Dance Notes: National Ballet of Canada Soloist, Tanya Howard. Get the inside info on your favorite dancers in a snap!

Stage makeup is a delicate and individual art form in itself. I find that doing your own makeup is important, unless it is a specialized character role. Everyone personally knows his or her face the best, so...

Much like a woman’s purse, a ballet dancer’s ballet bag is extremely important for carrying on through the day. I go through phases where I carry a huge bag full of various things, yet other times I’ll...

From going to many different schools, summer programs, and festivals, I have friends all over the world! Although I’ve made many new bonds with my co-workers in Toronto, I do miss my other friends. Luckily in this...

Class at National Ballet of Canada begins at either 9:45 or 10 a.m. Luckily I live very close to the studio, so I don’t have to wake up terribly early to prepare myself for the day. I aim...

One of the most important things for dancers is to stay fueled and hydrated.  I always make sure to have a bottle of water, preferably a liter, to drink throughout the day and refill. I try to...

Ballet can be one of the most stressful things. Being completely dedicated is a must in the recipe to make a professional dancer, but it is also important to find ways to wind down and take your...

We are in the midst of preparing for Swan Lake, the full production. Mixed in with in my YOU Dance rehearsals, I have had Swan Lake corps rehearsals for the shows during the Fall Season. The performances...

October 2nd was our very first YOUdance performance of the 2013/14 season! For the first performance, I danced the Black Swan pas de deux. The day before we had a dress rehearsal where I got the chance...

After four great years in San Francisco, I’m ready for a new chapter. I’ve been preparing for this move since the beginning of March, when I was offered an apprenticeship with National Ballet of Canada. After months...