The historic materials left behind by British ballet legend Sir Kenneth MacMillan have a new home in London: the Royal Academy of Dance Archive. Earlier last month, Lady Deborah MacMillan gave RAD a treasure trove of artifacts from her late husband, ranging from his 1944 Grade 1 ballet exam certificate to rehearsal photos, off-duty snapshots, personal diary entries, handwritten notes, and letters he kept from dance luminaries like Dame Ninette de Valois.       MacMillan was a founding dancer of the Sadler’s Wells Theatre Ballet (the precursor to The Royal Ballet), but he is most well-known for his impact as a choreographer. […]

Opening a dance studio may seem like a straightforward endeavor if you’re passionate about teaching, but entrepreneurship is not for the faint of heart. Here’s what you need to consider before you exit your current teaching responsibilities. Get enough teaching experience first so you set yourself apart. Work at multiple studios, so you can observe different perspectives on how to run a dance business—including typical administrative or customer-service issues, potential resolutions, and how and when cash flow changes throughout the year. It will also allow you to pinpoint your strengths as an educator. “Pick the thing you are best at […]

Happy New Year, dance teachers! As you head back to the studio after a much-needed holiday break, I hope you’re feeling rejuvenated and ready to take on the new semester. Now is a great opportunity to reflect on teaching practices and goals to make the most of the next 12 months and beyond. To kick off the new year strong, I encourage you to join our next DT+ Teacher Talk, “What Audition Panels Are Looking For,” on Thursday, January 23, at 12 pm EST. Dionne Figgins, artistic director of Ballet Tech; Bianca Zumbo Caryl, head coach of the Arizona State […]

From the days of the nattuvanars to now, dancers have always taken great efforts to put together an impeccable orchestral ensemble.