Anthony LoCascio’s Blog

DEA - Las Vegas

Classes were great. i had lots of fun….I really enjoyed all the students I got to see again, and the new ones who took my class for the first time!

However, that said, this blog is really for the teachers!!!! I was VERY impressed at how many of you TOOK class. How well you did as a group, how intently you listened, and the amazing compliments you offered to me. That you for an inspirering class and indicating to me how on the pulse I am with your most important studio concerns.

Tap w/u Soon,

Anthony

Popularity: 52% [?]

Dance Shoes

I get tons a questions about dance shoes. I have addressed TAP shoes before in my blog and it really comes down to 4 syllables - Miller & Ben -or- for students Bloch. After the “which shoes do I tap in?” questions It stops there for the most part. However, there is more to unveil.

I see all students going from their “dolly dinkle” patten leathers to flat taps. I think this creates a problem with lifting heels when Tapping. Ideally I would like to see students n a small heel until they are about 12 years of age. I do not like to see Tap Dancers in a flat tap shoe until they have a greater understanding of technique. It isn’t until about 13 years of age that i move them to a flat tap shoe. This means the shoe choice actually aids in the learning curve of the dancer/student. I keep them in Blochs until their foot stops it’s quick growth spurts and then move them into a Miller & Ben shoe - Where they Tap happily ever after.

On a different dance shoe note. Remember the shoe is part of the leg line when you dance any style. Don’t forget about your Character shoes when performing a Theatre piece, a stylized jazz dance, or any other dance mood where a heel is more fitting for the performance than a flat shoe. Much to often I see the wrong choice of footwear on dancer’s feet when performing/competing.

Hope this helps - and as always

Tw/uS, A.

Popularity: 56% [?]

Top 10 Performance (competition) Things to Remember!

1. Get off the floor when you hop, and PRESS into the balls of your feet (Forced Arch) TAP
2. Don’t dance; Perform
3. Straighten the supporting leg!
4. Spot eye level, on the accent to turn as a unit.
5. No Fouettes in Tap! Save them for your Jazz, Modern, Lyrical and Ballet - Use Tap Turns!
6. Don’t forget to Pointe` your feet - especially when going into & getting up from in floor sections!
7. Every transition is equally as important as each individual step!
8. Be sure to stretch before every performance.
9. Preview and discuss each stage, at each performance, for proper staging and spacing!
10. Express, Emote and SMILE!!!!

I choose these 10 because they apply to 90% of the the dances I adjudicate. They are here to help you avoid the most common pit falls I encounter. Sometimes the hardest thing to do is see ourselves - but when we do, we can become the person we want to be by working on what actually makes up who we are as a person. Then we love ourselves and have the ability to love others. It works that way with Critical Criticism! Listen to what everyone has to say, Take it all with a grain of salt, then place appropriate value to all you have heard and apply it properly to your life!

Popularity: 100% [?]

Zazzle! Razzle-Dazzle

Check out this new website I was informed about. How much does www.zazzle.com rock. It is the newest form of sites like www.cafepress.com.

This zazzle however is everything in one. On my first visit I created a tee shirt and posted it on thee zazzle site, my j4t blog, and my danceregister blog. Plus I registered for the site. This was in about 30 - 40 minutes - which is the most amazing part. It’s easy, fun, and you’ll be creating in no time at all….

This site is worth checking out and putting sometime into.

Tw/uS,

A.

Popularity: 57% [?]

What Tap Shoes am I wearing?

When I was I kid I forever wore Capezio. The Last Pair I put on my feet was k360s after T-Dogs. I tore through the seem in 2 1/2 weeks and Capezio said they couldn’t do anything about it. Thanks.For a While I thought my Boots for T-Dogs would be the only thing I could wear. Then I discovered Miller & Ben. The Best Tap shoes I put on my feet since I was just a kid learning how to tap dance and Capezio was the tap shoe king!

Anyway you should check these shoes out. I use the jazz tap master. I have own 3 pairs so far. 10 months, TEN, after I used the shoes for regular class I noticed a small tear near a seam. I told Ben about the rip. He was so sorry - mean while I couldn’t believe how well they stood up to my pounding for so long. He proceeded to give me a new pair of shoes and 5 months later I loved my second pair so much I bought my third pair! If you perform, Teach, or your foot has fully grown get a pair NOW! The first week or so they are tight. That is because the leather is of excellent quality and they stretch out. I notice a small amount of baseball glove oil speeds up the process.

Anyway, It comes down to my Blundstones or my B & Ms. However, if you want shoes for your students and price is an issue ( when isn’t it?) get Bloch techno taps. They last, they have a good all around sole, they sound excellent, and they don’t strip (the screws) as easy as Capezios.

Tw/uS,

Anthony

Popularity: 78% [?]