Welcome back to Dance Rhythm! This week, we explore how ballet continues to grow as a platform for empowerment, inclusion, and resilience.
First, meet Sara Mearns, a principal dancer with the New York City Ballet, who recently returned to the stage with hearing aids, reclaiming her confidence and musicality after a decade of hearing loss. In Arizona, Ballet Arizona and Child Crisis Arizona have launched a satellite dance studio in the East Valley, spreading the joy of dance while fostering creativity and expanding community arts education. Meanwhile, 16-year-old Jemima, a BBC Young Reporter competition winner, advocates for more inclusive ballet attire, underscoring the importance of representation and belonging in the dance world.
Dying to learn more about these stories? Then keep on scrolling!
Sara Mearns, a principal dancer with the New York City Ballet, recently returned to the stage as the Sugarplum Fairy in The Nutcracker, performing with semi permanent hearing aids for the first time. After a decade of coping with hearing loss, she described the transformative experience of regaining her ability to fully hear as a reclaiming of her confidence and identity both as a dancer and a person.
Ballet Arizona and Child Crisis Arizona are launching a satellite school at the Child Crisis Arizona Center for Child & Family Wellness on January 7, offering a variety of dance classes for children, adults, and families. This partnership aims to foster creativity and confidence through dance while expanding arts education and free programming for the community.
The German biopic John Cranko makes its North American debut at the Palm Springs International Film Festival, exploring the legendary choreographer’s transformative leadership of the Stuttgart Ballet and his personal struggles. Featuring Stuttgart Ballet dancers portraying iconic figures like Marcia Haydée, the film highlights Cranko’s artistic genius and enduring impact on ballet.
Jemima, a 16-year-old ballet enthusiast and this year's regional West winner of the BBC Young Reporter competition, shares her journey of feeling excluded due to the lack of inclusive dancewear options for her skin tone. Despite these challenges, she has taken steps to hand-dye her own ballet clothes, advocating for greater diversity in the dance industry to ensure all dancers feel a sense of belonging and confidence.
Princeton Ballet School’s Advanced Summer Intensive offers a rigorous two-, three-, or five-week program featuring live music, diverse dance styles, and opportunities to work with professionals from the American Repertory Ballet. Students gain a strong classical foundation, perform at the McCarter Theatre Center, and may transition into the school’s Trainee Program, which bridges the gap between student and professional training.
Dance Magazine celebrates the 25th anniversary of its iconic “25 to Watch” list, spotlighting rising stars across diverse dance genres. This year’s highlights include exceptional ballet dancers and choreographers like Brett Fukuda, Melisa Guilliams, and Ruby Lister, each leaving an indelible mark on the dance world.
If You’re Around This Weekend
Mirror Mirror on the wall The Central Ballet is the fairest of them all! Join the Central Ballet this weekend as they perform “Snow White” at the Niswonger Performing Arts Center in Greenville. The showtimes include Saturday at 2PM and 7PM and Sunday at 2PM. To secure your tickets please visit: npacgreenville.com.
If You Feel Like Watching
Kate Lydon, Artistic Director of ABT Summer Intensives, invites students to audition for the 2025 Summer Intensive programs starting January 4 in 22 U.S. cities. These programs feature top-tier instructors, with options for in-person and video auditions, and offer pathways to the ABT Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School and ABT Studio Company in select locations.
Former NYCB Soloist Sean Suozzi brings the enchantment of the 1949 ballet Firebird to life in a captivating new film inspired by its tale of magic and romance. Make sure you check out the performance live during the NYCB 2025 Winter season!
If You Feel Like Listening
This week the Ballet Help Desk sat down with Erica Fischbach, Director of Colorado Ballet Academy, to discuss the Academy's full-time training programs, including the trainee and studio company levels, as well as performance opportunities and recruitment tips for aspiring dancers. Fischbach also explains the Academy's decision to compete and how it benefits their students.
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