JEANNE TEACHES DANCE

Pointe shoes—those tiny, shiny, glorified piñatas, which today, make it possible for ballerinas to dance complete, three-act ballets on their pointes .   They can be expected to last anywhere from 3 months to 3 hours, depending on the demand placed on them.   For a dancer in a professional company, they are considered work supplies, and the cost is put on the company she/he dances for.   In the case of students, the cost of these educational tools, which can run between $40-$85 a pair, is often on the parents or the student themselves to cover.   The more the student is dancing, the quicker this pointe shoe budget adds up.   Why do the shoes break down so fast?   The answer is simple:   most pointe shoes are made from natural materials (leather, cardboard, burlap, layers of paper, glue, and satin).   These materials create a supportive structure that is also pliable enough to move with the dancers feet.   As the dancer’s feet bend a...

For more information, click to see the Facebook Event Looking forward to seeing you on the dance floor!

May I Have This Dance?  Alexander Mark Rossi (FL. 1870-1903) My Father has a saying: "if you don't ask for it, the answer is automatically 'no,'" meaning, that if you don't gather your courage to ask for something that you feel is beyond your reach, you may be passing up a prime opportunity to get it, regardless.  Over the years, I have benefitted greatly by utilizing this notion, even conservatively.  The lesson that should be taught in tandem with this idea, however, is that you are not, in return, entitled to a "yes," just because you asked. I used to think that the key to success lay within the abundance of "yeses" one could distribute and follow through on.  I would go out of my way, bend over backwards, to accommodate the fulfillment of the requests of others.  Surely these favors would come back to me tenfold, no?  I took on projects, classes, performances, dances with with people I just didn't feel like dancing with, all w...

Curiouser and curiouser... I stand very firmly behind the notion that the day you stop learning, is the day you stop living.  As a dance teacher, one gains an incredible amount of knowledge not only from the experience of explaining and demonstrating concepts, but also directly from the mouths and movements of the students you teach.  As the French moralist Joseph Joubert put it: "To teach is to learn twice."  Teaching anything full-time, however fulfilling, can often leave you with little time to pursue your own learning and improvement outside your own classroom.    This past week I was fortunate to break that cycle of "blah" for myself and I must admit that I am still riding the wave of elation brought on by pedagogical stimulation that ensued.  I was able to immerse myself in three days of study last week with the same visiting instructor--a dancer whom I respect and who is relentless in challenging me to be a better dancer.  For me, th...

Dixon Dance Students: Tuesday, 3/19 - Pointe I (6:15pm-7:00pm) is CANCELLED this week. Make-up Pointe Class (Levels I & II) will be held on: Saturday, March 23rd from 10:00am-11:00am. Adult Ballet Students: Tuesday, 3/19 - Adult Intermediate Ballet - Abelardo Cisneros Subbing I have had the pleasure of knowing Abelardo since I was about ten years old.  I am pleased that our professional paths continue to cross, and I hope you will enjoy having him as a substitute! ABELARDO CISNEROS began his training at Taller de Danza Clasica and Taller Coreografico de la Universidad Autonoma de Puebla, Mexico. He continued his training  as a scholarship student at the prestigious Stanley Holden Dance Center in Los Angeles and The David Howard Dance Center in New York City, studying  under the likes of David Howard, Stanley Holden, Victoria Koenig, Regina Larkin, Patricia Neary, Nader Hamed, and Stefan Wenta. Mr. Cisneros ‘ professional credits include the Saint Loui...

Starting this month, both Beginning Adult Ballet and Intermediate Adult Ballet  will be held at: Step 1 Dance & Fitness 1920 T Street, Sacramento, CA 95811  Directions REGISTER ONLINE - click HERE PURCHASE CLASSES NOW with Paypal Beg. Ballet (4 Classes) $56.00 USD Int. Ballet (4 Classes) $56.00 USD Single Drop-in Class $16.00 USD Looking forward to seeing you all!

Beginning Adult Classes with Jeanne have finally begun for 2013!  We have moved to a new location for Monday nights (Tuesday Intermediate Teen/Adult Ballet will remain at Sacramento Academy of Dance).  Here's all the info you need to know, including where to pick up a pair of ballet slippers: February Beginning Adult Ballet Mondays 7:00pm-8:00pm Step 1 Dance & Fitness: 1920 T Street, Sacramento, CA 95811 $42 for 3 Weeks/$16 for Single Class If you've never had ballet before or want to work on your basics in a fun, casual environment, this class is for you! No leotard, tights (or tutu) required.  Please wear comfortable clothes that allow you to see your own body line (think yoga class). Click HERE to be linked to Facebook event. Dancewear Retailers: Capezio Dance Theatre Shop, Sacramento 3839 H Street, Sacramento, CA 95816 (916) 452-2255 http://www.capeziosacramento.com/ Discount Dance Supply http://www.discountdance.com/ Payless Shoesource h...