Dancing: The Indispensable Reference, Updated 2nd Edition

An encyclopedia of information in an entertaining package, DANCING has been the leading practical reference on the subject since its first edition in 1982. The thought-provoking text embraces virtually every aspect, including: Finding the best teachers; Making your body and age work for you; Developing an individual style (what makes you unique and interesting); Dancing as a career, for fun and fitness, for children, for men; Choosing a dance form: quick tours of ballet, modern, jazz, and tap; Getting the most from classes, assessing your progress; Evaluating college dance programs; Preventing and treating injuries; Launching a career, coming to New York; Proper nutrition and gear.

THERE'S MUCH MORE. backstage interviews with professionals, a comprehensive directory of national dance resources, 180 photos that illuminate and inspire.

BE YOUR BEST. Deep inside this book's generous 352 pages is something even more valuable: an array of tools for discovering your unique gifts and the rich rewards of doing the best with what you've got. DANCING is a solid guide for serious dancers and an exuberant invitation for those beguiled yet intimidated by the idea of dancing.

WELCOME SKATERS, GYMNASTS, FITNESS AND BALLROOM DANCERS. As artistic expression and polished form become increasingly important elements for these athletes, we find a growing readership among them.

USES: REFERENCE home, school, library; adopted as introductory TEXTBOOK by numerous college dance and theater depts.

Ellen Jacob left her job as a writer to do what she always wanted -- dance. As a professional dancer she performed extensively and taught throughout the U.S. under the National Endowment for the Arts Dance Touring Program. In addition to DANCING, Ms. Jacob has authored the acclaimed DANCE IN NEW YORK, an illustrated guide to the world's dance capital; also the Learn-by-Coloring series: THE NUTCRACKER, STARS OF THE BALLET, GREAT SKATERS, THE STORY OF GYMNASTICS.

In the early 1980s Ms. Jacob introduced one of the first widely seen reconstructions of Swing Dance featuring one of its inventors, the late Al Minns. The event was covered by New York's major television news networks.

Since moving to Connecticut with her family Ms. Jacob has developed a system of choreographing and teaching that utilizes individual style and an expanded movement vocabulary which can adapt to any age group or motion set -- children, trained dancers, actors, or athletes (MOTION tm). She looks forward to extending the reach of DANCING to skating, gymnastics, and theater.

INQUIRIES FOR MOTION varietyarts@earthlink.net