So we had a great audition for Summer Intensive Scholarships yesterday. I was definitely inspired by the positive energy and commitment of the dancers. Thanks to everyone who came out for the audition! Bravo!

The BD Summer Intensive is a great 2 weeks. This year we have some fun guests as well as BD Dancers and staff teaching classes. Welcome to John Malashock from San Diego, as well as Maria Gillespie and Heather Gillette. This year we get to have Cloud Nine Yoga, Marie De La Palme, Cyrus Parker Jeannette and Dale Merrill. Its an All Star Cast of the Best in Southern California.

Consider joining us. Its gong to be awesome.

Jenny

So I taught a master class down in San Diego today... it was great. Fantastic hosts (Malashock Dance), beautiful studio (Dance Place), and wonderful students. In prep to go down there, I wrote a little blurb for their blog and I thought what the heck.. I'll post it here too. It seems appropriate given that we are about to start our last week of rehearsal before heading out for New York- and I am finishing up excerpts from our new work, Incandescent. Its going to be a long and busy week... here is what keeps me going in times like this....

 

When thinking about what to write for this blog I wondered why have I stayed with this art form for as long as I have. What about being a dancer and choreographer makes sense to my life and why am I so passionate about encouraging other people to explore it either as an active participant or as an audience member?  I realized that I have many reasons that keep me walking into the studio everyday… so here is a short list …

 

I love to move through space

            With abandon

            With grace

            With aggression

            With purpose

 

I love to shift

            Directions

            Energy

            Style

            Perspective

 

I love to challenge

            Physicality

            Technique

            Comfort

            Minds           

 

I love to engage

            Space around me

Energy of other dancers

            Audiences

            Students

 

I love to design

            Movement

            Energy

            Bodies

            Relationships

 

Somehow all of this finds its way into my class.  It can be through a tendu combination, an improv exercise, or rolling around on the floor. The process of walking into a dance studio and opening yourself up to new ways of moving and understanding is exciting. It is transformative, it is brave, and it is fun. Going on that journey with students or dancers in my company keeps me motivated and pushes me to grow in directions that I would never discover alone. It makes me feel alive and present. It’s my hope that I am able to share that with the people around me. Dance is hard and the dance business is even more difficult to navigate at times. Reminding myself of why I do what I do is important and helps keep me walking into that empty studio day after day.

Today reminded me of something really awesome: Gratitude. We launched our Kickstarter page today. This was the brainchild of our new executive director, Jeremy Hunt.  He secured us an invitation and implemented our page. It's day one and we have funded 7% of our goal... that is great for the launch!  I am so thankful for his vision and support and also for the crazy talent of our Managing Director, Tobi Becerra. She is launching an online auction for Christmas in just a few days... keep on the lookout. This reminds me that in order run a successful company of any kind, you need to surround yourself with very skilled and talented folks.  I am very grateful that I have found these two amazing people that are passionate about dance, art and making an arts oriented business successful. 

Visit our kickstarter page, and check out our online auction sometime this week.  

Thank you to all of our generous supporters and to our fantastic BD Directors!

 

 

We have given 4 performances so far on our Palm Desert Tour, and it has been a great experience. Thanks to the organization by the McCallum Theatre and their fantastic teaching artists, April and Holly- the students are engaged and prepared to watch our little mini concert.  But the best thing by far is the Q and A at the end.  

Here are some of the questions that the students have asked: (these are 5th graders)

1. How do you kick your leg so high?

2. Do you eat sweets?

3. Do you ever get rest?

4. Where can I audition for BD? 

5. Do you make any money?

6. Are you guys friends?

7. Is it painful to be a dancer?

8. (To Napoleon) What's it like to dance with all those ladies?

So we are starting our 3 day tour of schools in Palm Desert and Palm Springs tomorrow morning!  We will be doing 2 shows a day- performing 4 works:  Arrive, Waiting, March and Sitting on January. This is always a rewarding set of performances to do. The students are always great and ask the funniest questions.  I'll post some here and on our facebook and twitter site.  Follow us for updates along the way!