Boston University Dance Program

Six Reasons Why We Love PDP Dance Classes

November 6, 2018 at 5:25 pm

Early November is all about making decisions, whether it be through voting or registering for next semester’s classes! Here at BU Dance, we are excited to plan out our PDP dance classes. So while you register for classes, keep in mind these six reasons why we love PDPs!

Variety of Styles

This spring, we are offering classes in more than 12 styles, including Ballroom, Pilates, Modern, Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop, Afro-Fusion, and more! These classes, thanks to the variety of levels offered, are open to all, no matter your training background. We love that we can curtsy at the end of ballet class then run to put on sneakers for Cardio Jazz Funk!

Amazing Teachers

PDP dance classes are taught by our amazing faculty, which means we get to learn from the best. They also are so much fun- it’s hard to leave DeAnna Pellecchia’s Jazz class without a grin on your face!

Get Fit

Dance classes are great as a way to get fit. Combining strength training, cardio, and of course flexibility work, PDPs offer a fun and effective workout plan for you.

Use Your Credits

As BU students, we can use our credits to take PDPs like Pilates and Cardio Jazz Funk for free. Goodbye, yoga studio fees. Hello, making the most of your tuition!

Back to Technique

Has it been a while since you’ve done some tendus or isolations? PDP classes are great for when you need to brush up on your technique. Our beginning classes are also amazing opportunities to try out a new style or simply return to the basics.

Performance Opportunities

At the end of each semester, the Cardio Jazz Funk, Hip Hop, and Afro-Fusion classes perform in either Aurora Borealis or Choreolab. Performing is always fun, and working on a piece throughout the semester in a PDP offers a great way to get back on stage.

Find more information about our classes offered here: https://www.bu.edu/fitrec/dance/academic-credit/

Happy registration, everyone!

By budance | Posted in Uncategorized | Comments (0)

The Best Halloween Costumes Reusing Old Dancewear

October 30, 2018 at 4:24 pm

It's time to get spooky here at BU Dance - because Halloween is finally here! As dancers, we love any excuse to get dressed up in costume and pretend to be someone else for a day, especially when that means we get the chance to reuse old dancewear.

These costume ideas are perfect for the dancer who has old costumes laying around for a rainy day, and wants a unique Halloween outfit you won't find in the store. If you're ready to win your costume contest, keep reading to check out these simple, spooky ideas from the #BUDanceProgram! (P.S. Don't forget to check out our Spooky Stretch Soundtrack on Spotify to complete the Halloween vibes.)

Cat, Mouse or Bunny

If you have animal ears laying around, all you need to complete your animal costume is a simple leotard or lyrical dress in gray, black or white - matching your bunny, cat or mouse's fur, of course!

Frida Kahlo

We love Frida, but we have to admit that her sense of style was eclectic. If you have an old romantic-length tutu or lyrical skirt that needs reusing, pair it with a colorful blouse, gold jewelry and flowers in your hair to channel this famous Mexican artist.

Disney Princess

Channel your five-year-old self in a costume inspired by your favorite princess movie. Using an old ballet, lyrical or modern costume, it's easy to dress like a Disney princess. Just Google pictures of your favorite princess at Disney World for inspiration on hair, makeup and accessories.

Zombie Ballerina

One of the easiest ways to reuse an old dance costume is to splatter it with red paint and dress like a zombie ballerina. For this spooky take on a ballet costume, pale white makeup and ripped tights are a must!

Michael Jackson

Every childhood dancer has a sparkly hip-hop or jazz costume they'd rather forget. By adding a hat and single glove, you can easily channel the King of Pop in style.

Dancing Girl Emoji

Last but not least, a sassy red ballroom or lyrical dress doubles as the perfect dancing girl emoji costume for Halloween. Wear it with your highest heels - and don't forget to strike a pose!

What creative Halloween costume are you wearing this year? Let us know in the comments below!

By budance | Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged dance costumes, dance-inspired Halloween costumes, Halloween costumes, how to reuse old dancewear | Comments (0)

Shamell Bell: Street Dance Activist in Residence with KHC

October 23, 2018 at 5:18 pm

This week, street dance activist Shamell Bell is in residence with the Kilachand Honors College here at BU. Bell will be hosting a workshop on Friday, October 26^th, where students will have the opportunity to engage in conversations on inclusivity, diversity, and community.

Focusing on the intersection of art and activism, Bell has dedicated herself to creating a dialogue on the importance of social change and dance. As an original organizing member of the #blacklivesmatter movement, Bell offers a socially-conscious perspective that can enrich our understanding of the current political and cultural climate as well as our perception of the dance world.

Check out a video featuring Bell here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PKyeIymsjGY to learn more about her work with the intersection of dance and political change.

We are so excited to welcome such an exciting artist and activist this week!

By budance | Posted in Uncategorized | Comments (0)

Stress-Less Stretches

October 18, 2018 at 11:24 am

It's that time of year again: midterms! And what better way to prepare than with a de-stressing post on the BU Dance Blog?

Today, we're bringing you a series of "Stress-Less Stretches" you can do to not only build flexibility for dance class, but also to wind down and chill out after the stress of exams! So, take a break from studying with BU Dance and read on to check out our Stress-Less Stretches.

Cat-Cow Pose

This yoga-inspired move will help you stretch out a sore back and shoulders - one of the places many of us carry tension after staring down at a laptop or textbook all day! Beginning in a tabletop pose with your knees hip's width distance apart on a mat or carpeted floor, slowly arch your lower back and sink your hips back to look up at the ceiling. Take a deep breath in, and on an exhale, slowly round your back and look downwards, creating a curve in your spine. Repeat until you feel your back and shoulders begin to release.

Down-to-Up Dog

Dynamic stretches are one of the best ways to get your blood pumping, which in turn releases endorphins that relieve stress and give you that runner's (or, in this case, dancer's) high. To perform this move, begin in a downward-facing dog pose with your fingers spread on the mat, pushing down and flattening your back as you strive to get your heels flat on the floor. On an inhale, slowly move through a plank pose and arch your back upwards, looking up and back at the ceiling. As you exhale, move through plank back to downward-facing dog. Repeat as many times as you'd like - or until your stress disappears!

Pretzel Twist

Sit flat on the floor with your legs extended in front of you and your back long and straight. Cross one leg over the other in a figure-four shape. Take a deep breath, and on your exhale, slowly twist in the opposite direction, pressing the opposite arm gently into your knee. Try not to force the twist. Simply breathe into it until you feel a stretch! Repeat on the opposite side.

Pigeon Pose

The pigeon pose, inspired by yoga, is an amazing stretch for tight hips! (A common complaint after long days spent sitting in class or the library.) Begin in a downward-facing dog. Carefully lift and extend one leg long behind you. Inhale, and on your exhale, draw your knee forward and gently sit onto your bent leg, with the ankle of your bent leg drawing close to your opposite hip. You can then fold over your bent leg, come down onto your forearms or even arch back like the model in this GIF. Repeat on the opposite side to relieve tight hips and stretch those legs out long!

Child's Pose

For a restful grand finale to our Stress-Less Stretches routine, sit back on your ankles and extend your arms long in front of you. (They can be straight or bent, as you see in the GIF above.) Take a deep breath and, as you exhale, press your hands into the ground and push your hips back so that your bottom draws closer to the wall behind you. You can let your bent knees fall gently apart or keep them together as you breathe into this pose. If you have a yoga block at home, you can also rest your forehead on it as you see above - or use a throw pillow for a comfy DIY solution!

Thank you for reading! What's your favorite way to de-stress after midterms? Let us know in the comments below!

By budance | Posted in Uncategorized | Comments (0)

The Benefits of Dance for Kids

October 10, 2018 at 10:22 am

Hello and welcome back to the BU Dance Blog, Terriers! We hope you enjoyed the rest and relaxation of the long weekend. Today, we're finally back - and we're highlighting the benefits of dance for our littlest BU students: the kids who make up our Children's Dance Program!

BU Dance is proud to offer classes for the tiniest of tots to the most advanced adolescents. Ranging from pre-ballet to aerial, the little ones in your life will never be bored at the BU Dance Program.

However, fun isn't the only thing our Children's Dance Program has going for it - did you know there are scientific benefits to signing your child (or sibling or niece/nephew or cousin) up for dance? Keep reading to check out how dance positively impacts childhood development - and don't forget to check out our children's dance offerings at http://www.bu.edu/fitrec/family-programs/dance-classes/ !

Dance helps children express themselves.

If your child struggles with their speech, dance might be the secret language they have been waiting for. According to the British Council, movement helps children express their impulses and feelings in a healthy way, when speech might not be a viable alternative.

Dance teaches children discipline.

As Ingrid Pramling Samuelsson points out, allowing children to freely express themselves is not the same as allowing them to do whatever they want. The dance teacher plays an important role in teaching children self-regulation of their body movements and behaviors. Especially in technical forms of dance - such as ballet - children learn to hone their discipline in dance class.

Dance prevents childhood obesity.

Nowadays, childhood obesity has become an epidemic - and research suggests that dance could be the key to preventing it. Dance may be more effective than other forms of exercise in preventing obesity, chiefly because it's something children naturally enjoy.

Dance develops children's emotional intelligence.

Dance class does not teach children to work in a bubble. By learning to speak the universal language of dance, children learn important social skills like communication. Studies even show that when dance classes were taught in Los Angeles schools, children became more accepting of each other in a diverse environment.

Finally, dance makes children smarter students.

While children are learning important skills in dance class, they're also learning to apply them to other areas of life, such as school. For example, child dancers have better spatial awareness and visual reasoning skills, which help them perform better on standardized tests. Dance class also helps students develop a strong work ethic, which is critical to getting good grades later in life.

Visit bu.edu/fitrec/family-programs/dance-classes to learn more and register for our children's dance sessions!

By budance | Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged BU dance, children's dance, college dance, dance classs, dance programs | Comments (2)

Cross Training for Dancers

October 2, 2018 at 4:00 pm

Since this week we are focusing on Fall Fitness, we thought it would be great to share some tips on cross-training for dancers. Dancers often shy away from cross-training, afraid of either bulking up or injuring themselves, but adding the right type of weight and cardio training can help build endurance, strength, and cardio.

Weight Training

While traditionally male dancers do the lifting in dance, it is important for all dancers to increase their arm strength. Leg strength also will augment explosive power, helping you to jump higher and faster. Core strength is a must for all dancers, and these exercises approach it differently than most dance classes, helping to increase and round-out dancers’ strength.

Close-Grip Bench Press: This arm and chest exercise is shoulder-friendly, meaning there is less risk of injuring your shoulders when performing the exercise. Start by lying down on a bench, holding a bar (you can use however much weight you feel is right for you) with your hands about six inches apart. Push the bar up from your chest to straighten your arms then lower. (https://www.shape.com/blogs/working-it-out/build-upper-body-strength-wide-grip-bench-press-vs-narrow-grip-bench-press)

https://musclemoose.files.wordpress.com/2014/10/narrow-grip-bench-press-1.png

TRX Row: This exercise uses TRX bands and works your arms, torso, and core. Start by holding the bands and walking your feet forwards to lean back into a plank. Then lift your torso up to meet your hands. (https://www.popsugar.com/fitness/TRX-Gym-Workout-37986705)

https://www.fitwirr.com/exercise/trx-row/

Kettlebell Swings: Kettlebell swings are a great way to strengthen your legs and core. Start with a kettlebell on the ground with your legs more than a hip-width apart. Then bend your knees to hold the kettlebell, and using your abs and legs, swing the kettlebell up to shoulder height.

Cardio

Going for a run is often both daunting and painful for dancers. A good alternative is the elliptical, which has a lower impact than running.

Burpees are also a great way to improve your cardio and strengthen your core, arms, and legs. To do a burpee, begin by jumping with your arms above your head, then jump into a push-up plank. Do a push-up, then jump back up to standing. Once you’ve mastered the basic version of a burpee, you can always modify them to combine other exercises, such as pull ups or kettlebell swings.

You can read more here about how many of these exercises you should do. Ultimately, it comes down to your goals and your body. Of course, it is essential to listen to your body when cross-training. If something is too intense, or hurts, stop. Cross-training can be an amazing way to build strength and work in internal rotation for dancers, so try out these exercises or research more that meet your Fall Fitness goals!

By budance | Posted in Uncategorized | Comments (0)

Why We Love BU Ballroom

September 25, 2018 at 3:45 pm

Why We Love BU Ballroom

One of the reasons why we love Fall so much here in the BU Dance Office is because it’s the perfect time to try new things. New books, new professors… and why not a new dance class, too? This week, we are focusing on our Ballroom classes here at BU. Here are some reasons why we love Ballroom at BU!

A Variety of Styles

This Fall, BU Dance is offering Tango, Swing, Salsa, Merengue, Latin, and more! With so many options, it’s hard to pick just one.

Great Teachers

Our amazing Ballroom teachers are always engaging and fun! We can count on them to make every class, no matter how tricky the move, loads of fun.

Meet New People

Because our Ballroom classes span from the most beginner to advanced and are open to everyone in the BU community, so no matter which class you sign up for, you are sure to meet new people! What could be better than making new friends and dancing at the same time?

Showing Off Your Moves- On and Off Campus

Once you’ve mastered the basics, you can take your moves anywhere! BU has three amazing Ballroom clubs to join to continue honing your skills. There are also ballroom clubs all over the city which can be a fun way to celebrate with friends!

Find out more about our Ballroom and other dance classes at bu.edu/fitrec/dance - and come dance with us!

By budance | Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged ballroom, class, dance, dancing, friends, social, teachers | Comments (0)

How Watching Dance Performances Makes You a Better Dancer

September 18, 2018 at 2:58 pm

Hello again, BU Dancers! We're back on the BU Dance Blog this #TerrierTuesday to share how watching dance performances can make you a better dancer.

Believe it or not, there are numerous studies that show watching dance helps you develop many skills useful to dancers, both in the classroom and in their lives! Here are just a couple of ways that watching dance performances in action makes you a better dancer.

Still not convinced? To test these theories for yourself, visit us at our Fall 2018 Dance Showcase in the Boston University Dance Theater on 9/21 and 9/22 at 8pm. You can buy tickets at Danceshowcase2018.eventbrite.com. Don't miss this opportunity to better your dance abilities - and even have fun doing it!

Watching Dance Makes You Empathetic

Ever heard of kinesthetic empathy? It's the idea that while watching dance, spectators feel as if they are participating in the movements they are watching, and experience emotions related to those movements. In other words, watching dance makes you a better dancer by helping you connect to the stories and feelings that inspired those dances. Outside the theater, this can help you instill more passion in your movements in the classroom and rehearsal.

Watching Dance Brings Back Fond Memories

A 2011 study published in Dance Research journal showed that dancers who watched dance were more likely to process dance performance through social cognition - in other words, they associated fond social memories with their fellow dancers with the moves they watched on-screen. This just goes to show that watching dance can make you a better dancer by creating a positive association with fond memories.

Watching Dance Influences Your Perception of Time

Know the saying "time flies while you're having fun?" Apparently, time also flies while watching fast dances - and slows down while watching slow ones. Thanks to a December 2017 study, we now know that dance greatly impacts our perception of time. As a dancer, this heightened perception will help you nail the timing of fast and slow moves alike.

Watching Dance Enhances Learning

A 2009 study published in the journal Cerebral Cortex found that dancers activated the same regions of the brain watching a music video as performing it, enhancing their ability to learn and remember complex choreography. thus, even in the audience, you can become a better dancer - and a better student - by watching a dance performance!

Watch and learn at our Dance Showcase this Friday and Saturday, 9/21 and 9/22, at 8pm!

By budance | Posted in Uncategorized | Comments (1)

5 Reasons We’re Excited for This Year’s Dance Showcase

September 11, 2018 at 3:49 pm

Hello, fellow Terriers - and welcome back to another semester of dance classes! Whether for credit or fun, we hope you will join us for one of our exciting yet challenging classes this fall.

On top of that, we're also looking forward to this year's Dance Showcase, an annual concert highlighting the incredible work by our amazing faculty and friends. We couldn't be more thrilled to be hosting another successful Showcase featuring original work by Dance Visions, Margot Parsons, KAIROS Dance Theater, DeAnna Pellecchia, Marin Orlosky Randow and Liz Roncka, as well as our 2018 Reach! cast and excerpts from BBII (courtesy of Boston Ballet).

This year's show is slated to be a great one - and for between $10 (BU community) and $20 (general public), you can join us for an exciting evening of dance, inspiration and creativity in Boston University's one-and-only Dance Theatre.

In case that isn't enough for you, we're listing five more reasons we couldn't be more psyched for the Fall 2018 Dance Showcase. New and returning students, faculty and staff: prepare to be amazed by everything the BU Dance Program has to offer!

A Variety of Styles

Some dance concerts feel like a broken record - but not at BU! From classical ballet to aerial silks, we've got a number for every taste in this year's lineup. With choreographers ranging from BU faculty to Boston Ballet, our 2018 Dance Showcase will be sure to keep you on your toes. (Get it?)

Lighting by Lynda Rieman

As much as we love the art of dance alone, what makes the Dance Showcase truly special is all the magic that goes into making it happen. In our production, one of the most important elements is the lighting design, crafted by Fitrec's own Lynda Rieman. Under the gleaming glow of BU's Dance Theatre, you'll find yourself enlightened by an enchanting evening of dance.

Affordable Fun on Campus

We college students know how difficult it can be to afford tickets to some of Boston's finer ballets and premier dance companies when we're scraping by on PB&J and ramen noodles. However, BU's annual Dance Showcase brings high-caliber work to campus at the affordable price of $10 per ticket for any member of the BU community. My reply? Sign me up ASAP!

Beautiful Costumes

One of the benefits to seeing dance performed in concert is admiring the second art that goes into a successful production: the art of fashion. Mark Twain once said that "clothes make the man" - and we at BU dance happen to think this applies to performances, too! After all, there's nothing like a sparkly tutu (or muted leotard) to help your dance make a statement.

Making New Friends

Last but not least, we encourage you to attend the 2018 Dance Showcase this fall because even if you don't know anyone in attendance, you're bound to find a fellow dance lover somewhere in the throngs of our audience! Whether you're new to BU or a seasoned CRC veteran, we could all stand to have a few more friendly faces in our lives...and what better way to bond than over an evening of inspiring, thought-provoking dance?

To reserve your tickets to the 2018 Dance Showcase, visit Danceshowcase2018.eventbrite.com!

By budance | Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Dance Showcase, Fall 2018, Fall into Dance | Comments (0)

Types of Dancers By MBTI Type

April 4, 2018 at 12:04 pm

Welcome back, BU dancers! Though the weather is dreary, we're excited to bring you a fun new post on the BU Dance blog.

Today's post is all about personality types. In case you haven't heard, the Myers-Briggs test is a famous theory of personality that sorts everyone into one of sixteen types. (Click here to take a fun quiz that will tell you which one you are!)

According to the Myers-Briggs system, you're either Introverted or Extraverted; Intuitive or Sensing; Feeling or Thinking; and Judging or Perceiving. Different combinations of different letters reveal a lot about your personality - both as a human being and as a dancer!

At least, that's the humor behind today's post, which will tell you what kind of dancer you are based on your MBTI type. We can't promise our assessment will be entirely accurate, but we can promise you some silly fun along the way!

INTJ (The Architect)