Take Your Child on a Magical Journey Across the World through a History of Ballet

CHARLESTON, S.C. - May 30, 2013 - PRLog -- The moment a child opens the pages of Ballerinas Abroad! An Introduction to the History of Ballet, by author and ballet teacher, Rachel Epps, she is immediately transported through time and space to the historical beginnings of this beautiful dance. Through a portal in the dressing nook of the ballet studio, dance teacher, Miss Sara takes her students on a magical journey they will never forget.

Girls and boys alike, ages 5 and older will be fascinated by the relatable characters in this one-of-a-kind book. Young children will effortlessly find themselves excited to learn about new lands in faraway places, as Ballerinas Abroad! takes them through the European countries where ballet began: Italy, France and Russia. Readers begin in Italy at the court of Catherine de Medici and French Duke Henri d’Orléans where the roots of ballet began. Next, they journey to the Palace of Versailles in France where one of the first ballets was performed. Then they land in Russia, where many of today’s most famous ballets were first staged including Swan Lake in 1877 in Moscow. Along the way, the children also visit London and New York, learning about famous ballerinas and the glorious theaters they performed in.  

At the age of five, Rachel Epps began taking ballet. It has been a passion which has had a strong impact on her life ever since. Now 28, and a mother of two daughters, Millie and Mollie, Epps wanted to share her knowledge and love of ballet not only with her own young girls, but with children everywhere.

Her story begins in her youth, when her dance teacher made her study dance history, anatomy of a dancer and vocabulary. This changed the way Rachel thought of ballet, and made her a better dancer. "When you understand why your body is doing what it is doing, or feeling the way it is feeling, you are a stronger, healthier dancer. You move in a way that not only exudes grace, but is safer on your instrument: your body. Likewise, knowing the history behind a dance style, where it came from and what influences were behind it, can help guide your movement. All of this makes you a more well-rounded dancer." This education also made her a better teacher. "My teaching is heavily influenced by my dance education,” says Epps. “I explain vocabulary so the students have a better understanding of what I am asking of them, and I believe history can be just the tool to keep their interest spiked when kids have so much pulling for their attention and they begin to lose interest in dance."

That is exactly why she decided to finally write Ballerinas Abroad! The first in a series, this book takes you on an adventure around the world with Miss Sara and her students to discover the history of ballet. The book can be read as just a story for the younger audience and as a sort of encyclopedia for older readers, complete with an appendix, full of interesting information. "I believe dance is so much more than just an hour-long activity each week,” says Epps. “It has the power to instill grace, poise, and good manners in children, and most importantly helps boost a child's self-confidence." With the Ballerinas Abroad! series, Epps is committed to bringing the history of dance and theater alive in a way that encourages children's interest not only in taking dance and theater lessons, but to dig deeper into the art forms to become more well-rounded performers.

Events:
Saturday, June 1, 10:00AM-2:00PM: Book Signing at Wonder Works in Mt. Pleasant, SC
Saturday, June 1, 6:00-8:00PM: Book Release Party at Once Upon a Ballet and Musical Theater Center in Mt. Pleasant, SC
Thursday, June 13, 10:00AM: Book Reading and Signing at The Children’s Museum of the Lowcountry in Charleston, SC

For more information about doing an event with Rachel or carrying her book in your store, please visit www.ballerinasabroad.com