Mental health and self-image have been a struggle for nearly every dancer I have met. The dance industry, along with many others, wasn’t built with the health of the dancers in mind. I have witnessed dancers battle with body dysmorphia, negative self-talk, and especially maintaining a healthy amount of self-care. I have been dancing for the last fifteen years of my life. I have watched so much talent and passion washed out of my peers simply because they burnt out. Kids who could have had a professional dance career, or at the very least maintained a love for the art, didn’t because it came down to choosing between their health and well-being, or dance.
Read MoreBallet shoes come in many different shapes and sizes. Some can be black, pink, or white and have strings or no strings, but for shoes with strings, it is important to know how to tie them for classes. DWC Staff Member Emma Neilson is here to help give you some tips and tricks on how to tie your strings properly! Read on to learn more!
Read MoreEveryone knows as dancers that our dance bag is a sacred place. It holds all of our stinky shoes after dancing for hours on end and seems to be an abyss for endless amounts of bobby pins. With each new dance season, new goodies are needed to last the dance season which can add up quickly. We asked some of our DWC Ambassadors what was in their dance bag to give a special look into their go-tos and their necessities they need for classes! Read on to learn more about what is in their dance bags!
Read MoreAre you or your little one getting ready for their very first ballet class? Follow along with DWC Fitter, Emma, as she guides you through everything you need to be ready for a ballet class!
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Sewing pointe shoes can be one of the most complicated processes for dancers, but it doesn’t need to be!. There are various ways that teachers want their students to sew them and many ways that dancers prefer their own pointe shoes to be sewn. While there isn’t a correct way to sew your shoes, there are many tips and tricks that can be helpful to know in order to sew your shoes efficiently and effectively. Read on to learn some tricks from DWC Staff Member Emma Neilson!
Read MoreOne of Whim W’Him’s most important values is putting “people first always,” something that is not always upheld in the dance world. That’s why Olivier shares that ensuring his dancers are well-paid has always been a priority of his. “They are artists…They are highly skilled professionals and they should be paid for that,” he stresses. He started Whim W’Him with the intention of “changing the landscape of how dancers are often abused and exploited,” particularly when it comes to being under-compensated for their work.
Read MoreWhile some folks have taken steps to destigmatize mental health discussions in the dance industry, there is still an overwhelming pressure to compete against your peers within the studio environment, which can lead to adverse mental health issues. DWC staff member and pointe shoe fitter Tija Dupont opens up about her dance journey, goals for the future, and destigmatizing mental health in the dance industry.
Read MoreThe past year and a half has been undoubtedly replete with hurdles, as much of the local dance community was left jobless due to COVID-19. Yet, through the hardships that unfolded throughout the pandemic, many were able to find unique ways to fill the gaps they were witnessing in the dance world. Dwelling in isolation served as a time for reflection and deep contemplation about how to emerge back into the dance realm. From private coaching to cross-training, from rebranding to expanding, and bridging the divide between dance and theatre, these organizations and individuals have created new beginnings for themselves amid adversity, leaving the local dance community better than they found it. Read on to learn more about these local artists and their latest endeavors.
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