California DanceArts Blog: Ballet Studio Urges Students to Learn Proper Dance Terminology

California DanceArts Finds New iPhone Application An Important Tool for Student

La Canada, CA: California DanceArts (http://www.caldancearts.com) is urging dance students to understand the French terms, translations and definitions of each ballet exercise as a top priority. The ballet studio has found that grasping the meaning behind each term assists the student dancer in properly executing the steps which ultimately will be used in the variety of movements comprising the choreography of classical technique.

Now Carol Richmond, a Carmel, CA dance instructor, together with a software engineer, have developed an iPhone application for teaching more than 140 ballet terms. The application, called SayBallet, is a way "to get to the students on their own (tech-savvy) level," said Richmond, who has seen even the youngest of her students using iPhones. Using this iPhone app will allow students to learn terms in a fun way.

Half of the ballet terms are accompanied by videos, activated by voice. Say "plie” (pronounced “plee-ay”) and the iPhone will tell a translation of the word as “Bend”, followed by a short video display of a girl performing the deep bend. Each term can be selected in French, the way ballet is generally taught. The app is also great for hearing the proper pronunciation of these French terms. Fun quizzes are included for students to test their knowledge which then allows them to achieve higher and higher scores.

A worthwhile investment for under $10, this iPhone application allows young dancers to study their ballet terms during a car ride to the studio or waiting for class to begin. California DanceArts Director, Erin Holt, says “This application is a great supplement to any dance education curriculum where students are expected to understand ballet terminology. We hope that students use the app to increase and improve upon the skills taught in their classes and to improve their scores for upcoming ballet examinations.” California DanceArts will be holding their ballet level examinations in May.

Since 1987, California DanceArts has been dedicated to the purpose of grooming and nurturing the talents of beginning to serious career dance students. The school has established a reputation as a career preparatory studio for dancers transitioning to the professional level. Its current location in beautiful La Canada is nestled among several schools and recreational facilities. The school provides three large studio spaces featuring sprung floors designed to prevent injury, 20-foot high ceilings geared for unobstructed jumping, wall mirrors and air conditioning. Director Erin Holt also runs California Contemporary Ballet, a dance troupe that puts on several original ballet productions per year, including the Snow Queen (www.snowqueenballet.com), an original ballet with an original music score. This show is put on every December and recently completed its 12^th season. California DanceArts is also offering several dance intensive workshops for various levels in summer 2010, and more on these can be seen at www.danceallsummerworkshops.com. The school’s blog can be seen at http://caldancearts.typepad.com. For more information about California DanceArts and the programs offered by the school, call 818-790-7924, or visit the school online at www.caldancearts.com.