Upcoming Dates

Misty Copeland’s and Tiler Peck’s New Advice Books for the Next Generation

Misty Copeland’s and Tiler Peck’s New Advice Books for the Next Generation

For young dancers, having a mentor can be a lifesaver. But not every student has access to that one dancer at the studio with the perfect advice for every situation—the kind of wisdom that comes from lived experience. American Ballet Theatre principal Misty Copeland and New York City Ballet principal Tiler Peck, having reached great heights in their own dance careers, are helping to fill that gap. Recently, they both wrote books that lend a helping hand to younger dancers—or kids with any interests—by providing tips, how-tos, and anecdotes on navigating young life. Letters to Misty (Simon & Schuster, May […]

How Dance Academy of Virginia Grew Into a 7-Figure Organization During the Pandemic

Katherine Horrigan, founder and CEO of Dance Academy of Virginia, started her studio-owner journey unexpectedly at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, when the studio she’d been directing for 10 years, Adagio Ballet School of Dance, decided to permanently close. She had one month before the fall dance season to decide if she was going to risk opening a new business in order to support the dancers who had lost a home studio. “I realized this was an opportunity to bring everybody back together,” says Horrigan. “I felt very compelled to create an opportunity for the community, and for myself, […]

Canton Ballet’s 60th Anniversary Brings a Renewed Commitment to Top-Tier Education and Outreach Programs

Canton Ballet, based in Canton, Ohio, is celebrating its 60th-anniversary season in 2025–26. In addition to the anniversary festivities, the company is making a renewed commitment to its top-tier dance education programs, housed at the School of Canton Ballet, which was founded in 1972.  Canton Ballet executive artistic director Jennifer Catazaro Hayward spoke with Dance Teacher about the organization’s Diamond Anniversary, the changes she has implemented since taking over as director of Canton Ballet in 2023, and her vision for the future. Canton Ballet Executive Artistic Director Jennifer Catazaro directs Kaitlyn Giltz during the 60th season promotional photoshoot. Photo by […]

Office Hours With Endalyn T. Outlaw

Photo by Peter J. Mueller, courtesy Outlaw. When Endalyn T. Outlaw joined Dance Theatre of Harlem in 1984, she quickly learned that founding director Arthur Mitchell expected her to be more than just a performer. He charged the dancers with being cultural stewards beyond the stage, broadening their responsibilities and Outlaw’s sense of purpose. “He gave us many opportunities to teach, speak, present, [lead] lecture-demonstrations,” Outlaw recalls. “We had to be able to verbally articulate why we did what we did, why the art form matters, and then demystify it for audiences and make them fall in love and see […]

How to Effectively Repurpose a Competition Solo for College Auditions

How to Effectively Repurpose a Competition Solo for College Auditions

College dance auditions often require students to present a short solo. While this solo can be an ideal way for competitive dancers to show their skills, a college audition room isn’t the same environment as a competition stage. How can dancers repurpose competition solos effectively? It starts by knowing your audience. “You have to research the program you’re auditioning for,” says Lindsey Klein, an associate professor of dance at Boston Conservatory at Berklee who also teaches at Patti Eisenhauer Dance Center in Franklin, Massachusetts. “The material you pre­sent needs to align with the training at the school.” Consider what technique […]