The Best-Selling Dancer Biography Audiobooks of All Time

They were two of the most explosive dancers of the twentieth century, dazzling audiences with daredevil splits, slides, and hair-raising flips. But they were also highly sophisticated dancers, refining a centuries-old tradition of percussive dance into the rhythmic brilliance of jazz tap at its zenith. They were Fayard and Harold Nicholas, two American masters masterfully portrayed in this new dual biography by Constance Valis Hill.

In Brotherhood in Rhythm, Hill interweaves an intimate portrait of these great performers with a richly detailed history of jazz music and jazz dance, both bringing their act to life and explaining their significance through a colorful analysis of their eloquent footwork, their full-bodied expressiveness, and their changing style. Hill vividly captures their soaring careers, from Cotton Club appearances with Duke Ellington, Cab Calloway, and Jimmie Lunceford, to film-stealing big-screen performances with Chick Webb, Tommy Dorsey, and Glen Miller. Drawing on a deep well of research and endless hours of interviews with the Nicholas brothers themselves, she also documents their struggles against the nets of racism and segregation that constantly enmeshed their careers and denied them the recognition they deserved. And to provide essential background to their career and the development of their art, she also traces the three-hundred-year evolution of jazz tap, showing how it emerged in the Southern colonies in the 1700s, as the Irish jig and West African gioube mutated into the American jig and juba. More than a biography of two talented but underappreciated performers, Brotherhood in Rhythm offers a profound new understanding of this distinctively American art and its intricate links to the history of jazz.

The inside story of the life of Cheryl Burke, professional dancer, choreographer, and two-time champion on the top-rated TV hit series Dancing with the Stars Cheryl Burke has been dancing since the age of four and competing since she was thirteen years old. Over several exciting seasons, she has captivated audiences of Dancing with the Stars with her incredible dance performances, Emmy-nominated choreography, high energy, and bright smile. In Dancing Lessons, she takes you from her childhood years into the world of competitive ballroom dancing and on to Dancing with the Stars.

In each chapter, you will discover a depth of passion in Cheryl's life that perfectly matches the commitment she displays on the dance floor. Cheryl's accounts of being a powerful woman putting her talent to work will inspire everyone to pursue their own dreams. Includes behind-the-scenes stories and photos from the life of the first two-time champion of Dancing with the StarsShares lessons Cheryl has learned from each of her celebrity partners on Dancing with the Stars, from Drew Lachey to Chad Ochocinco Includes never-before-discussed revelations concerning Cheryl's childhood, weight issues, and the media. Read Dancing Lessons and let Cheryl Burke whisk you away to a world full of dancing, entertainment, and life. Q&A with Author Cheryl Burke. What drew you to the world of dance? As a young child, my mom got me involved in the typical ballet classes that a lot of girls take. When I was a little older, I went with my parents to a ballroom class they were taking and instantly fell in love with the costumes and the music. And I loved that it was partner dancing. What inspired you to write Dancing Lessons? Since being on Dancing with the Stars I’ve encountered a lot of people who’ve asked me about my dance background, my training and my childhood. I thought that if I could write a book that inspires people to take up dance or to find their passion and they can learn from it like I have, then it would be worth it to write a book. What do you think people can learn about life through dance? Compromise. Sharing. Teamwork. You can learn to express yourself with your body. Sometimes words fail to really convey emotion, and dance teaches you body language and interpretation. What is your favorite part of being on Dancing with the Stars? The best part of being involved in Dancing with the Stars is inspiring people of all ages to get up and dance. When people approach me and say that I’ve motivated them to get off the couch and be more active; to enroll in dance class; or when young kids want to take dance lessons, that’s my inspiration to be part of the show. If you could offer one piece of advice to your fans, what would you tell them? Find your passion. Once you do, nothing can stop you. Dance Tips from Author Cheryl Burke. General Dance Tip. No matter what dance you perform, you should have fun doing it – and don’t ever fake it. When I dance, I don’t put on any show faces. Facial expressions are an extension of the body’s expressions and should come from somewhere special and authentic. When you feel the dance and the music, that, in turn dictates how you will emote. People can tell if you’re being artificial. Salsa Tip. There’s a lot of hip action and body pulsing in the salsa, so quick feet are a must. Women also need good flexibility and the ability to spin fast without getting dizzy. Quickstep Tip. This is a high-energy dance in which the partners must keep holding on to each other. You have to be light on your feet and move around the floor as a unit. And don’t forget to smile. Rumba Tip. You need to be flexible, sexy, and sensual with your partner. Focus on good hip action. You move much more slowly than in the salsa, but movement is key.

A bestselling and prize-winning memoir by African-American ballerina Misty Copeland, Life in Motion is the vividly told story of her journey to the world-class American Ballet Theatre—and delves into the harrowing family conflicts that nearly drove her away from ballet as a thirteen-year-old prodigy. Determination meets dance in this New York Times bestselling memoir by the history-making ballerina Misty Copeland, recounting the story of her journey to become the first African-American principal ballerina at the prestigious American Ballet Theatre.

When she first placed her hands on the barre at an after-school community center, no one expected the undersized, underprivileged, and anxious thirteen-year-old to become one of America’s most groundbreaking dancers . A true prodigy, she was attempting in months roles that take most dancers years to master. But when Misty became caught between the control and comfort she found in the world of ballet and the harsh realities of her own life, she had to choose to embrace both her identity and her dreams, and find the courage to be one of a kind. With an insider’s passion, Misty opens a window into the life of an artist who lives life center stage, from behind the scenes at her first classes to her triumphant roles in some of the world’s most iconic ballets. A sensational memoir as “sensitive” and “clear-eyed” (The Washington Post) as her dancing, Life in Motion is a story of passion, identity and grace for anyone who has dared to dream of a different life.