More often than not, I'm grasping for ideas at the start of the choreographing process, searching for inspiration wherever I can get it. Where is the best source of inspiration in the twenty-first century? Why, the internet, of course! Perhaps you can find some inspiration with my recital ideas for the 2016 season.
Sorted in order of level/age at the studio.
Ballet/Tap Combo Class
For forty-five minutes a week with my little 4-6 year-olds, we split the time between tap and ballet. This gives them a little introduction to both styles, the classroom structure, and gets them moving. The fun part is they get two short recital dances, one for each style. The complicated part emerges because for both recitals, we need to use a single costume. So for the ballet portion they will be dancing to "Castle On a Cloud" from the Les Miserables soundtrack, wearing this adorable purple piece:
For their tap piece they will be dancing to "Ev'rybody Wants to Be a Cat" from the Aristocats soundtrack and my plan is to find some headbands with kitty ears to pair with the dress. Amazon usually helps with the obscure props search! I also have a little boy in this class who will be wearing the costume below in purple to match the ladies. I have to say, the selection of boys costumes, although understandably limited, is just that. Too limited.
Ballet 1A
These young ladies are just lovely. It's always exciting to be teaching first-time ballerinas and watch as they absorb every new piece of information and some take to it with flying colors. Dancing to "Go the Distance" from the movie Hercules, I've paired it with the costume below. Doesn't it look like a sunset?
Ballet 1B
These are my little ones and I will say without bias that they are one of my favorite classes. Each student shows great promise and they are a class particularly motivated to do well. I'm amazed each week with the extent of their cleverness. Dancing to "La Polka de Minuit" from the new Cinderella movie soundtrack, I've paired them with this lovely costume in pink:
Tap 1
These energetic students needed a piece to match and I think the nail was hit on the head with "Boogie Wonderland" from the Happy Feet soundtrack. And how fun is this costume?
And for the young lad in the class: ... How adorable?!
Ballet 2
This class is so lively and bears many larger than life personalities so I had to take advantage of this and harness their acting abilities. The song is a Cakewalk piece that I actually borrowed from a coworker at another studio and unfortunately cannot find anywhere online. It's very cheery and the character the students will be playing is a sort of village girl. They all gather in the town square and excitedly greet each other before they begin to dance.
Jazz 4
I love teaching jazz. It wasn't the style I was primarily trained in but with teaching there is so much freedom and artistic interpretation allowed. I was driving to college one day and "Accidentally In Love" by Counting Crows came on my phone (gotta love Bluetooth radio) and I though it would make the sweetest recital dance. These students are ranging in ages from 12-15. One student will be the focal point as she sits on a bench, picking at a rose and swooning over her date last night. Her friends emerge and gather round to hear what happened and share in her excitement. And of course, it needs a flirty and fun costume to match!
I'm very excited to get back in the studio after Christmas break and really start working on these pieces. Wishing everyone a happy new year! How are you coping with Christmas break? Getting antsy yet?Stay busy and stay warm, friends!
