Across the world, dancers and teachers are eager to return to their studios to continue their training. How can you prepare yourself for the return to your studio - whether you can go back this week, or in 3 months time? Here are a few simple, yet effective exercises to get you started, straight from Ms Yana’s DanceFit class. You ...
Expressions Beyond Borders
by Ramya Manikam Often, the most exciting aspect about discovering something about an art form, is how the exchange between its various genres can surprise and enrich your understanding of it. Universally it is accepted that art transcends boundaries and connects diverse people. Art does not hold you towards political obligations and encourages you to stay open to healthy debate. ...
7 Tips To Stay Hydrated
One of the first things we all learn in Biology is that the human body is 70-75% water and that it is for this reason that we should be drinking roughly 2-3 litres of water every day. Actually, your water intake depends on many factors - factors like your age, sex, the climate, and your physical activity. Here are 7 ...
Go To Live Performances!
Should you take your child to live stage performances? The short answer is yes, you should, whenever possible! As budding performers, dance students need input from many areas in order to improve and achieve their goals, including from professional dancers. Here are some important reasons why live performances will enhance students’ dancing. Inspiration and Reflection Watching professionals on stage gives ...
Exam Time – Dance For Better Grades
More often than not, dance is seen as merely an extracurricular; an after-school activity that we can afford to miss to complete homework or to study for the next set of exams. Although the physical advantages of attending classes are a given, dance also has a plethora of mental and emotional benefits that we never really think about. Dance It ...
What Ballet is Teaching My Daughter
by Melissa Arulappan In less than a week from now, my younger daughter will have completed her Grade V Imperial Ballet exam. It’s one of the reasons why she decided on a gap year after her Grade XII board exams. She did not know when she made the decision whether she would be selected for the exam. It was a ...
Exam Insight
Around this time two years ago, TLFCB held ISTD ballet exams for the first time ever in India. I sat in on all the exams because I played the music (some might even say ‘DJ-ed’) for ones that didn’t have a live pianist. In a few days, I’ll occupy the same seat next to the examiner. As the second exam ...
Our TLFCB Ballet Boys
There is no doubt that girls dominate over boys in the ballet world today. This was not the case back when ballet shifted from stately court appearances to professional performances on stage. Back in the 1660’s it was males who emerged as the first professional ballet dancers. In the Renaissance era, only male dancers would perform, using masks for when ...
Wearing Uniform in Ballet Class
Have you ever wondered why ballet schools insist on students wearing uniform? Or why we at TLFCB are so picky about the length of skirts, quality of tights, and the fitting of shoes? Here’s your answer! Students wear the uniform in ballet class for several purposes. Each part of the uniform has a specific role in helping both the teacher ...
Styles and Methods of Ballet
Ballet has evolved immensely over the course of the last 500 years. Starting off as court performances in Italy with basic technique, it is now performed worldwide in various styles. Here’s a little history and background on the style variations in ballet. In the 15th century, in the midst of cultural revival and transition to modernity in Europe, known as ...