Book
I am very honoured to be recognized by my peers in this book.
While it does somewhat sketch my artistic journey from childhood to today, it doesn’t give a complete biography of my career and all the wonderful artists I have known, worked with, or been mentored by.
So to those who find their name, or our joint artistic event missing…my apologies! Some day I will write my own memoirs to fill in the missing, parts as you have all been so important to me and my artistic development.
On Technique, by Dean Speer
Foreword by Lynn Wallis, Royal Ballet. Former Artistic Director Royal Academy of Dance.
Fellow of the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing
"Right at my fingertips, helpful, firsthand advice from some of the greatest dance teachers in the world. This book is full of essential information for students, teachers, scholars, and directors at every level."--Rick McCullough, Florida State University
"What a wonderful adventure to open a book and read about so many of the world’s finest dance luminaries. Thank you for giving us such a marvelous opportunity to learn about these wonderful dancers and their teaching techniques."--Lauren Jonas, artistic director, Diablo Ballet
On Technique provides a fascinating look into the careers and teaching philosophies of eighteen of the world’s most respected ballet masters, principals, and artistic directors. Author Dean Speer sat down with prominent ballet pedagogues and asked each a standard set of questions, including "What do we mean when we say someone has beautiful technique?" and "How did you become a dancer?"
"An interesting and unique book that shows both commonalities and divergent opinions that guide all ballet teaching professionals."--John White Jr., author of Advanced Principles in Teaching Classical Ballet
"Here is a book that tells it like it is, a book that everyone can learn from."--Rasta Thomas, director, Bad Boys of Dance
On Technique offers fascinating insights into the nature of both performance and artistic instruction. Speer's approach reveals sometimes surprising convergences among these world-class talents, despite their varying pedagogical backgrounds and divisions.
Dean Speer is the founding director of the Chehalis (Washington) Ballet Center, former artistic director of the Chattanooga Ballet, and regular contributor to Ballet-Dance Magazine.
Artists in the Book:
- Gina Sinclair Davis, London Festival Ballet, Norbert Vesak Modern dance Company. Freelance RAD and Master Teacher, Choreographer and Adjudicator
- Francia Russel, New York City Ballet and Pacific Northwest Ballet
- Cynthia Harvey, American Ballet Theatre
- Finis Jhung, Master ballet teacher
- David Moroni, Royal Winnipeg Ballet
- Peter Boal, New York City Ballet and Pacific Northwest Ballet
- Martin Schläpfer, Düsseldorf Opera Ballet
- Roni Mahler, American Ballet Theatre and the Juilliard School
- Sally Streets Nichols, New York City Ballet and Oakland Ballet
- Bené Arnold, Ballet West and University of Utah
- Gwen Barker, Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo
- Damara Bennett, San Francisco Ballet and Oregon Ballet Theatre School
- Yvonne Cartier, Royal Ballet of London, and a Mime in Paris
- Karen Gibbons-Brown, Fort Wayne Ballet
- Gloria Govrin, New York City Ballet, Minnesota Dance Theatre School
- Dennis Nahat, Ballet San Jose
- Nina Novak, Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo
- Dean Speer, Repertory Dancers Northwest and freelance teacher, Seattle