Fall 2014 Teen Playlist

Posted in Music by Cait (The Dance Buzz)

We interrupt this renovation saga with a playlist! I was updating my playlists for the fall and here are a few new songs my teen/college classes have been enjoying. I say “teens” because some of these songs have some questionable PG-13 subject matter, so use with caution (as far as I know, there are no swear words).

Stretching Songs

Stay High (Hippie Sabatoge Remix) – Tove Lo (questionable subject matter)
Unkiss Me – Maroon 5
Stolen Dance – Milky Chance
My Fault – Imagine Dragons
Work Song – Hozier
First (Hold My Hand) – Cold War Kids

Upbeat Songs

Celeste – Ezra Vine – an indie rock tune, good for warm-ups
Let The Groove Get In – Justin Timberlake
Flirt (Acoustic or regular version) – Zac Waters – both links link to YouTube because this song is not on iTunes yet!!
King of the World – Young Rising Sons
Dear Future Husband – Meghan Trainor (some questionable lines in this song, so beware)
Fireball (Instrumental Version) – In the Style of Pitbull

Lyrical/Contemporary Songs

I Wanna Dance With Somebody – Bootstraps – link opens in YouTube
Still – Daughter
Photograph – Ed Sheeran
Riptide – Vance Joy

How has the beginning of the new dance year been for you? Found any new music? Share in the comments!

The Dance Buzz is an iTunes affiliate

15Aug2014

2014 Song Selections

Posted in Music by Cait (The Dance Buzz)

Because I’m a huge music / stats nerd, I like to share my song choices from each year. It’s mostly for me to be able to look back and say “when did I use that song”? , but maybe someone will enjoy it too.

(Here’s 2013’s music list if you’re curious… and 2012… and 2011)

Our first half of our recital had a theme which was “dance inspired by literature or literary themes”, so you may notice that some of my songs are related to books.

Links open in iTunes, unless otherwise noted 🙂

TEENS

A Little Party – Fergie: Senior large group tap, called this “At The Ball” and had the girls dress up in fancy dresses, gloves and masks as if they were at a ball out of a fairytale.
Talk Nerdy To Me – The girls titled this dance! We mixed together three songs for this “nerd” dance: Cool Jerk, I Wish (Skee-Lo), and Boom! Shake the Room (whattup Fresh Prince!?). This was a lot of fun to put together…:P
Royal Rebellion – another WAY overused song, but I mixed Royals (Lorde) with the instrumental half of Emily Well’s Symphony 2 and the Click Boom Boom (to attempt some originality) for a large group contemporary, ages 15-18
Medicine – Daughter: large group contemporary, ages 15-18
Youth – Daughter: senior contemporary duet, age 17
Roar – cover by Tori Kelly & Scott Hoying: Tap solo, age 17 (YouTube link)
Miss Otis Regrets – Bette Midler: Musical Theater Tap solo, age 14
Eet – Regina Spektor: Contemporary solo, age 16 – can’t pass up a year without using a Regina Spektor song!

TWEENS

Crazy In Love – The Puppini Sisters: Small group tap, ages 13-15
My Anthem – Christina Grimmie: Tap solo, age 11
Wings – Little Mix: SO overplayed at competitions, but my kids loved this one. In hindsight, I wish I hadn’t picked such a popular song. Small group tap, ages 11-13
Torn – Nathan Lanier: small group modern, ages 9-11
The Gravel Road – James Newton Howard: Large group ballet, ages 9-12. Theme was “The Giving Tree”, costumed half as trees and half as children

CHILDREN

“I’m Late” – white rabbit tap solo

Loved this one!

I’m Late – Mary Martin: Tap solo, age 9, costumed as white rabbit
Mr. Sandman – The Puppini Sisters: Tap trio, age 9
Jungle Rhythm – The Jungle Book 2: Large group tap, age 5-6
What’s New At The Zoo – Do Re Mi Soundtrack: Large group jazz, ages 5-6, hilarious song, costumed as different zoo animals. I only wish I had a little boy to costume as a zoo keeper
Technologic – Daft Punk / Happy – C2C – Large group tap, ages 6-9. Entitled “Cookies”, they used Girl Scout cookie box props.
Wizard Wheezes – Harry Potter soundtrack: large group tap, ages 7-10, called this “It’s A Mystery” and we used magnifying glasses – theme was supposed to be mystery books
Hawaii 5-0 Mix – JiveBunny / Wipe Out – Surfaris: Large group jazz, ages 7-10. Used beach props (towels, beach ball, surf board)
Define Dancing – WALL•E: Large group ballet, used for ages 6-8 and 7-10, entitled it “The Jellyfish Ballet” and used umbrella props

Can I get a show of hands for who used an “over popular” song this year and regretted it? What was your favorite song to choreograph to this year? Comment below.

9Sep2013

New Music Monday: Ballet Goes Pop

Posted in Music by Cait (The Dance Buzz)

Recently got turned on to this album by Adult Beginner’s ballet music post (side note: if you don’t already read Adult Beginners’s blog, you should because she is awesome and its about ballet and other fun stuff!).

If you’re looking for some new stuff for this year’s ballet class, check it out!

Ballet Goes Pop – Album open in iTunes

Don’t miss frappes to Single Ladies, and grande allegro to I Kissed A Girl, adagio to Someone Like You. I hope they make another series soon!

TDB is an iTunes affiliate.

14Jan2013

NMM: New Year’s Playlist

Posted in Music by Cait (The Dance Buzz)

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It’s hard to find a picture of new beginnings in January,but here is a “snow egg” in a nest that’s in front of our house.

——–

With it being January, I wanted to make a playlist of songs about beginnings, fresh starts and the future.
Enjoy! (All of the links below open to iTunes)

I’m Beginning To See The Light – Maynard Ferguson – an instrumental jazzy tune with a big band feel, that would be nice for a classic jazz or adult tap class. There’s another great version by Michael Buble too!

At the Beginning – Anastasia (Music from the Motion Picture) – classic Disney love song – could work for a lyrical dance.

Starting Now – Ingrid Michaelson – I’ve used this quick-tempo song for combinations in modern, jazz and contemporary class. It starts out sounding acoustic and then builds to a full band, which is nice for a dynamic change.

Where Do I Even Start? – Morgan Taylor Reid – This song was used on Grey’s Anatomy, so you know it’s dramatic! I am a sucker for songs with piano harmony sections, so I liked this one right away. I would use it in lyrical or contemporary class or possibly for a lyrical ballet piece.

New Age – Marlon Roudette – Another nice lyrical / contemporary song.

Intro – xx – One of my teachers used this song last year for a jazz / contemporary piece. I could see it working for a modern dance as well. Has a great creepy beginning and then changes into an intense and building melody.

Wanna Be Starting Something – Michael Jackson – Doesn’t need explanation 🙂 There is also a newer version featuring Akon, but you gotta love classic Michael.

This is what my front yard looks like in January…snow and ice!

New Soul – Yael Naïm – Ever since it was featured on that iTunes commercial, I hesitate to use it in class, but it would be such a fun song for a young modern class or for a solo.

Brand New – Emilie Mover – She has such a fun voice – this is a nice uplifting song with a country or bluegrass feel.

What other songs make you think of new beginnings and the New Year? Leave a comment!

5Nov2012

NMM: Contemporary Song & Video Playlist

Posted in Music by Cait (The Dance Buzz)

A few new songs that I’ve been loving in class and some videos to go along with them:

“Great” – Tony Robbins – free download here – this is the song from the Purina dog commercial that might have made you cry. I think it would make a nice contemporary dance:

Try – P!nk – I didn’t know she was such an awesome dancer – check out the video:

And my final song / video combo is:
Capital Cities – Safe And Sound – you could use this techno song for warm-ups in jazz or tap, but I just love this fan-made video. Its a mash-up of historical dance moves juxtaposed with war images. I dig the old dance moves against the song:

15Aug2012

2012 Song Selections

Posted in Music by Cait (The Dance Buzz)

Now that the competitions and recitals are over, I’d thought I’d share my list of songs I used this past year for choreography. (Here is 2011 in case you’re curious)

All links open in iTunes, unless otherwise noted

TAP