Put Your Best Foot Forward
by Suki Schorer

Why I chose this book

I was looking for more dance-related books to include in the Music and arts category when I found The Ballet School of Life in a book store. I was intrigued by the title and very taken with the pictures and the practical advice about ballet and about life. However, I could not find this book in the library. It wasn't until I investigated other listings at Workman Publishing that the sales representative informed me that had been renamed. Put Your Best Foot Forward is a positive and encouraging book for a young female dancer-- a book that will probably become more valuable to her as she grows in her craft.

Synopsis

Put Your Best Forward, formerly The Ballet School of Life is written by Suki Schorer and other members of the School of American Ballet. Ms Schorer is a former pupil of George Balanchine and member of his ballet company. She is now a teacher at the School of American Ballet, the school he founded (along with Lincoln Kirstein.) Schorer states in her author's notes that she owes nearly everything she learned about dance from Mr. Balanchine. Now she desires to pass on her knowledge garnered from Balanchine to prospective young ballet dancers who are serious about their art. Here in this book she does just that.

Description

The young dancer will discover tips on nearly everything about ballet dancing--how to carry herself, how to make an entrance, how to create audience interest in a particular dance movement, how to choose a partner, how to tie ballet shoe ribbons, how to select shoes, and much more. This is an inspirational and practical text for any serious young dancer between the ages of 9 and 14. The book is 96 pages in length and includes many illustrations of young dancers in particular ballet positions or in concert.
Ms Schorer believes that the way one approaches dance may be the way one approaches life. The text in this unique book reflects her belief. "Life is a dance--join in," she writes. If something needs doing, "strike like the cobra." "Make the world a prettier place--Sparkle." Part one of the book (page 7 through page 22) contains gems on how to live life using principles of dance. Put Your Best Foot Forward is a book for young dancers--a how-to-book--but it also incorporates the principles of the original title-- The Ballet School of Life, with the emphasis on life.