Katie Marsico - Dancer

Published in the United States of America by

Cherry Lake Publishing, Ann Arbor, Michigan

www.cherrylakepublishing.com

Content Adviser

Lorena Free, Co-Director, Lynettes School of Dance, Park Ridge, Illinois

Photo Credits

Cover and page 1, Yuri Arcurs/Shutterstock, Inc.; page 4, Jackq/Dreamstime. com; page 7, iStockphoto.com/antares71; page 8, Sean Nel/Shutterstock, Inc.; page 9, iStockphoto.com/RamiKatzav; page 10, iStockphoto.com/Gewitterkind; page 13, iStockphoto.com/mcpix; pages 15, 21, 24, and 28, ASSOCIATED PRESS; page 16, Sokolovsky/Dreamstime.com; page 18, iStockphoto.com/CEFutcher; page 19, Mike Goldwater/Alamy; page 23, iStockphoto.com/craftvision; page 26, Rebecca Erol/Alamy

Copyright 2012 by Cherry Lake Publishing

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means without written permission from the publisher.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Marsico, Katie, 1980

Dancer/by Katie Marsico.
p. cm.(Cool arts careers)

Includes index.

ISBN-13: 978-1-61080-130-0 (lib. bdg.)

ISBN-10: 1-61080-130-X (lib. bdg.)

1. Dance. I. Title. II. Series.

GV1597.M37 2011

792.8dc22 2011000374

Cherry Lake Publishing would like to acknowledge

the work of The Partnership for 21st Century Skills.

Please visit www.21stcenturyskills.org for more information.

Printed in the United States of America

Corporate Graphics Inc.

July 2011

CLFA09

CHAPTER ONE

Emma could not take her eyes off the stage. She had never been to a ballet before. She was attending a production of Swan Lake with her aunt and uncle. It is the story of a princess who is turned into a swan by an evil magician.

During the performance, people in the audience whispered about how graceful the dancers were and how beautiful the music was. Emma was even more amazed by the way the performers onstage told the swan princesss tale without saying a word. Instead, they used movement to show their characters feelings and personalities.

Emma stood up and clapped as the curtain fell at the end of the ballet. She had always known that dancing was fun and good exercise. Now she realized that it was also a creative way to share stories.

There are many other types of dance in addition to ballet. Hip-hop, jazz, modern, folk, and tap are some popular performance styles. Professional dancers rely on different techniques and settings to tell stories or share ideas with the audience. Some perform in operas and musical theater productions. Others dance in films, television shows, commercials, and music videos.

Movement and dance are some of the most primal, basic things human beings do, explains Louise Reichlin. She is the managing and artistic director of Los Angeles Choreographers & Dancers, in California. This nonprofit organization offers classes that let people of all ages and backgrounds explore dance. Reichlin has been a professional dancer for 51 years. She has learned the powerful effect that dance can have on an audience.

In many ways, movement expresses more than words and music do, she says. Babies communicate with movement before they can even speak. I guess I see great importance in movement because it involves [natural] and unconscious behavior that is also very honest.

LIFE & CAREER SKILLS

You can start preparing for a career as a dancer while youre still in grade school. Louise Reichlin recommends taking as many dance and movement classes as possible. She adds that kids who are interested in becoming dancers can also practice in their own homes.

Its important to listen to all different kinds of music, Reichlin advises. And dance whenever you can. For example, dance in your living room when theres music playing on the television or the radio! What else might help you along the path to a career as a professional dancer?

Moving your body to tell a story or communicate a message is not as easy as you may think! Professional dancers need talent and stamina. They also need to understand music, rhythm, and technique. They spend a lot of time moving their bodies during auditions, rehearsals, and performances. Do you want to learn what your average day might be like if you end up choosing this career?

CHAPTER TWO

A DAY IN A DANCERS SHOES

Maria woke up as soon as she heard the alarm clock ring. She had a busy day ahead of her. But she was used to the life of a professional dancer. Maria ate a healthy breakfast and then packed her tap shoes and water bottle in a duffel bag. She put on exercise pants, a tank top, thin socks, and sneakers.

Before leaving the house, Maria reviewed her schedule one last time. She had tap class at the dance studio in the morning. After that, she had four hours of rehearsal with her dance company. Later in the afternoon, Maria was auditioning for a small part in a film that needed tap dancers. Finally, she had to head back to the dance studio to help teach a tap class for children.

Maria enjoyed showing other people how to dance. She was also happy to earn a little extra money. Her busy schedule kept her on her toes!

Not everyone with a dance career has the same schedule as Maria. Yet almost all professional dancers are just as busy. Dancers daily activities depend on what kinds of jobs they have. For example, someone who is trying to find work might attend more auditions than someone who already has a long-term job. In addition, different companies require different time commitments for rehearsals and performances.

Dancers perform everywhere from small studios to huge auditoriums. Some professional dancers move to New York City because they hope to perform on Broadway. Others head to Los Angeles, where they try to find jobs in films and television shows.

Professional dancers devote much of their time to practicing. Attending dance classes is one way to do this. Louise Reichlin recommends that dancers try to fit in at least two classes each day.