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Dance like a Rockette: College students take unique class

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Dance like a Rockette: College students take unique class

Rhapsody Stiggers has been dancing since she was 2, but the 20-year-old college junior has never taken a dance class quite as challenging as the one she’s in now.

She is one of 38 students at the Boston Conservatory at Berklee enrolled in the first for-credit college dance class taught by the Radio City Rockettes, the precision dance team famous for its annual high-kicking “Christmas Spectacular,” seen by more than 69 million people since 1933.

The class, taught by a current Rockette, focuses on their meticulously precise technique, based on tap, ballet and jazz, in which the dancers move and kick in perfect synchronicity. The course also teaches strength training, choreography and lessons that can be applied to pretty much any dance genre.

“What’s unique about this class is the level of technicality,” said Stiggers, originally from St. Paul, Minnesota. She said she’s skilled in ballet, modern, jazz, salsa, West African and improvisation, but “no other style of dance really emphasizes the precision of every single body part.”

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“Like the Rockettes, we have to know exactly where our eye is, or where they’re pointing, or where the fingers are pointing, or how extended they are. So in that sense, it is more difficult than other styles that I have done in the past,” she said.

It’s one of the most popular dance classes this semester at the performing arts school founded in 1867. Slots filled up fast and though enrollment was originally capped at 30, there were 38 students ultimately allowed in, said Mila Thigpen, chair of dance at the conservatory.

Their instructor is Amarisa LeBar, who has been a Rockette for about five years. LeBar, 25, of Iselin, New Jersey, started teaching at her mother’s dance studio at 16 but finds sharing the Rockettes’ style with college students definitely more intense.

“Teaching on a Rockette level is completely different and is a lot more difficult to do because we really tune into the perfection of our movement,” LeBar said.

The students also get a sense of the teamwork Rockettes to develop while rehearsing six hours per day, six days a week.

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“So to be a Rockette, first off you have to have a love of wanting to work together as a team,” said Julie Branam, director and choreographer of the “Christmas Spectacular.” She started as a dancer 36 years ago.

“Sometimes it can be very tedious,” Branam said. “We’re checking what 36 people do in that line over and over again, to say ‘Is your head at the same angle? Is your arm at the same height?’ So it’s the willingness of wanting to work as one to make the effort of the 36 looks beautiful.”

The college-level class is an extension of the Rockettes’ dancer development program, which includes invitation-only summer training for promising dancers. The partnership is natural, Thigpen said.

“We have very similar core values,” she said. “Both the Rockettes and the Boston Conservatory at Berklee have a very long history, and as much as we have to celebrate in our history, we also are both thinking about how we evolve and push both dance education and the profession of dance.”

Stiggers has been so inspired that she may audition for the Rockettes someday.

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“It’s a just fun thing to strive for,” she said. “If I don’t apply or get in, it’s still useful knowledge that I’ve learned that can carry on into the rest of my career.”

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How Wasim Akram keeps himself fit and energetic?

How Wasim Akram keeps himself fit and energetic?

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How Wasim Akram keeps himself fit and energetic?

Cricketer and commentator Wasim Akram has taken to social media to share insights into his morning routine and breakfast habits, revealing the secret behind his fitness despite battling diabetes. 

In a video on his social media accounts, the cricket star said he rises at 6am every morning, administering six units of insulin alongside. He elaborated that his day typically starts with a brisk 8-kilometre walk after dropping his daughter at school. 

“I have been living with diabetes for 25 years,” Akram emphasised in a crucial video message, highlighting his daily struggle and dedication to maintaining his health.

He said that he “rises at 6am every morning, administering six units of insulin alongside.” 

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Currently, in Melbourne, Akram stated that he was recording the video at 10am local time while having his breakfast. Before his meal, he had already administered another six units of insulin.

Detailing the contents of his breakfast table, he explained that his wife had prepared low-fat yogurt for him along with some bananas, blueberries, and muesli, which help regulate sugar levels throughout the day.

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Asad Siddiqui celebrates birthday with wife

Asad Siddiqui celebrates birthday with wife

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Asad Siddiqui celebrates birthday with wife

Pakistan showbiz industry actor Asad Siddiqui has celebrated his birthday in a buoyant manner with his wife.

Zara Noor Abbas, taking advantage of the occasion, also released a few photos on the Instagram which are loved by fans.

The fans of the showbiz industry couple have liked the romantic picture shared .

She captioned the post, “ Asad, congratulation to you on your birthday. May you continue to remain happy. I really love you!”

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Why Usman Khan does not want to work with Kubra Khan

Why Usman Khan does not want to work with Kubra Khan

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Why Usman Khan does not want to work with Kubra Khan

Famous actor Usman Mukhtar has refused to work with Kubra Khan.

Usman Mukhtar made this remark while appearing as a guest at a private news channel.

“She actually trolls a lot on the set. Once she came up with a head set and VR and gave it to me to wear; it was a virtual building top, She sent me on the plank, and then she pushed me, I thought I was falling from the height, she filmed it too and sent it to me on my birthday. Also, I had a height phobia, so it was really terrible.”

He said Kubra sent him video on his birthday and trolled him. 

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“Though she is my good friend, I will not work with him,” Usman said.

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