Like many talented ballet students, Amir Shah hopes hard work and dedication to the art will lead to a bright future in the ballet world. Unlike most ballet hopefuls, Amir lives in a low-income neighborhood in Mumbai, India—which has almost no ballet scene.

The 15-year-old, who has only been dancing for two years, was recently accepted to the world-renowned American Ballet Theatre's pre-professional program, where he'll start in the fall. But Amir's passion for ballet emerged from much humbler circumstances. Amir knew almost nothing about ballet a few years ago, when he took a hip hop class as part of a special program for underprivileged Indian students. Israeli ballet teacher Yehudi Maor observed his aptitude for movement, and invited Amir to take his ballet class.

"I saw a little boy with what we'd call the right instrument. He moved very easy but [he had] no training," Moar told the BBC. But Amir was a quicks study and "immediately learned the language of ballet," Moar said.

Now, Amir's been dubbed "India's Billy Elliot" by the BBC. Check out his inspirational story below for some #MondayMotivation!

We've said it before and we'll say it again: New York City Ballet principal Sara Mearns is some SERIOUS #goals. Her strength and power onstage borders on superhuman. But what's extra magical about Mearns is that she really puts in the fitness and cross-training work outside of the rehearsal studio. And she's overcome her fair share of injuries. Which is why she was the perfect source for Vogue 's latest ballet fitness story .

The story features seven toning exercises in GIF form, starring none other than Mearns. It also goes into fascinating detail about fellow NYCB star Joaquin De Luz's new side gig as the company's certified personal trainer, after a back injury almost ended his dance days. De Luz has since created the company-wide, cross-training based fitness program Dancer Fit. (And he also created all the exercises in the story.)

Means also opened up about what dealing with injuries is really like. In her case, that meant a serious back injury a few years ago and lots of sprained ankles. "I was getting so fed up with it, and I didn't know what to do," she told Vogue . That's when De Luz stepped in and created a regime for her that they would go through on breaks between rehearsals.

Seriously, the exercises are must-watches .

Exhibit A:

Screenshot via Vogue.com

Yeah...no further proof needed.

Guess who's back? Back again? The Academy's back ! Tell a friend.

After one day at The Academy, the All Stars have successfully taken the Top 100 down to 62. But their work is just getting started: Now they need to keep narrowing the field to a Top 10, ultimately deciding who each will partner with during the live shows.

Last night, Travis Wall led the contestants in a contemporary choreography round, followed by a ballroom round with Dmitry Chaplin and his partner, Jenya NoLastName. (No, seriously. They never tell us her last name.) Those who survive and make it onto an All-Star team will go on to the [dreaded] group round. (You know, the one where the dancers have to stay up all night choreographing a routine, and then perform it for the All Stars super early the next morning.)

You can tell so many of the dancers hoping to make the Top 10 totally idolize Travis Wall. As soon as he walks onstage, their eyes brighten. And then he opens with, "I'm just gonna warn you, it's a pretty hard combo." Bless you, Travis. He says he's "not interested in building robots today," and is giving the dancers lots of room for self-expression (including starting the combo with a freestyle section—love that).

Here's what went down during the contemporary round:

• Taylor Sieve from the L.A. auditions was gorgeous. She wanted to land a spot on Robert's team—and she did! "She's got that heart that I'm looking for," Robert says. (She was then joined on Team Robert by Jonathan Wade and Jennifer Florentino.)
• Ariel Disciascio was sent home. Sad.
• Dancers who were already chosen to be on All Star teams were still dancing. This is confusing. Why do the dancers have to keep going through the motions—literally, the choreography motions—when they're already on a team? Nigel, please explain.
• Tapper Chaz Wolcott was sent home. He was out to get redemption after a tough hip-hop round, and at 29 years old, this was his last shot at making the Top 10. Robert tells Chaz he loves his smile and personality, but bye.
• Havoc and Klassic from the NYC auditions had a rough go. TBH, they both botched the choreography. Klassic was sent home, but Cyrus isn't ready to say l8r to Havoc, so he asked him to dance for his life. He did, the All Stars loved it, and he made it to Team Cyrus.

On to the ballroom round!

The dancers are given one hour to master a cha cha—a style Dmitry says many dancers spend an entire lifetime trying to perfect. NBD!

Here's how the ballroom round shook out:

• Jensen Arnold wanted to join a team so badly. She was paired with Logan Hernandez (Team Allison represent!), and she's so good and cute (and is a total #twinsie of big sis Lindsay). After a tear-jerking (and very stressful, TBH) speech, Jensen nabbed a spot on Team Robert.
• Remember Vasily ? It seemed like he was going to get sent home, but at the last minute, Paul was all, "Join my team."
• Matthew Deloch got sent home, which is sad because he's so good! But he was classy about it, and said he's going to go take ballroom and hip-hop classes, and will return next season to make the Top 10.
• Alexis Gilbert from the L.A. auditions—you remember her sultry jazz routine, right?—landed a spot on Team Jenna. Good job, Alexis!

The dancers were given a night to choreograph and perfect a group routine before the next morning—which started at 6 am. That's just unkind.

The dancers were told they'd be performing in groups for the All Stars, and each All Star would eliminate one member from his or her team. So this went from "So You Think You Can Dance" to "America's Got Talent" to "Survivor," basically.

First up: Paul's group!

This group clashed during rehearsal. A lot. Kristina and Vasily were vicious, and the choreo was a little awkward, and the performance wasn't jaw-dropping. Paul said he expected more, and he was clearly disappointed that his kiddos didn't get along. He said he wanted to connect with and trust the person on his team. So Vasily , please pack your knives and go. ("Top Chef." Anyone?) Vasily looked shocked to be headed home, and Kristina was just like, "Boy bye."

Then it was time for Team Allison.

Oh, Team Allison. Beautiful, lovely, wonderful Team Allison. Her team consisted of Logan, Zachary, Abby, and krumper Kevin Davis Jr. They told Allison that the night went really well, and that even though Kevin struggled to keep up with his contemporary counterparts, he maintained an A+ attitude.

And the routine was so good. Allison loved it and seemed so proud, and maybe we cried a little bit watching, but so did Allison, so it's fine. (We predict Logan will ultimately be Allison's live show partner. Anyone else?) But Allison still had to send someone home, and that person was Kevin .

But plot twist!

Jenna stole him! After Allison told Kevin he'd been voted off the island, Jenna swooped in to save him. She was all, "I'll never let go, Kevin," so now he has a spot on Team Jenna. But, as a result, Jenna had to send two of her existing team members home. Bummer for them, but yay for Kevin. (Again, Nigel, the rules! We did not know stealing was allowed!)

As the episode wrapped up, Robert sent Jensen home (boo! hiss! but considering her DNA, we think she'll be just fine), and we found out that there's still one more week of The Academy. Next week, Sonya Tayeh joins the ranks to teach the remaining dancers some jazz. And now that summer is half over, we can't help but wonder: When are these live shows ever going to start?!

Remember that fabulous old-school clip of dancers tapping in pointe shoes that Tabitha and Napoleon D'umo brought to our attention back in March? As we mentioned then, toe-tap dancing was actually super popular back in the 1920s and 30s—which means there are more videos where that one came from. And because #ToeTapTuesday has a nice ring to it, we thought we'd take this opportunity to introduce you to Dick and Edith Barstow, a toe-tapping brother and sister duo from that era who are nothing short of incredible:

They're tapping. In pointe shoes. On stairs. TAPPING IN POINTE SHOES ON STAIRS.

A little context: This clip is from the 1934 film The Gem of the Ocean . The Barstows were already famous at that point for their act on the vaudeville circuit, which sometimes involved three more of their siblings. And Dick went on to choreograph and direct for the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus (with Edith assisting), and to stage numbers for Judy Garland. Dance history is fascinating, y'all.

(H/t to choreographer and teacher Sheri Leblanc, who shared this vid on Twitter !)

Every ballet dancer knows the time, sweat, and occasional tears the art form demands. But many non-dancers are clueless about just how much work a ballet dancer puts into perfecting his or her dancing. So when the mainstream crowd recognizes our crazy work ethic, we'll accept the round of applause any way it comes—even if it comes via four men in tutus. Yep, we're talking about "The Try Guys Try Ballet" video.

In the latest Try Guys installment, our four favorite goofy dudes try their hands (or should we say feet) at ballet, with lovely Los Angeles Ballet principal Bianca Bulle doing her best to keep a straight face while teaching them some of the basics. Though their frankly awful dancing has us all 😂 on more than one occasion, The Try Guys do a great job showing just how challenging ballet can be. After performing a rather comical rendition of "Waltz of the Flowers," the Guys get real about their newfound admiration for ballet dancers.

"So much respect to all the ballerinas out there, cause y'all are much tougher than any other expert that we've ever come across," says Eugene Yang (who actually has a background in hip hop). "Ballerinas are superhumans... If you ever run into a ballerina, start bowing to them," Zach Kornfeld exclaims.

We couldn't have said it better ourselves: Ballerinas ARE superhumans. Check out the full video for some comic relief—and a little validation for all the hard work you and your fellow bunheads put in at the barre.

Note: This video contains some profanity.

What's more daunting than getting into your dream college dance program? Figuring out how you'll cover the costs of tuition, room and board, incidental expenses and more. Here's the good news: The right scholarship(s) can bring your dream school well within reach.

Look Around, Look Around

Scholarship applications are due between the fall of senior year and graduation time, so familiarize yourself with funding opportunities during the spring of junior year. And there are a lot of opportunities out there, says Kate Walker, chair of dance at Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts in Dallas, TX. "A lot of school guidance counselors now have software that automatically matches you with scholarships," she says.

Seek out scholarships on your own, too. According to Walker, "a lot of corporations are required to have some community engagement, including offering scholarships, so research corporations in your community." Your parents' employers might offer assistance too, says Doug Long, an academic and college counselor at Interlochen Arts Academy in Interlochen, MI. "They might have scholarships you can apply for just because your parent works there."

Other sources of grant money you won't have to pay back (as you would a loan)? The YoungArts Foundation; competitions/conventions, like New York City Dance Alliance; and the university or dance department you're applying to. Even some scholarships aimed at athletes are open to dancers!

Apply Yourself

A winning scholarship application involves a fair amount of paperwork, especially if the organization requires you to show financial need. In addition, certain scholarships ask for the College Board's CSS/Financial Aid Profile, which gives the awarding organization a more complete picture of your family finances.

Other ingredients of a successful scholarship application include recommendation letters, a dance and/or academic resumé and an essay or statement of purpose. Treat these components just like college applications: Have multiple trusted adults proofread your materials, and ask for recommendation letters or transcripts long before deadlines.

A note for non-dance scholarships: Including objective measures of achievement can only help you. "List national recognitions, like YoungArts or other competitions," says Long. "That shows the scholarship committees that people at high levels have acknowledged you as an artist of quality." And don't forget who your audience is. "Especially in writing samples, make sure you paint a vivid picture for your reader," Walker says. "Don't assume they know about all the things—like barre every day—that we as dancers take for granted."

No award amount is too small to be worth your time and effort. As Walker says, "Don't pooh-pooh a couple hundred dollars in award money, because any scholarship is funding that you didn't have yesterday."

A version of this story appeared in the July/August 2017 issue of Dance Spirit with the title "All Aboard the Scholar-ship ."

At a summer program right now? Don't leave home without these eight dance bag essentials that'll get you through your crazy day of classes. Seriously, they're lifesavers!

1. Emergency Kit

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Be prepared for any minor disaster with just-in-case essentials: nail clippers, scissors, Icy Hot, Advil, needle and thread, Band-Aids, etc. Plus, having a kit like this is a good way to make friends—everybody loves the chick with the Advil!

2. Water

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Yes, it seems obvious, but you can never have too many reminders: DRINK WATER. You'll be sweating like crazy and exerting more energy than usual during these summer intensive weeks, so keep yourself hydrated by packing a water bottle every morning and refilling it throughout the day.

3. Strategic Snacks

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At home, you probably have a parent or guardian sticking some snacks into your bag as leave for the dance studio. But at a summer intensive, you're on your own, and it's 100 percent your responsibility to make sure you eat enough calories to get through the day. Healthy, packable snacks—like almonds, apples, Greek yogurt, carrots, peanut butter, bananas, and blueberries—will help keep your blood sugar up, so you're not totally dragging by the time that last class rolls around.

4. Warm-Up Tools

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Summer intensive hours are a recipe for sore and tired muscles. Prevent injuries by bringing your warm up tools to the studio with you each day. Thera-Bands, foam rollers, and tennis balls are our go-tos.

5. Scented Sachet

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We hate to break it to you, but...your dance bag stinks! Throw a scented sachet, like a Scentsy Pak , into your bag, and save yourself from having to make some serious stank face this summer.

6. Sweat Towel

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They don't call them intensives for nothing: If you're working right, you'll be sweating by the time pliés are over in the morning! Take a towel to class and avoid feeling totally disgusting all day long.

7. Name Tag

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Trust us: If you forget to bring your name tag to class, your teacher will be mad at you—AND she won't know your name. It's a lose-lose situation. Keep that tag in your bag, and help those incredible teachers remember you forever and ever!

8. Extra Clothes and Shoes

Nathan Sayers

Be prepared for those unexpected schedule switches that require quick changing. Always have pairs of black and pink tights, an extra leo, character shoes, sneakers, flat ballet shoes, pointe shoes, and socks in your bag, just in case.

This year's Princess Grace Award winners were announced yesterday—and they include some very familiar faces.

The Princess Grace crowd is an incredibly distinguished bunch. Past winners in the dance category include Skylar Brandt, Beckanne Sisk, Isabella Boylston, Sarah Lane, Drew Jacoby, Tiler Peck, Cindy Salgado, David Hallberg, Michelle Dorrance, and Gillian Murphy—to name just a few. Here are the dancers and choreographers joining their ranks this year:

DANCE

Jacquelin Harris
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater

Andrew Eccles, courtesy AAADT

We talked with the ferociously talented Harris soon after she joined AAADT .

Mikaela Kelly
Juilliard School of Dance

Look for Mikaela (and her gorgeous feet) in our September issue!

Miriam Miller
New York City Ballet

Lucas Chilczuk

As if you needed an excuse to revisit our September 2016 cover story on the exceptionally elegant NYCB corps member.

Gian Carlo Perez
The Washington Ballet

Lyvan Verdecia
Ballet Hispanico

CHOREOGRAPHY

Bryan Arias
For work made for Charlotte Ballet

Gemma Bond
For work made for The Washington Ballet

Bond, who's also an American Ballet Theatre corps member, discussed her choreographic inspirations in our February 2017 issue.

Raja Feather Kelly
For work made for Ririe-Woodbury Dance Company

STATUE AWARD

Dormeshia Sumbry-Edwards

Matthew Karas

The fabulous tapper won her first Princess Grace Award back in 1994. (The Statue Awards honor previous winners who've continued to do exceptional work.) Read her inspiring "Letter to My Teenage Self."

CHOREOGRAPHY MENTORSHIP CO-COMMISSION AWARD

Zoe Scofield

SPECIAL PROJECTS

Andrea Miller

Matthew Karas

The piercingly intelligent choreographer's trailblazing company, Gallim Dance, starred on our February 2017 cover .

Week 2 of Misty Copeland as guest judge , week 2 of merciless cuts...How can the final episodes of "World of Dance" possibly live up to the sheer dramaaaaaaaaa of last night's episode? Well, based on the nail-biting results dished out by Copeland and Co. last night, the competition is only going to get fiercer from here. Without further ado, last night's results, as told by Kween Misty.

TEAM DIVISION

The 13-member, Asian American hip-hop powerhouse group Kinjaz earned a 93.5, beating out Super Cr3w, Chapkis Dance Family and Ian Eastwood & the Young Lions.

"I felt like a 14-year-old seeing N*SYNC for the first time, like OOOOOOOH!" Same, Misty, same.

(Swing Latino earned their own spot in the Team finals on last week's episode with an also-stellar 92.5.)

UPPER DIVISION

The top two acts in this division are both longtime DS favorites, so we totally get why the judges' scores were closerthanthis: Les Twins with a 93.5, and Keone & Mari with a 93.2.

Here's Kween Misty on Keone & Mari: "What makes an artist a true artist is their ability to be vulnerable and honest on the stage. You had me in that emotional state with you, and it was beautiful." Brb, crying.

And about that insanely synchronized routine by Les Twins: "When you're known, the expectation can be even higher—but you blew me away." Join the club, Misty.

Who else is ready for the Divisional Finals to kick off next week?! I'll be over here low-key dying of suspense. They're all just SO GOOD. I can't.

What do you get when a former rhythmic gymnast joins forces with a skilled hip-hop dancer/choreographer? A jaw-dropping performance that will have you hitting repeat.

We're in awe of this dance routine—performed by Nathalie Fauquette (the rhythmic gymnast) and Sofiane Tiet (the hip-hopper)—which merges hip-hop and contemporary in an effortlessly fresh fusion. And the cinematography and performance venue are just as swoon-worthy. We hope there's more where this came from, 'cause these two are stuff of dancer dreams. We'll have whatever they're having—they slay on the dance floor!

In addition to training, competing and winning titles in just about every style you can think of, 13-year-old Kaylee Quinn is a regular on the sci-fi drama "Stitchers," playing the younger version of the show's main character. Her path in dance hasn't been without challenges, though. Last summer, Kaylee won the Hope Award at her regional Youth America Grand Prix, but wasn't sure she'd be able to compete at the NYC finals due to a broken foot. Patience paid off: With her doctor's blessing, Kaylee danced her variations in flat shoes and won the gold medal.

Fast Facts

Birthday : July 18, 2004

Trains at: Dmitri Kulev Classical Ballet Academy and WESTSIDE Dance Project

Hometown: Irvine, CA

Favorite foods: "Italian food and sushi. Not together, though!"

Favorite dancers: Travis Wall and Misty Copeland

Listening to: John Mayer and Milky Chance

Dream gig: "It would be so cool if they did a dance scene on 'Stitchers.' "

Non-dance hobbies: Surfing, playing guitar, spending time at the beach

Dream companies: Paris Opéra Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, New York City Ballet

Advice for Dance Spirit readers: "Work your hardest. Whenever you have an opportunity to take a dance class, use it. And always keep stretching!"

"Late Late Show" host James Corden was one of the many, many people shocked by President Trump's sudden decision to ban transgender people from the military yesterday. And he decided to voice his outrage in the way most likely to rile a President who's uncomfortable with anything "un-manly": through a big, beautiful, extra-sparkly song-and-dance routine.

Corden, the "Late Late Show" band, and a crew of four fabulous backup dancers performed a number riffing on the classic song "L-O-V-E," complete with a kickline and giant feathered fans.

"Trans vets might be nervous, but we thank you for your service—we have love for all of you," Corden sang, jazzily waving a pride flag.

Slow. Clap. 👏 🌈

Dance is a powerful form of expression, and Ahmad Joudeh is using its influence to promote peace.

The 27-year-old is a Palestinian refugee, whose decision to pursue his passion for ballet has made him the target of death threats from terrorist organizations. Despite the danger, Joudeh has decided to continue on his path as a dancer, using his performances as an opportunity to spread a message of peace and cultural awareness.

Joudeh grew up in a refugee camp in Syria, where his love of ballet created a cultural clash within his community. Even Joudeh's father was opposed to his decision to become a dancer, and would beat him to deter him from dancing. In 2015, ISIS warned Joudeh that his dancing was a crime punishable by death.

Joudeh was able to escape the persecution last year, when the Dutch National Ballet offered to sponsor his dance studies in Amsterdam.

In addition to training with the DNBallet, Joudeh performs in the streets of Europe to bring awareness to his cause, in the hopes that his story might change the minds of those back home who still believe dancing is a criminal act.

His message has already had an impact on his own father, who now accepts him as a dancer.

"It gives me the proof I can change the whole world if I really believe in myself," Joudeh told CNN . "When I could change my father's mind, I could change maybe a lot of fathers' minds in the Arab world."

For 14-year-old Averi Hodgson, focusing on her ballet training while growing up was never easy: She's suffered from epilepsy since she was in first grade, and later, she was also diagnosed with scoliosis. Here, she tells her story of perseverance—and how her determination earned her a spot at the School of American Ballet's 2017 summer intensive.

I started dancing when I was 6 years old at a small company that offered classes at my church. The first time I knew I wanted to dance seriously was when I was 7, and saw the ballet Sleeping Beauty . Since then, I've always been super-focused on ballet. I enrolled at Pittsburgh Youth Ballet Company, and currently train under Steven and Lindsay Piper at Ballet Academy of Pittsburgh.

Averi Hodgson dancing on the beach courtesy of Cortney Hodgson

When I was in first grade, I had my first seizure. I kept having sporadic episodes every few months and there was no rhyme or reason to when I would get one. I would get this really weird feeling in my face before they started—I used to call it "tickle face." It felt like a tingling sensation, and then everything would start to blur. That's how I knew I had about 10 seconds before one would happen. Afterwards, my body was exhausted and worn out. I also experienced constant anxiety and we thought for a while it might be triggering my seizures. But the doctors couldn't figure out exactly where my seizures were coming from or why I was having them, and all of my tests always came back normal.

I never had a seizure during ballet class, but was always worried that I was going to. It was so distracting that I couldn't give 110 percent to my training like I wanted to. It was frustrating to not be able to focus solely on dance.

In 2014, when I was in fifth grade, I had three seizures in one day. I had the first two at home, within 15 minutes of each other. My mom called the doctors and they told us to come down to Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of University of Pittsburgh Medical Center right away. Once we were at the hospital, I had a third seizure, and that's when they finally diagnosed me with epilepsy. That day the doctors started me on medication, hoping it would prevent any future episodes.

In the hospital for testing after having seizures courtesy of Cortney Hodgson

The first drug I tried gave me bad side effects. I was having trouble sleeping and would get really dizzy. I wasn't having any seizures, but I was experiencing the tingling in my face constantly. I switched to another medication, and
finally got my seizures under control without any other side effects. The last episode I had was in November 2015. It's so nice to be able to stop worrying about if, and when, a seizure might happen.

But last year, I received another unsettling diagnosis: scoliosis. My studio offered an optional class with a Pilates instructor to focus on turnout and flexibility. The therapist took one look at me and knew right away that my shoulders were uneven. She advised us to see a doctor immediately. My mom took me to my pediatrician the next day, where we learned about my curve and were sent to see a specialist. The specialist explained my X-ray results and told me that I would need to wear a custom-made brace until I'm finished growing.

An X-ray showing Averi's back curvature courtesy of Coutney Hodgson

Now I wear my scoliosis brace 20 to 22 hours a day. The only time I don't have to wear it is in the shower or when I'm at ballet. I also go to a chiropractor twice a week. She adjusts me and warns me about movements that might be harmful. My teachers also help me a lot and give me stretches to increase my back flexibility.

Getting used to the brace was really hard at first. It's uncomfortable to sit and bend. I also had to completely change my wardrobe. I wasn't OK with letting it show, so wearing dresses or certain outfits were no longer options. I was depressed, and fell into self-pitying traps.

But one ballet class, I reached a turning point. I remember watching everyone cambré back, and they could bend so far—my back just stops me at a certain point—but instead of feeling sad I thought, "I want to do that." I started to push myself harder, rather than giving in to depression. My flexibility is already getting so much better. I also have a great support system in my family, church and friends, who all helped keep me focused on the positive things in my life.

This past January I auditioned for the School of American Ballet's summer intensive course. It was my first summer program audition, because this is the first year I've felt comfortable being away from home. Before, I was always worried about having a seizure. I was accepted, and am so excited to experience NYC and to study true Balanchine technique taught by so many amazing instructors.

A version of this story appeared in the July/August 2017 issue of Dance Spirit with the title "Dancing Against The Odds. "

PBS has released the 2017–2018 schedule for their Great Performances series of special, one-off TV events, and we think you'll want to sit up and take note— Hamilton and Cabaret and Holiday Inn , oh my! To make your appointment-viewing choices a little easier, we rounded up all of the danciest picks from the coming season. PBS = Perfect Broadway Spectacular. (Okay, we wish!)

SHE LOVES ME

Friday, October 20, 9 pm–12 am ET

IN THE HEIGHTS – CHASING BROADWAY DREAMS

Friday, November 10, 9–10:30 pm ET

PRINCE OF BROADWAY — A TRIBUTE TO HAROLD PRINCE

Friday, November 17, 9–10:30 pm ET

HOLIDAY INN

Friday, November 24, 9–11:30 pm ET

HAMILTON'S AMERICA

Friday, December 1, 9–10:30 pm ET

If you dream of dancing for the Brooklyn Nets but are a liiiiiiiittle too young for the main Brooklynettes dance team, we've got some good news. On Saturday, August 5 at 10:30 am, the Nets are holding an open call for the Brooklyn Nets Kids dance team!

Here's everything you need to know:

• They're seeking boys and girls ages 6–13 with at least two years of dance training.
• Audition location is LIU Brooklyn Paramount Theatre at 1 University Plaza (at the corner of Flatbush and DeKalb Avenues)
• Doors open at 10 a.m. and the audition begins at 10:30 a.m.
• Dancers will be asked to demonstrate their ability to learn and perform choreography.
• Tumbling and break-dancing skills are a plus, but not required.
• Participants should wear dance attire and non-marking sneakers or dance shoes.

Frankie Signorelli, a 2014–15 Brooklyn Nets Kid Erin Baiano

According to the Nets, "Celebrity choreographer Tanisha Scott will return as the Head Coach and Choreographer of the Brooklyn Nets Kids. Scott has worked with JAY-Z, Alicia Keys, Rihanna, and Sean Paul, among others. The Brooklyn Nets Kids dance team will perform at Brooklyn Nets home games at Barclays Center, and will represent the Brooklyn Nets at events and media appearances. Members of the Brooklyn Nets Kids dance team have performed with renowned artists including Justin Bieber and Mariah Carey, and have also been featured on FOX's So You Think You Can Dance ."

Serena Quadrato, a 2014–15 Brooklyn Nets Kid Erin Baiano

Find out more here , and best of luck to everyone auditioning Saturday!

Mario Braxton Jr., a 2014–15 Brooklyn Nets Kid Erin Baiano

It's tricky to figure out how to relate to a strict dance teacher. Not every teacher and student will jibe in the classroom, and students hoping to make it as professional dancers need to develop thick skins to be able to deal with demanding directors and choreographers later on. But instructors who target or ignore you inappropriately can be detrimental to your training—and your emotional well-being. "I'm so tense when I'm with a teacher who's intimidating," says Allison Forderkonz, a dancer in Liverpool, NY. "I spend the whole class worrying that I'll disappoint them and get yelled at." How can you cope with these awkward—and sometimes worse than awkward—situations? We asked experts, and dancers who've been there, for advice.

Communicate with Someone You Trust

Issues with your teacher can't be resolved if you keep your feelings bottled up inside. "The first thing to do is talk with a parent or guardian," says Dr. Kate Hays, a sports and performance psychologist. Tell him or her how you're feeling in class and why. Does the teacher give you too many or not enough corrections? Do you feel the teacher yells at you? Are hurtful comments being made? Hash out the situation together.

Ask a friend whether she's noticed the teacher picking on or ignoring you. "One of my classmates tries to joke about always being put in the back corner in dances, but I know it's a sensitive subject for her," Forderkonz says. If your friend agrees with how you feel, ask if she can be with you when you talk to your parents. Having a witness to bolster your account will show them your situation is serious.

Let Your Feelings Be Known

Once you've talked out your feelings with your parents, consider speaking directly with the teacher. If your conflict is relatively minor, that might be the simplest way to fix classroom issues. "One of my preteen students felt picked on in class," says Angela Bates Majewski, of Angela Bates Dance Academy in Newtown Square, PA. "She and her parent approached me about it, and we decided I wouldn't correct her aggressively until she was ready. Two years later, they approached me again wanting me to push her in her technique."

But if your situation is intense enough that you'd be uncomfortable speaking to your instructor, make the studio administrator or owner aware of the problem. He or she can act as mediator, providing support to both you and the teacher. "As a studio owner, when I'm approached about a student, I'll always talk to the teacher about the issue," Majewski says. "Most of my teachers are taken aback and immediately want to fix the problem." Don't want to feel singled out? Ask the owner to bring up the issue without citing your name.

Have a Personal Plan

If, even after mediation and discussion, you and your teacher still aren't getting along, assess the seriousness of the situation. Is it unpleasant but not overwhelming? In that case, come up with ways to feel more comfortable in the classroom. Create a silent signal that you can send to a friend when you're feeling picked on or ignored, so she can stand next to you and offer quiet support. Imagery can also help. "Wrap yourself in an imaginary invisibility cloak, which can act as an emotional barrier," suggests Dr. Hays. "If your teacher yells at you, the cloak can dial down the noise. If the teacher is highly critical, the cloak can filter out the nasty parts and let the useful information come through."

But if the problem continues to escalate, or if it's affecting your progress, consider switching classes or studios. Leaving your dance friends may be difficult, but if your teacher conflict is unresolvable, getting out could be healthier for you and your dance career. Ask the owner if there's another class at the studio you might try. If that's not an option, it might be time to shop around for other studios.

One of the benefits of social media is that it gives everyone a platform to showcase their work—and that's especially valuable for gifted dancers. Here are five SERIOUSLY talented dance artists, all on the cusp of superstardom, who inspire us on the daily on Instagram. If you want more positive messages, choreographic inspirations, and gorgeous photos in your Insta feed, give them a a follow.

1. Erica Klein

Erica Klein is a dancer and choreographer based in L.A. Nobody moves quite like she does—and few are as passionately devoted to their art. The best part about her Instagram profile is the honest way she communicates with her followers about her choreography and her improv sessions.

2. Mitchel Federan

Mitchel Federan is another West Coast dancer/choreographer, who routinely posts powerful class combos and inspiring concept videos. Following him also means an up-close-and-personal look at what it's like to assist Brian Friedman!

3. Chad McCall

Self-proclaimed "movement maker" Chad McCall choreographs for multiple studios on the West Coast. His work is gorgeously innovative, and he's always vocal about how grateful he is to be doing what he loves.

4. Emily Greenwell

We think the world needs to see more of Emily Greenwell, a contemporary dancer and choreographer based in NYC. Her creative collaborations with friend and fellow dancer Jenna Maslechko (like the one above) are especially brilliant.

5. Kristin Sudeikis

Kristin Sudeikis is another contemporary dancer/choreographer based in NYC. She travels all over the world teaching master classes, and produces interesting work for both the concert and the commercial dance scenes. Sudeikis encourages dancers to connect with the movement beyond a physical level, often tying her work to social activism.

A lot of ballet men play around a little in pointe shoes—to get a feel for what their partners are experiencing, or just because they're curious.

But Houston Ballet's Hayden Stark, Derek Dunn, and Daniel Durrett aren't playing.

They're SLAYING. SO. HARD.

Houston Ballet just finished a run of La Bayadère , which is renowned for its beautiful corps of Shades women. Stark, Dunn, and Durrett decided to tackle the ballet's infamously difficult Shades variations, in pointe shoes and tutus (and, in Dunn's case, an adorable little man bun).

These variations are killer for even the most experienced ballerinas, but the trio proved to be up to the challenge:

Why are we particularly obsessed with this vid? Because these men are completely serious, completely in earnest, about doing justice to this iconic choreography. They're not just impressive technically; they're also impressive artistically.

Hey, Hayden, Derek, and Daniel: Can we make a guest appearance with The Trocks happen? Pretty please?

The stage was spinning.

The whole theater was swirling before my eyes, and nothing made sense.

I forced myself to push through the familiar choreography, which by then was in my muscle memory, feeling entirely disoriented. Up was down and down was up. Something was very wrong.

The curtain closed on the final night of Odyssey Dance Theatre's 2012 Thriller season, and my nightmare started.

Kati Ellis Photography (courtesy Ellis)

Fast forward five years, 20 doctors, one Lyme disease diagnosis, and hundreds of doses of intense IV antibiotics later, and I'm an intern writing for Dance Spirit , telling you about how my dance training is getting me through the hardest experience of my life.

A crash course on Lyme: Lyme disease is a tick-born illness that wreaks havoc on the human body. It can be a difficult disease to diagnose if you don't catch the tick on your skin, or find the bullseye rash it leaves on your body—and according to the International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society , only 50% of patients ever catch a tick or see a rash. The longer you have the disease without treating it, the harder it is to cure. (Which made it particularly unfortunate that it took me a year and a half to get diagnosed.)

For the past five years, I've lived with near-constant migraines, brain fog, forgetfulness, and confusion. Nausea and fatigue cloud every experience, and treatment makes every symptom more intense. Sadly, dancing has been out of the question.

I've been devastated. There's really no other way to say it. But amidst that utter devastation, I've come to find an inner strength, born out of a lifetime of dance training.

Here are the lessons dance taught me that helped me get through my hardest days.

1. You're tougher than you think you are.

As a dancer, there are so many rehearsals where you're certain you can't make it through another run—times when the exhaustion hits so hard it feels like your chest might burst.

Then your director yells, "One more time!" And you're back on the dance floor pouring every part of yourself into the piece again . You always have one more run in you, even when you think you don't.

During treatment, I often find myself at this same breaking point. I've been receiving heavy doses of powerful antibiotics and other medications through a catheter in my chest, called a tunneled PICC , which stays in my body for the duration of each round of treatment. Though the antibiotics are helping me heal, they also start a chain reaction that makes all of my symptoms intensify. Sitting through treatment is a test of my endurance, and then when I leave the doctor's, getting through the day becomes a game of managing a thousand obstacles. I sometimes feel certain that I can't handle one more needle, one more IV, or one more pill.

But then I remember what I learned in dance class all those years ago. I always have one more run in me. I'm tougher than I think I am.

My tunneled PICC catheter (Taylor Jarman, courtesy Jarman)

2. Be patient and the growth will come.

As a young ballet student, I was often frustrated by how slow my progress seemed to be. I would ask my teachers why I wasn't improving, and they'd inevitably tell me to be patient. They were right. You can't always see the progress you're making in the moment. But no matter how delayed it may feel, the growth always comes.

When it comes to treating chronic illness, the timeframe for healing can be excruciating. Immediate results almost never occur. In the moments when I'm feeling my most dejected, I remember the things my dance teachers taught me. In subtle ways, I see aspects of my health improve year by year. Lyme disease is taking its time on me, but the growth is coming.

3. Art makes things better.

Since I was a little girl, dance was the one thing that could make a tough day better. If I needed to work through some tricky emotions, or deal with a hard situation, I would dance it out. My problems weren't necessarily solved, but things invariably improved.

Now, even though I can't physically dance, dance is still my saving grace on my very worst days. Whether I'm teaching younger dancers or watching other performers light up the stage, art makes things better. Dance helps us feel a little less lonely—and reminds us to believe in the good things to come.

4. The Strength Comes After the Challenge

Nobody is born a professional dancer. Every student has to go through a significant amount of pain and suffering both physically and emotionally in order to reach their own personal best. That pain is the space in which a dancer becomes an artist. After pushing through the most difficult rehearsals on the most emotionally taxing days, we blossom.

Just as my most challenging days in the studio brought forth some of my most exciting artistic breakthroughs, struggling with Lyme disease has allowed me to become a more complete person. I am more durable and capable than I ever thought possible. The strength truly does come after the challenge.

Getting an IV (Taylor Jarman, courtesy Jarman)

5. "We Stand on the Shoulders of Giants" - Bernard of Chartres

No professional dancer makes it on her own. Each one is the product of her teacher's commitment, her dance friends' loyalty, her studio owner's investment, her choreographers' passion, her parents' financial support and encouragement, and her own self love. Dancers become dancers only when many people work to make it so.

Treating Lyme disease is no different. Any progress I make in my healing comes thanks to the support of my parents, doctors, friends, faith, fellow chronic illness warriors, siblings, extended family, dance students, college professors, employers, and more. I am grateful to dance for teaching me this before my illness. I get to get out of bed every morning because I stand on the shoulders of giants.

I'm so thankful for this art form. Dance really is one of the greatest life coaches. Remember the lessons it's taught you the next time your world is turned upside down. It'll help pull you through.

To hear about another dancer's struggle with Lyme disease, and to get more information about Lyme, click here .