Attitude! - Hardcover

Fishman, Katharine Davis

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1585423556 ISBN 13: 9781585423552

Publisher: Tarcher, 2004

Synopsis

A close-up study of the origins and development of artistic talent follows a year in the lives of eight young dancers at The Ailey School, providing a detailed portrait that explores the complex link between innate ability, commitment, and dedication as these teenagers hone their performing talents. 15,000 first printing.

About this title

About the Author:

Katharine Davis Fishman is the author of Behind the One-Way Mirror: Psychotherapy and Children. She has written for The Atlantic Monthly, New York, Town & Country, Lingua Franca, and numerous other magazines.

From Publishers Weekly:

"Attitude" is both a dance position and a state of mind. According to journalist Fishman (Behind the One-Way Mirror: Psychotherapy and Children), dancers need both—technique and determination—to succeed as professionals. Fishman spent a year at one of the nation's top dance academies to observe eight gifted students and try to ascertain why some, and not others, go on to pursue dance careers. The students, both boys and girls, are from the East Coast and West, gay and straight, naturally talented and hard workers—all united by their love of movement. Fascinated by what exactly it takes to succeed professionally in the arts, Fishman writes about the dancers' families, the Ailey School faculty and the psychology of the dancers themselves—how do they handle victories, failures, weight issues and injuries? Fishman unknots the question: how much does success depend on talent and how much on motivation? While she cites research on the development of gifted teenagers from authorities such as Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi and Howard Gardner, Fishman doesn't offer definitive answers. But the questions are fascinating. And she portrays the students, whose lives she follows, with sensitivity and respect. B&w photos.
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About this edition

• Publisher: Tarcher
• Publication date: 2004
• ISBN 10: 1585423556
• ISBN 13: 9781585423552
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 304