Meet Alison Stroming

Alison Stroming joined Dance 

Theatre of Harlem in Sept. 2014, having previously danced with Ballet San Jose and Canada's Alberta Ballet. She was born in Brazil and adopted when she was 8 months old by a family in New Jersey with deep roots in the dance world.  She started dancing when she was 2 and took jazz, tap, modern, and ballet classes with her siblings, one of whom is Break the Floor and Jump Dance Convention creator, Gil Stroming. Alison received formal ballet training at The School of American Ballet and American Ballet Theatre's Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School. A diverse and talented dancer, Stroming also demonstrates for Jump and models when her schedule permits. Follow her on Twitter and  Instagram. She recently spoke with TWD about DTH, training for a diverse performance repertoire, advice for aspiring dancers, and more.

 

How did you come to join Dance Theatre of Harlem?

 

It was very last minute! I was actually planning to go back to Ballet San Jose for another year. I was in New York and a friend in the company told me she'd heard DTH had a spot for a girl and that I should audition.  I did, and Virginia [Johnson, DTH Artistic Director] offered me the job. I had to decide there and then because the contract for Ballet San Jose was due the next day. What made me want to join DTH was the touring and performing opportunities. It's a touring company, so we're on the road all the time. The touring and performing is pretty much my favorite part of the job. I like being on the road and exploring different cities, performing at hundreds of theaters for different audiences. It's a blast! And it's a company full of such history. To be a part of it is definitely an honor.

The DTH covers a broad spectrum of ballet choreography. How does one prepare for that diversity?

 

Here at DTH we do everything! We're doing Nacho Duato this year, so I'm looking forward to that. But it's not just DTH; it's ballet as a whole now. It's important to try different styles and not be scared to try something new. Step out of your comfort zone and get into a contemporary class or a jazz class. I'd recommend starting at a young age and maybe going with a friend so it's more comfortable.  It's fun. Having that background has helped me to adapt to new styles and work with different choreographers. I love it.


What advice would you offer aspiring dancers?

 

I think it's most important to stay focused on yourself and your goals. It's also important to stay focused on owning your classes and being the best dancer you can be. There is a lot that you can't control. There will always be someone with a higher jump, prettier feet, or prettier legs. But if you spend your time worrying about what is outside of your control you'll rob yourself of what you can accomplish, so it's important to stay focused on yourself.



By Tamara Johnson  
 
Passion. Joy. Discipline.
Cornerstones of a New Conservatory in Utah

Misa Oga Hansen, award-winning choreographer and teacher, is the artistic director of MOGA Conservatory of Dance  in North Salt Lake. Since opening the school in June 2014, Ms. Hansen has emphasized the joy in training the students at her school and producing focused and diligent dancers. "I have several years of experience in teaching many levels of dancers with different disciplines," explains Ms. Hansen.  "I believe that what is most important is the quality of the training.  It should not be about practicing the same piece over and over every day to win at local competitions. My goal is to produce versatile and technically clean dancers, who are able to do anything! It is important for dancers to walk into any audition or class, and feel confident and strong with the quality of their technique, artistry, and training. This comes from consistent and meaningful classes from an early age."

 


 

"The students inspire me to teach," says Ms. Hansen. "It is so rewarding to see dancers correct and improve on things that we have been working on. It is inspiring to see students full of joy and excitement as they return to the studio day after day. Our students develop a love for dance as they strive for improvement and perfection. It is necessary for dancers to feel a sense of accomplishment as they work hard and train intelligently. I make sure that our dancers find joy in receiving corrections as well as positive feedback from teachers."  Ms. Hansen's best advice for dancers and for dance teachers: "Follow your passion! It is so rewarding when you find success in what you love."

Photos courtesy of MOGO Conservatory of Dance

READ MORE about MOGA Conservatory of Dance and Misa Oga Hansen's thoughts on Vaganova method, the importance of ballet as a foundation for dance, the value of international ballet competitions, her advice for dancers wishing to participate in IBCs, an amazing pirouette video and much more.


 
Milestone Year for the Harkness Center for Dance Injuries

The Harkness Center for Dance Injuries (HCDI) will celebrate its 25th anniversary at the annual NYU Langone Musculoskeletal Ball on November 12 at the American Museum of Natural History. Founded in 1989 through a partnership between the Harkness Foundation for Dance and NYU Langone Medical Center's Hospital for Joint Diseases, HCDI is the world's leading authority on dance medicine. For the past quarter century, HCDI has dedicated itself to enhancing the health, well-being, and quality of life of dancers and dance companies by providing breakthrough approaches to injury prevention, advanced medical treatment, education and training, and state-of-the-art research. No dancer is turned away due to financial hardship. To purchase tickets or make a contribution visit giving.nyumc.org/mskball. For more information about HCDI, visit nyulmc.org/harkness.


 
Dance Highlights
BODYTRAFFIC
BODYTRAFFIC presented by Keshet Center for the Arts, Albuquerque, Nov 11

 

Pacific Northwest Ballet Director's Choice, Seattle, Nov 7 - 16 

 

Dance Theatre of Harlem, St. Louis, Nov 7 - 8

 

Chlo Arnold's Syncopated Ladies Performance, NYC, Nov 7

 

Shaping Sound, NH Nov 6, NJPAC Nov 7, MA Nov 8, PA Nov 9

 

 
Jobs In The Dance World

Are you a dance teacher, a technical director, a great fundraiser, a pianist, or a talented dancer interested in a career in the arts?  Check out the current  job listings from Dance/USA on TheWorldDances.com.

 

TheWorldDances E-Newsletter Team

 

Publisher: Karla Johnson

Editor:       Tamara Johnson

Producer:  Kristyn Burns

November 3, 2014
 
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Congrats to the October Harlequin Floors Scholarship Winners!

Watch this month's winning videos and more than 1,300 other great videos at TheWorldDances.com.

 

The November Video Scholarship Contest has begun. Click here to enter your video today in the November 2014 contest for a chance to be one of the four $250 scholarship winners!

 

 
Judges' Choice 
Harlequin Scholarship 
Winner
Tiny Dancer
Kristen Hellar
 
 
 
Judges' Choice 
Harlequin Scholarship 
Winner
Pass
Meredith Clemons
 
St. Louis, MO - Dance and Fitness Classes Consuming Kinetics Dance Company

WAS: $72.00
NOW: $35.00
 
 
Viewers' Choice
Harlequin Scholarship Winner
Trvptober
Jason Sanico
 
 
 
Viewers' Choice
Harlequin Scholarship Winner
Lyrical Solo
Emily Logan
 
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