# data[].attributes.body
An extraordinary example of a historically impactful contributor to the world of dance.
Michael Bennett was an award winning dancer, choreographer and director on Broadway. His life was short but his light will shine bright forever.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Michael Bennett - In Memoriam -  July 2nd 1987

# data[].attributes.body
When I was given the task to pick an inspirational choreography, I instantly thought of Suzi Taylor. Over the past couple of years, I've attended NYCDA with my dance studio. I've always loved taking Suzi Taylor's classes, I love her movement quality and just how her movement feels and I would love to share that with others! An internationally recognized master teacher and choreographer, Suzi has been training professional and aspiring young dancers for the past 26 years. Combining her talents as a dancer, teacher, and choreographer, she has been invited to teach, perform, and adjudicate at 5 National dance festivals in Rio de Janeiro, at the esteemed Theatre An Der Wein School in Vienna, at ABT star Julio Bocca’s school for Ballet Argentina in Buenos Aires, and in numerous workshops throughout Italy, Japan, France, and Canada.

# data[].attributes.body
I was inspired by the choreographer Marius Petipa for his beautiful creations in ballet, ballet being one of my favorite dances and his great creations.
Petipa created 46 complete ballets and numerous pieces.
The Don Quixote ballet focuses mainly on the love between Kitri and the barber Basilio, and, of course, on Don Quixote and Sancho Panza, whose mythical characters live a series of adventures around the young couple.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Petipa / Nureyev /Minkus: Don Quixote - Act1: Basilio, Kitri Variation

# data[].attributes.body
My choreographer I picked was Alvin Ailey. He inspired me because he was an American dancer, director, choreographer, and activist who founded the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. He is amazing at everything he does and is one of my favorite contemporary choreographers. He has influenced my dancing since I have always loved the lyrical style of dance and encourages me to push to become even stronger through my movement.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
5 Iconic Alvin Ailey Dance Performances #AmericanMastersPBS #Shorts

# data[].attributes.body
Trisha Brown inspired us because of her unique dancing style. She was an American modern dance choreographer and was the first woman choreographer to receive the coveted MacArthur Foundation Fellowship “Genius Award.” Brown liked to incorporate movements that involved the swinging of the arm and legs and also loved to include different kinds of partner work. She inspired many dancers and choreographers with her choreography and helped shape modern dance.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Set and Reset: Trisha Brown’s Postmodern Masterpiece

# data[].attributes.headline
I have always loved to clog, and I have always loved the rythem of it. Zeb Ross is a modern clogger and he has caught my eye as a clogger. He dances on his toes and I love to watch him clogg. 

# data[].attributes.subject
I have always loved to clog, and I have always loved the rythem of it. Zeb Ross is a modern clogger and he has caught my eye as a clogger. He dances on his toes and I love to watch him clogg. 

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Clogging Sensation Zeb Ross Returns to Rocky Top for Tennessee-Georgia Basketball Halftime Show

# data[].attributes.body
As I was tasked with picking a inspirational choreographer I immediately knew who I was going to chose. A few years back I was in a Fosse inspired group dance at an old studio and I fell in love. His intricate movement and sharp hitting accents are so unique and give such appeal to an audience. I feel inspired when watching a piece done by Fosse and had a flood of ideas when watching the piece Sweet Charity. Im really excited about this piece and seeing other’s pieces as well.

# data[].attributes.body
I’m inspired by George Balanchine because he utilizes technique in simple but complex ways in order to put on a show and tell a story. He can make something as simple as the turn of a head or the flick of a wrist and turn it into a defining moment in a dance. I think that his talent in being able to turn such little moments and make them so important is mind blowing and one of the most admirable things for a dancer.

# data[].attributes.body
We were inspired by the difference in dance that she does and how she moves. There were many different dances that we watched and many different styles that she does. This a very modern tone dance with partner work and many parts with swinging arms and modern moves that are different to what we are used to doing at a normal day thing.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Set and Reset: Trisha Brown’s Postmodern Masterpiece

# data[].attributes.body
I was inspired by George Balanchine because of his beautiful and elegant choreography. George Balanchine was a american ballet choreographer. He was recognized as one of the most influential choreographers of the 20th century. He co-founded the New York city ballet and remained it's artistic director for more than 35 years. He was unique for redefining classical ballet choreography and making it modern. Balanchine came to the U.S. with a vision of a revitalized style of ballet . He believed that ballet dancers should be able to dance with speed, precision, and strength.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
George Balanchine's Concerto Barocco (Pacific Northwest Ballet)

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
"Nothing in the whole performance surpassed the third movement here, when these two women and the eight women of the corps all danced together in changing meters and formations with exhilarating momentum." -New York Times (including bonus footage showing Balanchine stager, Francia Russell, giving rehearsal notes after dress rehearsal) Featuring Carrie Imler & Carla Körbes.

# data[].attributes.body
I was inspired by George Balanchine because his movement is very simple but tells big stories. George Balanchine was a Georgian American ballet choreographer. He is recognized as one of the most influential choreographers in the 20th century. George Balanchine is known for being responsible for most New York cities ballet company pieces. He created over 150 pieces. Many ballet companies teach variations of his work. One of George Balanchine's biggest work was the nutcracker. He decided to choreograph his own nutcracker which is still used to this day. George Balanchine's choreography style is called neoclassical style. He took ballet standards and technique and fused it with other genres of movement.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Waltz of the Snowflakes from George Balanchine’s "The Nutcracker" | New York City Ballet

# data[].attributes.body
I was inspired by Paul Abdul to choreograph a dance for the intermediate dance class. I was inspired by Paula because she enjoys tap dancing just like I do. I always have enjoyed the rhythmic aspect of tap and being able to incorporate tap into the dance for second block was important to me. Tap isn't her only style of dance; she also performs jazz/hip-hop-type pieces. I was also inspired by her because I love her energy when she dances. She looks like she is having so much fun. The video I chose is a portion from the dance to the song she created called "Opposites Attract." In this video, you can see her jazzy/hip-hop and tap styles.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
23 seconds · Clipped by Eva Stephenson · Original video “Paula Abdul - Opposites Attract (Official Music Video)” by PaulaAbdulVEVO

# data[].attributes.body
I was inspired by this choreographer because of how enthusiastic he is and I love the way he can choreograph to any song of his liking. He has a lot of different variations of music but he still has a specific way of how he dances. The music is very light but has a good flow. He does the latest songs and sometimes has the older songs. His teaching method is very easy and it helps people who don't really know the specifics of tap.

# data[].attributes.body
I was inspired by this hip hop dance cause i really like the moves and can relate to some of them from when i was in a hip hop dance class. Sean Bankhead has a lot of hyped up songs and dances that really inspire me one cause there fast and its just the music that he uses cause that's the kind of music i listen to because it gets me in a mood to just dance in my kitchen doing the dishes.

# data[].attributes.body
George Balanchine was a very influential ballet choreographer of the 20th-century. The biggest reason that I was inspired by George Balanchine is because of his musicality. He made sure that he expressed music with dance the most and I think that is a very important part of his choreography. Balanchine redefined classical ballet and created a way to make it more modern. He liked for men to swing their arms, flex their feet, and walk on thier heels. The women would dance on pointe, but the movements he had them doing were more dynamic. I chose Balanchine because I know that his style is very unique and different than classical ballet and there is a wide variety of movement to choose from.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
George Balanchine and New York City Ballet

# data[].attributes.body
I have always preferred modern and contemporary styles of dance and I was inspired by Graham’s unique style on traditional styles of dance and the way she broke the boundaries of what we knew of as dance at the time. Her new variations and styles incorporate ballet into what we know as modern/contemporary dance today. Her use of release and contraction along with her floor work and wrapping techniques inspired me to look further into her techniques and what she’s done for the dance community.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Martha Graham Dance Technique   Beginning Level

# data[].attributes.body
I was inspired by old movies growing up. Singing in the Rain, American in Paris and Guys and Dolls are some of my favorite Gene Kelly films. I choose this one because it is simple, funny and shows how dance can communicate in every language!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Gene Kelly  -  I Got Rhythm  -  An American in Paris