Michelle_Richer

Wow girls, I’m impressed with the wealth of information on adult ballet classes you have brought to this thread today. Firstly I’m just back from my King Lynn class tonight and I felt awfully guilty when I handed my lovely teacher five pounds, as I was the only one that had turned up. I keep telling them, if they know in advance ten I can switch to Peterborough as I timeshare between the two classes. Both schools know the weeks that I attend them, that’s only fair. Bad news about the Swan Lake 4 day Summer School, its now reduced to a two day workshop on the 3rd and 4th of August, at £180, that’s immediately after LAB SI, I will be going but I have not booked it yet, only see it today on the City Academy website but I have already exchanged emails with Ross there. LinMM: I note your comments about Cambridge classes, that around 50miles or so from me. I’m already approaching a £100 a week on fuel, so I’m reluctant to travel any further. Lincoln was my longest journey as it was 40miles away. My new classes at Stamford will be 30+ and Grantham I’m not sure about that will be around 40 again. In any case Grantham will take me up to 10 Ballet classes a week and 4 related fitness classes. Apart from all that I do have my own gym at home and dance studio with sprung floor, mirrors, barres and audio/video system, but it is quite small. It’s OK for about 3 travelling turns then you run out of space and definitely not big enough to accommodate the walk at the beginning of “Entrance of the Swans” in Swan Lake Act2. As for London, yes there is an abundance of classes and I am travelling there at least one day a week, for the moment that’s Tuesdays, with a local class first then after the rail journey Pineapple at 3pm, then practice at Pineapple after class (if un-booked studio available), and finally ENB at 8:20pm, which gets me home just after 1AM. My treat was the last Wednesday of the month doing both classes at ROH, but I have missed the last two as I am in the tick of rehearsals with the Angles Theatre on the same day. I will also take in Pineapple at 3pm if I do ROH. I too am going to do some of Franziskas workshops, Ive already booked the pirouette one in June and I think I will do the other worshop later in the year. I have often wondered about the Chelsea Ballet Master Classes but I don’t think I can Squeeeeze them in, even though I am in London on a Tuesday. I know Louise had a mone the month before as only seven dancers turned up for it.

Hi Fiz I gad your back at class now and Happy Ballet Anniversary too. I did my local morning class this morning, only three of us again; I think I am the only one that is always there. Nicky our teacher has changed and combined some of out barre routines. Some new stuff in the centre too but nothing very taxing. We had and additional piece added to our show dance last night at the Angles Theatre, a bit of a brain teaser until we build the muscle memory, but that’s just rehearsal after rehearsal now and no barre or centre practice anymore, it’s all for real. Tuesdays is a new one for me with ENB level 1 Grrrr, but it’s the only way I could get into the system. There classes are a highly subscribed, as I want to do levels 2 and 3 in parallel. It was a fun class especially as it was only week 2 of absolute beginners, had to keep biting my lip a bit though, it was extremely difficult not to ask too many question as it would undoubtedly look as if I was making a nuisance of myself. In any case I had a nice chat to both the level1 and level 3 teachers in there rest area (kitchen) before classes started and before I actually knew they were teachers. It least they now know my level, background and enthusiasm. At least existing students get prior notice of classes for next term before they are made available to the general public. I hope I can at least get one, if not both of those next time. The previous Tuesdays traveling experience to BRB has resulted in a bit of a damper, I receive a Police notice this morning for “Time into red light 1.1 Seconds” whilst I was travelling through Leicester ( not a route that I am familiar with). So looks like £60 fine and 3 penalty points Grrrrr. Monday was a bit of a sad day since the unexpected closure of my Lincoln class. The Peterborough one turn out to be a bit odd, that they were taking no more adult students, however on the bright side I have found an afternoon Intermediate / advanced ballet class at Stamford, I start there next Monday, fantastic . I also came across one at Grantham for Saturdays, they do two shows a year, but I am not sure if that include dancers from the adult class, never the less that is really on my radar now, however they have not responded to my email, so I think I will go along this Saturday anyway. So its Kings Lynn tonight for Ballet, seems ages now since I was last there.

Hi JB As I have come from a professional background, preparation is everything and that has carried me though life very well. I also take your point about unlearning, I think its better just to regard it as a different option, then this is something that can reside side by side, this is something I experience quite often with dealing with so many different ballet schools. Even last night at ENB, my local teacher would cringe at some of the things we were doing, in many cases there is some lee way in its interpretation, otherwise its just a set of steps. As for worrying, not a chance, I’m there firstly to enjoy the experience and secondly to learn. For me this is not just about LAB SI Week, it’s about me too, especially as I intend to do at least one performance a month by next year, most of them solo, so anything I can re-use will be an absolute bonus. I have already seen something from Act I that I want to add to my personal repertoire, which of course we will not be covering. As for the Waltz, I just love it, the music too, but that sequence has several different dancing groups. I especially like the complementary developpe walk by the four; I wish I could get my legs that high, never the less I will have that practiced. So if the three of us have the Intermezzo leo’s, we only want one more then we have the four for the developpe walk ha ha. Lartiste: Sorry to here about your double booking, I know how you feel, that happened to me ref posting #7 and I really don’t want to let either party down. Anyway after chatting to you at BRB I know you intend doing City Academy’s Swan Lake Summer School and they were talking about having a performance at the end, be it for special people like friends and family. JB please drop me a PM or email re delivery dates etc plus I have some additions.

Hi JB Was hoping to see Tom tonight as I know he teaches level 3 at ENB. but level 3 was a lady teacher tonight, I cannot remember her name but we did have a good chat. I just dare not send him another email chasing him for info, but I would like to know what standard we are working too. I can only assume it’s as per The Royal Ballet. That what I will have to prep for, as I dont have your experience.

I live too far away to sensibly commute every day, it’s over 100miles and the first 25 has to be done by car. I will be coming down by car all the way, leaving it at the hotel and walking down to Lantern’s each morning. I have also booked the show at the Coliseum, but I don’t know how many will go; I hope I’m not on my own. I have also booked the Friday night at the hotel in case there is a celebration after our performance Friday evening, as I don’t want to drink and drive.

The Peterborough school doent start back until the 19th Grrrrr

Has everyone booked their hotel yet? I booked the Ibis closest to the Lantern's Theatre and they only had 3 rooms left.

Thanks you Fiz, I’ve been very emotional this morning over it, far more than I have ever been over Salsa, and that I’ve done for years. Did my body balance class that helped a bit. I did find an alternative in Peterborough which I have never been to before, I dropped them an email but no response, I tried to phone them but no answer, however the classes do not start until 4pm, so they may not be anyone there. They seem to do lots of classes for youngster throughout the week including Saturdays, so I hope they are ok. At least until my other friends have had a chance to re-establish a new school of there own.

Awful news tonight, had a phone call from my Monday ballet teacher, the dance school is now closed, bankrupt, her and her colleges are now finished, they were told Saturday. I feel really sad for what has happened to them, and sad at loosing both teacher and really good friend.

I find that so hard to believe, you have 15 times more experience that me, and I’m really looking forward to it, wouldn’t miss it for the world. Im far more worried about another situation where the opposite is true, about trying to fit in another on-stage performance 50 miles away between our show matinee in the afternoon and the evening performance. I don’t know if my ballet teacher at the AnglesTheatre will allow me to escape after my matinee performance but before the final curtain call at the end. The travel logistics may be incredibly tight other than a helicopter, but if it’s only just feasible, then I will go for it. I will check out the timing and my teacher’s attitude next week.

JCS: I have just booked the Pirouette Workshop in July.

Hi Lartiste Yes I hope they run more insights/workshops/summer schools etc, I did sent an email letter of thanks in and formal feedback of the general contents of the after class discussion. I haven’t heard anything back yet, but I will give it two or three weeks then a follow up email to keep it on the agenda. I’m all for making things happen.

Only two sessions this week, BRB ( two scenes from Aladin) which was quite fun and my show class at the Angles Theatre, at least now I think I have everything of the show sequences documented, I’ve a few omission and corrections to type up, then I think I have something I can practice all the way through off site, at least I can get that polished as I need to put it to bed other than group class rehearsals.and start to concentrate on Swan Lake Act II, the corp de ballet scenes. JSC: I note your link and I now have some serious thinking to do, as I think I can just squeeeeze in the Pirouette Workshop, and the Grand Allegro Workshop. I see these are held at ISTD2, my Swan Lake workshop teacher as part of City Academy also operates from there.

Yes, there is another thread running on LAB http://www.balletcoforum.com/index.php?/topic/2615-london-amateur-ballet-summer-intensive-2013/ There are a few of us from BalletCo going, did you do the Swan Lake Workshop a couple of weeks ago at Sadlers Wells? PS and welcome from me too.

Yes it was nice to meet you too 2dancersmum, yes we did the Aladin thing too, it was good fun. A number of us have ask them to do more more as they have a very extensive repertoire, perhaps we may get a workshop on Coppelia, who knows, but I think they are genuinely interested. PS I also met a girl from same Workshop I did on Swan Lake a couple of weeks ago at Sadler's Wells, that was nice too. All in all a fantastic day.

http://www.chelsea-ballet.com/ Chelsea Ballet is a group of amateur dancers, of varying abilities, that meets once a week to rehearse for a number of major productions per year and a programme of smaller scale shows performed at residential homes and hospitals. Chelsea Ballet also organises a monthly Masterclass, they do a summer school too at Pineapple, see my threads on the forum. http://www.chelseaballet.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=19&Itemid=106 Adult morning classes in ballet and pilates.I have no further details http://www.everybodyballet.com/?page_id=4 Royal Opera House wednesday evening for Adult Beginners and Intermediate, expensive at £25.00 per class but about half a dozen of us do both. There are other ballet classes run at the ROH as I have often been asked which one, as my name is on the list at the stage door, otherwise you cannot get in. http://www.ballet.org.uk/classes/spring-term/ English National Ballet have classes from level 1 Beginners to Level 4 Advanced but thet are well sort after, you have to get in early once it hits the website. http://www.city-academy.com/ballet-classes City Academy, levels only up to improver 2 whatever that means, but they do run workshops and summer schools. Hope that helps

Thank goodness that this week is over with no Ballet classes, about half are back next week with the BRB workshop on Tuesday to look forward too. I did get to go to one of my old salsa groups on Wednesday evening, lots of new faces, I did enjoy that. Tonight’s (Friday) Salsa session turned out to be a bit of a damp quid, The new routines and dancing was fantastic as usual, but our host confirmed the date of the Skegness Festival, where we are to perform on stage, that date clashes with one of my ballet school show's at the Angles theatre, were we have two performance to do that day. That news really saddened me, as there is no way I can attend Skegness. I the summer we put on Salsa performances at a lots of town and country events, its fun, it helps promote our group and bring in new blood to keep an active and vibrant core of dancers.

From a mail drop following my Swan Lake Workshop, May be of interest to someone: Day Time StartDate End Date Duration Teacher Venue Wednesday 18:30-19:45 17-April-13 05-June-13 8 weeks Natasha Boyle Finsbury Town Hall Wednesday 19:50-21:05 17-April-13 05-June-13 8 weeks Natasha Boyle Finsbury Town Hall Monday 18:20-19:35 10-June-13 29-July-13 8 weeks Rejane Garcia ISTD2, EC1 Full details, additional course dates and booking here – Beginners Ballet Booking Page Alternatively, you may also be interested in the following courses: · Beginners Contemporary Dance · Beginners Tap · Beginners Jazz Don’t forget we still have our 10% double booking discount available when booking two different courses at the same time. To redeem this discount just enter the following discount code when booking via our website – 2ORMORE

I've signed it too. I wish my electricity was only £20 a week, my standing order for it is £156 a month.

Sorry, somehow it was a double copy and paste. I should have read it when I copied it on the forum. Silly me it had been a long day and no ballet too.

Hi Tabitha I googled the location of the school, its well to the North of Nottingham and well away from the train station, I think all in all it’s a non starter. Travel by road would be the only sensible solution and I would need an exceptionally good reason to bring this one in. Next year I will be thinking of changing the emphasis from general adult ballet tuition to selective private tuition, I already have one private session, that’s well focussed on my requirements and I’m well satisfied with it. I googled the location of the school, its well to the North of Nottingham and well away from the train station, I think all in all it’s a non starter. Travel by road would be the only sensible solution and I would need an exceptionally good reason to bring this one in. Next year I will be considering of changing the emphasis from general adult ballet tuition to selective private tuition, I already have one private session, that’s well focussed on my requirements and I’m well satisfied with it.

Hi Tabitha Unfortunately you didn’t answer my question regarding the possibility of access as a drop in dancer, that’s the way I operate with the Royal Opera House as I generally only go there once a month for their two classes, but that is curtailed at the moment as it conflicts with rehearsals for our show at the Angles Theatre which will be running all week in July. I may check him out, but it's not about his qualifications and performing experience which may be impressive, it's about “can he teach and transfer that knowledge”, “is he available after class for feedback discussion and help with various moves”, “Is he honest about areas of ballet which may no longer be familiar to him” and finally “will he permit videoing of his demonstrations where no other student is involved”. Mondays may be doable, however I will have to sacrifice one of my body balance classes and Friday is out completely as I have other commitments. The train from Grantham doesn’t help very much, but it may be available from Spalding which is even better. Whatever, there will be plenty of time for me to get to my Lincoln class as it doesn’t start until 8pm.

Hi Tabitha Thank you for the info, it is a bit further than I would normally want to travel as its about 60miles from me, but I will be travelling down to London once a week anyway and that’s over 100, and twice a week once a month, but its mainly rail. Most of my classes are between 20 and 40 miles from home so you can imagine how much I’m spending on fuel. I’m reluctant to take on another class at the moment as from April I’m up to 9 classes a week. I still need to leave time for my fitness classes which I have 4 of and my own early morning workouts too. However I do like the fact it’s in the daytime. Do you know if they allow drop in dancers to pop in on an irregular basis, in my case if its raining as I somehow have to fit in my half acre of garden and lawns around my home. Strange as it may seem normally Friday to Sunday is reserved for social dancing, Salsa and those dances that go along with it.

Just got the latest update from LAB Nearly 60 dancers taking part from all over the world. On the Wednesday evening there is a trip out to see Carlos Acosta’s show at the London Coliseum, dancers need to book their ticket now. The repertoire in the main is Swan lake and we have been given the "Waltz of the Swans" to base it on from this link : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ilaaFb9XHfM However the gentlemen will have their own short piece in addition to Swan Lake, and will be working with James Streeter (English National Ballet). Ladies will have their own pointe piece (or demi pointe for those not yet on pointe like me).

I really enjoyed that workshop, we did 3 scenes from actII Entrance of Odette, Entrance of the swans and the Signet dance, some simplification on the original, but we only had three hours, it still taxed my memory though. City Acadamy are doing a 4 day workshop on Swan Lake Act II at the end of August, no details as yet. All being well I will be there too.