The new cast of Dancing With The Stars

[Imzadi]

So it's been confirmed that Katherine has previous dance experience?

I don't know if she had classes or not, but I will say that there are people who are just naturally gifted. DD14 has been dancing since she was 3. She's got a friend, who if you looked at her and watched how she carries herself, you would think she has had years of dance - ballet - training. She's never had a single dance class. When she has stayed over, the two of them will goof around dancing and DD has shown her a lot of dance stuff and the kid can just pull it off. She's just got that god given ability. For all we know, Katherine could be one of those lucky ones.

Anyone who has had previous ballet training can tell by her line & form, how she carries herself, how her body creates perfect lines and has ballet arms that she has had training. But, mostly, the tell is in her center of gravity, where her axis is so she can balance, how she carries herself throughout the moves. She is very lifted in her torso & core and CENTERED throughout the moves.

Even if she was copying another's moves, she'd have to have that person there at the time. Mimicking Mark is not enough as he is not a ballet dancer. Plus, you can't simply copy working through the center of gravity from dance to dance, movement to movement. It is something learned through training. That is why ballet dancers spend years, first on tip-toe, then moving to pointe working through their center of gravity, learning how to stay up & centered. Ballet isn't about standing STILL on pointe, it is about moving through the center of gravity, controlling the body to stay up & centered through countless movements. Non-dancers fall out of that center of gravity all the time and don't know how to stay there, nor can they sustain it move after move by just copying.

Here is Mikhail Baryshnikov doing 11 pirouettes. Sure, someone else can copy his movements to the T but they will fall out of a pirouette after about the third or fourth time around. Baryshnikov is able to sustain & control his center of gravity and axis of balance, stay up AND end flawlessly. no amount of simple copying can do that.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=02EvsGal-Wc


A person can have studied ballet and not know squat about tap. They are very different dances.

Here is a clip of Baryshnikov actually doing a tap/jazz dance with legendary extraordinaire, the late Gregory Hines. You may not be able to really see it if you don't have dance training to know how to see it, but in the dance Baryshnikov has to tone down his movements to flawlessly match Hines, yet you always get the idea & impression his extension & lifts can always go a bit further & higher than what he is doing, because he CAN - effortlessly, whereas Hines might struggle to lift the leg an inch higher. You might be able to see Baryshnikov's center of gravity is higher, lifted in his whole body and more compact because all of a ballet dancer's moves are to get off the floor. Whereas Hines' center of gravity, a tapper who engages he floor, is lower to the ground and looser. They match each other's movements, flawlessly, yet are different in subtle, obvious ways to those who know how to see it. (I'm not trying to be snooty. I can't walk into an algebra room with equations all over the chalkboard and know what I'm supposed to be looking at. But, when you ask if she's really had training, and Kimmar & I can clearly see it, I just don't know if you see what I see?)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ImzkWZkaIIM


I seriously doubt that Katherine will admit NOW that she's had previous training. Anyone who pretends a faux back spasm to win points has lost integrity about truthfulness.

 

[marybet]

Remember Melissa Rycroft from the Bachelor, she had ballet training and Len was always commenting on how she stayed up on her toes too much. I've never heard anyone say that about Katherine. Doesn't mean she hasn't studied ballet, I just don't think she was a ballet dancer.

It doesn't really bother me if they've had dancing experience, unless they did professional ballroom dancing, they still have to put in the time and practice to do a good job. I've always thought the judges are a bit harder on the ones with previous dance experience.

 

[JennaDeeDooDah]

It doesn't really bother me if they've had dancing experience, unless they did professional ballroom dancing, they still have to put in the time and practice to do a good job. I've always thought the judges are a bit harder on the ones with previous dance experience.

I noticed that blonde girl from the Footloose remake was in the audience this past week. I think her name is Julianne or something like that. Maybe they can get her to be on the show as one of the stars next season (well, after all stars). I bet she would do terrific - especially if they paired her with Derek or Mark.

 

[marybet]

I noticed that blonde girl from the Footloose remake was in the audience this past week. I think her name is Julianne or something like that. Maybe they can get her to be on the show as one of the stars next season (well, after all stars). I bet she would do terrific - especially if they paired her with Derek or Mark.

Why so snarky? I said they shouldn't be a professional ballroom dancer, maybe you just misunderstood.

 

[JennaDeeDooDah]

Why so snarky? I said they shouldn't be a professional ballroom dancer, maybe you just misunderstood.

I wasn't trying to be snarky at all. I was joking around. The keep putting people on the show who have some sort of dance background. I thought it would be funny to put "that girl from footloose" on the show because in the movie, there is no ballroom dancing. Plus, so many times, if someone famous is in the audience, many people question whether or not that person will be on the following season. I was just being silly. I'm sorry that it came across wrong. I honestly was not trying to be offensive at all towards you.

 

[Imzadi]

Remember Melissa Rycroft from the Bachelor, she had ballet training and Len was always commenting on how she stayed up on her toes too much. I've never heard anyone say that about Katherine. Doesn't mean she hasn't studied ballet, I just don't think she was a ballet dancer.

It doesn't really bother me if they've had dancing experience, unless they did professional ballroom dancing, they still have to put in the time and practice to do a good job. I've always thought the judges are a bit harder on the ones with previous dance experience.

If you bring 10 ballet dancers up in front of Len, he will give them all different critiques, according to what different problems/issues they have.

I didn't say Katherine was a professional ballet dancer. I said she had ballet training. I'd say about 4 years.

According to a couple of my Broadway "gypsy chorus" friends, a Broadway dance audition isn't like what we see on TV shows. The first audition is where they all line up single file off stage, and one by one walk center stage, say their name and do a double or triple pirouette. Period. (Alternately, they might line up on stage & one at a time pirouette.)

In that one pirouette, it will be evident all their dance training, how many years, which style: ballet, jazz, modern, etc, and how much grace, precision & control they have. If they make that cut, then they move on to learning a routine with the choreographer.

For example, at the end of Dirty Dancing, during the finale number, I've Had the Time of My Life, Patrick Swayzee does all this jazz dancing and then he does a pirouette that just screams he had years of BALLET training. I had never heard or seen Patrick Swayzee before in my life, but in that pirouette, I knew he had serious ballet training. It was evident. And he had.

I noticed that blonde girl from the Footloose remake was in the audience this past week. I think her name is Julianne or something like that. Maybe they can get her to be on the show as one of the stars next season (well, after all stars). I bet she would do terrific - especially if they paired her with Derek or Mark.

Actually, Julianne Hough is Derek's sister. She, Derek & Mark had all studied ballroom dancing with Mark's pro father & mother for years as children. Julianne was actually one of the one of the original pro dancers (I think,) from the beginning of the show. She left DWTS about 3 years ago to pursue a singing career. That's why Tom welcomed her home.

 

[kimmar067]

I noticed that blonde girl from the Footloose remake was in the audience this past week. I think her name is Julianne or something like that....

....that's Derek's sister - but I'll bet you already KNEW that.

 

[kimmar067]

...I didn't say Katherine was a professional ballet dancer. I said she had ballet training. I'd say about 4 years.

According to a couple of my Broadway "gypsy chorus" friends, a Broadway dance audition isn't like what we see on TV shows. The first audition is where they all line up single file off stage, and one by one walk center stage, say their name and do a double or triple pirouette. Period. (Alternately, they might line up on stage & one at a time pirouette.)

In that one pirouette, it will be evident all their dance training, how many years, which style: ballet, jazz, modern, etc, and how much grace, precision & control they have. If they make that cut, then they move on to learning a routine with the choreographer.

For example, at the end of Dirty Dancing, during the finale number, I've Had the Time of My Life, Patrick Swayzee does all this jazz dancing and then he does a pirouette that just screams he had years of BALLET training. I had never heard or seen Patrick Swayzee before in my life, but in that pirouette, I knew he had serious ballet training. It was evident. And he had....

....ITA. If you are a fan of SYTYCD, you'll notice that everyone who is a potential contestant that has been trained in ballet (as opposed to other types of dance training), has a MUCH EASIER time of picking up the choreography and learning the intricacies of any one particular dance more so than dancers of other styles...

 

[Kirby]

I'd like to see Derek choreograph on SYTYCD. Louie's been on there a time or two.

I'd like Edyta's husband to come back as a pro. He was only on a time or two.

I would like to see the good ones that were voted off too early, like Sabrina (I think that is her name) on the All Stars.

I don't think that any of the winners should come back next season but would love to see a Winner's All Stars. And none could dance with their original pros and none of the winning pros could participate.

 

[JennaDeeDooDah]

....that's Derek's sister - but I'll bet you already KNEW that.

I did. I was just being silly. Oh well.

 

[cabanafrau]

....ITA. If you are a fan of SYTYCD, you'll notice that everyone who is a potential contestant that has been trained in ballet (as opposed to other types of dance training), has a MUCH EASIER time of picking up the choreography and learning the intricacies of any one particular dance more so than dancers of other styles...

Absolutely true. As a general rule most professional dancers who want to work across multiple genres study ballet, even if they aren't passionate about it.

Since you watch SYTYCD, did you happen to notice when Comfort returned to the show as an All Star she had noticeably changed in physique and was even more skilled than she had been as a competitor? She said she had been doing some serious dance training since she was last on the show, particularly focusing on ballet, despite being considered a hip hop specialist. She went from being a wonderful dancer who could book jobs to an amazing dancer who could be cast in virtually any dance role in any genre.

 

[kimmar067]

Absolutely true. As a general rule most professional dancers who want to work across multiple genres study ballet, even if they aren't passionate about it.

Since you watch SYTYCD, did you happen to notice when Comfort returned to the show as an All Star she had noticeably changed in physique and was even more skilled than she had been as a competitor? She said she had been doing some serious dance training since she was last on the show, particularly focusing on ballet, despite being considered a hip hop specialist. She went from being a wonderful dancer who could book jobs to an amazing dancer who could be cast in virtually any dance role in any genre.

.... ....wow, now that you mention it....

 

[kimmar067]

I did. I was just being silly. Oh well.

...oh.

[....ahm a num-nutz.... ]

 

[KBoopaloo]

I am so happy I found this thread in time for the finals. I just spent FAR too much time catching up on the thread from the beginning. I am usually a Maks fan first but haven't been a fan of his last two partners.

Overall, I am pleased with the final 3 and I am hoping for a win for Donald.

I am just glad that Derek and Maria are gone. I am not a fan of Derek and I was conflicted at first because I wanted to like Maria, but the two of them together were even more irritating that just Derek alone. I also think they played up their flirting all season to make everyone think they had some romance going on behind the scenes when really, she has been dating the same guy for 10+ years. Why play so coy about all of your dance floor kisses? It rubbed me the wrong way.

 

[Danibelle]

Reportedly a "back spasm" and she's fine.

I like Katherine's dancing but if she had a back spasm, she definitely wouldn't be jumping around. I am voting for William in the finals but I also think Donald has shown huge potential! My only criticism of Donald (and it is a small criticism) is his lack of facial expression. I think Donald will take home the mirror ball!

 

[RachelTori]

I like Katherine's dancing but if she had a back spasm, she definitely wouldn't be jumping around. I am voting for William in the finals but I also think Donald has shown huge potential! My only criticism of Donald (and it is a small criticism) is his lack of facial expression. I think Donald will take home the mirror ball!

I'd love to see Donald win it all!

I watched the replay of the "back spasm" several times and honestly, it looks to me like Mark didn't clear her when he did that step over her and that caused her to lose her balance and fall backward. It looked a bit clumsy on Mark's part. Could Katherine have been covering for him?

 

[BearcatsFan]

Soooooo ... who is ready for the show tonight? I am! Can't wait to see the freestyle dances.

 

[Imzadi]

I'd love to see Donald win it all!

I watched the replay of the "back spasm" several times and honestly, it looks to me like Mark didn't clear her when he did that step over her and that caused her to lose her balance and fall backward. It looked a bit clumsy on Mark's part. Could Katherine have been covering for him?

I think Katherine was just embarrassed or humiliated when the dance ending didn't work out. Her covering her face was simply a

moment, but internal. When Mark jumped to her "aid" and kept saying, "I've got you! I've got you," and grabbed her in an embrace like she was about to collapse & she needed rescuing, that's when it all went out of control. She probably should have just patted his arm & gently pushed him off her. She DID apologize to Mark as she wasn't sure if she was the one who went off. But when he wouldn't let go, I think that's when she felt she didn't want to embarrass Mark for coming to the wrong conclusion and OVER-reacting and started covering for him with the "back spasm."

 

[BearcatsFan]

I think Katherine was just embarrassed or humiliated when the dance ending didn't work out. Her covering her face was simply a

moment, but internal. When Mark jumped to her "aid" and kept saying, "I've got you! I've got you," and grabbed her in an embrace like she was about to collapse & she needed rescuing, that's when it all went out of control. She probably should have just patted his arm & gently pushed him off her. She DID apologize to Mark as she wasn't sure if she was the one who went off. But when he wouldn't let go, I think that's when she felt she didn't want to embarrass Mark for coming to the wrong conclusion and OVER-reacting and started covering for him with the "back spasm."

Did anyone else see the piece on GMA this morning? Now she's calling it a "back tweak" and not a "spasm".

 

[kimmar067]

I am so happy I found this thread in time for the finals. I just spent FAR too much time catching up on the thread from the beginning. I am usually a Maks fan first but haven't been a fan of his last two partners.....

...-a-MEN to DAT, sistah...