Most dancers I know are pretty obsessed with health: myself included. As people with such a physically demanding lifestyle, it is important that we are well-nourished and energised to get through each day, perform at our best, and avoid injuries. Dance as a profession also demands an especially slim physique, so dancers are usually keen…
Review: The Mariinsky Ballet’s Don Quixote at The Royal Opera House
If you follow me on Twitter and Instagram, you will know that I went to see the Mariinsky Ballet performing Don Quixote at The Royal Opera House last weekend, and I was VERY excited about it! I have been wanting to see the Mariinsky perform for years. If you don’t already know, I train at…
31 Heartbreaking Moments All Dancers Have Experienced
Only realising the tip of the bobby has come off when you try to put it in your bun and it rips your hair out. Forgetting your skirt and having to take class feeling naked. Telling people you’re a dancer/ training to be a dancer and they reply with “Oh, like a dance teacher?” Thinking…
Dare to Dance Book Club: “The Ballet Companion” by Eliza Gaynor Minden
Welcome back to the Dare To Dance Book Club! If you haven’t already, start by reading this post which introduces the book club and gives my thoughts on “Ballerina Body” by Misty Copeland. Today I want to talk to you about one of my most precious books, “The Ballet Companion” by Eliza Gaynor Minden. I…
How to Catch Up in Your Dance Training
As you may know, I started my dance training much later than most. I took my first ever ballet lesson just before I turned 15. I danced a few times a week at local schools, and I didn’t start serious ballet training until I was 21. If you’re not sure how huge a difference that…
Does social media help or hinder young aspiring dancers?
I enjoy social media; most of my generation do, and those younger than me seem to like and use it even more. It is a great way to stay in touch with friends, make new ones and get inspiration. However, there’s no denying it’s a big distraction. With the progression of technology, we can now…
Announcing the Dare to Dance Book Club: “Ballerina Body” by Misty Copeland
Hello everyone! Sorry for the short hiatus since my last post. I’ve been feeling pretty down and mopey, so I haven’t been going to class or doing much at all. Now I’ve finally started to snap out of it and I’m getting back to reality. When it comes to these things, it’s so easy to…
Self- Care Tips for Dancers
Dance is incredibly demanding, especially at a serious level. As dancers, we not only give an incredible amount of mental and physical energy to what we do, but what we do also informs the rest of our lives. You can’t keep dance and life separate, because when you dance, it IS your life. When every…
Dare to Dance is now on Facebook!
Just a quick one to let you all know that there is now a Facebook page for Dare to Dance- you can like the page here! How exciting! Also make sure you’re following on Twitter and Instagram for updates and insights into my dance journey every day! -Jessica x
#wedaretodance; Standing Up for Accessibility in Dance
When I started this blog several years ago, and when I relaunched it recently as Dare to Dance, I had the idea that I wanted to document my dance journey, because I am taking an unusual route into my dance career. I started dancing much later than most, and didn’t begin serious training until adulthood….