ChitChat: Q&A with Aran Bell from ‘First Position’!

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Aran Bell began his training at age four in Bremerton, WA. with Michiko Black, continued training at Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, and in 2009 began studying with Denys Ganio in Rome, Italy.  He has also attended the Royal Ballet School, and American Ballet Theatre summer programs.  Aran was the winner of the Hope Award at the Youth America Grand Prix Finals in 2009 and 2010. In 2010, he was also the Grand Prix winner of the Milan International Ballet Competition. Most recently, he was awarded the Junior Grand Prix at the 2011 YAGP Finals, and the gold medal at the Rieti (Italy) International ballet competition. Aran has performed in numerous galas in Italy, France, Germany, England, Austria, Poland, Romania, and several U.S. cities.
Aran is one of the talented young dancers featured in the documentary ‘First Position’. This film follows a handful of aspiring ballet dancers on their journey to the prestigious ballet competition, Youth America Grand Prix.

We recently caught up with Aran in Sarasota, Florida at the Carreno Dance Festival to have a little Chit Chat.

Why did you start dancing and how old were you?  I began at age 4 because my sister was dancing

Where are you originally from?  Washington D.C.

Where are you living now?  Italy.

Where was your last performance and what did you perform?  In Italy at a gala, Petit pan and La Chauve Souris, choreography: Roland Petit

What is your favorite variation to dance?  Don Quixote.

What is a role in a ballet that you would love to dance?  Basilio in Don Quixote.

Who are your favorite dancers?  Jose Carreno and Vladimir Vasiliev

What is your favorite thing about dancing?  Performing!

Least favorite?  Getting fitted for costumes!!

Do you have any good luck charms?  Every time I go to YAGP and I am in New Your City, I have to go to Toys R US and get a bag of candy!!

What has been one of your favorite moments on stage?  Performing at the Guggenheim in New York City! That was so cool!

What do you like to do on your day off?  Play soccer and go to the skateboard park.

Favorite food?  Pizza!

Something no one knows about you?  I’m very goofy!

Favorite movie?  Rambo and Harry Potter.

When is your next performance and where?  In Indianapolis for the David Howard gala, and I will perform La Chauve Souris and a Don Quixote variation.

Favorite candy?  Sour gummy candy!

Ballet company you would love to dance with?  I love American Ballet Theatre, Stuttgart Ballet, and Paris Opera Ballet.

Don’t miss this fantastic documentary playing in theaters now! http://www.balletdocumentary.com/

Meet Anya Zhang: Rhythmic Gymnast

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Anya Zhang is a talented young rhythmic gymnast who began training in Newton, Massachusetts, at the age of 7. Anya holds several State and Regional titles and National awards as well. She qualified to the Future Stars National Team 4 years in a row. In summer of 2011, Anya qualified to become a level 10 at her first National Qualifiers. She immediately stands out among any crowd because of her memorable combination of talent and artistry. Anya competes about 8 times per season. At her most recent national competition, in Colorado, Anya placed 4th out of the level 10 juniors. She hopes to make it into the National Team this year.

1.  How old are you?   I am 13 years old.

2.  How did you become involved in Rhythmic Gymnastics?
My mom used to do recreational gymnastics when she was in middle school. When she saw an ad for it in a newspaper one day, she signed me up.

3.  How many hours a week do you have to train?  I usually train 14 hours per week.

ChitChat with Shane Ohmer: Flexistretcher model and Rockin’ Bad Boy!

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Originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, Shane began his dance training at the High School For Creative and Performing Arts. Upon an early graduation, he finished his training in Pacific Northwest Ballet School’s Professional Division.

He has danced in Pacific Northwest Ballet, River North Chicago Dance Company, Les Grands Ballets Canadiens de Montreal.  He has toured extensively throughout the US, Canada, the Middle East, and Europe performing choreography by Mats Ek, Ohad Naharin, Stijn Celis, Nacho Duato, William Forsythe, and George Balanchine.  Currently, Shane is a principal dancer for the Bad Boys of Dance in ‘Rock the Ballet’ performing in theaters around the world to sold out houses.

1.  Where do you currently dance?  I currently dance with the Bad Boys of Dance doing their show, Rock the Ballet.

2.  What companies have you danced with before?  Pacific Northwest Ballet, River North Chicago Dance Company, and Les Grands Ballets Canadiens de Montreal.

3.  Rock the Ballet tours all over the world, what do you like about the touring process?  I love the nomadic feel to it and that I get to see the world and experience so many different types of cultures.

4.  What is your favorite place you have traveled to? There are so many! Right now, Edingburgh, Scotland because of how amazing the Fringe Festival and city are.  I also love Stockholm and Vienna!

5.  What is your favorite thing about dancing and least favorite?  My favorite thing is the performing and least favorite is the pain, physically, before my body is warmed up.

6.  Do you have a dream role that you would love to dance?  Juliet!…Kidding. I don’t know, maybe the role has yet to be created.

7.  Secret Ambition?  One day, I will write and direct my own show.

8.  Favorite place that you have danced? Le Grand Palais in Paris, it was amazing!

9.  What would you do if you were not a dancer?  I’ve been curious as to what life would be like if I had chosen to be a surgeon.

10.  What is your ideal way to spend a day off?  It depends on where I am in the world. I love outdoor activities.

11.  Do you have any hobbies?  Writing and fashion.

12.  Are you a secret fan of something or someone?  I love Patti Smith and Robert Mapplethorpe.

13.  Who are you favorite dancers?  Angel Corella, Darcy Bussell, and Patricia Barker

14.  Who or what inspires you?  My own thoughts, I get lost in my thoughts and find inspiration.

15.  Words to live by?  ”Anything is possible, and nothing is permanent!”

16.  Advice for young dancers?  Improv. Improv as much as possible.  You know, even conversation is improvised.

17.  Favorite role that you have danced?  The most rewarding thing I have done is Rock the Ballet!

Tips to stretching the right way

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Why stretch?

Stretching is a simple and effective activity that helps to enhance athletic performance, decrease the change of sports related injury, and minimize muscle soreness.

By increasing range of motion, we are increasing the distance our limbs can move and contract.  This can increase the muscles’ power and therefore increase athletic ability and the ability to control the muscles.

Other added benefits include: improved posture, improved circulation by increasing blood flow to the muscles, increased energy levels, reduced muscle tension, and stress release.

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Stretch your way into the New Year

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As we move into 2012, many of us have a list of resolutions we are ready to keep. One not to leave out is to keep up with your stretching routine! Whether you are a dancer or not improving and maintaing a proper stretch routine will help you move better, feel better, and avoid injury.  You never have an excuse with the Flexistretcher, just a few stretches a day in your living room can make all of the difference!

Here is great exercise to start the year off right!

The Yoga Bow with the Flexistretcher:

1. Lie on your stomach with your legs bent and the strap around the outside of your ankles. Take the loops in your hands.

2.  Slowly push your legs into the strap lifting your legs off of the ground as you straightneyour arms overhead with palms facing forward.

3.  With straight arms push your hands into the loops to rock forward as you lift your thighs more off of the ground. You will feel a great stretch on the front of your body while strenghening the muscles in your back.

Happy and Healthy New Year!

The Flexistretcher Team

ChitChat with J’aime Crandall: Rising Star at the Royal Danish Ballet

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J’aime Crandall graduated from the Kirov Academy in Washington D.C and joined the Universal Ballet in Seoul, Korea, in 2000 where she performed works by Petipa, Balanchine, Brian Yoo and Vinogradov. In 2003, Crandall joined the Dutch National Ballet. In 2008, J’aime Crandall joined the Royal Danish Ballet and in February 2011 she was promoted to soloist. She recently has performed the principle roles Aurora in Sleeping Beauty and the Ballerina in Etudes. In December of 2011, J’aime was promoted to principal dancer after her performance of the Sugar Plum Fairy in the Nutcracker.

1.   Where are you from? I am originally from Arizona.

2.  How long have you been dancing with the Royal Danish Ballet?  3 seasons.

3.  What has been your favorite role to dance?  I loved my role in Études.

4.   What is your favorite part being a dancer? Least favorite?  I love the process of dancing. You discover new things about dance and about yourself. I also love performing. There is something about the feeling one gets when you realize that all your hard work has paid off. My least favorite part of the experience is sore calves.

5.   Who are some great choreographers that you have worked with?  I was lucky to have worked with both Jirí Kylián and Jorma Elo.

6.  What is your pre-performance routine?  I take a nap, eat something, then, I go to the theatre. I do my hair and makeup and I do a barre. I stretch for a bit, and then I get dressed.

7.  Do you have a good luck charm?  No, not really.

8. What is your favorite non-dance hobby?  I like going to the movies. I love getting massages after a long day, too.

9.  What is in your dance bag?  Normal things like pointe shoes and extra clothing. And- a flexistretcher, of course.

10. Where is your favorite place to travel?   Either Thailand or Brazil.

11. What has been your most embarrassing moment on stage?   It happened pretty recently while I was dancing the role of Mercedes in Don Quixote.  I was supposed to enter from a specific corner of the stage but had not rehearsed this part on stage yet and was not told which corner to enter from. The conductor was supposed to signal the orchestra to start the music when he saw me enter from the corner. Because I entered from a different corner, the conductor did not see me, and he never gave the signal for the music to start. I had to run to the other corner, and the conductor finally saw me and signaled for the orchestra to start. That moment got me a little flustered.

12. What is some advice you can give young dancers who want to become professionals?   Work hard, but don’t forget to also have fun and enjoy what you’re doing!

 

 

Enough of the ChitChat: it’s Rubinald Pronk!

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Rubinald Rofino Pronk was born and raised in The Hague, Netherlands. He received his training at the Royal Conservatory of Dance and joined the Dutch National Ballet at 16, where he danced as a soloist. In 2006  he joined Dwight Rhoden and Desmond Richardson’s Complexions Contemporary Ballet in New York City. His awards include the prestigious Alexandre Radius Prize for the best dancer of Holland and two nominations for the VSCD “Silver Swan” award for best performance of the year. Elsevier Magazine named him “Holland’s sexiest ballet dancer ever.” He is the co-founder of Jacoby&Pronk and tours the world performing. August of 2009 he was on the cover of Dance Magazine along with his partner Drew Jacoby.

1.  How old were you when you started dancing? I started seriously training at 10 years old.

2.  What made you start dancing?  When I was little I was a big fan of Michael Jackson and I wanted to learn more street dancing. I basically was dancing from when I could walk.

3.   How old were you when you when you started dancing with a company? I was 16 years old.

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ChitChat with Désirée Ballantyne: Soloist at English National Ballet

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1.  Where did you go to school?  The Royal Ballet School in London from age 11-16 and then English National Ballet School age 16-18.

2.  Were you in the dorms the whole time?  Yes from age 11-16.

3.  When did you join the company at English National Ballet? August 1999 at age 18.

4.  When were you promoted to soloist at ENB?  2004.

5. What inspired you to be a dancer? Music. For me dance is the expression of music.  I fell in love with the fantasy of it. When you are watching it as a little kid it is very magical.

6. You knew at a young age that you wanted to be professional?  Oh yes, at around 8 years old.  That is why I went to the Royal Ballet School at 11 years old because I knew I wanted to be a professional.

7.  What is your favorite thing about dancing? Least favorite?  My favorite thing is definitely performing and the least favorite thing is not being able to dance forever and injury.   I get stressed when I can’t dance its like my daily vitamins.

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ChitChat with Adrienne Canterna: Rock the Ballet!

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A native of Maryland, Adrienne began dancing at age 3. She was a scholarship graduate of the Kirov Academy of Ballet and a national and international guest artist, choreographer, teacher and judge. In 1998, she was the youngest American ever to win the JR. FEMALE GOLD MEDAL at the Jackson International Ballet Competition at the age of 15. She has performed across the USA, Europe, Asia, Australia and the Caribbean. Adrienne has danced with numerous companies including the Washington Ballet, Complexions Contemporary Ballet and was a Principal Guest Ballerina with the Universal Ballet in Seoul, Korea for their productions of “Don Quixote”, “The Nutcracker” and “La Bayadere”.  Adrienne is the Associate Artistic Director and Resident Choreographer of Rasta Thomas’ “Bad Boys of Dance” & is the choreographer of the international hit dance show, “ROCK the Ballet”.  Rock the Ballet has toured globally and was recently featured on the hit show “ So You Think You Can Dance”.

1. What is your favorite place you have traveled to? Italy.

2.  What is your favorite moment in your career?  Winning the Jackson International Ballet Competition and the continuing success of Rock the Ballet.

3,  What is your pre-performance routine?  I always pray and stretch with my Flexistretcher.

4.  What was your most embarrassing moment on stage? Falling on stage because of reckless dancing.

5.  Where/What was your last performance?  Rock the Ballet in Munich, Germany.

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Get your splits with the Flexistretcher

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Being able to do the splits is a necessity for dancers and many other athletes and fitness professionals.  For dancers, many of the steps require sufficient flexibility to be able to achieve the correct line and placement that is essential to ballet technique. Doing the splits requires flexibility in the hamstrings and the hips. To start, we will work on stretches that focus on opening up these specific areas to prepare the body for front splits.

 

 

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ChitChat with Alex Loxton: Dutch National Ballet

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1.  Where did you train? Royal Ballet School

2. What companies have you danced with? Royal Ballet and Dutch National Ballet for three seasons.

3.  When you join your first company? 18.

4.How old where you when you started dancing? 10 years old.

5. Who are your favorite dancers? Jose Carreno, Carlos Acosta

6. Why did you start dancing?  My younger sister was dancing so I was always waiting around for her and my mom put me in a class. I wanted to do tap dancing at first but then got into ballet.

7. Whats your favorite food?  Chinese food.

8. Last passport stamp? New York City.

9. Where are you from? Birmingham, England.

10.  What is your favorite ballet?  Don Quixote.

11. What is a role that you would love to dance?  Basillio in Don Quixote.

12. Whats an embarrassing moment on stage?  I had to drag a girl off in sleeping beauty because she fell and got her foot stuck in her dress and I thought she was in trouble so I had to fireman lift her off the stage.

13. Do you have a hidden talent?  I play the violin.

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ChitChat with Karen Uphoff: American Ballet Theatre

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Born in Bad Axe, Michigan, Karen Uphoff began her ballet training at the age of ten in Olympia, Washington. She continued her training with Margaret Newcomb and Rene Gillenwater in Killeen, Texas. Uphoff also studied with Ludmila Morkovina and Alla Sizova as a scholarship student at the Kirov Academy in Washington, D. C.  Before joining American Ballet Theatre as a member of the corps de ballet in 2003, Uphoff danced with the Colorado Ballet.

1.  Who were your most influential teachers in school? Jehrin Alexandria because she is the one that told me I had the potential to become a professional ballet dancer. Also Ludmila Morkovina, Alla Sisova, Margaret Newcomb, and Renee Gillenwater.

2.  What age where you when you joined American Ballet Theatre? I was 19 years old and have danced with ABT for 8 seasons!

3.  When did you start dancing? I started dancing at 4 years old and when I was 10 I started to only focus on ballet.

4.  Why did you start just focusing on ballet? I watched a performance of Sleeping Beauty that a relative of mine was dancing in and I loved it so much that right then I decided that is what I wanted to do.

5.  What is your favorite ballet to watch? Petit Mort.

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Tis the Season of Sugar Plums and Rockettes!

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NYC Rockettes


Tis the season of Sugar Plums, Nutcrackers, and the NYC Rockettes. Ever wonder how they kick their legs so high or how a Sugar Plum gets in shape for the Nutcracker season? We have the secret! It is imperative to have a proper stretch training routine to go along with the rigorous schedule and physical demands placed on the body during an intense dancing season. The Flexistretcher is perfect portable tool to accompany you to the theatre and help warm the body up to be Sugar Plum ready.  Working against the elastic resistance allows the muscles to actively stretch and with a series of Pilates inspired strengthening exercises you will beat the cold and be ready to dance in no time!

Make sure to catch the NYC Rockettes live and a production of the Nutcracker near you! 

Happy Holidays!

The Flexistretcher Team