Heartbeats of Dance: Connecting, Inspiring, and Passing the Love of Movement
- Dance Rhythm
- Feb 14
- 4 min read
Updated: Feb 20
Feel the love in this week’s newsletter as we share the stories that keep the dance world going round!
First, line dancing, a beloved tradition in Black communities, has found a renewed sense of joy and connection, after Tamia and her husband revived the “Tamia Line Dance” in 2022, sparking widespread interest. Similarly, Ruthlyn Salomons has dedicated 25 years to ensuring the choreography and artistry of The Lion King on Broadway remain flawless, balancing her role as dance supervisor with mentoring new talent. Meanwhile, Hope Boykin, a former Alvin Ailey dancer and Durham native, has returned home to inspire the next generation, showing local students that a professional dance career is within reach.
Love these stories? Then keep reading to fall even more in love!
After seeing a viral video of people line dancing to her 2006 song, Can’t Get Enough of You, Tamia and her husband, Grant Hill, learned the dance and shared their own video in 2022, reigniting interest in the “Tamia Line Dance” and line dancing culture. This communal style of dance, long cherished in Black communities, has gained even more popularity through social media, with dancers of all ages finding joy, connection, and even healing through its rhythmic unity.
As the resident dance supervisor for The Lion King on Broadway, Ruthlyn Salomons has spent 25 years ensuring the intricate choreography, puppetry, and movement remain seamless in every performance, managing a massive cast and crew while maintaining the show’s artistic integrity. Her role is a constant balancing act—coaching performers, refining choreography, and troubleshooting backstage—yet her passion remains strong, fueled by the magic of live theater and the joy of mentoring new talent.
Kathleen Laituri, a lifelong perfectionist and dancer, faced severe anxiety and panic attacks during her time as a Rockette, which led her to step away from the show and seek help. She now advocates for prioritizing mental health in the dance community, emphasizing that stopping doesn't mean failing.
Hope Boykin, a Durham native and former Alvin Ailey dancer, recently returned home to teach master classes and perform her autobiographical work, States of Hope, inspiring local students. Her success story serves as a powerful example to young dancers in Durham, showing them that a professional dance career from their hometown is possible.
February is a busy month for ballet premieres, with new works like Frida by Ballet Arizona, Romeo and Juliet at Sacramento Ballet, and Cinderella by Dayton Ballet taking center stage. Other highlights include reimagined classics such as Giselle at Oregon Ballet Theatre, Peter Pan at Orlando Ballet, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Staatsballett Berlin, along with unique productions like Tulsa Ballet’s Alice in Wonderland and Finnish National Ballet's La vie en rose.
Ashley Bouder, a principal dancer with New York City Ballet, has faced numerous challenges throughout her career, including injuries, body image struggles, and bullying, but has remained determined to dance. As she prepares for her farewell performance of Firebird, she reflects on her 25-year career, her evolution as an artist, and her plans for the future, which include continuing to dance and start her own nonprofit organization, Ashley Bouder Arts.
Deepe Darknesse is an experimental theater-dance hybrid that challenges traditional narrative forms, using movement and surreal moments to engage audiences in a game of interpretation. The performance, inspired by the ancient Roman novel The Golden Ass, explores themes of transformation, rebellion, and self-presentation, inviting viewers to reflect on the complexities of identity and the human experience.
If You’re Around This Weekend
Ashley Bontrager returns to the stage this Valentine’s Day weekend to reprise her role as Lizzy Bennet in Ballet Fantastique’s Pride & Prejudice — A Parisian Jazz Ballet, eight years after first performing it. The show runs from February 13 to 16 at the Hult Center, featuring a 1920s Parisian twist with live French jazz by the Gerry Rempel Jazz Syndicate, with tickets ranging from $22 to $120.
If You Feel Like Watching
The Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre is set to enchant audiences with Romeo and Juliet in Pittsburgh. Daisy, from CBS news, caught up with principal dancers Grace Rookstool and Colin McCaslin for an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the production.
If You Feel Like Listening
In this episode of the Ballet Help Desk, Stephanie Potreck, founder of Aus Dancers Overseas, discusses the key differences between European and U.S. ballet training, highlighting challenges, scandals, and the role of wellness programs in reforming ballet education. The conversation also explores the impact of journalists in exposing abuse and the changes needed to improve ballet schools.
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