Tag Archives: dancing

Stretch yourself! Seven warm-up tips for dancers and a warm-up video!

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Whether you’re about to attempt the moonwalk or just two steppin’ everyone knows you’re meant to warm-up first.

Stretching properly prepares you for your dance session and is important for preventing strain and tear in your muscles. Young dancers should make stretching before and after dancing part of the ritual to avoid muscle strain and injury and to develop flexibility early.

Each time a new dance move is introduced in to a choreographed piece, a new muscle group is too. Dancers need to warm up before every dance rehearsal to get the blood flowing, raise the body temperature , improve the range of motion and prepare the body for the more demanding moves the body requires. The Australian Youth Dance Theatre (AYDT) choreographers take their students through a range of warm up exercises and so we thought we would share them with everyone. Click below to watch the video and have a go trying these at home.

Here are seven warm-up tips for young dancers:

  1. First make sure you choose music you like because it’s much more fun when the music is good!
  2. Make sure you stretch evenly on both sides of your body
  3. Don’t over stretch (stretch too far) – be gentle on yourself (see tip 4).
  4. Stretch slowly and smoothly – avoid bouncy or jerky movement.
  5. Don’t forget to breathe.
  6. Isolations should be incorporated into your warm up – try to stand in front of the mirror when you do these so you can check if you are moving correctly.
  7. Make sure you listen to your teacher, tutor or choreographer when you are taking a class. They will always direct you for each one of your warm ups and give you the knowledge you need to work at home.

Watch the attached video example of a great stretching exercise from one of AYDT’s Choreographers with some of the AYDT ensemble dancers. This stretching exercise is much harder than it looks. It takes controlled movement, which relies heavily on strength. All the featured dancers said it was difficult to perfect.

By practicing warm ups at home between classes, you will improve your strength and flexibility and be well on your way to improving your dancing.  Remember to take care of your body and listen to what it needs and you will be a fitter and healthier dancer.

Tell us here about your favourite warm up and why it makes you feel good.

The AYDT warm up for Friday night rehearsals

Christine Grey – General Manager NIYPAA.

Christine is an educator, organizer and art enthusiast, with a profound interest in youth performing arts. A former music and art teacher Christine is now devoting her time to the Australian Youth Choir and Australian Youth Dance Theatre where she has worked for over 15 years. She is a fan of the visual arts, live theatre, drama, film and is jealous of anyone who can create movement to music.Her working life has been dedicated to the musical education of young people in the performing arts and shes loves to tell anyone who will listen about the benefits the Arts can bring to every personality at all stages of their lives.

Brought to you by National Institute of Youth Performing Arts – auditioning now.

Go to www.niypaa.com.au

Sing and Dance Australia

Sharing life’s experiences – singing dancing and growing up!

A tail-feather tribute: the top 7 dance routines you need to know

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http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/musicblog/2009/jul/10/michael-jackson-thriller-rod-temperton

We’ve all witnessed at least one. You know, those timeless dance numbers you expect to see at a big social occasion. Weddings are renowned for them. The minute the music starts, any large group of people, no matter how well they know one another immediately squeal with delight and start jiggling to the music.

Here’s our top 7 all time favourite dance routines. You know you want to dance just reading about them.

The Nutbush Tina Turner’s classic hit Nutbush City Limits (1970) brings synchronised dancing to new heights. This one is a definite wedding pleaser and the moves are surprisingly simple.

The Chicken Dance(1980). Little ones love this one and mum and dad quickly find their feet when they see their children having such fun. Dah Nah Nah Nah Nah Nah Nah. The moves aren’t tricky either – just pretend you’re a chicken. This classic has been around since the 1950s and remains a staple. The original song, written by Werner Thomas of Switzerland, was titled “Der Ententanz” which translates to The Duck Dance. The song has also been know as Dance Little Bird, The Birdie Dance and other poultry titles.

The Zorba We’d all like to visit Greece, especially during the colder months. Now you can have that cultural experience in your own living room. The Zorba (1998) starts slow and leaves you perspiring. The Zorba creates a linked arms circle allowing you to see everyone at the party. You can eye off all your friends and family one by one and shoot them a smile while dancing to the Greek (techno) classic.

Thriller One for the true MJ fans. Michael Jackson’s Thriller (1982) is a favourite to say the least, but only the true fanatics have his trademark dance moves nailed. Although I must admit, Jackson’s complex choreography doesn’t scare people away from giving it a damn good go. Here’s a tip – there are three main moves in this choreography; the hunch shuffle, above head hand-clap and the side step bob. If you can master these, you’re half way there.

Macarena Crossing the globe again, we can thank the Spanish for the mostly upper-body dance The Macarena (1994).This dance can be carried out with quite low intensity, good for those who are simmering down from a big night of all of the above.    

Grease Lightening This one will have you slicking your hair back and popping your collar. Grease Lightening (1978) isn’t going anywhere in a hurry and I am yet to meet someone who doesn’t like it. Grease brought new fans to the music scene and continues to bring fans to the dance floor.

Time Warp Another dance classic featured in a popular musical is The Time Warp (1973).It’s fun to imagine everyone on the dance floor as a ghost or ghoul. Better yet, throw a Halloween party and have the real deal.

Hopefully this post has given you fond flash backs and even a few giggles remembering your own dance moves. Now to plan the playlist for your next party, I’d be surprised to hear it was a dull one if you’re using these songs.

Have we left any out? What’s on your classic dance floor routine list?

Benita Sullivan – Administration Assistant and Marketing Representative - NIYPAA

Benita is currently working in the Melbourne office for NIYPAA. Her early back ground in music and performance stretches from musicals, to choir, singing and instrumental training. She has been managing and playing with Melbourne bands for the last eight years. She is a singer song writer, developing her latest band Elliot Friend. She looks forward to a successful career in creative arts administration while persisting in her musical endeavours.

“I wanna be like Michael Jackson”: Top 4 tips for young dancers

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Whether your aim is to be a professional dancer or just a decent dancer, there’s some basic steps you need to take to stay focused and reach your goal. Famous dancers and performers like Fred Astaire, Anna Pavlova and Michael Jackson  were great because they worked tirelessly at their craft always keeping their end goal in mind.

Here are some are four tips to help you perfect your craft and pursue your dancing dreams:

  •  Watch other dancers

Whether it be in your class, on television or at the theatre, it’s helpful to watch other dancers move. You can learn a lot from simply observing shows such as “Dancing With the Stars” and “So You Think You Can Dance?” Both offer visual tips and judge commentary to help you improve your own dancing. Mixing learning with entertainment is a win-win and you might opt to see a live show by the companies like the Australian Ballet or Buzz Dance Theatre.

  • Perfect Your Posture

Proper posture and body alignment are essential for all dancers. Pretend there’s a piece of string attached to the top of your head, pulling you up towards the sky. Push your shoulders down and back, and hold your head up. It’s truly amazing what good posture does for a dancer.

  • Stretch, Stretch, Stretch

If you want to succeed in the dance world, you need to be very flexible. Sadly, not all of us are gifted with natural flexibility and we need to work at it. Choose the muscles that need to be improved to allow you to dance with out injury. For example, you might need to stretch different muscles before a tap class than before a ballet class. Or it might be the muscles that you have just worked hard in class that you need to pay some attention to afterwards.

  • Practice Makes Perfect

Practice is important in refining the skills you have learnt. You start to break boundaries in your dancing, the ones you swore you would “never be able to do”. If you’re feeling unmotivated, get a group of friends together and practice together.

The best tip that anyone can give a dancer is to be true to yourself. Let your character and intuitive style show through your work. Be persistent and remember to be proud of your performance milestones.  Be passionate and stick with it!

References:

http://www.centralhome.com/ballroomcountry/dance_tips.htm

http://www.danceclass.com/general-dance-tips.html

 

Milu Shurman – Western Australia State Manager -NIYPAA

An avid traveler and performing artist, Milu graduated from Edith Cowan University with a Bachelor of Creative Arts (Education)/Bachelor of Education. With a passion for education and the arts, she enjoys the way in which children’s creativity can be linked to their learning. An actor herself, mostly in productions produced by the Faculty of Contemporary Arts at ECU, she has developed life skills through her art practice. Milu continues to express her passion for culture and the arts through her work at the National Institute of Youth Performing Arts as Western Australian State Manager.

 

 

 

 

Singing and Dancing – a performance a day keeps the doctor away

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I recently discovered that the performing arts could be the answer to many of our health needs. As society’s interest in the booming health and wellness industry intensifies with  fad diets, cookbooks, horoscopes, beauty products and shows like The Biggest Loser , a different approach to health is likely very welcome. It’s time to warm up the vocal chords, slip on a leotard and try a new tack.

Here are some of the physical and mental benefits of singing.

I dare you to try and find a product at the pharmacy that does all this:

  •  Do away with colds - Singing produces a physiological response, boosting the immune system.
  •  Charm others with your flare - Singing helps to build self esteem and confidence while promoting a sense of achievement.
  •  Strengthen your Heart - Cardiac output is enhanced substantially.
  • Forget stress - Exercising your vocal chords induces a pleasant emotional state, relaxing muscle tension. It also improves deep breathing and body awareness.

Many of the benefits of singing can be found in dancing and aerobic-dance activity also.

  •  Strong body strong mind - Dancing builds inner strength and gives us confidence in our bodies’ ability.
  • Move with grace and poise - Your coordination is improved with every new move.
  • Healthy Heart - Blood pressure is lowered which decreases the risk of heart disease.
  • Feel good - It’s a creative activity that can be shared with others and helps you stay mentally focussed and fit.

Singing and dancing are interactive activities that can enhance our daily life and help keep us healthy. I’m no doctor, but young or old it’s worth a try!

Christine Grey – General Manager NIYPAA.

Christine is an educator, organizer and art enthusiast, with a profound interest in youth performing arts. A former music and art teacher Christine is now devoting her time to the Australian Youth Choir and Australian Youth Dance Theatre where she has worked for over 15 years. She is a fan of the visual arts, live theatre, drama, film and is jealous of anyone who can create movement to music. Her working life has been dedicated to the musical education of young people in the performing arts and shes loves to tell anyone who will listen about the benefits the Arts can bring to every personality at all stages of their lives.