Put Your Best Foot Forward: A Young Dancer's Guide to Life - Hardcover

Schorer, Suki; School Of American Ballet

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0761137955 ISBN 13: 9780761137955

Publisher: Workman Publishing Company, 2005

Synopsis

Suki Schorer studied with the towering George Balanchine, became a principal dancer in his company, the New York City Ballet, and then joined him as a teacher at the school he founded—the School of American Ballet. And she will be the first to confirm that just about everything a young girl needs to know about life can be learned in ballet class. How to be always balanced. How to find the strength to follow your heart. How to turn a mistake into part of the dance. How to put your best foot forward. And how to find the self-esteem, focus, and discipline needed in life.

An inspirational gift book for any girl who ever took dance classes and dreamed of being a ballerina, The Ballet School of Life is a unique collection of wisdom and illustration, of life lessons set against a backdrop of dramatic full-color photographs of young dancers and whimsical, theatrical watercolors of butterfly wings and fairy-tale castles, tiaras, and stage settings. Written by Suki Schorer with the assistance of the School of American Ballet, the lessons are simple and motivating and reveal that dancers in training learn much more than how to plié or stand on pointe: Your body is your instrument. Even Sugar Plum Fairies sew their own ribbons. It takes strong wings to fly high. Do something extraordinary just because you can. Never miss a beat. And, to remember always, When storms rage and waters rise, glide like the swan.

About this title

About the Author:

Suki Schorer studied dance with the legendary choreographer George Balanchine and later became a principal dancer in his company, the New York City Ballet. Today, Ms. Schorer teaches at the School of American Ballet. She lives in New York City, and still sews her own ribbons.

From School Library Journal:

Grade 4-8–Those who are passionate about this art form and dream of becoming a professional dancer will find inspiration and sagacity on each page of this unique guide. The words of counsel proffered by the author, who was a principal dancer for the New York City Ballet and is a teacher at the School of American Ballet, are engaging, imaginative, and right on target. Whether advising a dancer to strike like a cobra in order to move with speed, aim, and purpose or to step lightly like a mother bird landing on her eggs, the imagery captures the point being made. Practical tips such as essentials that need to be in your bag and behavioral advice such as being grateful for criticism are nicely woven into the book. The photographs, mainly of female dancers, are clear and colorful. These words of wisdom will keep dancers on their toes and stretching their minds and hearts.–Carol Schene, Taunton Public Schools, MA
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About this edition

• Publisher: Workman Publishing Company
• Publication date: 2005
• ISBN 10: 0761137955
• ISBN 13: 9780761137955
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 80