Why Is Dancing So Good for Your Brain?

Again, thank you Miss Dixie for finding this fantastic article about the benefits of dance on brain function!  As the article by Christopher Bergland from The Athlete's Way points out in his article posted on the Psychology Today website - "Dancers maximize cognitive function and muscle memory through practice."  Click here to read more about 'Why Dancing is so Good for Your Brain." 

The Ultimate Rehab Program for Dancers

Thank you Miss Dixie for finding this great article with a video to help deal with rehabilitation from injury!  We, as dancers, struggle occasionally with injuries.  It is very important to address injury right away and treat it appropriately.  Doctors and physiotherapists are very important to the process of diagnosis and prognosis.  It is very important that dancers are given exercises to work on from their rehabilitation practitioner - ones that focus on building strength and avoiding re-injury in the future.  Also, clear guidelines on what activity can still be done - how classes can be modified for the dancers are very important.

This article and video focuses on foot injuries, but can also be taken beyond that to apply to other injuries as well.  Thank you Miss Dixie!  Click here to see more about 'The Ultimate Rehab Program for Dancers'

10 Things Your Dance Teacher Does

This article is from the 'Dancers Market' out of Australia.  Miss Sylvia offered this point of view as one you might find interesting!  Click here to read more about "10 Things Your Dance Teacher Does" 

Their blog has many other interesting and fun articles as well!

Stretching Advice from the Rockettes' Blog

Thank you Miss Lindsay for finding this informative and interesting article about stretching!  It has fantastic advice!!!


https://www.rockettes.com/blog/stretching-tips-for-dancers/#prclt-Ii3ZU71d

Judy Chan - Exploring Ballet at the Movies!

Cineplex Odeon has been offering 'Sunday Ballet' movie experiences.  You can check out their schedule at http://www.cineplex.com/Events/DanceSeries.   

Judy Chan, Cecchetti Teacher, recently went to see one of these shows!  Here are her thoughts!

I watched ballet at the cinema on December 15, 2015.  It was a mixed bill with four short ballets by the Royal Ballet - Viscera, Afternoon of the Faun, Tchaikovsky Pas de Deux, and Carmen.  For me, it was a lovely 3 hours well spent that afternoon!

There was brilliant dancing, wonderful choreography, fantastic performances, and true classicism at its best!    The company is strong and the dancers matched well with the ballets they were cast for and vice versa.   The danced with passion, precision, and poise.   Everything you hear about classical ballet from your teachers was all there.

Viscera by Liam Scarlette - This contemporary ballet piece is breath taking.  The intense sections and the sensual slow movement are an eye opener.

Afternoon of a Faun by Jerome Robbins - The choreography is amazing.   The way he uses mirror reflection is impressive, particularly since they are not dancing in front of the mirror.  This piece is simple, light, yet elegant in style. It was wonderfully danced by Sarah Lamb and Vadim Muntagirov.  It's just like dancing our Cecchetti port de bras and adagios.  There is so much of this, yet it's understated and beautiful.

Tchaikovsky pas de deux - This has the typical Tchaikovsky sparks and elegance.  Bravo to the technique of Iana Selenko and Steven McRae.  The last part where the Iana throws herself onto Steven and he caught her in mid air is breath-taking - Wow!

Last one, Carlos Acosta's Carmen.   This is a combination of ballet and opera; a dance-theatre mix.   Don Jose was danced by Carlos.   Carmen was danced by Marianela Nunez.   We all know the story.  The dancing was amazing - bravo!  That was Carlos's last performance before he retired from the Royal Ballet.   

At the end of the mixed bill 'show', after all the applause and presentations, Carlos thanked everybody in the Royal Ballet, all the Artistic Directors, his ballerinas, his wife, etc.   At the end of his speech, he said:   "I want to say something to the new generation of dancers.   My advice for you is, allow yourself the freedom to commit mistakes.  There is nothing like right or wrong, better or poor.   There is no such thing as failures because life is a learning process…...  Be curious and enjoy, enjoy, enjoy ……."

What an inspiration!!!

Jacques Bourgouin at the World of Highland Dancing Conference

Our teachers at Vimy and ESB come from a variety of backgrounds and experience.  Often we see them only in the role they fill at our school teaching ballet, jazz, tap, or other classes.  However, our teachers also do many other amazing things!  Jacques Bourgouin, for example, also has a strong presence in the Highland Dance World.  Recently he was in Las Vegas teaching at an international Highland Competition!

From Jacques . . . 

I was invited to teach at the World of Highland Dancing Conference being held in Vegas, Nevada back on the Thanksgiving long weekend in October 2015. This is my 3^rd time participating as a guest teacher, working with students and professional instructors. The conference is held approximately every 3 years and has been running since 1980.  The conference attracts Highland dance professionals and dancers from around the world including South Africa, New Zealand, Australia, Europe, Scotland, England, Japan, United States and Canada.  This past October was the 13th conference held and 200 participants attended.  The primary focus of the conference is the understanding and development of a competitive Highland dancer.  There were multiple sessions included.  The sessions I taught were:

Developing Proper Body Alignment for Highland

I worked from the feet up and talked about weight placement on the feet and how it can affect the rest of the body’s alignment. Also addressed how the abs can control the placement of the pelvis and the rib cage. The use of the arms, shape and placement.

Exercises to improve and strengthen turnout  

In this session I co-taught with Nadiene Gibney from Toronto and who is also a Cecchetti Teacher. We worked on several exercises to help improve turnout, what muscle to use and strengthen the use of turnout.

Origins of the National Dances

In this session, I was asked to demonstrate the ballet steps that are used in the highland national dances. The purpose was to show how the ballet dancer dances the step with the use and control of the plie movement. How the steps have lost their quality and the need to bring back the quality and control of these steps to the national highland dances.

I also lead the daily morning warm up for the dancers.

Below is a testimonial of a participant:

"Thank you for putting on such an outstanding conference. I know I'll be using the information I picked up from it for a good long time.

I was especially inspired by Jacques and all he added to each of his sessions. I have a male ballet instructor here in Vermont, Chatch Pregger, who is also an inspiration but Jacques was clearly world class."

10 Life Lessons I Learned From My Dance Teacher

Lindsay White-Thornton one of our dance teachers (tap, jazz, and lyrical) at Vimy and ESB discovered this article and thought it worth sharing! This article is posted on the 'Retale Blog' and is written by K.M. Leismer.

10 Life Lessons I Learned From My Dance Teacher

Flexibility, self-discovery, and the importance of balance go beyond the studio.

Click here to read more!!!

Imagery in Dance

Dance teachers often use imagery to help their dancers visualize and understand more abstract comments.  This imagery is an integral part of training dancers - young and old.  One of our teachers - Ms. Tanya - has been using this important concept in her Cecchetti 3 ballet class to help with alignment and weight placement.  Ms. Tanya speaks to the girls about their 'mustaches' and how they need to 'align' themselves under their mustaches. 

"In our class we use the image of a mustache in a number of ways. For example, I tell them to hold their bottoms under their mustache (to avoid tucking the pelvis under) and not sticking out behind their head (to avoid a tipped pelvis). We use the image of a mustache in posé and posé coupé. For instance; 'Bring your mustache to your toe, not your toe to your mustache". We also use it in arabesque. "Don't dip your mustache in the milk" - to help keep their back lengthened and prevent them from releasing the back forward."

On Halloween, the girls all had the opportunity to 'sport' their mustaches and put the image into action!

Please read this excellent article on the use of imagery in dance by Lynnette Young Overby, Ph.D. and Jan Dunn, M.S. - The History and Research of Dance Imagery:  Implications for Teachers

Dance's Effects on the Human Body & Mind

By DEANNA CIPOLLA on September 19, 2013 1:30 AM

We all know that exercise has a major affect on the body. However, what we do not know is how specific art forms affect different aspects of our lives. More specifically, the art form of dance can not only stretch your flexibility, but increase your strength & health among many other things. In addition, dancing not only has a measurable affect on one's physical health, but also on one's mental health.

One major affect of dance on the human body is weight control. Depending on the specific type of dance, a dancer can lose a tremendous amount of weight. For example, the highest calorie burning form of dance is ballet. It is said that a ballerina can burn up to 432 calories per hour while engaging in this activity.

Dancing can also improve one's balance and coordination. Because dancing is a series of quickly paced melodic moves, a dancer must learn to center their core. Without the balance that is required to become a dancer, one would not have the necessary tools to successfully carry out all the twists & turns that are required of them. Coordination is also a predominant effect on the human body. Especially, in group & partnering dances, a dancer must be & will become equipped with the necessary tools to not only coordinate their body to do several different things at once, but will also learn how to control their partner's body at the same time.

Dancing improves posture due to the contracted muscle tissues surrounding the spine and also develops exceptionally good muscle tone surrounding the legs and glutes.

However, one thing that most people don't know is that dancing also has a psychological effect on the human body. Dancing is a type of exercise and every type of exercise releases endorphins in the brain. This will cause the dancer to experience happiness. Over a longer period time, dancing will condition the brain to be able to learn & pick up information more easily. In addition, a Dancer's skill of repeating will be sufficiently higher than a non-dancer, since they have been taught to do so their whole life.

Video Link - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1y8g7HlCgwI

5 Characteristics of a Great Rehabilitation Specialist

Our very own Erin Madsen - RAD teacher - has found a great article that talks about rehabilitation choices for dancers.  There is some great advice here and we hope that you find it helpful!!!

The article is from 'The Dance Training Project'.

Here is a quick excerpt!  Click the link above to view the whole article!

How to choose a rehabilitative therapist that will actually help you.

I’m writing this from the IADMS conference in Pittsburgh, and I feel fortunate to be able to discuss topics like this with other incredible professionals in the fields of dance medicine and science.
As dance educators and professionals supporting dance wellness it’s important to recognize that we’re not going to be able to absolutely prevent injuries 100% of the time through out work and research, but we’re doing our dang best to minimize damage while optimizing performance.
Considering the (reported) injury rate in dance is between 80 and 100%, be aware that if you are a dancer (or even just dance for fun) you probably will get hurt at some point and you should absolutely know how to choose someone trustworthy to help you through those inevitable periods of injury and pain.

Great Article

We have found this great article that has been floating around social media.  We felt that it embodied many of our own ideals and thought it well worth reading!  We hope that you find it interesting and educational! 

“Ten things to think about before you say that your child is too good to be in a group with Sally ” by Sarah Reis, MEd.

Congratulations Mrs. Flynn!

Congratulations Mrs. Flynn for being inducted into the Wetaskiwin Sports Hall of of Fame! 

I was pleased, along with family, friends, and staff to attend the wonderful ceremony where Mrs. Flynn was honoured. 

As quoted from the organizations' website (http://www.wetaskiwinsportsfame.com/): 

INDUCTEE 2015 - BUILDER - Margaret Perry Flynn

Dance (Ballet) Founder Wetaskiwin School of Ballet Founder of 4 other Schools of Ballet in Alberta Founder of Professional Alberta Dance Educators Teacher Trainer, Adjudicator, Choreographer Lifetime Member of many prestigious Dance Societies 1954-2015 Margaret Perry grew up in Wetaskiwin and started dancing when she was four years old.  By the time she was eleven, she had founded the Wetaskiwin School of Ballet and was teaching dance to other Wetaskiwin youngsters.  Margaret completed her early training in ballet and modern dance in Edmonton.  She danced professionally in many musicals and light operas.  Further advanced teacher training at the National Ballet School of Canada allowed her to complete her International Cecchetti qualifications and she holds her Cecchetti Licentiate from the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dance.  Through the years Margaret’s passion for dance propelled her to pass her love for dance on to others.  She founded dance schools in Edmonton and other Alberta centres, developed training programs and syllabi for dance teachers, was a founding member of Alberta Dance Educators, has served on numerous boards, has lifetime memberships in many Dance Societies and has received awards for her contributions.  Many of her graduates have gone on to careers as professional dancers and teachers. Her expertise and influence have extended throughout Canada and around the world. Passion Leads to First  Dance School at Age Eleven and Schools Being Founded Around the Globe The Wetaskiwin School of Ballet was established by Margaret in 1954.  Margaret taught in Wetaskiwin until 1967 when she moved to Edmonton and founded the Edmonton School of Ballet.  During the 1960’s she also founded dance schools in Beaumont, Fort Saskatchewan and Camrose.  While teaching in Wetaskiwin Margaret established a series of syllabi for recreational ballet students ages four to twelve.  More recently these were expanded for ages thirteen to eighteen. These publications are used throughout Canada, England, Japan and Mexico.  In 1984 Margaret founded the Edmonton Festival Ballet Company. Teachers that Margaret has trained have founded schools in Red Deer, Fort MacMurray, St Albert, Vermillion, Coronation, Rocky Mountain House, Vegreville, Meadow Lake Saskatchewan as well as schools in BC, Ontario, Japan, Mexico, New York and other American cities. In 1995 Margaret established a professional dance training program for Edmonton Public Schools, the Vimy Ridge Academy Professional Dance Program.  Students in grades 7-12 are accepted into this program by audition. Graduates Become Professional Dancers and Teachers Around the World Graduates of Margaret’s dance schools have become professional dancers for Canadian companies that include: Alberta Ballet, Royal Winnipeg Ballet, National Ballet of Canada, Ballet Jorgen, Pacific Ballet, Ballet BC, Toronto Dance Theatre, Winnipeg Contemporary Dancers, Les Grande Ballet Canadien, Decidedly Jazz as well as  International Companies including:  Ohio Ballet, Cincinnati Ballet, Ballet Austin, Garden State Ballet, Hubbard Dance, Royal Ballet to name a few.  Also her trained dancers have been in numerous musicals and productions companies such as “Lion King”, “Bette Middler Show” and on cruise ships.  Two of the girls she coached when she was in Wetaskiwin became professional dancers, one with the Toronto Dance Theatre and the other with Les Feux Follet. Margaret was a founding member and council member for the Alberta Dance Educators.  She was also a board member of the Alberta Dance Alliance.  As well, she was elected and served on the National Council of the Cecchetti Society of Canada for three terms. Margaret has been an adjudicator at dance festivals throughout western Canada including the Provincial festival in British Columbia.  She has also been a choreographer in numerous operatic ballets, full length story ballets and television productions including “Synergy” for the Alberta Government for the Alberta Pavilion at Expo ’87 in Vancouver.  Additionally, Margaret was the field coordinator and trainer for dancers in the opening of Universiade ’83 in Edmonton. Dedication, Achievements and Generosity Lead to Numerous Awards In recognition of her dedication to the arts and community service, Margaret has received numerous awards.   In 1983 she received a City of Edmonton Cultural Achievement Award.  In 1987 she was awarded the YWCA Tribute to Women Arts and Culture Award.  For her service Margaret has been given Lifetime Memberships in  the Alberta Dance Educators, the Cecchetti Society of Canada and the Imperial Society of Dancing, Cecchetti Branch in London England. Margaret has dedicated her life to dance and continues to be the owner and Artistic Director of the Edmonton School of Ballet.  Her contributions to the world of dance in Wetaskiwin, in Alberta, in Canada and around the world have benefitted thousands. We applaud Margaret’s contributions, her achievements, her dedication, her generosity in giving to others and her passion for dance.  We are proud to induct her into the Wetaskiwin and County Sports Hall of Fame.

The opening remarks included: 

Introductory Speech by Sandy Wright

 

Tonight it is my honour and pleasure to introduce you to Margaret Perry Flynn who is being inducted as a Builder for her life-long involvement in the “World of Dance” and her influence on dance programs in Wetaskiwin, in Alberta, in Canada and around the world.

There aren’t many people who can say that their passion as a pre-schooler became their “life work”.  This is definitely the case with Margaret.  She began taking dance lessons in Wetaskiwin when she was four years old.  When the teacher moved, Margaret then traveled to Edmonton for lessons.  Margaret’s dream was always to become a dance teacher.  Consequently, after a few years of taking lessons and with the approval of her dance teacher, Margaret started assisting her teacher, learned the teaching methods and procedures and began teaching younger dance students.  At that time there was no dance program in Wetaskiwin but many mothers and young girls showed an interest.   At the age of eleven, with her family’s help and her Edmonton dance teacher’s guidance, Margaret started teaching other girls from Wetaskiwin in her home, following the same lessons that she had taught in Edmonton - the Wetaskiwin School of Ballet was born.  Margaret’s father built her a studio in the basement of their home. While Margaret was conducting the lessons in her basement her mother was having coffee with her students’ mothers upstairs.  After a couple of years teaching in her home Margaret moved her classes to the Recreation Hall.  Margaret’s reputation grew as did interest in her programs resulting in students coming from other centres to take lessons.  With added students, another studio move was to the old AGT Office on Main Street.

When Margaret was of high school age she attended boarding school in Edmonton.  During her three years of boarding school she continued to teach dance in Wetaskiwin, started teaching dance lessons in Edmonton, developed a program in Camrose and continued her own dance training.  After high school she also added dance schools in Beaumont and Fort Saskatchewan to her teaching circuit. Wow, what a busy life for a teenager.

During the 1960’s Margaret also ran summer school dance camps in Wetaskiwin and students came from all over central Alberta and Edmonton to take part.  When the students came to Wetaskiwin from out of town they stayed overnight at the Driard Hotel.  Margaret would also book a room in the Driard in order to supervise the students and then she would walk them back and forth to the studio.  According to an article in the Wetaskiwin Times,  in 1967 there were 40 students that took part in the dance camp and 22 were from out-of-town.  All students took part in several classes each day and besides hard work, they enjoyed extra-curricular activities such as movies and barbecues.

Through the years Margaret continued to train and acquire teaching certification all the while gaining confidence and experience.  The last year Margaret was in charge of the Wetaskiwin School of Ballet she was teaching 80 students; several of the girls she taught had become professional dancers, several girls had become qualified teachers and others had been accepted to National Dance schools.  Also, when the Bolshoi Ballet was touring Alberta, four of Margaret’s students were chosen to dance with the company.  In her early twenties Margaret was already having a profound impact on dance in northern Alberta.

When Margaret founded the Edmonton School of Ballet in 1967 she turned over the Wetaskiwin School of Ballet to one of her students.  The same thing occurred with the schools she developed in Camrose, Fort Saskatchewan and Beaumont, Margaret would direct the program and teach for a few years, then turn over the program to a student.  Collaboration and sharing have always been a part of Margaret’s teaching philosophy. 

As a teacher Margaret is strict but has kind demeanour, she sets high standards, has high expectations and is always able to get a lot out of her students.  Margaret is well respected by her students,  by other teachers and generally by the dance community.  Even at the age of eleven students called her Miss Perry.  Margaret is also very humble and unselfish, she is always ready to give others recognition.  

Dance programs and schools in Wetaskiwin have changed since the 1954 establishment of the Wetaskiwin School of Ballet but the roots that Margaret planted are still evident and influential in our community.

Margaret, for sixty-one years you have dedicated yourself to following your dream and passing your passion for dance on to others.  The number of young people you have affected by your teaching is immeasurable. You are indeed one of the pioneers of dance in Alberta and more than worthy of this recognition.   Congratulations on your induction into the Wetaskiwin and County Sports Hall of Fame!

To watch Mrs. Flynn's response please check out this link on Vimeo!

Congratulations again Mrs. Flynn!  You are truly an inspiration to all of us!

Thank you!!!