Dance is competitive, we all know that.  Anyone who wants to become a professional has to have a thick skin to survive all the corrections given by teachers and choreographers.  But what do you do if you are told time and time again that you'll never live your dream?  What if your problem is not your attitude, your work ethic or your training, but is instead the one thing you can't change - your body?  Read on to hear how one professional tap dancer - Laura Chiuve - overcame both the odds and the limitations of her own anatomy to succeed not only in tap, but in other forms of dance as well.

One of the best things about living in New York City is the plethora of artsy activities to explore and participate in. There's a creative energy that permeates the city, something that makes New York such an exciting and unique place to live.

Recently, I just learned about a really cool monthly dance series that takes place at The Tank, a performance space for the exporation of non-traditional works by upcoming artists and performers. The series is called "The Raw and the Cooked" and it combines both choreography and improvisation while also incorporating live music and video mixed-media curated by Tatyana Tenenbaum.

Find out more about "The Raw and the Cooked" after the jump!

Last weekend, I had the honor of judging the USASF Worlds dance team competition held at Epcot Center in Orlando, Florida. The top teams from across the country and around the globe competed in divisions of pom, jazz and hip hop for the chance to be considered the best of the best. Dancers attended from 30 countries, including China, Germany, Chile, Mexico, Italy, Japan and the Ukraine.

So last night I ventured out to see Contrapose Dance's premiere concert of the same name. I have to say that it was pretty amazing. Since moving to Boston, MA, I have tried to go see as much dance as possible, and this company is definitely one to watch.

Contrapose is unique in that it combines the original works of its members with the work of an established artist/dance company and invites that company to perform/guest artist with the members of Contrapose, showcase thier own work, and choreograph. The results are fabulous!

Before I go off on the rants that have been simmering in my head, I want to mention something pertaining to a person in my last blog. I said that Eva Yaa Asantewaa's dance podcast, The Great Dance Audio Podcast is wonderful, but I said that I was sad that I didn't hear more from this podcast because of its quality content.

Kathleen Marshall is such an inspiration. I love when I walk into a room to audition for someone, and not only are they expressing viv and talent, but also intelligence and intense focus. I auditioned as a dancer for the Broadway tour of Grease yesterday, and I was lucky enough to have been in the presence of all of these qualities. It is so great to walk away from an audition feeling like you have grown even if you don't get the job because of a person in that room who inspires you.

I had the most exciting, fun-filled weekend of dance, dance, and yes, more dance! Is there any better way to spend your free time?