Pack your bags...with healthy snacks!

Dancers are constantly on-the-go. Whether you are in middle school, high school, college, or dancing professionally you know what it means to balance a lot of different things at the same time. 

As a college student, I balance tests, papers, and presentations with dance classes, rehearsals, and performances. Let’s just say days can get pretty hectic. But even in this crazy life, it is so important that dancers take time to eat healthy.

Photo credit to Corwin Johnson

Dancers need high-energy snacks to refuel between classes and shows. These snacks can’t be found in a vending machine, which is why it is so important to plan ahead. 

Pack your dance bad with snacks containing complex carbs, healthy proteins, and healthy fats. Try to keep snacks below 300 calories so that you are satisfied and refueled but never too full to dance. 

My two favorite snacks to keep in my dance bag are an apple with peanut butter and a healthy variety of nuts and dried fruit with a little bit of dark chocolate thrown in the mix. If these snacks don’t sound good to you, don’t worry! There are lots of other easy options to pack in advance and eat on-the-go. 

The Rockettes have a long list of healthy snacking options for dancers on their website.Check it out for even more ideas about how to eat healthy as a dancer!

Take Class

Photo Credit to Doug Titus

One strength that is priceless to dancers is versatility.

Whether you are a lover of ballet, jazz, modern, ballroom, tap, or contemporary, we all have our favorite style of dance. 

Regardless of your favorite, it’s important that dancers train in multiple disciplines. This flexibility prepares you for any audition or situation you might find yourself in. You do not have to be an expert in every style but don’t be afraid to try something outside of your normal discipline. 

Take class.  

Photo Credit to Jamie Childress

Many colleges and universities will allow you to audit their dance classes even if you are not officially enrolled. Find out if schools near you have these opportunities. Universities often offer master classes that are free to the public so find out how you can know when these are happening.  Find out what opportunities exist in your area and start taking advantage of them! 

When you travel, take classes at a new studio. Learning from a different instructor can give you a fresh perspective. Check out the previous blog Atlanta Takes the Stage  to see recommendations for studios to take class at in Atlanta, Georgia. 

One great thing about Project Dance is the opportunity to take master classes in different disciplines. Each participant gets to hand-pick their own schedule. See what interests you. Take your favorite style from a new teacher and get a new perspective on it or try a class that is completely new such as Musical Theater.

Versatility turns a good dancer into a great dancer so get out there and take class!

This is what a Project Dance Master Class Schedule often looks like.

A Successful Project Dance Atlanta

Atlanta Takes the Stage

In less than a month, the eighth annual Project Dance Atlanta will be underway. For the past three years, Autumn Morgenstern has been the Event Producer for the Atlanta project, and the success of the project continues to grow. This year over 150 dancers are expected to participate during the first weekend of October.

As a city, Atlanta truly has a heart for the arts, making it the perfect location for Project Dance. Dance is thriving in the Atlanta area. The city is filled with dance studios as well as pro and semi-pro companies. Autumn said she knows of two new dance companies starting just this year as well as a new arts festival. Atlanta is an up and coming city in the film industry which means there are more and more agents looking to hire dancers. Bottom line – if you are a dancer, Atlanta is full of opportunities!

If you are visiting Atlanta, here are a few dance studios you should definitely check out. Dance101, Ikonic Dance Studio, Dance411, Atlanta Ballet and Gotta Dance are the main studios in the Atlanta area offering adult classes, and they are excellent resources for dancers.

As a dancer, the training never stops. That’s why it’s so important to get plugged into the dance world and train under as many people as possible. Autumn said that when she was growing up she was never the best dancer at her studio or the one who was chosen to be in front; instead, she worked hard and it paid off. Autumn worked as a Radio City Rockette for seven years as well as performed with Walt Disney World, Stiletto Entertainment and more. She said, “If you love dance, stick with it. True art takes a long time to perfect so continue to work on your technique and performance skills and never give up.”

Atlanta will prove to be a project full of learning from experts in the industry as well as performing in the heart of downtown Atlanta. If you are in the area, stop by Atlantic Station on Saturday, October 4th to see talented dancers performing on the streets of Atlanta during the free concert. Sunday after the concert, dancers will have the chance to train under some of the best. Master classes will be taught by Project Dance founder and former Radio City Rockette, Cheryl Cutlip. Hip hop classes will be offered by PD favorites Natassia and Carl, and Stacey Slitcher will be teaching ballet. These are just a few of the talented teachers joining us in Atlanta this year, and you don’t want to miss it! So pack your dance bag because it’s not too late to join Project Dance in Atlanta October 3-5. Visit www.projectdance.com for more information!

Mission and Goals: Project Dance® is a movement of dancers seeking to positively impact culture through artistic integrity. Our desire is to see every dancer nurtured to their fullest human potential for their own wellbeing and their contribution to the world. We offer training, education, and performance opportunities for dancers worldwide who desire to dance with integrity to inspire. Check out www.projectdance.com to learn more.