Learn to Speak Dance

In the bestselling Learn to Speak Music, would-be musicians got the inside scoop on rocking out. Now, 'Learn to Speak Dance' takes young dance enthusiasts into the wings to learn how to choreograph steps, design costumes, mix dance styles from around the world, and more! Drawing upon years of experience as a dancer and dance teacher, author Ann-Marie Williams exposes every aspect of the world of dance - from how to start a dance group to tips on shooting a music video, calming performance jitters, staging, and even managing a potential career. She's also brought along the expert opinions of a number of other dancers, set designers, choreographers, and reality TV judges, and all of them share great tips and anecdotes throughout. So, even though watching a flashy music video or an episode of 'So You Think You Can Dance' probably makes most kids a little shy about their dancing skills, there's no need to get stage fright. After all, dance is just a mashup of everyday movement and imagination. And while a musician might learn how to play piano or guitar, a dancer's instrument is the human body. We just need to explore the unique, artistic voice inside that instrument - and Learn to Speak Dance is all about helping kids do just that! It's simply a revelation of just how far your own two feet can move you if you let them. AGES: 9-13 AUTHOR: Ann-Marie Willaims is the director of the Movement Lab, a dance school for kids. She is a certified ballet teacher with the Royal Academy of Dance and often contributes to The Dance Current. ILLUSTRATOR: Jeff Kulak is an award-winning designer-illustrator. From his studio, a converted room in a former nunnery, he creates art for magazines and theatre posters.