Cyrus shares that the experience of two cultures coming together is important to him, as his father is Indian and his mother is white, making him a product of cross-cultural connection himself. Throughout their personal lives and careers, Cyrus’ parents have experienced and fought against racial discrimination. From witnessing his parents’ own experiences, as well as navigating the societal challenges of having a biracial identity, Cyrus has been inspired to elevate and celebrate diversity through dance as a means to heal the damages that injustices like racism have caused. “[It] inspires me when I see different cultures coming together,” Cyrus expresses, sharing that his primary desire is to bring unity through understanding in his work at Khambatta Dance Company and beyond.
Read MoreIt wasn’t until age 10 that Jamia Ramsey learned that tights are supposed to match the skin tone of the dancer that wears them. After auditioning, Jamia had earned a scholarship to dance at the Dance Theatre of Harlem in New York City. “It was there that I first learned that flesh-toned tights were supposed to match your skin tone,” she shares. Jamia learned about the process of dying tights and using makeup to “pancake” ballet and pointe shoes. Previously, she had only danced in pink and tan-colored tights, which are readily available at any dancewear retailer but don’t match her skin tone. “It was all about uniformity,” Jamia explains. It’s safe to say that this experience planted the seed for Jamia to create her visionary dancewear company Blendz Apparel: a brand that offers high-quality, flesh-toned dance apparel that all dancers can wear.
Read MoreAs a young company dancer at Olympic Ballet Theater in the 1980’s, one of my favorite pieces I performed was “Fall” as a part of the Ballet Seasons. Now in my 50’s, I’m in a very different season of my life as a dancer. I’ve always loved fall–the season that teaches us that change can be beautiful.
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Grab your Apolla shocks and make sure that you have the correct sock for your foot. (The inside of the shock should have a R or an L that indicates which one goes on which foot)
Roll up the top of the shock as if you are putting on tights and slip in onto your foot.
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Apolla Performance products are known to be top-notch for dancers all around the country. Certain Apolla products are specially made to have traction, or they are made to be smooth on the bottom like a regular sock. But, when using the Apolla Performance Traction Shock, the traction on the bottom of the sock can wear down over time. This means that it is time to add it back with the E6000 Adhesive Spray! Here is how in just a few easy steps:
Read MoreBecoming a DWC Ambassador was something that Laurie Balise knew she wanted to do. She saw an opportunity to positively impact the dance community by participating in the program especially because she shares the company’s ideals of integrity, laughter and tenacity. Additionally, her impetus was because she believes in the importance of positive support and collaboration in our industry in order to more greatly empower all dancers. We got the chance to speak with one of our new Ambassadors and hear about her dancing journey and what motivated her the most in the dance world! Read on to learn more about Laurie’s experience with dance and what she’s looking forward to most about becoming an Ambassador!
Read MoreKirsten’s favorite thing about dance, she shares, is the connections people make through this art form are something that she finds to be the best thing about the dance world. “Through my teaching, I’ve seen people from different economical lives come and dance together and I think that that is just amazing,” she shares. She also shares that the connection through an emotional basis and a common love of dance is something that is very important to keep going. The relationships that she has made through people that she has taught are something that is very important to her and sets an example for the connection that dance can make through people.
Read MoreWhether you’re planning on making a cross-country move like me, or are graduating school and moving on from your familiar dance studio, life is full of transitions - some of which we’re prepared for and others we aren’t. One thing that can help make these transitions feel a bit more easeful is continuing to do what we’re passionate about. And fortunately, one of my favorite things about dance is its universality: no matter what country you’re in, what age you are, or what physical or mental state you’re experiencing, dance can be there for you in one capacity or another. In the short time I’ve spent living in a new city so far, here are some of the tips I have for exploring dance in a new place.
Read MoreThrough the clothes she made, Ainslie’s mother instilled an appreciation for product quality in her daughter at a young age that shines through at the dancewear company. “The quality of AinslieWear is high,” Ainslie stresses, sharing that the factor that sets the brand apart is the depth of detail it puts into how leotards are made and how they fit. The company sets the bar high, paying close attention to how the leotard lays, the surface area it covers, the stretch and resilience of the fabric, and more. It helps that all the leotards are proudly made in Vancouver, B.C., just steps away from Ainslie’s office. “We have a great team here,” Ainslie says proudly.
Read MoreNeed ideas on what to get your dancer for Christmas? This DWC Holiday Gift Guide is here to help make Christmas shopping a little easier. We asked some of our own DWC Ambassadors what their favorite dance products sold at Dancewear Center are and put them in the perfect guide for the holidays. Read on to learn more about what items would be great to give to your dancer for the holidays!
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