This week's Spotlight Saturday focuses on legendary dancer Rudolf Nureyev. Rudolf Khametovich Nureyev was born 17 March 1938 near Siberia in what was then the Soviet Union, on a train to Vladivostok. His mother, Feride, had been travelling to visit his father Hamit, a Red Army political commissar who was stationed in the city. Nureyev discovered a passion for dance when his mother took him and his sisters to the ballet 'Song of the Cranes'. He frequently participated in Bashk

Today's #ThrowbackThursday is Christopher Wheeldon's Rococo Variations. Original New York City Ballet cast The modern ballet was the last work Wheeldon choreographed for The New York City Ballet during his time as the company's resident choreographer. It premiered on 7 February, 2008, at the New York State Theatre in Lincoln Centre. Original New York City Ballet cast Wheeldon choreographed to Tchaikovsky's Variations on a Rococo Theme for violoncello and orchestra in A major

Last weekend saw the last dance competitions of the year at 4th Wall Theatre in New Plymouth. All our students danced well, and despite a hard judge, got some great results! I've included some photos taken by Alison and Rebekah - last competitions until Easter next year! Time for ballet exams... Our Under 12 Jazz Group placed First - well done girls! Amber and Bayly sorting out their final pose for the group Kate, Samantha, and Becky all ready for their Lyricals Kate's last e

Today's Tutu Tuesday is a close-up of Foam's tutu from The Prince of Pagodas, worn by Laura Day during rehearsals at the Birmingham Royal Ballet - simply stunning. Enjoy! - Selene

This week's Spotlight Saturday focuses on an often forgotten legend of the dance world, Italian ballerina Pierina Legnani. In costume as the White Pearl in Petipa's ballet 'The Pearl', 1896 Legnani was born on 1 October 1868, in Milan, Italy. Not much is known about her personal life, as unlike other ballerinas of the period she was rarely involved in gossip. She began dancing at the age of 7, and after a year of tuition was accepted into the La Scala School in Milan. She tra

Today's #ThrowbackThursday focuses on a short and sweet ballet named Le Spectre de la rose, or The Spirit of the Rose. A Mariinsky revival The story is a simple one. The curtain rise on a girl's bedroom. The Young Girl enters, dressed in a white gown. She has just returned from her first ball, and she holds a red rose as a memory of the evening. Exhausted, she drops into a chair and falls asleep. The rose falls from her hand, and The Spirit of the Rose appears at her window.

It's that time of the week! Here's Principal Dancer Misa Kuranaga rehearsing Sugar Plum Fairy in the studio for the Boston Ballet's production of The Nutcracker - isn't her tutu just stunning? In other news, the Royal New Zealand Ballet released their 2017 season yesterday - and it's going to be big. 'Passion, Tragedy, Rhythm, Energy' kicks off with two ballets by 20th century choreographer Roland Petit, never before performed in New Zealand. L'Arlesienne and Carmen, both dra

Today's Spotlight Saturday focuses on a dancer who is one of my personal favourites... Frederic Franklin. As the lead in Agnes de Mille's 'Rodeo' Frederic Franklin, also known as Freddie, was born on 13 June 1914, in Liverpool, England. He was the oldest of the three children of Fred and Mabel Franklin. Freddie later remembered that his parents took him to see the film Peter Pan as a small child; immediately he decided his future would be on the stage. He began dance lessons

Today's #ThrowbackThursday is The Firebird, the ballet made so famous by Maria Tallchief's enormous success in the leading role. The ballet tells the story of Prince Ivan. While hunting in the woods, Ivan stumbles into the magic realm of an evil magician, Kostchei. Kostchei is an immortal who preserves his life by keeping his soul locked in a magic egg and hidden in a casket. Kostchei the Deathless, the Royal Ballet Ivan spots the Firebird, a cross between a bird and a woman.

It's Tutu Tuesday! Here's a gorgeous snapshot of the dancers of the Vaganova Academy in St. Petersburg, wearing beautiful Romantic tutus. Degas would have approved! - Selene