There's nothing more purrrrfect than some fabulous trinas and their feline friends. We're not kitten: these bonds are paw-sitively adorable! From hanging out backstage to working out together and more, these pairs will pas de chat their way straight into your heart.

1. New York City Ballet principal Gonzalo Garcia and Gordo

Posing below with NYCB principal Megan Fairchild, Gonazalo's cat Gordo is one of the most important (and, arguably, one of the fluffiest) things in his life. The pair do everything together like taking lazy Sunday naps and applying for dual citizenship. Gordo was was even featured on NYCB's Insta, casually living out a million dancers' dream.

2. Miami City Ballet corps member Ella Titus and Gatsby

Titus is a cat lady and proud. Her Insta is FILLED with glam shots of her cat Gatsby, who, if you take a peek, looks like one amazing cuddle buddy and a welcomed reprieve after a long day at dance. But when it matters, Gatsby's there egging Titus on in her dance career, acting as her dance partner, travel companion, and personal trainer.

3. New York City Ballet principal Lauren Lovette and Boon

A pink, sparkly, beautiful tutu covered in delicate, white lace? Forget about it. Boon just wanted the box. Lovette rescued her adorable feline friend last year, urging others to do the same. From cuddles with tutu boxes to pointe shoes, Boon now lives vicariously through Lovette and her incredible dance career.

4. Los Angeles Ballet principal Petra Conti and Misiu

There's only one thing that could make a White Swan tutu even better. And that's a cat to go with it. Conti and fellow LA Ballet Principal Eris Nezha are the proud parents of two Siberian cats, Misiu and Frida. Follow these two fluff balls on their very own Insta that they share with the couple's four parakeets.

5. American Ballet Theatre principal Herman Cornejo and Mila

Nothing says true love like letting a foot—let alone a dancer's foot—scratch your chin. And if this isn't a big enough testament to these two's relationship, their matching outfits for this year's World Cup definitely are.

In our "Dear Katie" series, former NYCB soloist Kathryn Morgan answers your pressing dance questions. Have something you want to ask Katie? Email dearkatie@dancespirit.com for a chance to be featured!

Dear Katie,

I can't seem to get my port de bras right. A few different teachers have told me that my arms look lifeless because I'm not supporting them properly—but what does that really mean?

Faith

Dear Faith,

So many dancers have trouble with port de bras! When it comes to properly supporting your arms, the first thing to think about is actively placing them, rather than letting them follow the actions of your lower body. Be very definite about every position and transition. In pirouettes, hold your first position exactly; in arabesque, think about your arms reaching their full extension at exactly the moment your back leg does. Focusing on precision in your port de bras will help you start engaging the muscles in your arms and back.

Speaking of which: Start thinking about your arms as an extension of your back, like wings. Your back muscles are much larger than your arm muscles, so they can give you much better support. If you imagine each port de bras position originating deep in your back, and then stretching all the way through your fingertips, you'll avoid the "lifeless" look your teachers have been critiquing.

For more of Katie's helpful tips and advice, click here.

Lucky you! You get to spend a week full of dancing with amazing choreographers, teachers and dancers! As exhilarating as this is, you need to know how to get the most out of your camp experience in order to create those memories that last a lifetime.

One way to get the most out of your dance camp is to be respectful and trustful. Showing respect to your teacher will help them to feel more accepted by the class. Things like nodding your head and holding your posture upright are great nonverbal cues that go a long way. "You should be plugged in, charged up and ready to go when class begins," said Just For Kix Executive Director, Cindy Clough. Trusting your teacher is important because it allows you to get the most out of class. By trusting your teachers knowledge, you will gain more insight to the world of dance.

Your mood is contagious, what are people catching from you? Your attitude is what will help you to enjoy your time at your summer dance camp. Being confident is key! Believe in yourself and your dancing ability. You will grow so much as a dancer during your camp experience if you allow yourself to have faith and try new things with an open mind. "If you believe you can't perfect a skill, you act in a way to make it happen. If you believe you can perfect a skill, you act in a way to make it happen," said professional dancer, choreographer, instructor and designer, Ali Geraets (Clough). Dance camp is all about trying to make yourself better, so ask your teacher for help. After all, that is what they're trained to do!

Lastly, remember the real reason you're at camp. For some it's to meet new people, learn new styles of dance, improve their technique or anything else in between! It's important to be supportive of everyone else's goals and your own goals. Discovering your reason for dancing might just be what you need to take yourself to the next level.

Where ever you choose to go to dance camp, these tips will help you to get the most out of your experience. If you are yet to sign up for a dance camp, but are interested in one, click here to find the perfect summer dance camp for you!

Elyssa Banker has been dancing at Central Park Dance in Scarsdale, NY, since she was two. At age 12, she needed a bat mitzvah project, and realized that kids less fortunate than her didn't always have access to the supplies they needed. So, she started collecting gently used shoes at her dance studio and her initiative "Dance for a Cause, Not for Applause" was born. A year and a half later, she's collected over 1,000 pairs of ballet, tap, jazz, and pointe shoes for the organization Footloose. Here, she talks about her mission. —Courtney Bowers

Ever since I started dancing, I've loved it. I love expressing my emotions and I feel alive when I dance. It helps me relax, breathe, and just let go of all the drama happening in my life. It's a place where I can be myself.

Elyssa Banker (courtesy Banker)

When I needed to come up with a bat mitzvah project, I started to think about causes I could help. I realized that I dance better when I have the right clothes and shoes to help me, and thought not all kids who want to dance can afford the right attire. Everyone deserves a chance to shine.

I happened to find all these old dance shoes I still had from when I was younger. That's how I came up with the idea to start donating shoes. I called my program "Dance for a Cause, Not for Applause," and asked my studio if I could put a box in the dressing room, where other students could also donate gently worn shoes that no longer fit. Each Sunday, I would bring the donations home and count them. The project started getting really big—bigger than I ever thought it would be. The other dancers at the studio loved it, too.

After some research, I decided to donate all of our collected shoes to the organization Footloose. It's a non-profit founded by former dancer Becca Duberman. She donates dance shoes to aspiring dancers in need all over the country, and understands how important properly fitted footwear is to a dancer's training. Since 2010 the organization has donated over 6,000 pairs of shoes.

Elyssa with some of her collected shoes (courtesy Banker)

I would love for my project to keep expanding. I'm so passionate about making kids happy. Dancing makes me feel strong and confident, and I want that feeling for others. I want other young dancers to know that you can do a lot of good through dance and you can do it now. Don't give up just because you're young.

Help Elyssa out!

To donate your old, gently used dance shoes to Elyssa's initiative, send them to Central Park Dance (450 Central Park Ave. Scarsdale, NY 10583) marked with her name.

A year (and five seasons) after being released, the video game sensation, Fortnite, is here to stay—and so is the totally unexpected dance craze it's launched. The game's comical dance moves have sparked legions of real-life recreations by everyone from professional actors to World Cup players.

And now even seasoned dancers like "SYTYCD" stars Fik-Shun and Cyrus have jumped on the Fortnite train:

What's so special about these virtual dance moves? Each one calls on a specific cultural reference, varying from viral videos (like Russell "The Backpack Kid" Horning's floss debut) to popular sitcoms (like "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air"). With over 60 dances included in the game and new ones added each season, it's no wonder they've captured—and kept—our attention.

Use the comment section below to tell us your own favorite dance from the game!

At the start of last night's episode of "So You Think You Can Dance," 41 dancers remained. An hour later, we had a Top 20. And then there was a BIG FAT TWIST. (We'll get to that.)

The 41 still-standing Academy dancers showed up at the Dolby Theater in L.A. ready to tackle three rounds: contemporary choreography with seven-time Emmy nominee and one-time "SYTYCD" contestant Travis Wall; an "epic group routine" with jazz choreographer and La La Land she-ro Mandy Moore; and a last-chance solo showdown. Here's what happened.

The Contemporary Competition

"I'm not looking for robots," SuperTrav immediately explained. He gave the dancers shapes, but from there, each was expected to make the choreography his or her own. Everyone got sweaty and exhausted, and after 90 minutes, it was time to perform in groups of three for Nigel, Mary, Vanessa, and Travis.

Allen Genkin

The ballroom babe struggled during hip hop last week, but (naturally) crushed the ballroom choreography. This time around, the judges still couldn't resist Allen's charm, and he got to stay—though, Nigel said, "We need more."

Cole Mills

Cole has stood out during each round of choreography thus far, and not just because of his full-back tattoo. Travis called him absolutely beautiful. "I don't know where you came from or where you've trained, but I am very excited for you," TWall said. And he made it through.

Tessa Dalke

The pressure was on for this early favorite—and the judges weren't feeling her contemporary performance. Vanessa was expecting more, Travis didn't think she commanded the space with her energy, and Nigel said she needed to step up. But they weren't ready to give up on her, so she stayed for jazz.

Sydney Moss

She stood out, Nigel said, simply. She got to stick around, too.

Hannahlei Cabanilla

All the judges agreed that they couldn't take their eyes off her. Hannahlei made it on to jazz as well.

David Greenberg

The ballet dancer didn't totally crush Travis's choreography, so the judges decided to send him home. "I hate this part," Travis said through gritted teach. (We hate it, too.)

Eddie Hoyt

The judges needed to make cuts, and despite Eddie's awesome personality, the tapper's "SYT" journey ended here. Tear!

Evan DeBenedetto

The other tapping standout in the competition killed this choreo. Vanessa said he rose to the occasion, and he made it to the jazz round.

Bridget Derville-Teer

Nigel told Bridget she lost him today, and Mary didn't connect with the performance. Bridget was sent home—but Nigel hopes to see her again. (Season 16, girl! Be ready to crush it!)

Genessy Castillo

Genessy seemed to lose confidence halfway through the performance, but the judges still adored her, so she made it through.

Emily Carr

Emily was totally captivating in this round. Her jumps were the highest, her expression the fullest, her performance the boldest. Travis thought the competition was hers to lose: "Girl, I can't wait for you to get on the show so I can work with you," he said. Holy ultimate compliment, TravMan!

The Group Production Number

With 33 dancers left, it was time to bring in Mandy Moore for the final round of choreography. Her jazzy group routine featured all the dancers shining in their individual styles, plus a grand finale where everyone came together. "If they can't hang in the group routine, then it is cutsville, buh bye," Mandy said. STONE. COLD.

This routine looked so fun. (Was anyone else standing up, trying to learn it at home? No? Just us? OK.) The high-energy choreography was fairly simple, but there was a LOT of it. Each group got just an hour to perfect their portion of the routine—and to choreograph two eight-counts of the performance themselves. Intense much?

There were so many wonderful moments during the enthusiastic performance. Emily Carr was a standout again. The tappers looked awesome, and Jensen Arnold had undeniable presence. (The entire ballroom group is looking super strong this year, TBH.) The exhausting routine earned a standing O from the four judges, whom we were not envying at that point.

But cuts had to be made, and Tessa Dalke, sadly, was one of them. Other favorites—Alexis Gilbert, Jay Jackson, Gaevin Bernales—were sent home, too.

The Last-Chance Solo Round

The remaining 27 dancers got to perform one final solo before the judges chose the Top 20. Jay Jay Dixonbey's number was powerful, precise, and pretty darn perfect. Chelsea Hough rocked heels for hers. Hannahlei Cabanilla earned a "love. her." from Mary. And Allen Genkin wrapped things up with a booty wiggle, a big smile, and a Magic Mike-esque shirt toss that Nigel called "a little desperate." (AGREE TO DISAGREE, NIGEL.)

Without further ado...

The "So You Think You Can Dance" Season 15 Top 20

THE GUYS

Jay Jay Dixonbey

Cole Mills

Justin Pham

Slavik Pustovoytov

Peyton Albrecht

Dustin Payne

Evan DeBenedetto

Darius Hickman

Kyle Bennett, Jr.

Allen Genkin

THE GIRLS

Genessy Castillo

Magda Fialek

Jensen Arnold

Stephanie Sosa

Dayna Madison

Sydney Moss

Brianna Penrose

Chelsea Hough

Emily Carr

Hannahlei Cabanilla

BUT WAIT. After the reveal, there was another reveal: Turns out only 10 dancers will continue on to the live shows. What is happening?!

Next week, each of the Top 20 dancers will be paired with an All Star and a choreographer. See you then for more madness!

Bunheads everywhere, rejoice! It was just announced that the always-epic World Ballet Day will be back for round five (FIVE) this year. And the big moment's going to be here faster than you can say "gargouillade."

The consistently impressive celebration of all things ballet will return October 2, 2018. So far, the Royal Ballet, the Australian Ballet, and the Bolshoi Ballet have been confirmed as hosts, with guest companies from around the world also expected to join in the festivities. For almost a full 24 hours, we'll get livestreams that include rehearsals, interviews with dancers and choreographers, and (hooray!) company classes.

Mark your calendars, and follow the event's official Facebook page for up-to-the-minute info. In the meantime, please enjoy these highlights from last year's World Ballet Day:

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There's nothing more purrrrfect than some fabulous trinas and their feline friends. We're not kitten: These bonds are paw-sitively adorable! From hanging out backstage to working out together and more, these pairs will pas de chat their way straight into your heart.

1. New York City Ballet principal Gonzalo Garcia and Gordo

Posing below with NYCB principal Megan Fairchild, Gonazalo's cat Gordo is one of the most important (and, arguably, one of the fluffiest) things in his life. The pair do everything together, like taking lazy Sunday naps and applying for dual citizenship. Gordo was was even featured on NYCB's Insta, casually living out a million dancers' dreams.

2. Miami City Ballet corps member Ella Titus and Gatsby

Titus is a cat lady and proud of it. Her Insta is FILLED with glam shots of her cat Gatsby—who looks like one amazing cuddle buddy. But when it matters, Gatsby's there egging Titus on in her dance career, acting as her dance partner, travel companion, and personal trainer.

3. New York City Ballet principal Lauren Lovette and Boon

Lovette rescued her adorable feline friend last year, and has since urged others to do the same. From snuggles with tutu boxes to snuggles with pointe shoes, Boon now lives vicariously through Lovette and her incredible dance career.

4. Los Angeles Ballet principal Petra Conti and Misiu

There's only one thing that could make an Odette tutu even better—and that's a cat to go with it. Conti and fellow LA Ballet principal Eris Nezha are the proud parents of two Siberian cats, Misiu and Frida. You can follow these fluff balls on their very own Insta, which they share with the couple's four parakeets.

5. American Ballet Theatre principal Herman Cornejo and Mila

Nothing says true love like letting a foot—especially a dancer's foot—scratch your chin. And if this isn't a big enough testament to these two's relationship, their matching outfits for this year's World Cup definitely are.

Last year, American Ballet Theatre principal Isabella Boylston decided to bring world-renowned ballet to her hometown of Sun Valley, ID. The first three-day Ballet Sun Valley festival featured stars including Maria Kochetkova and Misty Copeland, performing solos, pas de deux, and a world premiere by Gemma Bond. Audiences raved so much that the festival will continue this year, July 17 and 18. The talent list has expanded: There'll be 25 dancers from companies including the Paris Opéra Ballet, Royal Danish Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, and New York City Ballet, and the festival will again offer a day of free dance classes for local students. Dance Spirit caught up with Boylston to get all the details—and to find out what starting a ballet festival is really like.

What inspired you to start a festival?

I had always dreamed about having the opportunity to curate my own show. When I was back home in Idaho a few years ago looking for a place to get married, I saw the Sun Valley Pavilion, which wasn't there when I was a kid, and immediately thought it would be the perfect place to put on a world-class show.

What were the reactions to last year's festival?

The response from the audience was completely overwhelming. There were tons of standing ovations and so much community support.

How did you approach programming this time around?

I always start with dancers in mind, by making a wish list of who I want to come. Then I try to strike a balance between work I find interesting, work the audience will like, and work the dancers will shine in. I always choose work that's meaningful to me. Luckily, I've developed great relationships with some amazing choreographers throughout my career, which makes it easier. As a female director, I also feel a responsibility to present work by female choreographers. This year we'll have pieces by Gemma Bond, Pam Tanowitz, and Danielle Rowe.

What are you most excited about this year?

I knew I wanted to present a group piece, so we're really lucky to be performing In Creases, by Justin Peck, with eight dancers from ABT. It's a masterpiece, and I think it'll be fun for the dancers, too, since we don't usually get to perform work by Justin at ABT. This year, we're also increasing the number of spots for our free education day for young dancers. Last year, we enrolled around 200, and this year we want to enroll even more.

How do you balance planning a huge festival with your company career?

Honestly, it's really stressful and a ton of work, but it also brings me a lot of joy! The hardest thing is answering the hundreds of emails. There's no way I could do it without my tireless executive producer Robert Smelick and the rest of my amazing team.

A version of this story appeared in the July/August 2018 issue of Dance Spirit with the title "Ballet Sun Valley Is Back."

We've always been impressed by Ciara's very legit dance skills. But for "Level Up," the first single she's released since 2015, the star decided to create a dance vid that is actually on another level.

How'd she do it? By recruiting choreographer extraordinaire Parris Goebel and her epic ReQuest Dance Crew. We knew "Level Up" was a banger from the second we first heard it, but by their powers combined, Ciara, Goebel, and the ReQuest dancers make it into an absolutely irresistible dance jam.

There's nothing super-complicated about the video. It's just fabulous dancers doing fabulous choreo in some highly covetable sweats. Ciara and Parri$ are wise enough to know that that's all we need.

Oh, this vid is so yummy. Yummy all in your tummy.

You can still dance at a high level while attending a school that has no dance department. Just ask these two recent grads—their post-college careers bloomed because they took charge of their dance education.

Danielle Iwata

Colgate University class of 2015

Current Private Sector Initiatives Program Associate at Americans for the Arts

Danielle Iwata performing in Dancefest at Colgate University in 2013 (photo by Ashlee Ballard, courtesy Colgate University)

I didn't apply to college for dance. I chose Colgate for its strong community and academics. But every semester, students put on Dancefest, a huge show where dancers of all styles perform. I joined Dancefest and realized there was no reflection of that dedication in the facilities or curriculum.

That drove me to start the Colgate Dance Initiative after my first year. I reached out to students involved with dance, asking if they'd be part of a movement to make dance an academic offering. We wrote letters to administrators and professors and went to the president's office hours. We made videos, had photo shoots, grew to an organization recognized by student government, and collaborated with campus groups.

We finally got a dance faculty member, Professor Tanya Calamoneri, the fall of my senior year. Her classes were significantly overenrolled, and we got exciting figures to back up our claims about the demand for dance. But of course there was red tape. Departments and trustees were receptive but unwilling to make dance a financial priority.

If you don't want to go pro but do take dance seriously, look at schools with strong extracurricular dance programs. I learned a lot being at a university without a dance department because I was so engaged in advocacy that I did my own research. There's freedom in not having a program: We did random, fun things with dance. I hadn't thought of arts advocacy as a career until my involvement in CDI. Colgate alumni in dance helped me translate my extracurricular dance-advocacy into my current job. Many of us who graduated are still dancing frequently, so going to a school without a dance program didn't inhibit my dancing and my artistry. It's a question of your willingness to create opportunities.

Teddy Watler

University of Chicago class of 2017

Current apprentice at Oregon Ballet Theatre

Teddy Watler during his senior year at the University of Chicago (photo by Quinn Wharton, courtesy Watler)

I'd been invited to stay year-round at the San Francisco Ballet School, but applied to colleges based on academic intensity, deciding on the University of Chicago. All dance at UChicago is student-run, including the University Ballet of Chicago, which I joined freshman year. I started out dancing a lot before transitioning to teaching class and setting work.

I chose to audition for ballet companies during senior year. Artistic staff at auditions either assumed I'd been a dance major or liked that I brought a different perspective. I can't think of an instance in which not majoring in dance was a detriment. People worry about committing four years to college right after high school, but the time will pass anyway, so invest it how you'd like. On the other hand, fellow dancers who didn't go to college say they're stressed about what's coming after retirement. There's reassurance in having your degree already. Down the road, I feel there'll be opportunities to leverage skills I gained in school to give back to dance or use dance to impact others.

Schools without dance programs—particularly if they have financial resources—can be open to supporting students with the drive to pursue what's not on campus. When friends were coming through on tour, or when friends in The Joffrey Ballet were available, I'd arrange master classes with university funding. Many resources aren't immediately apparent but can support your dance training.

A version of this story appeared in the July/August 2018 issue of Dance Spirit with the title "There's No Dance Major. Now What?"

We all spend hours online perusing one dance vid after another, from silly to serious, funny to fierce. Now, SELF has asked two of our fave dance pros for their takes on some of the most famous internet dance moves.

You'll live for Maddie Ziegler and Derek Hough's reviews of everything from finger breakdancing and Harlem shakes to Sergei Polunin and Shakira. And the two of them even bust some moves of their own: Ziegler moonwalks, and Hough breaks into a salsa. Trust us, you don't want to miss it.

What do you get when dance all-stars like Fik-Shun Stegall, Heather Morris, and Christopher Scott join forces for a movie? That'd be All Styles, the new dance film that just might give Step Up a run for its money. And you can watch the trailer exclusively right here.

The movie follows Brandon (Fik-Shun), a struggling college student who's turned his back on dance, only to realize that it's the one thing he's truly passionate about. Brandon ends up creating a dance crew with diverse group of people, including a b-boy, a performance artist, a Bhangra dancer, an animator, a ballerina, and a ballroom dancer. The film culminates in a thrilling dance battle that pits the new group against Brandon's old crew. We're dying to see how the choreo will mesh the dancers' talents—and just to watch Fik-Shun #slay!

You can catch All Styles on DVD, iTunes, and other digital platforms on September 25th.

Last night's episode of "World of Dance" proves that there's literally an endless supply of talented dancers in this world. We're on week SEVEN of Qualifiers, and each week, we're continuously blown away by the competitors. Last night was no different, as eight more groups (all of whom deserved to advance) vied for a spot in the Duels.

Quad Squad

Quad Squad made our comp-kid dreams come true with their high-octane, turn-heavy, perfectly synced performance. Seriously, these girls are the definition of "unison." Everything was clean and crisp, filled with emotion, and performed flawlessly. The judges agreed, awarding them an 89—enough to get them to the Duels.

marInspired

There wasn't a dry eye in the house after marInspired's moving turn on the "World of Dance" stage. It's so refreshing to see a male duo, especially on such a large-scale stage. These two have a knack for storytelling. The performance was brimming with emotion, the choreo was lively and different, and you couldn't help but be transported by the dancing. The judges loved every minute of it, giving them a well-deserved 91.3, enough to get them to the Duels.

Alisa & Joseph

These two remind us so much of Keone & Mari—when was the last time you saw a duo so aware of each other's bodies and movements? Alisa and Joseph picked "Stand By Me," which was an A+ choice, not just because it's one of the greatest, most danceable songs ever, but because it truly highlighted their spectacular musicality. The judges were blown away and awarded them a 90.7, also sending them to the Duels.

With the end of Qualifiers in sight, "WOD" is about to kick into high gear with the Duels. Catch us back here next week for another recap!

Summertime...and the dressing is eeeeeeeeeeasy. When you're heading straight from the dance studio to the pool or beach, you don't want to be messing around with complicated cover-ups. That's where these 5 MVPs of the romper room come in, bringing their breezy style to your pre-class, post-rehearsal, and everything-in-between looks. Oh, and three out of the five are on sale right now. So what are you waiting for? Go ahead and romper-ound! (Sorry, couldn't resist.)

The Soline, by Wear Moi

This oversized cap sleeve romper with a half zip in the front features four-way stretch and extra-comfy wide leg openings. You can get it now on Wear Moi's US website for less than half of its original price.

The Lace-Trimmed Romper, by Danskin

Right now, this flirty and feminine look is on sale for $15 off the original price. With side slit pockets, a gathered elastic waist, and ruched detailing at the back, it's tailor-made for staying cool on a summer night in.

The Reversible Romper, by Covet Dance

Wear this one-piece with a demure scoop-neck, as shown, or flip things around to create a crossover deep V neckline. (Psst: It's on sale right now for just $28, down from $46!)

The Olympia Romper, by Jo+Jax

Whether in black-and-white stripe, solid black, or peach stripe (shown), the trendy open back and drapey neckline make the Olympia just as at home on the beach as it is in the studio. Bonus: The whole crew can wear it—it comes in sizes Youth Small to Adult Large!

The S&B; Romper, by Sugar and Bruno

We'd never forget you, itty-bitties! Sugar and Bruno's namesake romper is made from their softest terry yet and comes in sizes ranging from XXS (aka child one-size, shown) to adult large.

In our "Dear Katie" series, former NYCB soloist Kathryn Morgan answers your pressing dance questions. Have something you want to ask Katie? Email dearkatie@dancespirit.com for a chance to be featured!

Dear Katie,

I'm a lefty turner, and am more flexible on my left side than my right. My one-sidedness is especially noticeable because most people in my classes are stronger on the right side. How can I even myself out?

Camryn

Dear Camryn,

Here's the good news: Being a "lefty" automatically makes you a standout! You're the one person doing triples when everybody else is struggling to pull off a double. Here's the bad news: Anybody who's one-sided (which is pretty much everybody) has to work twice as hard on their bad side. Your natural muscle memory is to turn to the left—and it's always more fun to do what you're good at—but you need to force yourself to get used to turning the opposite way.

In class, while another group is going across the floor, stand in the back of the room and do the combination just to the right side. After class, take some time to practice your pirouettes to the right, too. Simply increasing the number of times you work your right side will help reprogram your body and brain, making pirouettes in that direction feel more natural. It's the same with flexibility: When you stretch your right side, hold the position twice as long as you would on the left.

That said, don't give up on your good side. Just do everything twice as many times to the bad side. It'll take time and hard work, but you can even yourself out.

For more of Katie's helpful tips and advice, click here.

Dancer and choreographer Sherrie Silver is living her best life. The 23 year old, who's most recent choreography was featured in Childish Gambino's controversial "This Is America" music video, continues to bring African dance to the forefront of pop culture with the help of Vogue magazine. Brooklyn is the perfect backdrop for this dancing queen as she breaks down five of her favorite Afro dance moves: the Gwara Gwara, the Hipjook, the Neza, the Snakula, and the Shaku Shaku.

Though Silver is from Rwanda, she loves to incorporate moves from all over the continent including Rwanda, South Africa, Central Africa, and West Africa. Now she's sharing the beauty of Afro dance through the classes she teaches and the videos she shares on her social media platforms. Silver is aware of the opportunity she's been given and told Vogue that she wants to use her star power to "take Afro dance and Afro culture to the world, and then take the world to Africa." We love seeing Afro dance take center stage as more people are exposed to the rich culture that it represents.

Watch more of Sherrie Silver's amazing Afro dance choreo here:

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Watch some of our favorite Afro dances by Sherrie Silver.

Few things are more beautiful than perfectly arched feet. While us normal humans are on a never-ending quest to make our biscuits look a little bit better, some dancers are just born with gorgeous bananas. Here are 9 artists—from big-name icons to up-and-coming talents—whose feet are all kinds of #goals.

Sylvie Guillem

French ballet icon Sylvie Guillem is #goals for a ton of reasons, and her feet are definitely two of them. Seriously, though—they should be displayed in The Louvre for all the see.

Tate McRae

Tate McRae slays in every style—in part because she has those perfect feet supporting her!

Svetlana Zakharova

Prima ballerina Svetlana Zakharova has feet we would die for. It's mind-blowing how perfect they are.

Hayden Hopkins

This former Cover Model Search winner is currently showing off her perfect feet on the Cirque du Soleil stage.

Alessandra Ferri

Alessandra Ferri has been dancing for over 50 years, and her legendary feet have only gotten better with time.

Gisele Bethea

When we put gorgeous Gisele Bethea on our cover in 2016, the response was pretty much universally "OMG HER FEEEEEEEEEEET." And that was correct.

David Hallberg

It's pretty extraordinary for a man to have feet ballerinas would kill for—but then, world-famous danseur David Hallberg is no ordinary guy.

Kenedy Kallas

Is this ballet and contemporary competition champion for REAL with those banana feet?!

Sophia Lucia

Not only can Sophia Lucia do more pirouettes than anyone else in the world—she also has better feet than almost anyone else in the world.

Throwback jazz duds that feel impossibly current? Groovy, baby.

Modeled by Amber Pickens and Carey Segal

Photography by Erin Baiano

Soffe bra top, Bloch Inc. briefs, So Dança fishnets

Alexandra Collection by Just for Kix biketard, So Dança shoes

Body Wrappers/Angelo Luzio leotard and skirt, So Dança leotard, skirt and fishnets

Bloch Inc. unitard, Body Wrappers/Angelo Luzio dress

Our story begins on January 3, 2018, when an account called @issadancelook suddenly appeared on the Insta-horizon. Almost immediately, the page was chock-full of artsy shots of SUNY Purchase dancers in their quirkiest, most stylish classwear and rehearsalwear. Barely half a year later, the page has an intensely engaged base of followers, and even mainstream fashion has taken notice—but more on that in a minute.

Why are we obsessed with this account (and you should be, too)? First of all, the fashion choices are EVERYTHING. Clearly, Purchase attracts students who apply creativity to every part of their lives. (First among equals being Joy-Marie Thompson, who started and ran the page through the end of last month, and Dava Huesca, a rising senior who recently took on the project.) But what's really hooked followers like yours truly are the fantastic captions replete with dancer humor, excellent emoji use, and fascinating backstories behind the clothing pieces that make up dancers' in-studio wardrobes.

Exhibit A:

And Exhibit B:

And Exhibit C!

Last but certainly not least, here's choreographic LEGEND (and lecturer in dance at Purchase) Doug Varone serving up some very special dance looks of his own.

And we're not the only ones impressed by these looks. The end of last month saw a collab with clothing brand Supreme and, I mean, will you just look at these in. cred. i. ble. pictures!

I can't, y'all. It's just too good.

By now, you're probably wondering if what you're wearing to class or rehearsal today in fact issa dance look or, um, is not. There's only one way to find out: The page accepts submissions! So what are you waiting for? Hit those DMs with your best ensemble and prepare for your 15 minutes of studio-style fame. And, in the wise words of Joy-Marie, "Stay looking good. Always arrive to the studio in your BEST attire and your BEST intentions." We couldn't agree more.