Fine Arts Academy of Dance

Did you know that 1913 was the "Year of the Tango" all over the world? In this year, the "tango teas" began at the Waldorf Hotel in London, and a grand Tango ball held in the iconic Selfridges department store was declared the event of the year.

Practice is essential to mastering the routines and technique. At the very least practice a little bit every day, just to keep the steps fresh in your mind and to perfect them. Of course, you will practice more before recitals.

The Viennese Waltz is a faster version of the Waltz, made popular by the musical compositions of Josef Lanner and Johann Strauss during the 19th Century. It was the formal court dance of Austrian aristocrats.

Ballet dancers are well known for their athletic capabilities as well as their grace and finesse. But did you know that a three-hour ballet performance is roughly equivalent to two 90-minute soccer games back to back or running 18 miles?

Here is a wonderful quote by Agnes George de Mille: “The truest expression of a people is in its dance and in its music. Bodies never lie.”

Did you know that the "paso doble" is one of the most dramatic of all the ballroom dance styles? This is one of the few dances that showcases the male partner, with the woman’s part in the dance being strictly a supportive one.

While ballet got its start in the Italian courts in the late 1400s and early 1500s, it didn’t really come into its own until 1581. That’s when the first ballet was performed for the court of Henry III in France, titled “The Comic Ballet of the Queen.”

Ballroom dancing offers a wide range of benefits. Not only is this great cardiovascular exercise but also excellent for increasing muscle tone, flexibility, strength, and balance. It also provides a wonderful forum for self expression as well.

Dancing isn’t only a great physical workout. Remembering steps, routines and dance patterns is great brain exercise. With these benefits, there’s no reason not to dance.

In the early “ballets” of the 16th and 17th centuries, the performance is based around a dramatic story line; dancing is secondary and not necessarily the main component. To influence the drama of the story, animal parades, live music, poetry, juggling and even special effects are employed.

Tap, tap, tap! Anthony Morigerato set the world record for the most taps in a minute in New York in 2011. His number: 1,163 taps.

Plié, literally meaning “bent” in French, refers to the motion of smoothly and continuously bending the knees outward while holding the upper body upright. Turnout technique and proper alignment are key to maintaining the plié form.