In a recent piece considering the impact of the Internet on dance, dance companies and dance audiences, choreographer/writer/technology consultant Sydney Skybetter asks, "Who among us envisions a near future with more stages for dance, not fewer? Who among us argues that dance will be less dependent on the Internet, not more?"

These questions have enormous consequences for everyone in the dance world -- from dancers to company directors to presenters. Will people pay to go watch performances when they can watch YouTube for free? Or dance reality TV? On the other hand, it's hard to imagine reaching new audiences in this day and age without a presence on the Internet.

There are some great examples of dancers, companies, and schools making forward-thinking and innovative use of the Internet to their advantage. The English National Ballet, especially since coming under the direction of Tamara Rojo, has a genuinely engaging Internet presence. ENB's blogs, social media, and videos introduce dancers and pieces in a way that leaves the "virtual audience" wanting more. A number of individual dancers have excellent social media feeds. Daniil Simkin (@daniil) shares a particularly fun mix of pictures, video, company updates and personal statements.  The School of American Ballet recently launched Strictly Ballet, a web series with Teen Vogue about life and training at the prestigious institution. Will such efforts translate into an increased audience base who support live performing arts?  "I see it as a good thing that's happened,"  says Judy Morr, Executive Director of Southern California's Segerstom Center for the Arts. "It raises the interest level and I'm happy about it. In fact, I suppose the number of young people taking dance lessons has increased because of the [web and television] shows."

It will be interesting to see what new ideas arise as the dance community navigates a balance between traditional forms of presentation and adaptation, and as dance audiences find their own balances between convenience and the thrills of live performances.

Daniil Simkin uses humor and dance to create engaging web videos promoting his work.