House Of Style Productions

marc grant, david hamilton, and holly starr
presents
 Dancemakers
"Making It"
Knowledge, Wisdom, and Guidance
for The Talented 
by
David Hamilton

Meet some of the best Dancers / Choreographers in the country
 

New York's Finest Dancers Share Self Promotion at UWM Milwaukee !

" From The Top "
________________________________

I have spent a lot of time sharing Radio / TV / Film and Music with you, and I thought that the best way to present Self Promotion to you up and coming dancers, was to find professional Choreographers / Dancers / Teachers / Students / and even an Artistic Dance Director to give you the information you need to know about helping you with self promotion and growth in becoming in a dance setting! Again, the advice given can be utilized in all aspects of the artistic forms presented in this book. All of these " Dancemakers " have all united at UWM Milwaukee, Wi. from New York, Minnesota, and surrounding areas to spread their professional art to people like you that want to learn and grow in the art of dance, as they study too. UWM Milwaukee proves to be an excellent place for professional dancers to learn from during the summer! After watching a show at UWM, I am thrilled to share their professional DANCE advice with you ~
 

Meet Anne-Renee

Anne-Renee is a professional dancer from New York ! She is one of the first dancers from " Dancemakers" that I had a chance to interview ! Her advice given in the next few questions was some of the best advice I have ever gotten from an artist to extend to you !

1. Can you give young up and coming artists some good advice as to what they can do to be strong in self promotion ?

Perform all the time...... wherever you can get onto a stage, get on it, be in front of people all the time ! Get your picture on posters, flyers, and get your name on everything too. The more performances you are a part of, the more your name gets circulated to other directors, casting agents, and industry leaders. Take as many chances as possible to be a part of a performance where you can be seen. Every time you do a performance, invite people to come see you perform so they can reach out to tell others about your work to.  I also encourage you up and coming artists to focus on being in school and taking part in all of the school functions that have something to do with performing, this will help you spread your name around, and people will recognize you and your artistic gift. Recognition from teachers and industry leaders will spread to the directors that search for talent.

2. Can you offer young up and coming dancers advice as to ways to better themselves ?

I always tell my students that education is the key to success in anything that you do. If you are living in a city that doesn't offer the luxury of dance studios, try to find mini camps, summer vacation camps, YMCA dance programs, or anywhere that offers instruction. Even if it is not top notch New York City professional training, you can still seek out and find instructions that can better your dancing. Contact your church or youth group, they might help you find funding to attend a school out of state. There are dance theatre camps as well, if you go online and type in dance theatre camp, you will find a list of potential schools you can get into during your summertime vacation. You can even get good direction from the Girl Scouts - Brownies, and other youth foundations in your area. Where there is a will, you will find a way.

3. What advice can you give dancers that want to take their art to your level of professionalism, video, theatre, tv, film ?

Practice all forms of the technique that dance offers you :

* Ballet  * Tap  * Modern  * Jazz   * Tap

Study all fusions and forms of Dance that you can possibly find available. Always educate yourself when you can find time to squeeze in classes. I had a personal trainer for the past few years that had me studying different styles, movement, and mind body work. This helped me teach "Alexander Technique" and " Mind Body Work" which I teach now in New York.
 

4. If there is a student out there that has the passion and desire to learn from your " Mind Body" work and your "Alexander Technique" teaching, can they contact you for information on taking classes from you ?

of course, my e-mail address is anne-renee@nyc.rr.com !

Meet Katie Sopoci

Katie is a Professional Choreographer and a dance member of " Dancemakers "
 

1. Can you give up and coming dancers some advice as to what is important when they are building themselves up as dancers to self promote ?

The most important thing to do as a dancer is to prioritize yourself in everything you do. Self Promotion means you have to have energy, be healthy, rest on down time, and always be out in the public's eye when you have a chance to be. Take care of yourself as much as possible so that when you are out auditioning for different choreographers, they remember you based on your passion, energy, and performance. This will help your self promotion and word of mouth as to who you are.

2. Speaking of auditions, can you give up and coming talent some advice as to what they can do to be prepared for one ?  

Casting Directors, Directors, Choreographers in Dance are usually looking for something specific. It might be height, weight, your appearance, your posture, your passion, or simply how you present yourself in body language. With that said, don't be discouraged with a lot of NO's before you get a YES. It is common to get shut out because of the specifics, but you will find your way in if you put 100% of yourself into what you are doing. Never give up your drive and always strive to perform the best at all times. Research what fits you best as a dancer.
 

Meet Rodger Belman
 

Meet one of the best dancers / teachers in the country........  Rodger Belman! Rodger has taught, performed, and choreographed in New York City since 1989. He performed with Laura Dean Dancers and Musicians ( some of the best in the world by the way ) He has also performed in the companies of Twyla Tharp, Mark Taylor, Rachel Lambert, Joy Kellman, Fred Darsow, Freefall, and Kristin Jackson Dance. Rodger is an assistant professor at East Carolina University. In other words, you are learning from the best in the business when you hear Rodger 's advice !


1. What are the most important qualities dancers can learn early on to follow in your footsteps as a professional dancer ?

 It's important to work hard, to be disciplined and to be open to experiencing all kinds of dance, movement styles and techniques-modern, ballet, jazz, ethnic and folk dance, hip-hop, martial arts and yoga, etc...Versatility is especially important if you're interested in doing film and video work.   

2. If you could offer advice to a 10 year old girl as to what was the most important as she was becoming an artist in general, what would you tell her ?

 Education, school, classes, study, work, practice, study, educate, and continue to study...... Education is everything no matter how great of a dancer you become. Dancing is a physical art, so staying fit, healthy, and  conditioned will give you the opportunity to perform your best. Take care of your body, and your body will take care of you.

3. If someone reading this information has a question for you based on your expertise and education in the dance arena, is there an e-mail address they can use to reach you ?

 belmanr@mail.ecu.edu

Meet Catey Ott

Catey Ott danced professionally in New York for 8 years, and just recently returned to Milwaukee ! Catey is sooooo talented, she has directed rehearsal and danced for Heidi Latsky. She has also toured Eastern Europe with with Allyson Green. Catey Ott also formed her own company with Eun Jung Gonzalez. Catey danced for Wild Space and Danceworks Performance Company. 

1. Since you have toured all over the country and beyond, started your own dance company, and achieved success, what can you offer to young up and coming dancers............ expectations, and guidance for positive self promotion ?

Always expect the unexpected in everything you do. Not just dance, no matter what you are trying to achieve in the entertainment business, it is a windy path that you are on, so be prepared for everything and anything that can happen. Constantly educate yourself, that is the key to being mentally prepared, that is why I am here at UWM Milwaukee. Successful self promoting  means being strong and consistent with your art form, being true to yourself as you build up your strengths, and always listen to your own voice as you gain success. The more you follow your inner voice, the more you put yourself in the public's eye as you do what your voice tells you is right. Your self promotion will be strong if you are performing for yourself the most. Talk to performers after every show, if you can!  Meet as many dancers / choreographers as possible, and ask questions. 

2. In dance, what is the proper material a dancer should have when they go to an audition, and what should the material contain ? 

Always be prepared with an 8'11 head shot and a resume. Your head shot should contain basic information on the bottom of the picture, like your name and contact number. Your resume should present your objective, schooling, and your performance background.  

3. What advice would you give to a young up and coming dancer that wanted to know wherre the perfect place to start would be ?

If you have the ability to be in a dance school in your city, that is the best place to go... obviously. If you can find a YMCA near you, they usually offer excellent teaching. Spend oyur vacations from school doing workshops in cities that offer them. If you need support, contact your church youth group and find out if they will help support your education in the fine arts. Lastly, seek out dance programs in national advertised schools on the internet. Study as much about dance school as possible so you know what is expected if you are chosen to attend one.

Meet Molly Robenowitz

Molly is a professional dancer from New York City. Molly has been dancing and choreographing there since graduating from Wesleyan University in 1987. She has been presented at the Greenwich Dance Agency in London! and also in Portugal.

1. Since we are on the topic of self promotion and growing as an artist, can you tell young up and coming talent what they can do to achieve their goals as a dancer ?

Be unique in everything that you do. Always be out in front of people. Be an individual and always dance for yourself first. If you follow this advice you will stand out and that is what self promotion is all about, standing out and being remembered. Lastly, choose study your options closely before making a choice as to what you want to do, and you will eventually the right thing to do.
 

As you can see from some of today's successful dancers, is that they all stress education while building up your talent on the dance floor. They all attend Summer College between teaching and choreographing in New York and other parts of the world. When these artists / dancers  are not performing or teaching, they are in the class room learning better technique. I want to thank the UWM Artistic Dance Director for letting me watch the Grad performance of " Dancemakers", the show was a must see for all, and the interviews and information learned will be read by millions..... thank you !  Now we will move into making good choices as to how you self promote yourself !
 

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