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At UDA Nationals, the Wagner Sisters Go Head to Head for the Final Time
16 January 2025

At UDA Nationals, the Wagner Sisters Go Head to Head for the Final Time

Fans of college dance teams are eagerly anticipating the rematch in Division 1A between the University of Minnesota and Ohio State University at this year’s UDA Nationals. Last year, U of M took first in Division 1A Pom and OSU took second; and in Division 1A Jazz, OSU took first and U of M placed second. For sisters Ellie and Ava Wagner, this year’s Nationals will cap off nearly two decades of competing both with and against each other. Ellie, a senior at OSU, will take the mat for the last time with her teammates and against her sister, Ava, […]

Blogs 0 4 min read
16 January 2025

For 101-Year-Old Vija Vetra, Dance Is a Symbol of Life Itself

“Dance is the art of movement, and therefore anything that is moving, breathing, growing, or feeling is part of the dance,” says Vija Vetra, a 101-year-old Latvian-born dancer, choreographer, teacher, and lecturer who first earned acclaim as an Indian classical and modern dancer in the mid-20th century. Vetra’s passion for her art has taken her around the world, and it’s just only recently that she’s begun to slow down.  Born in Riga on February 6, 1923, Vetra recalls seeing a performance of Swan Lake at age 5 and instantly falling in love. At 16, she left home to train at […]

Blogs 0 4 min read
Louisiana State University’s Tiger Girls Are Ready for the “Dance Super Bowl”
16 January 2025

Louisiana State University’s Tiger Girls Are Ready for the “Dance Super Bowl”

If you’re a dancer who uses social media, you’ve almost certainly seen videos counting down to the 2025 “dance Super Bowl.” For those of you who aren’t familiar, these videos are referring to UDA Nationals, a competition marking the end of collegiate cheerleaders and dancers’ seasons. In recent years, thanks to multiple viral performances, the event has garnered attention from dancers and nondancers alike. Last year’s Ohio State jazz performance was iconic enough to inspire multiple Halloween costumes. In January 2022, LSU’s Tiger Girls went viral with a crisp, synchronized, first-place–winning hip hop performance to “Like A Boy” at UDA […]

Blogs 0 5 min read
14 January 2025

Alejandro Vargas on Cultivating a Diverse Career

As a lively 6-year-old, Alejandro Vargas had an abundant energy his parents hoped to channel into sports. After cycling through all the conventional options, nothing seemed to stick. Then, to connect Vargas and his sister with their Colombian heritage, his parents enrolled them in a salsa class at a local studio in New Jersey. That’s when everything changed and Vargas found his passion. As Vargas got older, he grew more serious about dance and began attending dance conventions with his studio, Dancin’ in the Spotlight. The owner, Liz LeBar, cultivated his versatility, encouraging him to train in every style. “She […]

Blogs 0 3 min read
13 January 2025

Ballet West Academy’s New Virtual Seminar Empowers Teachers to Build Their Own Curriculum

Utah-based Ballet West Academy is setting out to revolutionize dance education with its innovative Curriculum Design Seminar—a four-day virtual program designed to empower dance educators with a unique approach to ballet instruction. Originally taught internally for four years, the seminar is now branching out to instruct experienced teachers and academy directors who create curriculum and syllabi for their own studios. The general cognitive-development information will also be especially valuable for teachers beginning their journey or those building their experience with children. Though many of the examples and references within the Curriculum Design Seminar will be offered in the context of a ballet class, the general education […]

Blogs 0 1 min read