i am not that old but i AM old enough to see a difference in generations of dance. this current generation is mind blowingly talented but scarily missing the work ethics of my slightly less talented generation as well as those that came before us. as most of you will dance for my generation or the generations prior; here is what was expected of us that we naturally and collectively, expect from you. NEVER mark. why pay for a class and mark until you get into groups? groups occur for MAYBE 10 minutes. most of which you’ll spend trying to figure out the parts you’ve been marking. don’t sit. don’t yawn. be on time. if anything, be early. touching your toes and sitting in a grande plie 2nd for a minute does not a sufficient warm up make. put your phones AWAY. be hungry to know everyTHING about your art; ESPECIALLY its history. you would not be here without those that came before you. you MUST be able to hold an intelligent conversation about the art form that you have chosen to make your life’s purpose. if you miss rehearsal, get with someone prior to learn the choreography you don’t know. if you don’t make the youtube video, don’t get the job, or don’t get called out for the “special” group; it doesn’t mean you stop coming to class. in fact, the very opposite. you KEEP SHOWING UP. perseverance and SHOWING UP is often how a job is booked. if a dance doesn’t win, it doesn’t mean it’s bad. if a choreographer isn’t on SYTYCD, it doesn’t mean they aren’t worth working with. if a teacher can’t book you something, it doesn’t mean their class isn’t worth taking. know loyalty. ALWAYS remember where you came from and who got you there. be humble. even if that older dancer can’t turn as many times as you; there’s a reason why they’ve booked so many jobs and are STILL working. respect and learn from them. be responsible for your energy. come to class to be inspired but be responsible for what you bring to the table too. never treat the role of an understudy as a waste of time. it is often a fruitful opportunity of a lifetime. be self motivated and self driven. do your homework. go to ballet. go to african. go to modern. go to EVERYTHING. the class and/or teacher that challenges you most; is usually where and who you are growing most from. if you’re injured, be smart. know what it is to work internally; without expectation of reward or instant gratification. be open to criticism. be OPEN (period.) if you commit to something follow it through with enthusiasm or drop out completely. we are in a line of work that people throw their life, their savings, and their whole heart into. don’t destroy it by giving anybody less than your best. don’t be SHADY. if you know someone say, “HI” regardless of whether it makes you look good in that moment. if you see a video you dig on Facebook, like it. if you like a video on YouTube, share it. if someone is better than you in class, shout out a “werk” and study the hell out of ‘em. and finally, know that dance does not come over night. or over months. or even years. it happens throughout a LIFETIME process that is to be adored despite struggle. love every second of it for genuine reason and you will probably find yourself doing all this naturally. – Marinda Davis

It’s competition season and I haven’t been posting!  I am the casting assistant for a new television show that my good friend Amy Wright is choreographing and casting for….and I haven’t posted.  And let’s not forget!  Dance Moms 2 has come out and I haven’t been posting!  All my website hosting issues have been resolved.  Dance Time News is up and running.

Back again.  Not everyday, but back again.  Givin’ you dance! dance! dance!

Well, here it is the New Year and of course I’m one of many that the diet went out the window for the month of December.  Out the window but not down the street LOL!  I have to say that I only put on a few pounds over the holidays and it should be fairly easy to get rid of if I buckle down and do the work. 

Some of you only a few read about my accolades of the Ideal Protein diet.  I do admit it is great,  I would recommend it to anyone out there who just needs to get that quick boost of confidence as they see the scale slowly drop in numbers.  But the only thing that has been the drawback for me and for many others I read about out there is the price of the products.  So in search of good protein powders/bars, etc I’ve hunted around and found some really good ones. 

• All Ideal Protein Bars!
• Atkins bars are delicious and tasty and the price is right.
• Pure Protein Bar – the chocolate peanut butter one is amazing!
• Carb Thin Soy Protein Bake Mix – good as a shake or for adding to baking
• 100% Soy Protein Chocolate & Strawberry Flavours
• Isopure

A lot of these products you can find on http://www.ontarionutrition.ca  it’s a pretty good site.

But maybe….just maybe…I’ll create my own product!!!  We’ll see!

Happy New Year to all of my dance friends and dance readers out there.  Well it’s been a while dancers but we are going to try to keep this blog more current come the new year – a resolution so to speak.  Hopefully I can keep it up. 

Mind you the year did slow down quite a bit.  I’m sure most of you were busy with conventions and kicking off your choreography classes but January is always the start of something new.  Your teachers and choreographers put it into high gear as the first competitions are just around the corner.  The excitement of meeting all the L.A. choreographers during convention season has come to a close and you can only watch so many episodes of Dance Moms and now it’s time to put the sweat on the dance floor.

I wish all of you the best of luck in rehearsals over the next few months and if you have any interesting stories you’d like me to post feel free!

It has been quite a while since my last post.  I lost a bit of steam after the summer I think.  I thought Dancing With the Stars would perk me up but of course it has been such a let down this year.  Nothing new and exciting even with the none too soon recently disqualified Chaz Bono.

Dance Moms is in full swing in Canada and the reviews coming down the pipeline are much the same as when it came out in the States.  The dance community is a bit embarassed by the shennanigans of the dance moms, understandably so! But it is just entertainment after all….

Footloose has been released recently which I am planning on going to see very soon.  I hear Kenny is fabulous, actually a better actor than Julieanne who does a decent job as well.  But as soon as I see it I will give a review.

I’m going to try and blog more – hopefully something exciting will come up.  Send me your reviews of events in the dance world.  Would love to hear about all the Oct/Nov workshops you’ve attended!

Until next time…sooner than later….

Well kids if there was a reason to stay in ballet this would be it.  Watch below this amazing performance of Guang Dong – Pas de Deux – LE PLUS GRAND CABARET DU MONDE.