Dance Mom Research Paper

From kindergarten until high school, I was a member of the Jean Wolfmeyer School of Dance. Up to 5 days per week, I would be at the dance studio taking classes, rehearsing for shows, and helping out in the less advanced classes. Regardless of skill level, Jean never hesitated to speak the brutally honest truth about students’ performances and she never settled for anything less than perfection. Jean would often preach that she is only the instruction manual and she cannot make us good dancers, we had to do that for ourselves. However, it was not her critique or teaching alone that motivated dancers to perform well, it was her relentless work ethic and commitment to her studio. As a 70 year-old women, Jean held classes as much as 7 days per

When I entered my first ballet class, at the age of three, I doubt my mother had thought that I would become as passionate about it, as I did. Now, fourteen years later, that passion has not dwindled. I have spent countless hours in and outside of the dance studio training with some of the most acclaimed professional ballet dancers, in an attempt to further develop a skill that can never be perfected. I have performed and competed, on International stages, in countries like Italy, Panama and the United States and have earned multiple scholarships to attend world renowned dance schools such as Alvin Ailey, the Ecole Supérieure de Danse de Cannes and the Berlin State Ballet. At the age of eleven, I started competing at the Youth America

For the past six years, I have been dancing at Shirley Matta Dance Academy. I have been taught many dances of different variety such as jazz, tap, ballet, lyrical, contemporary, etc. The studio has recently begun offering Pointe classes, which I also attend. In addition to attending the studio, I also assist in teaching dance and gymnastics classes there. This has been an experience that I will never forget, especially since I spend most of my time at the dance studio. It has helped me in so many ways. Not only have I improved immensely as a dancer, my communication and leadership skills have skyrocketed as well. In fact, every Tuesday, I currently teach ballet to a group of about fifteen girls between the ages of 7-10 year all by myself. In

Ever wounder why reality T.V. shows have ratings through the roof? Does watching a particular show make you think how they continue to have rising viewings rates? The reality T.V. show “Dance Moms” has viewers constantly asking themselves these particular questions. Although the show is considered a reality T.V. show, there are many clear points that show, “Dance Moms”, is not as real as producers make viewers believe.

“They look like prostiTots!” Christi Lukasiak, famous mother on Dance Moms, exclaims as her 8 year old daughter struts across the room in her bright blue bra. Lukasiak, and the other eccentric moms of the hit TV show, dress their daughters every week in little bikini sets and have them dance on television for thousands of viewers. The moms, like many others in the media, recognize that girls in skimpy clothing sells. But this sexualization of kids is very dangerous. Studies have shown that girls as young as six believe their value comes from how sexy they are. And where else do they learn this than from the hundreds of advertisements, TV shows, and movies featuring girls their age in proactive attire (Davis). The impact of this sexualization

On Wednesday, November 18th, I had the pleasure to attend and watch the Dance Plus’s Fall show. The Dance Plus was performed at the Douglass Theatre, Victoria Mastrobuno Theater. When I entered the show the theatre seemed a little small for such big crowed. I immediately thought there would not be enough seats for all the audience, but somehow it fitted everyone. As everyone got settled down, the dance performance had started. I chose to write about the first performance that was choreographed by the amazing director, Jessica Lange her work was simply wonderful! I loved every little piece of the play. It put a smile on my face watching this amazing work of art. So with that said, I would now like to talk about the dance performance. There were

Growing up was never easy for me, but I did not let that stop me from pursuing my ballet career. I didn’t grow up doing ballet, and taking my first ballet class at the Boys and Girls Club at age 13 gave me a setback compared to others who may have been dancing since they were 3. My teacher put me into many positions,

Everyday, I go into the studio and hear a generous hello from a staff member. If the vibrant dance bags, and leather jet black couches do not make you feel at home, then the dancers will. Mallory Flores is an intern and dancer of 15 years at Encore Studio, and thinks Encore’s sense of community is what makes everyone feel at home whenever they step onto the dance floor. Not only does the sense of community keep the dancers going, but it keeps the business running, as Karen Flores stated she loves how “the people she sees come in and out of the studio have a constant positive energy radiating off of them”. Yet, being at the studio for up to fourteen hours a week for some dancers does not keep them from coming in and enjoying the curriculum taught in class. Not only does it drive the dancers to come to class, but it keeps the teachers motivated to continue to put out their best work too. Angelina Gallo thinks that “The dancers at Encore are so passionate, they are kind, they are genuinely good people… I think a lot of this stems from the dance training and the people that they are surrounded by on a daily basis. The students are my family.” which shows why everyone feels the constant state of security within the

I’ve grown up in a ballet studio. Not literally, of course, but it is where I’ve spent the majority of my childhood. Throughout the years, the arts have followed me despite the different places life has taken me. Whether it be dance, acting, or music, performing has always played a role in my life. My experiences both on and off the stage have been rocky and unpredictable, but I wouldn’t trade this thrilling adventure for the world.

The choreography of Danielsen’s life goes far beyond the corners of dance. Ever since the day she stepped foot into a dance studio, she has had big dreams and lets nothing stand in her way of accomplishing them. “I saw myself as a prima ballerina, but when I actually started to dance, my dream turned into being able to execute well and being able to perform in any

I have danced every year of my life since. I am humbled to say, that through long days and nights in the studio, sacrificing time with my friends and family, all of the blood, sweat, and tears, I have accomplished what I have been working for since I was a little girl waddling around swallowed in a big pink tutu. I was chosen for the lead role of Cinderella in the Danscompany of Gainesville’s “Cinderella Ballet.” This accomplishment is a reflection of my consistent and sustained work ethic. This tenacity is reflected in other areas of my life and will be a defining characteristic that I carry to

The profile I read about was the dance community. While reading, I was focused on the structure of the paper and how the writer decided to explain the community. The profile was written from an outside perspective looking in. The writer knew what was going on in Alyssa’s head, but it was not Alyssa directly telling the story. Something that stood out in a positive way was how the writer made it a point to mention the dance moms and how they affected the community. The writer described from Alyssa’s point of view that the dance moms were “sometimes the worst part of dance; they were judgmental, crazy, and you never knew if they actually liked you or were being phony.” This description helped me imagine what the dance moms acted like and what

Every single athlete on a team has a reason they chose that sport. Each individual athlete picks his or her specific sport depending on interest, enjoyment, or athletic performance; however, a majority of athletes in sports choose their sport from parental influence. Through elementary and middle school, children are usually involved in more than one sport. Once the children reach high school, they usually choose one sport to pursue and put the most effort into. This decision is usually swayed by what the parents would like to see their child doing. The relationship between parents and the sports their children play has been seen in movies and shows for ages. For instance, the television show “Dance Moms” is a show that has daughters on a competition

Whether rooted deeply through generations of a family or formed through an experience, passions and fascinations are what drives us, humans, to be who we truly are. At this point in my life, I do not want to reach comfort or perfection, but rather feel composed and confident in what I chose to merge my ballet skills with. When I dance, I escape reality and feel a pure exhilaration.This sensation shapes my curiosity and interest in the human anatomy. From the elements that make it up to ways in which people individually move their bodies, the human body is absolutely fascinating. Specifically, I am passionate about teaching ballet to younger students. By introducing ballet to kids early on, they will experience the same joy almost all dancers feel for a longer period of time. When I’m dancing I’m challenging your mind, releasing endorphins, and working hard. I am also eager to own my own business linked with teaching that will provide people with affordable dance equipment, and even more crucial, advice on what suits each person's personal needs. I know as I grow old my body will not be as capable as it once was, but I’m dedicated to spreading my appreciation of ballet to others. Overall, my passion for ballet and how I can utilize it to positively impact society as an entrepreneur has developed through the inspiration of my grandparents, the creativity of my former dance teachers, and my interest in the human bodies relation to ballet.

My dance studio is where I have learned many life lessons that I would have never learned elsewhere. With the discipline and corrective criticism that all of my dance teachers have thrusted upon me over my past fifteen years of dance experience has shaped me into the dancer and the person I am today. However, with all the difficult practices and many long nights at