Proffesional Portrait: Savion Glover

Savion Glover was born in Newark, New Jersey on November 19, 1973. While a student at Broadway Dance Center in Manhattan, Glover's teacher arranged an audition for him with Broadway choreographer Henry LeTang. This led to his Broadway debut at age 12 in The Tap Dance Kid. He made his film debut in 1989's Tap co-starring with Gregory Hines and Sammy Davis, Jr. In 1990, he joined the cast of the children's television series Sesame Street and stayed on the show until 1995. He came to prominence in 1996, starring in the George C wolfe produced musical Bring in 'da Noise/Bring in 'da Funk. He also starred in Spike Lee's 2000 file Bamboozled. Glover is one of the youngest males to be nominated for a Tony Award.

His most recent credit is as co-choreographer and central motion-capture dancer for the role of the penguim Mumble, the main character in the 2006 animated release Happy Feat.

Healthy Bites: Cardio for Dancers

October Issue of Dance Spirit
by Brianne Carlon

You should warm up your body with aerobic exercise before stretching. Here, with the help of athletic trainer Megan Richardson, we bring you three heart pumping moves that will get your heart rate up and your muscles moving. And remember: cardio, stretching, then dancing!

Exercise #1: Walking lunge
Why this is good for you: The lunge is a compound exercise, meaning it works numerous muscle groups (butt and thighs) while warming up the lower body.

How to: Extend the right leg in front until the foot is flat and the knee is at a 90 degree angle. The left arm should naturally come forward with a relaxed fist. Next, pull the back leg through passe' and switch the arm. Keep the hips level, not lifted. Finally, step forward onto the left foot until the knee is at a 90 degree angle. Do four alternating lunges in a row; repeat four times.


Exercise #2: Prancing
Why this is good for you: This move works through the muscles and tendons of the toes, feet, ankles, knees and hips and increases the heart rate.

How to: Step onto the left foot and allow the right foot to slowly roll off the floor until the foot is completely pointed. Arms should naturally swing in opposition to the feet. Next step onto the right foot and roll through the left until its completely pointed. Continue to switch feet, gradually gaining speed and height. Repeat six times in 30 second spurts, incrementally increasing power.


Exercise #3: Bottoms Up
Why this is good for you: This move is a dynamic hamstring warmup and strech.

How to: Start with feet shoulder width apart and elbows placed on the thighs. The body's weight should be held in the thigh muscles. Arch the lower back. Slowly straighten the knees as far as you can while keeping the back arched. Repeat 10 times in a row.

Professional Potrait: Debbie Allen

Debbie Allen is an American actress, choreographer, television director, television producer, and a member of the President's Committee on the Arts and Humanities. Her acting work includes the role of Lydia Grant in the 1982 TV series Fame.

Allen was born in Austin, Texas, as the youngest of four children. She went on to earn a BA degree in classical Greek Literature, speech, and theater from Howard University. Debbie Allen made her Broadway debut in the chorus of Purlie. She first began receiving critical attention in 1980 for her appearance in the role of Anita in the Broadway revival of West Side Story, which earner her a Tony Award nomination and a Drama Desk Award, she would receive a second Tony Award nomination in 1986 for her performance in the title role of Bob Fosse's Sweet Charity.

In 2001, Allen fulfilled a lifelong dream of opening the Debbie Allen Dance Academy in Los Angeles, California. Allen's academy offers a comprehensive curriculum for boys and girls ages four to eighteen in all the major dance techniques.

Debbie Allen became Dr. Allen when she was awarded an honoary doctorate from the North Carolina School of the Arts, as well as from her Alma Mater, Howard University.

Healthy Bites: Fast Food

By Adina Grigore (paraphrased from the October 1, 2009, DanceSpirit.com issue)

In between school, dance classes, and performances, its pretty hard to have a home cooked meal. When you are on the go, think of these types when choosing meals from the Fast Food menus.

McDonald's: - Instead of choosing a Big Mac, choose:

• Premium Southwest Salad with Newman's Own Creamy Southwest Dressing and Small Fries (470 calories, 4.5 g saturated fat, 650 mg sodium)
• Grilled Honey Mustard or Chipotle BBQ Snack Wrap with Snack Size Fruit and Walnut Salad (470 calories, 5 g saturated fat, 860 mg sodium)

Taco Bell - Beware of extremely high sodium content in almost everything on the menu. Try asking for cheese-less options or replace sacuces with salsa, which often includes fresh tomatoes and vegetables.

• Two Fresco Crunchy Tacos with Pintos n Cheese Side and Salsa Side
• Fresco Grilled Steak Taco with Mexican Rice Side and Guacamole Side

Subway - Many Subway sandwiches are much larger than a one-person portion and can be high in fat and sodium. If you need that foot long, forge the chips and soda. Or if you don't want the bread, get your favorite toppings on a salad!

• 6" Veggie Delite with Baked Lays
• Turkey Breast Mini Sub with Fire Roasted Tomato

Average Recommended Daily Values (for an active, young adult female)

• about 2,000 calories
• about 20 g saturated fat
• about 2,400 mg sodium
• about 300 g carbohydrates

Proffesional Portrait: Mark Morris

Mark Morris is an American dancer, choreographer, and director whose work is acclaimed for its craftsmanship, ingenuity, humor, and at times eclectic musical accompaniments. Morris grew up in Seattle, Washington, where his mother introduced him to Balkan folk dance and ballet. In the early years of his career, he performed with Lar Lubovitch, Hannah Kahn, Laura Dean, Eliot Feld, and the Koleda Balkan Dance Ensemble.

Morris moved to New York, where he established his own company, the Mark Morris Dance Group, which debuted in 1980. In 1990, Morris and Mikhail Baryshnikov established the White Oak Dance Project. He continued creating works for his company until 1995.

He is much in demand as a ballet choreographer, most notably with San Francisco Ballet. He has also received commissions from such companies as American Ballet Theatre, Boston Ballet, and the Paris Opera Ballet.

Notable works of Morris include Gloria (1981), set to Vivaldi and The Hard Nut (1991), his version of the Nutcracker set in the 1960's; just to name a few.

In 2001 his company moved into permanent studios and established the School at the Mark Morris Dance Center, offering classes to dancers of all ages and skill levels, as well as people with Parkinson's Disease.

Healthy Bites

Yogurt Parfaits - A very healthy option for after-school snacks.

Use low-fat plain yogurt and mash up some bananas or berries with a fork and mix with the yogurt.

Start with a tall, clear glass and let your kids create their own parfait, layering spoonfuls of yogurt, fruit, granola, and other fun foods.

Yogurt is an excellent source of protein, containing anywhere from 10 to 14 grams per 8 ounce serving. Add in some granola and you've got a protein-rich snack.

Interesting fact: While many still argue yogurt can't compete with meat as a valuable source of protein, the USDA now considers yogurt, a meat alternative in school meal programs.

Professional Protrait: Alex Wong

Alex Wong, age 22, is a rising star in the Miami City Ballet and is recognized for his speed, flexibility and precision. Alex joined its corps in 2005 and was promoted to soloist in 2007. Recently, he was named a principal soloist. Oddly enough, ballet was not Alex's first love. He was crazy about jazz and tap, but hated ballet class. It only took him a year and a half, at the age of eight, to realize what ballet was all about.

Alex studied at Goh Ballet Academy and danced with American Ballet Theatre's junior company. In 2004, he won the Prix de Lausanne competition. He has made a great impact in the ballet world, however, when he isn't dancing he loves singing Broadway and R&B songs.

Audition Tips

For your next dance audition keep these tips in mind:

• Choreographers and Directors love to see Confident Dancers.
• If the call is 10:00, be ready to dance at 10:00. If you have to warm up at home, do it.
• Don't talk to other dancers while the audition is going on.
• Listen, focus, and breathe. People tend to tense up and hold their breah. But if you breathe and relax, you'll pick up the choreo better.
• Don't wear alot of accessories or extremely bright colors. Let your dancing be what catches their attention.
• Don't take it personally if you don't make it, you might fit the character that they are trying to cast.

Student Spotlight: Kelli H.

KELLI H.

Age: 15

Grade: 10th grade

Favorite Subject: Reading

Favorite Style of Dance: Modern

Favorite Food: Chicken

Favorite Color: Blue

Future Occupation: Undecided

"I love dance because it's a way I can be free and get away from all of the stress. Plus it's fun!" - Kelli H.