Sport And Danse Vidéos : Ali Fitness Podcast EP054 – AERIAL DANCE ARTIST AMY SCHULSTER

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    Ali Fitness Podcast EP054 – AERIAL DANCE ARTIST AMY SCHULSTER


    Video

    Description

    Circus hurts. In training sessions, you get bruised and burned, you fall down. But the joy that comes from having a platform to express yourself, to become something outside yourself and communicate through art inspires Amy Schulster to pursue a career as a performer.

    Amy is a freelance aerial dance artist in New York City specializing in dance, aerial and choreography. She has a background in classical ballet and a BFA in Dance and Urban Design from Tisch School of the Arts at NYU. Amy trained with the Professional Training Program at the New England Center for Circus Arts before joining the Company and Teaching Faculty at Frequent Flyers Aerial Dance in Boulder for the 2015-2016 season. Today, she trains clients in acrobatic conditioning, performs with aerial partner Christie Palermo as Femmes de Flight, and does solo appearances at venues like Webster Hall, Dixon Place, and Muse Brooklyn.

    On this episode of Ali Fitness, Amy explains the lifestyle of a freelance aerial dancer, sharing her training schedule as well as the different types of performance opportunities in New York City. She walks us through her background in dance, her transition to trapeze, and the motivation behind her choice to be a performer. Amy offers insight into the world of classical ballet, discussing the health issues that plague many dancers and her own experience with rejection. Listen in to find out what inspires Amy to take the stage—even when ‘circus hurts’—and hear her advice for beginners interested in aerial dance.

    Topics Covered

    [0:45] The lifestyle of a freelance aerial dancer

    Requires thick skin, intense training
    Always learning new skills
    Competitive environment

    [2:42] Amy’s performances in NYC

    Nightlife (i.e.: burlesque, music venues)
    Entertainment for parties
    Physical/immersive theatre

    [3:41] A day in the life of an aerial performer

    Work in training around job as PT
    No time off, must be performance-ready

    [5:34] What Amy’s training looks like

    3-4 hours/day, 5-6 days/week
    Warmup core, muscles around joints
    Develop upper body strength
    Conditioning days, choreography days

    [9:54] How Amy recovers from intense training

    Higher volume, fewer days
    Eat well, drink water and sleep

    [10:54] Amy’s background in dance

    Ballet training from 10-18 (Russian technique)
    NYU for dance opened eyes to choreography

    [14:34] Amy’s transition to trapeze

    Dislocated ankle in gymnastics accident
    Gym had aerial and trapeze, trained with coach
    Circus school in Vermont, joined Frequent Flyers

    [19:20] Amy’s experience with rejection in the ballet world

    Served as apprentice at ballet company
    Contract not renewed based on physique

    [20:29] Health issues among ballet dancers

    Eating disorders, body dysmorphia

    [22:19] The health of performers in the trapeze world

    More accepting, community-oriented
    Diversity of skill sets

    [23:50] Amy’s support from family and friends

    Balancing training with school difficult
    Parents unusually supportive of performing

    [26:17] Why Amy chose to be a performer

    Form of communication, self-expression
    Joy from music, movement and storytelling

    [28:50] Amy’s advice for people interested in aerial dance

    Look for beginner class at circus/dance studio
    Very physical, but accessible to anybody