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 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.
Dancelete: Complete Elite Athlete
The Dancelete Mentoring program is designed to support the dancer’s complete well-being as an athlete, artist and an individual person. This service has been created in collaboration with all our ballet teachers, our physiotherapist and academic staff at CB121. Dancelete not only provides emotional support but prepares and aids in planning for each students journey in the the world of classical ballet and beyond.
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.
Ballet exercises
Dance Fitness
Cardio – Strength Program
Carefully planned circuit training sessions provides dancers with a personally designed dance fitness program to build stamina and maintain the highest level of fitness. Alistair Stewart
Pilates
Pilates is essential for a dancer’s toned elongated physique. It is beneficial therefore to activate and strengthen in preparation for ballet class and the physical challenges of the day. Alistair Stewart.
Private Reformer Sessions
Alistair Stewart provides weekly private reformer sessions to refine and tone the dancers body.
Yoga
Yoga is a useful training method for dancers. to increase body awareness, strength and flexibility, and to develop a greater understanding of linking breath to movement. We begin the week with a strengthening session and finish with a more relaxing, stretch. Penelope Stubbs.
Academic Tuition
Academic Management
Daily educational assistance ensures that schoolwork remains a priority, our education manager supports each student by teaching time management skills and tutoring when required.
Goal Setting
Meetings with the director helps the students to understand their strengths and weaknesses so that they can focus clearly on their short and long term goals.
Weekly Research
Guidance is given to students researching appropriate worldwide vocational schools. CV writing and biographies are constantly updated in preparation for the future.
Anatomy
Our In-House Physiotherapist Nicole Baer has designed an Anatomy Education Program especially for the Classical Ballet 121 students. The program incorporates education on musculoskeletal anatomy and workshops to enhance the dancers understanding of their bodies. Skeletal and muscular awareness influences correct placement and alignment therefore provides a strong safe platform for development in training.