Ballet Class – Pointe Work

For Ballet Class and Pointe Work there are 3 levels based primarily on age but also on ability. The aim is to ensure that each student works as closely to their individual standard as possible, neither under or over challenged. This maintains our small class policy ensuring plenty of personal feedback.

Level One are diligently guided in a slow nurturing environment. Students are instilled with a  sound technical base and personal artistry is encouraged through that technical understanding.

Level Two  develops skills in the students who are ready to take the next step. Intense study at a faster pace building strength and stamina in preparation for auditions.

Level Three are challenged as they are the more advanced students for fearless performance and powerful virtuosity.

121 Coaching with Gillian Revie

Gillian offers weekly private coaching sessions with all students. This personal time allows Gillian to articulate any technical or artistic issues that need attention, and gives students time to process the corrections in a calm, stress free environment.

Pas de deux

Supported adage is crucial element to training. Balance, endurance and learning to trust and connect with your partner is the main focus in this class.

Character

Traditional Character dancing is led by professional musician Mark Dubrovsky and taught by Vadym Domashchenko. This genre of dance compliments classical ballet training teaching strength, posture, stamina and style.

Contemporary

Contemporary dance encourages self expression, natural movement and personal interpretation. Students develop technical skill, provided the tools required for improvisation, and help dancers to break free of the classical ballet mold. Companies throughout the world require versatile, intelligent performers, there is no such thing as a purely classical ballet company.

Solos

Carefully selected solos are chosen for each student.  These are analysed in depth and will be used as a tool for developing artistry through technique. Students will experience solos that suit them, and ones that perhaps don’t. This is crucial training for company life since dancers tend to not have a choice of the repertoire they must perform. It is important for dancers to develop versatility.

Repertoire

The Repertoire class helps to build a strong understanding and appreciation of traditional to contemporary ballets. Students learn how to stand in line in the corps de ballet, how to move in unison and how to emulate specific choreographic styles.

Virtuosity

Time slips by very quickly in class due to the care and attention needed for accuracy, so often dancers don’t get the chance to practise grand allegro and coda. This class provides the students with the much needed attention to power, height and speed.

Self Savvi

Self Savvi is a group therapy class that provides tools to help our teenaged dancers navigate through the challenges they face during intensive training.

Mentoring topics include:

• dealing with stress and pressure
• managing anxiety
• developing and maintaining a positive mindset
• expressing and communicating emotions
• navigating friendships and relationships with family
• building resilience
• goal setting and keeping high levels of motivation
• self-acceptance and body image issues

Self Savvi is led by Alisha Coon who is a Youth Mentor and Life Coach. She has a Diploma of Dance Movement and is a registered RAD ballet teacher. Alisha created Self Savvi to inspire and educate dancers about the importance of having a healthy mind, as well as a healthy body. She has facilitated Self-Confidence and Stress-Management workshops for hundreds of dancers and offers additional support through one-on-one mentoring.

Alisha has performed on stages all over the world and understands that the dance world is like no other. Navigating the stresses and demands, both physically and mentally, can be challenging for a young dancer and Alisha is passionate about passing on practical tools and information to help dancers cope with the overwhelming demands of the dance industry.

Spanish

Marina Tamayo and Aitor Hernandez provide weekly spanish lessons. Flamenco dance  is a highly-expressive, Spanish dance form. Characterized by hand clapping, percussive footwork, and intricate hand, arm, and body movements, this develops coordination, flavour and intensity to the dancers work.