JEANNE TEACHES DANCE

I had the pleasure of attending last year's Master Class offerings at San Francisco Ballet, and, not surprisingly, found them to be utterly delightful.  Admittedly, it was a bit fun to be back in the studios as a grown-up, rather than a shy teenage student.  The instruction was invaluable, and I'm encouraging my students to go with me to as many of these classes as they can manage this year.  It's a wonderful opportunity for them to see if taking their training to the next level is something that interests them, while getting a marvelous class. 10/25/2015   Clean, Classical Technique 1/10/2016   Ballet's Gem: "Rubies" 2/28/2016   Getting Into Character * (please read attire requirements) 4/10/2016   Neo-Classical Ballet 5/8/2016   Unveiling Onegin Spots are open to both student participants (ages 15-25) as well as observers. Registration Information All Participants and Observers must register in advance through SF Ballet School’s website with Mind

I am so incredibly honored to be taking the stage with The Walking Phoenixes for their July 26th show at The Old Sugarmill! Tickets and More Information

With recitals and showcases upon us, the topic I am most asked about is makeup.  Stage makeup differs than street makeup, in that it's main purpose is to add the natural contours and features of your face back in, after the brightness of the stage lights have washed out most performer's features. David H. Koch Theater, New York City Former New York City Ballet Soloist Kathryn Morgan has created a lovely step-by-step video for creating a basic stage makeup look for a big theater.  Keep in mind, Kathryn's look is intended for an audience held by a building such as the David H. Koch Theater in New York City, and most students won't be performing in a space nearly this large. For this reason, students will want to apply a toned-down version of the makeup shown in this video.  I find that in smaller auditoriums, blush can easily be used to contour and that false eyelashes--and even undereye liner can be abandoned, so that the students maintain a fresh, youthful look.

Shared from Dance Informa: Digital Dance Magazine #1. To understand your body better No matter what your dance focus, you need to know your body. The structured, methodical approach of ballet training encourages you to learn about anatomy and your own strengths and weaknesses. This wisdom will stand you in good steed for other dance styles, sports and life in general. #2. For excellent posture and grace Ballet dancers are known for their graceful presence and fabulous posture. Even if you stopped doing ballet years ago you probably still get strangers asking if you’re a dancer – and who doesn’t like that? And grace isn’t just a physical attribute – it is can also be a facet of your personality and demeanour. #3. To build strong, lean muscles Training correctly in ballet can help you develop lean, non-bulky muscles. You’ll develop strength which will stand you in good stead for other dance styles and sports, even if ballet isn’t your number one focus. #4. To g

Photo, courtesey: Southeastern Reporter Injury – it's a dirty word for dancers of all levels. With it, we associate a diminished existence—where we are stripped of the very thing that gives us joy—they ability to express ourselves without limits, both in class and in performance. At once, you feel useless, devoid of identity, left out, and the fear of being forgotten starts to take hold—these thoughts, as we later learn, are counterproductive to the healing process. Instead, we need to take the opportunity for our body to be heard, to take a rest, and to flesh out the other parts of us that make us the individual and special artists that we are. The views of injuries as “death sentences” for a dancer's career are outdated and old-fashioned. I have countless colleagues who speak of their injuries as positive, mind-set changing experiences—when they used the time to actually heal. I broke my foot twice while dancing with The Sacramento Ballet, and it only made me a s

I'll be performing works by Sunny Staton Mitchell on Saturday April 11th and Sunday April 12th in the Dancespace theater in Solano Hall 1010 at Sacramento State University. Dancers from many local and Bay Area dance companies will offer a sampling of their work as part of the University's Festival of the Arts . More information Buy tickets

See  Calendar  for more details.

See Calendar for more details.

For my next performance venture, I will be reprising my dance role as June Carter, joining some lovely artists onstage to celebrate the 47th Anniversary of Johnny Cash's Performance at Folsom Prison.  The Walking Phoenixes, who have previously collaborated with choreographer Sunny Staton Mitchell, have invited her to bring her whimsical dance magic to their celebratory performance this month.   Special guest performer James Kruk as Elvis. For more information and Tickets, click HERE or visit the Facebook Event Pricing $15-$22; Premium $28 Event Length 1 hour, 30 minutes (Approximate)