The first time I performed a solo, I was 6. It was at a competition, and after I danced, I remember hearing the judges and friends of mine say that I made them cry. Sidenote: I had been mouthing the lyrics from The Hunchback of Notre Dame‘s “God Help the Outcasts” while dancing, and those […]

How has the rising popularity of competitions affected the concert dance world? Backstage at Youth America Grand Prix finals. Photo by Kyle Froman. Showstopper hosts more than 50 events each year. Photo courtesy Showstopper. A disembodied voice calls out a number, name, age and title of the dance. Out of the wings comes an expert […]

Whitney Jensen tackles college on the side. Jensen and Jeffrey Cirio in Alexander Ekman’s Cacti. Photo by Rosalie O’Connor, courtesy Boston Ballet   Whitney Jensen’s career is a study in ballet stardom. With a slew of competition medals, she joined Boston Ballet’s corps in 2009 and hasn’t stopped rising since. The 22-year-old’s long lines, calm, […]