Michelle_Richer

Went to Body Balance this morning, it just seemed too easy, I know I’m not stretching as far at the moment as I am trying to avoid injury prior to my summer schools starting next week, but there just seemed something missing. Went to my afternoon ballet class where we were used as guinea pigs, first half was regular barre work with our existing teacher, the second half was called eXtend Barre (Not Power Barre that I mentioned in a earlier post). Its something from America, we never used the barre at all, however it was fast moving, and very aerobic but never the less did utilise many traditional ballet moves, but this was more about building up fitness rather than technique, it was really good fun. However the date suggested for the proper launch for this course conflicts with my local ballet class, although our guest teacher did say the date is not set in stone. So I guess its watch this space. At Lincoln this evening, it was back to the sticky floor at the University, our teacher has promised to see the organisers to get the floor cleaned during the break, it was awful against the floor we used last week at a nearby community centre. That one although not sprung was wood and very slippy, we did lots of pirouettes and the floor was just wonderful for that. Both classes are now closed for the summer break.

Well,do I need to cancel this one then Lin, as it will completely destroy my image?

Lin: What a lovely explanation. I felt a bit down hearted this morning, I was getting myself sorted out to go to my Saturday ballet class at the Elite Academy of Dance in Grantham when a little bird in my head said check the term dates, it ended yesterday, oh poo. I’m really going to miss them now as I haven’t been there for the last 4 weeks as its been all performances and workshops, I did inform them though at my last session but didn’t realise it would take me up to the end of their term. I think for most of my classes, next week is the last week, then for me its 3 summer schools in a row and a couple of repertoire workshop too. My ENB classes as it’s a new term (2 weeks ago) continue and although I am on summer schools during the day I can still manage to attend the ENB classes. I was hoping to get back to the ROH classes too, as I haven’t seen the girls there since February, due to rehearsals, but they are on break now until the 11th September. Ah well I will just have to console myself with a Salsa party tonight and that the LAB Summer Intensive is only a week away.

If LAB have an Autumn event you can bet I will be there too. If I get a chance during LAB SI or see Tom at ENB I will ask him as things thin out a bit for me later in the year repertoire wise. As for what type of outfit is recommended I'm basically comfortable with almost anything, be it a floaty dress, long romantic tutu or a short sticky out tutu. I'm almost packed for LAB SI now, bought 3 more white leotards today as I guess they will soon get grubby with the heat etc. Cant wait to get started, only a week to go.

Lin, I thought you were going to report your experience to the forum of Franziska's Pirouette workshop; I haven’t posted anything as I didn’t want to steel your thunder. Last night at ENB, one thing my teacher suggested to improve co-ordination and flexibility of the foot, is to practice raising and lowering each toe individually, just like Franziska’s clip and on the workshop too. Went to my Sleaford for my ballet class tonight, it was a good fun class but it no longer contributes to my ballet education, so I just relax and enjoy it. What I do like is their “Stretch and Tone” class that follows, but tonight it was moved to a down stairs studio as it was so very hot. Even so we all drank lot of water during the class and the sweat just oozed out, it was hard work and as a result we must have burned lots more calories then usual.

I’m not aware that LAB have changed the rules, so pastels will still be OK I have a couple of pastel pink leo’s with wrap round skirts, but I wouldn’t like to use the leo’s with a white romantic tutu. Since wearing a white leo for our show and again at a Romeo and Juliet workshop, I think white could become my regular wear for the rest of the summer if it stays hot as it is at the moment. Yes Bolshoi are performing Swan lake on the Thursday. Lin: My romantic tutu was £24.99 from Just ballet, I think the one LAB suggested was a little cheaper but it was only a two layer against Just Ballet’s of four. For me I really wouldn't mind dancing in a sticky out one as you put it.

Lin: A white romantic tutu and white leotard are the recommended outfit by LAB. Unfortunately one of my white leo's was lent out to a girl in our show, it was brand new and hasn't been returned yet. I guess I may have to replace it. I also have the proper tutu's for Swan Lake but it may be a bit inappropriate to take them, as they would be different to everyone else. I have also booked ROH to see Bolshoi on the Thursday to see how they measure up.

That's exactly how my level 3 ENB teacher described it at tonight's ballet class. My teacher said she would sort out my foot articulation when I told her what I was doing, so I think she must be on a quest now. Oh what have I done, I hope it doesn't end in tears. Both classes at ENB tonight were fantastic, good feedback and good broken down instruction too, I really love them. In any case my mind is somewhat preoccupied with Swan Lake as the Summer school and workshop is approaching very rapidly. Something slightly different, my Stamford ballet school has ask if our class would mind being used as guinea pigs, and we all said no. A guest teacher is coming to next Mondays class to teach "power barre", our own teacher will cover the normal barre work, we will not have any centre work at all. The guest teacher will carry on with "Power Barre", which is supposed to be very cardio/ aerobic, apparently she was trained in this in the United States. If its thought to be a success, then my ballet school will offer it as a separate class.

If you need to buy anything, not much time left. I soon need to start to think about packing. Are you doing the Coliseum trip on the Wednesday night, I am, but I don't know how many others from the class are going.

I have had my leather Bloch ballet slippers survive two washes, but I have always been concerned that the insoles may come apart, so far they have been OK but I would be reluctant to put them in a washing machine on a regular basis.

Thank you Balleteacher That’s really helpful, I like the way you have broken it down for me, it’s also caused me to look at it in a slightly different light as there were things I was missing. Never the less I will still have the main sticking point of rapid and precise foot articulation. At the moment it feels like using my left hand to write with, when I’m right handed. Whilst I can do it, its far too slow as I have to think about it, if I try to speed it up, what bit of precision was there, is lost. It will need a lot of practice to acquire the necessary muscle memory for this one. However I will drop this in my daily routine and continue to work on it, but I’m also assuming that I won’t be ready to present this set of movements at the repertoire workshop at the end of August. Instead I will have the option to replace it with Moscow Ballet’s movement which is much simpler. Although the end of August may seem along time, I have parts of “Swan Lake” to get up to speed with, and something from “Phantom of the Opera” but I should get 2 to 3 weeks to work on "Sleeping Beauty". With a bit of luck I should get a couple of hours each day for the first week in a full size studio to myself.

Billyelliott and Tango thank you for your comments, I appreciate them. Lin I have another version of Act III from Moscow Ballet, its different again in small details. I really will create a version from all four; each has it own little niceties. It’s also a great opportunity for me to get some real foot articulation going, as it tends to be a bit slow and boring in my classes. The other modification I will have to consider doing is changing the leg or direction of the high leg travelling turn. The dancers use the right leading leg which is my weakest in terms of strength of extension. So I will look at implications of changing it to the left, either as an extended trailing leg or simply changing the direction of travel, as its unlikely I can get that extra range in time for the course at the end of August. My back is almost back to normal today, someone upstairs must be looking after me after all.

Thank you Janet that too gives me a little more flexibility in my interpretation. Lin I would dearly love to do both but I only have limited time to put into it, so for me it will be Sleeping Beauty. As I have two lots of Swan Lake and Phantom of the Opera Reps to learn before Sleeping Beauty. Also I would like to turn that into a performance piece for me at one of my shows with some additional adaptation.

Hi Lin and Moomin Thank you for the kind words. Lin I will be doing the Pirouette’s course come hell or high water. I also are not without injury. Monday at my Body Balance class I stretched a little too far and felt a twinge in my back, fortunately that did not develop. Wednesday as my Theatre class is now on summer break I went back to one at Sleaford, the ballet teacher there follows the ballet class with a “stretch and tone class”, and sadly none of the ballet girls attend that one. I really enjoy it; it has a good cardio warm-up for about 10-15 minute before any stretching, I was absolutely fine at the end of that one. Tonight I went to ballet class at Peterborough, the session there is well structured, I have always liked that one. We have a pre-barre warm-up with running, skipping, hopping in a circle with simple port de bras to warm the arms and shoulder. Normal barre work, Barre stretching as instructed by our teacher, Normal centre work and then cool-down including stretching before reverence. It was during this stretching, we were sat on the floor, our legs wide apart and then pulled our heads down to one leg (L), usually on a good day I can stick my nose on my leg, but something went in my lower back, owch!, after that all stretches were only token stretches. Although I had hurt myself I was still mobile. When I got in the car to drive home, it was agony, I felt every little bump. When I pulled into the drive I couldn’t even secure the handbrake, it also took me a good five minutes to get out of the car; again it was agony with every little movement. Once in the house I was able to gently lower myself on the floor and roll on my back, that was gorgeous, it eased it a lot, five minute later I was up and mobile again but the pain not very far away. I just hope it easies off before Saturday, but in any case I will still be at the Pirouette course. Ok about the Northern line being closed, normally I would have probably gone to Moorgate and walked, but in view of my back I think it will be a taxis from Kings Cross. Lin I know you are not doing the sleeping beauty solo at the rep workshop, I am, so could you help me by telling me what beating movement this is at 8.36 minutes, I though it was a petit battement, but my teacher tonight thinks not, but has suggested it may be a petit developee, but I think not, that would make it a micro developee as its really tiny. Also the little girl in the other Sleeping Beauty example does not do it at all, but does add petit battements in other places. What do you think? If all else fails I will create a hybrid version from the two. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MjYEYjUKiqk&list=WL6A700CF56CE78C59 Spannerandpony I acknowledge your comment.

Exhausted!, you got to be kidding. What I did find, it was very sad and emotional when the final performance ended Saturday night. I mentioned this to Nicky, my local ballet teacher and she made the comment that for some it’s like bereavement, as you all come together for the performances and then it’s ended for another year. I gently reminded her I had another performance in a month’s time and one for Christmas too, at the moment, she just smiled. The nearest thing I got to exhaustion was muscle ache in my legs, firstly quite mild after the long train journey home from London Tuesday night. However the following morning I could just about feel every muscle in my legs and had to keep stretching them to ease the discomfort. I don’t know what caused it, other than I have added a second session at English National Ballet for that day. I was also a very hot day. Nothing in any of the classes I did that day was out of the ordinary, also the last class (level 3) we did do a little bit of a stretch with the port de bra, before reverence. On the positive side, the morning of the discomfort I tried a static lift and had gained 2 inches, so somehow I had worked those muscles without realising it. As for am I OK: following my last two postings being totally ignored on this thread, clearly no one is interested in what I have to say anymore, so my thoughts was to let this long standing thread die for my part which does sadden me. As a result of that together with the perceived animosity developing towards me for criticising advice given by the professionals on other threads on this forum. I have reset my assumptions that I no longer have any friends here. I neither hide my identity (Picture) or real name and I have always stood up to be counted, so the gloves are off. If a posting in my opinion deserves a negative comment then one will be give, but of course without being rude. If that causes someone to throw their dolly out of the pram then so tough.

Yes I am at both of the completion that week.

Tonight show (No2) went really well, timing and repositioning correction from the weekend all came together, even the Finale. It was a packed house again but not sure if it was a sell out or not, all seats were occupied as we left that I could see. The audience was very enthusiastic with their applause especially at the finale with all the dancers on the stage, my eyes welled up and I felt so so proud of the school, my teacher and for letting me be part of it. I felt very humbled. Only 4 more shows to go, but Saturday looks to be a bit troublesome as parking will be problem. Saturday is the Rose Fair in Wisbech and the main town’s car park that runs up quite close to the Theatre is to be closed off. Closure signs were being erected tonight but come into force on Saturday. So it looks like street parking along way from the theatre, so I will need to get street map and chat to the girls as where to go. Another piece of disappointing news; the RAD repertoire workshop on “Swan Lake” in Birmingham has been cancelled due to insufficient numbers.

Well that’s the first show done; very full audience with what I could see, one of the girls said Wednesday night was a sell out. I guess my performance wasn’t too bad although I was too quick with timing in the finale. My curtsy always seems slightly ahead of everyone else, but most of them are doing bows as they are not wearing ballet costumes. So that’s something I will have to tidy up in tomorrow night’s performance.

The Le Corsaire Workshop is on Wednesday the 30th of October at 18:00. Its held at The Old Fire Station, 40 George Street, Oxford, OX1 2AQ. it cost £12.00 I have no idea what it will be like, I have never been on an ENB rep workshop before, it seems very cheap, but at the end of the day its all down to the teacher.

Another lesson learnt: At our dress rehearsal today each act followed on from the other with almost no break in the music. We listened to each of the acts going through in the dressing room allocated to the adults, the last but one music track was particularly long at 8 minutes, ours was the next longest at 5 minutes. I think that gave us a false sense of timing, as my entire group (12 dancers) were on there way down the back stairs to the stage, then horror, our track started to play. As you can imagine there was a mad dash, somehow we managed to enter the music with the appropriate movement even though we started a second or two late. I think the performance must have been OK as it didn’t attract any comment from our teacher. Later that afternoon I tried to review the performance from my own mind, but I honestly could not remember if we had included the positioning corrections from last Wednesday. Well I guess I can claim to be a bit of a newbie, but one of our girls has performed on that stage for the last 17 years, so what went wrong I’m not sure but the pervious music track may be much shorter than any of us had anticipate, but for whatever reason, it has now concentrated our minds. When I first arrived at the theatre we all did the finarly first, in fact a couple of times. At least that allowed me to be released a little earlier after my performance was done, as I had a RAD repertoire workshop that afternoon. When all the dancers arrived for our Romeo and Juliet Workshop we had 16 girls including me and one guy (our Romeo). As it was a gloriously hot day, I left my white leotard on from the theatre and used my white tie round skirt with it, that was nice and cool. After a short warm-up at the barre we went strait into our first dance piece “The dance of the knights”. For this half of the girls had to volunteer to take the guys roll, I didn’t volunteer for this one, as I had learnt this to best I could the ladies part of that dance from the video clip RAD had sent us. Unfortunately with the heavy clothing shown on the clip you could not see the footwork, which was something we had to learn in class. I was one of the two girls in front on the walk part of this dance piece, everything was going well, I had anticipated the next move and went into it. Then my teacher demonstrated it and it was completely different, that left me very puzzled. Finally she finished it off; she had cut a lot of the dance out. In away I was a little disappointed as I had learnt so much of it, apart from the footwork. But as she said, she also had to teach two more pieces, one for Romeo (our guy) and the other for all of us Juliet’s. The Juliet piece was really nice, I could remember it reasonably well until we come to dance it on the other foot, and then it’s really tricky. The workshop was really fantastic and a really nice and helpful teacher, I had a nice little chat with her after class too. The only fault with any of these classes, they are too short,(this one 2 hours), they are tasters to wet your appetite that really need a full blown follow-up course to complete the job.

Hi Lin Have you booked Franziska’s Rep Workshop yet?, I booked it this morning, I’ve also added two more “Swan Lake” in Birmingham by RAD as they have extended the closing date for me, and "Le Corsaire" at Oxford by ENB. I had another email from ENB as there are a few places left for a Masterclass on Petrushka, for Thursday. As its show week for me, that’s a complete no no.

Yes I bought a couple of pink ones by Revolution at that price a couple of months ago, different styles one with cap sleeves and the other strappy and they were both fine, fantastic value. My regular one's are black, and have a few of those as there is always some in the wash.

Hi Lin Are you going to do the Darcey solo then or both, I'm sticking to the Sleeping beauty one as I don’t think I will have time to prepare for both. I've just had a mailshot from RAD (today 27th) telling me about a Swan Lake Workshop in Birmingham with a closing date of the 24th Grrrrr. I've ask if they will extend it so I can book it, so that would make me three Swan Lakes, that would be fab. My you are shy, not in a leo yet. I was very self conscious at first so I went to local class amongst friends before I dare start a new class in their regulation uniform so to speak. I guess it was a similar experience with my hair in a bun. Now I almost live in a leo and its just become part of me. As for colours , mainly black but it depends where and when, at Christmas I went red, LAB SI its been stipulated white with romantic tutu skirt. I have various other colours too. I never ever go in leggings any more, just doesn't seem right, even if all the other girls do. However I do like Darcey's pink floaty dress, that is something I don't have. Hi Fiz Are you conducting the private lessons or are you both going as a duet?

Only snag in finding other variation to the same music, it tempo etc may not be the same as it may be tailored to that dancer. That was one of the problem I had in finding a clean recording of the Sleeping beauty solo piece. In the end I had to make do with the You Tube track. I'm glad we had access to the stage tonight for rehearsal, its a lot smaller than the studio. Not only do we need to consider the audience but the lighting too. Needless to say, lots of changes. On poor girl had a mental block, you could see the expression on her face "What am I doing here", she eventually picket up the thread. We did several practice runs and tweaks, I think we are virtually there, we have the dress rehearsal Sunday, I think that should go well with the extra access tonight of the stage. That's also my last ballet class this week until Sunday. Lot of head cramming of documentation on the train in the morning to prepare for tomorrows trustee meeting. On the train back lots of repertoire familiarisation cramming in order to prepare for Sundays RAD workshop on Romeo and Juliet at Cambridge, only two hours after my dress rehearsal.

Apart from leaning on the piano, do not obstruct the pianist view of the dancers. I did that once unknowingly and was politely asked to move by the pianist. “Always thank your teacher - as a class - and individually before leaving” that is a really nice gesture but I wonder how practical that is in a large class. It is something I do, but very really see others do it. I also thank the pianist too as it makes it very personal. Another one to add to the list When doing group exercises from corner to corner in group of 3 or 4 maintain a good separation distance, especially if it contains a series of travelling turns, jete en tournant’s or grand jete’s etc.