What the critics are saying about Robin -
“This book provides firsthand advice on how to effectively nurture a career in dance. The author, a founding member of The Washington Ballet, shares her personal story and knowledge, including how to put a class syllabus to work, prepare for a recital and deal with life after performance. She takes a personal approach and a light tone, making it an easy read.” – Dance Teacher magazine
“Sturm’s commonsense approach to studying, performing, and teaching dance is an invaluable guide to expressing one’s creative gifts and finding one’s muse.” – Dance Studio Life magazine
“Robin was privileged to be influenced by one of the most gifted and holistically minded teachers in America, and that influence has been translated into a comprehensive and sensitive guide to teachers, students and their parents. It is an absolute “must-read” for absolutely anyone involved with educating children in the field of dance. It addresses the issues from cradle to grave in the life of (professional) dancers, and more importantly, issues relating to a support system needed for those dancers. The book is simply so insightful that one is filled with Robin’s love of the art form and gratitude for having spent a life revolving within it.” – Kevin McKenzie, Artistic Director/American Ballet Theatre
About the Book Breathing Life into Dance – A new edition to be released tentatively Winter 2012
A passionate and personal account of the life of a dance student, professional dancer, ballet teacher and director that serves as a story to anyone involved with or who has an interest in the performing arts. The book will relate and instill a true love for dance as an art form.
About Robin -
Robin Conrad Sturm began her training at the Washington School of the Ballet and is a grad
uate of the Academy of the Washington School of the Ballet. She was a full scholarship student at the American Ballet Theatre School and the School of American Ballet in New York City. She received a soloist contract with the Hanover Opera Ballet in Germany and was a principle dancer with the Washington Ballet, of which she was a founding member. As a principle dancer with the Washington Ballet, Ms. Sturm originated many lead roles in the ballets of famed choreographer Choo San Goh, including “Introducing”, “Fives”, and “Synonyms.” She performed principle roles in many other ballets, including Heinz Claus’s “Carmina Burana,” Balanchine’s “Serenade,” and Goh’s “Octet.” She also appeared as a soloist in Jerome Hines’s opera, “I Am the Way,” at the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow. Ms. Sturm has been on the ballet faculty at the Washington School of the Ballet and the American University in Washington, D.C. Ms. Sturm and her husband, Robert, were the founding directors of the Masterworks Festival that has become one of the nation’s largest summer programs for classical music and dance. Ms. Sturm is currently a principle dancer and co-director of the Asaph Dance Ensemble. Ms. Sturm was the choreographer for the Asaph’s Handel’s “Messiah,” which was a Washington, D.C. tradition for many years and attracted thousands of people every Christmas season.
Robin Conrad Sturm is the artistic Director of the NVDA and enthusiastically endeavors to pass on her training and experience to her students. Many students from the Academy achieve placement in prestigious summer programs; among them, the programs at American Ballet Theatre, Joffrey Ballet, Atlanta Ballet, Washington Ballet, Boston Ballet and North Carolina Dance Theater. Other students have become professional choreographers in New York or have joined professional touring companies of Broadway musicals.
Keep up with Robin -