READERS' FORUM.

FLAMENCO FAN FEELS LEFT OUT

After reading the letters written to Dance Magazine about the small amount of coverage on Irish dancing, I have a few words to say to the complainers.

How often do you find articles on Spanish/flamenco dance in Dance Magazine? We've been around and performing professionally for many, many years as opposed to Irish dancing, which has only turned professional fairly recently. We get an occasional article or news item written about us and go for months without a word about what is happening in the world of Spanish dance and flamenco. It is to be expected, since we don't share the same popularity as ballet or modern dance.

What makes you so much more important than any other ethnic group that performs? If we start lobbying for equal time, Dance Magazine will have to be the size of a dictionary and the price of one of those expensive coffee table books.

Wait your turn, my friends; there are many different types of dance out there waiting their turn to have articles written about them in the magazine.

Victoria Flores Cooke Virginia Beach, Virginia 

The editors reply: We've heard you, flamenco fans. Check out the issue you hold in your hands.

BALKING AT `CATTLE CALLS'

I take great exception to your audition article in the February Dance Magazine [Linda Hamilton's "Audition Time: Are You Having Fun Yet?" page 108]. Rarely, if ever, are dancers chosen at these demeaning "cattle calls," which seem to be a way for dance companies to bring in extra revenue by audition fees. My daughter forwarded her resume, photographs, and letters of recommendation to two companies, only to be told by one of the ballet mistresses that she was fat and should try again after she lost five to ten pounds. My daughter doesn't have an inch of fat on her (she's 5'6" and weighs 122 pounds). To get hired, dancers need to pick out a company, spend a week in company class, and then approach the director.

Carol Rodman Boston, Massachusetts 

Linda Hamilton replies: It's always a good idea to attend company class if you want a job. In fact, it's one of several strategies that I recommend in my book, Advice for Dancers (1998, Jossey-Bass). It also helps to call ahead to see if the company is hiring and to ask about the preferred style (e.g., Vaganova vs. Balanchine). Still, open auditions remain an important way of finding work, according to several dancers who were recently offered positions in companies such as Miami City Ballet and San Francisco Ballet. The point of my article was to highlight areas where dancers can prepare for this event, from their audition package (resume, photos) to fitness level (weight, injuries) and stress management (creating an optimal level of arousal). These guidelines apply to all dancers, whether they have their eye on a summer dance program, Broadway musical, ballet company--or company class.

ALUMNI WORTH WATCHING

It was with great satisfaction and pride that I discovered two alumni of Virginia Commonwealth University's Department of Dance and Choreography--namely, Richard Move and Paule Turner--among the "25 to Watch" featured in your January issue.

VCU's dance program enjoys one of the fastest-growing reputations in dance education and training today, and as a long-time fan and financial contributor to the program, I am delighted to see the success and recognition some of its graduates are receiving.

Thank you for your attention to our young artists.

Needham B. Whitfield Midlothian, Virginia 

A PREDICTABLE COVER?

I really appreciated your choices and articles for Black History Month. But I was disappointed that no black artist was featured on the front cover in February.

The Sweethearts Dance cover for Valentine's Day was predictable, and unfortunately, typical of Dance Magazine. It would be a welcome change to see people of color and more varieties of dance on your cover besides ballet.

For example, Tamango, a tap dancer "A Tapper Named Tamango," Dance Magazine, February, page 70], would have been awesome!

Emily Klemmer Astoria, New York 

Send your letters to Readers' Forum, Dance Magazine, 111 Myrtle St. #203, Oakland, CA 94607, or email us at [e-mail] Letters must be signed with name, city, state, and include a weekday telephone or fax number for confirmation. Letters become the property of Dance Magazine, which reserves the right to edit them.