ago, at 14. "I was in the level where all my friends were starting, and I thought it was really cool," he says. "I saw some guys on Instagram doing it, so I thought I might as well try."</p><p>While Underwood was the only guy in his school interested in pointe classes, his teachers were supportive. "They encouraged it, and said it would be good for strength and expressiveness," he says. And his hard work has paid off. Having attended virtual intensives at Nashville Ballet School, American Ballet Theatre and San Francisco Ballet School over the summer, Underwood is now moving to California to start full-time training at SFB in October.</p><img lazy-loadable="true" src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDQyMTQ0My9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYwNjI4MDM0NH0.HJXjcLUs01gANqKydzXyto9WirDh1JdQ4G21CxcdYYc/img.jpg?width=980" id="0eccd" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="1d643fb54df559778b2a18f62bd8942b" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" alt="Mason Simon Underwood poses in attitude back on pointe as he practices in his living room." />
Mason Simon Underwood practices his pointework at home
Courtesy Underwood
<p>In addition to Aurora, Underwood's Instagram page includes forays into classical roles like Giselle, Lilac Fairy, Kitri and Raymonda. Though he's learned a few of these variations in school, the rest he's taught to himself. "I love male variations and female variations," he says. "I think it would be great to have the opportunity to try both." His dream roles? "Albrecht, Romeo or Giselle."</p><p>When thinking of his future, Underwood dreams of joining a big company and "getting to dance all the time." He also hopes to be an inspiration to younger dancers, in the same way that pros like <a href="https://www.pointemagazine.com/search/?q=james+whiteside" target="_blank">James Whiteside</a> and <a href="https://www.pointemagazine.com/carlos-hopuy-2508403930.html" target="_blank">Carlos Hopuy</a> were to him, supplying him with courage through their Instagram posts to break down ballet's rigid gender lines. "I think the ballet world needs to be more inclusive, and accept everyone for who they are," says Underwood. "Everyone should have the chance to live their dreams and fight for what they want." </p>
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Colleen Werner
<p>Colleen Werner is not your typical Gaynor Girl. While most are on a pre-professional ballet track, Werner, age 23, is getting her master's in clinical mental health counseling at Trevecca Nazarene University. "One of my overarching career goals is to create an eating disorder treatment program for dancers, because dance was a huge contributing factor to my eating disorder," says Werner.</p><p>Originally from Long Island, New York, Werner began dancing when she was 3. She started on pointe at 13, and attended intensives with the Joffrey Ballet and Eglevsky Ballet before entering New York City's Hunter College as a dance major. But while recovering from an eating disorder, she switched her major to psychology. "I realized that as much as I loved dance, it was coming from a toxic place," she says. After a healthy period of distance from ballet, Werner got back into the studio two years ago. Since moving to Nashville last summer to start graduate school, Werner has made taking classes with Nashville Ballet's Community Division and performing with <a href="https://www.thedancerproject.com/" target="_blank">The Dancer Project</a> a central part of her life. </p><div id="01a50" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="aba5fede4aaebbd13048dbacb2403a1c"><blockquote class="instagram-media"
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<p>Werner posts regular dance content, usually clad in whimsically printed leotards, on her Instagram page, where she has nearly 35,000 followers. She also posts about her work as a therapy intern, and her belief in the <a href="https://www.sizediversityandhealth.org/content.asp?id=76" target="_blank">Health at Every Size Paradigm</a>. "Health isn't defined by a particular size, and people can pursue health regardless of their size," she says. "It's getting away from the numbers." Her posts have received a lot of feedback, and not all of it positive. But Werner forges ahead, eager to inspire. "Dancers reach out who are struggling with body image. They say they're being represented, and that they really look up to me."</p><p>Going forward, Werner plans to continue performing, and keep dance in her life as a necessary stress-reliever from her work as a therapist-in-training. "It's incredible that Gaynor Minden is representing me and celebrating me as a dancer even though my body type is very different from the traditional dancer stereotype," says Werner. "Growing up, I never saw anyone who looked like me in magazines or on the stage. It's a really fulfilling moment for me, my younger self and this new generation of young dancers." </p>
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