Michelle_Richer

Well that was a surprise, went to Peterborough ballet class tonight, and we did do a pirouette type of turn at the barre. I was so taken a back with them I can’t remember what the main movement was, but I think it was a battement fondu. The turn was a fouette turn at the barre, a new one on me, and a nice one, however my landing wasn’t quite as elegant as it should be, still need work on it.

This is the same one I reply to from KathyG, I already have my application in. Not sure what will come of it, I havnt had a responce yet.

Hi Fiz I’m so happy your new class has worked out well for you. I’ve been to my Thursday morning ballet class and I’m in the dog house, Unfortunately my passion and a little bit too much enthusiasm has upset the apple cart and I got reprimanded by my teacher. I really feel awful about what has happened but it was entirely my own fault. I guess I need to be on best behaviour to mend this bridge as I really value this teacher professionally and as a friend too. I’m not in a nice place at the moment and I need to snap out of it as I’m at class at Peterborough tonight. PS No I didn't do a pirouette at the barre to change position in class as per the other thread, but I did try a couple before we got started.

AWWW I wish mine was Fiz I can certainly identify with what you are saying, I can dance them far better in a sequence that on the spot so to speak. We were doing Pirouette en dedan’s the other night from fourth, which I usually find quite easy, but then at home etc I usually have a pas de buree as prep and for some reason make a big difference to me. With the prep its just a natural movement with no effort, without it I have to start to concentrate. We certainly do not do the pirouette thing at any of my classes to change to the other side at the barre. I think JB’s link is quite dangerous for me, as I can see me getting into trouble. Many adult classes that I go to just walk round to the other side which I take as bad form. At least at Lincoln they are fed up with my moaning, they at least buree round to the other side whilst I do a demi turne from fifth. Even at my first class at the ROH I complained about the lack of style in just walking round in a feedback report I sent in. I really do love the idea of pirouetting round, especially the one and half turn version, I’m really going to be in trouble and in the dog house with my teachers , I can just see it. You girls really are a bad influence on me Ha Ha Ha. x

Thanks KathyG I sent my application for this one back in December, but they did say students would not have their places confirmed until March, I’m still waiting. I see from one of the other threads that English National Ballet do adult classes too. I dropped them an email last night but I’m still waiting for a reply. But I think I will be declined. Basically I want to do multiple classes on the same night as a drop in dancer, they also say adult students on special occasions have the opportunity to perform on stage with ENB dancers; I would really love to do that. Unfortunately with living approximately 100miles from London it’s too expensive to travel there every week, other that for possibly rehearsals. At the moment I attend two Royal Opera House ballet classes on the same night, once a month as they allow drop in dancers and that works out well for me, at least it did as I used to go the last Wednesday of every month, now it has to be during term and half term breaks of one of my other ballet classes as we are in the middle of rehearsals at the Angles Theatre ballet class.

Good ballet class at Lincoln last night, only three of us again, added some more to our sequence which was fun and back to pirouettes again, I really like those. Started a new fitness class at Spalding called “body Balance”, lots of stretching, on Monday and Wednesday mornings, should complement other flexibility training I do.

HI Fiz Is there any other photos or videos of "Move it" you would like as I will be taking my camera.

Hfbrew: I understand your point completely and I’m not heartless either. Last Thursday I had a one to one with such a lady, it was fantastic, I learned so much, not only from the feedback but also on a personal level too. However I do work with 8 different teachers, two of them have impeccable turn out (ROH) the rest less so. My local teacher that I have a lot of friendly repartee with, often comes out with “I’m the teacher so I can get away with it, you’re the student and you can’t”, we both exchange big smiles and the point is taken. At the end of the day I’m there to learn and actively seek feedback, she most definitely provides me with that, but with enthusiasm and I love it, my motive is often quite different to the other adults in that class. Anjuli: One of my teachers cannot demonstrate at all which is almost essential for our show sequence. She has pulled some ligaments and is on crutches, everything is described and yes it is hard going and painfully slow. Fortunately I have a copy of her crib notes for practice as I will miss this week (at a performance). I also believe it’s a great confidence builder when a sequence is danced to the music independently from the teacher; this is true of other dance styles too.

Aurora: Of course you are right, even teachers are human. I guess a little bit of how teacher are revered on this forum has rubbed off on me, especially as I am somewhat older and far less experienced than them. But in reality I don’t think there is one teacher that I cannot fault at least some of there technique, as I say they are only human like the rest of us, but I do like to achieve the best I can, especially if I am to perform in public.

Dear Anjuli Do I take it that as third position is not taught in US schools there fore no definition of third position exists over there? Your description of fifth (highlighted) is that of third over here. Fourth opposite fifth for fourth crossed, and fourth opposite first for fourth open or uncrossed, but I am not aware that fourth opposite third is taught over here, others may correct me on that. Another point I have found common, is a reluctance to do a full grand plié in fourth crossed where the heels lift, it’s often left as in fourth open where the heels remain on the floor. For the girls that come back to my self help group after our local class, we do both fourth position plié’s for completeness, even though plié’s are not taught in fourth there. I completely agree with your last paragraph, I remember reading something on this forum and it may have been from yourself. Which said something to the effect that your eyes are looking in the distance at a little bird that has just flown of your out-stretched finger tips, I will always remember that. Just Ballet: Yes I am aware of Cue Knee damage, I think Changements on landing in fifth sorts out where the hip rotation is, as its virtually impossible to twist the feet during this movement, or at least that’s what I have found, However in a standing position, I must confess I do allow just a little leg rotation. However I know I sometimes do over do it when the preparation for an arabesque is conducive to “planting” the supporting leg, particularly in a slow moving (adagio) sequence, then I do use I guess a little more leg rotation than I should, as it achieves good lines and only a degree or two off 90degrees to the direction of the body (ideal turnout). Most of my teacher's turnout in this position is not much better than 45degrees which I find disappointing.

Very interesting clip, but then turnout should be as far as you can naturally go, but not sloppy. I have a real problem with some teachers demonstrations of plies in fourth, mostly they don’t qualify if its open or crossed, it often looks like a bad fourth opposite third and difficult to distinguish. I usually end up asking as it too late looking to see if the heels are raised on a grand plie at the bottom. I can understand many classes choosing to teach third rather than fifth especially for beginners, but many so called fifth (offset) look more like third, so I prefer heals and toes together even though mine are not as parallel as I would like. Another move I find controversial is Port de Bras, one of my teachers has a number of slang saying for particular errors, like plucked chicken for elbows drooping down, drooping hands, for hands themselves drooping downwards as if they are wet. I also remember one girl having to hold a pencil rubber (eraser) between he thumb and palm of her hand to hold the thumbs in the correct position. A different teacher this time has a thing about the hands; they should never and closer to each other than the width of your face. I have often asked which finger should lead, I tend to use the little finger but I know some professional dancers have in certain circumstances used the first finger, but if overdone I know that carries the slang derogatory term “telephone finger” I think a lot of this is down to teachers own preference and style. As for how things have changed, I think you have modern communication technology to thank for that. Mainly in the availability of video recordings, not only from the World Wide Web with examples from some of the worlds most famous ballet schools, DVD’s of Ballet performances, but also the ability for most dancers to record themselves for critical analysis and correction. Even though some schools are still reluctant to video teachers demonstrations.

OOPs I got the threads mixed up. OK JB I hope you have the White and black Tutu on display, also the long white one as may do my Titanic party piece.

We will be traveling down from Cockfoster to Earls Court and then the District Line Spur to Olympia which is only open at weekends and special Olympia events, otherwise its Earls court or Kensington and but its a bit of a walk. We will be there on the Sunday. JB I hope you have all your professional Tutu on display, that would be really good, cant wait.

Picked up from a mail shot For over three decades the work of Phoenix Dance Theatre’s education department has inspired, educated and engaged people of all ages. Supporting the ground-breaking work on stage, our dedicated team deliver a range of creative and stimulating projects which widen access to dance for all. We're looking to recruit a group of volunteers local to Leeds to assist us with various events throughout the year. Responsibilities may include chaperoning, assisting backstage during education performances and other roles at mid-scale events. We would love to hear from motivated and enthusiastic individuals aged 18+ who would like to learn more about working in an arts setting. Please note that this opportunity is unpaid. To express your interest, please send an up to date C.V and covering letter no later than 8th March to: Lauren Houghton (Education Co-ordinator) Phoenix Dance Theatre, St Cecilia Street, Quarry Hill, Leeds, LS2 7PA For more information email lauren.houghton@phoenixdancetheatre.co.uk

New Chelsea Ballet Master Class date (Venu as previous post) 16 April 8pm - 9.30pm with Richard Ramsey

Hi Fiz It looks as if today is the day for feedback; I think you must have started something. I went to my evening ballet class at Performing Arts tonight, third session today. I was the only one there, so it was a real one to one. It was fantastic as Karen my relatively new teacher and I got to know each other, I also cleared the air regarding wanting feedback, then I got it by the bucket full, it was really good. I think Karen enjoyed it too, as normally she finishes about 5 minute before time, we didn’t tonight. I also made it clear I am happy for them to cancel if I’m the only one going as I can switch to Peterborough, where I go on alternate weeks, but never the less I am more than happy to do a one to one if that’s still feasible for them. A really nice end to the day.

Hi Fiz Just done a couple of sessions this morning, at my local class I was the only one there for the first 10 minutes and Nicky our teacher really went to town on me. I think she was getting her own back for when I have been critical about her ballet movements, we do have a bit of friendly repartee, but I never shower up in front of class. Our second girl was delayed with a serious phone call, but came back to mine after, so she could practice the new routines we had this week. That will give us the edge on the other girls when they come back. Nicky always gives me lots of feedback as I ask her for it, she also know I can take it warts and all, so she never holds back. I know she is far more sensitive about how she deals with most of the rest of the class as their motives for being there are far different from mine. In some ways I wish Nicky would do a show that incorporates ballet, I know she did one for the tap crowd last year, but I guess there would be too few takers from our class.

No I havn't but there is no shortage of adult ballet classes in London, check out this link http://londondance.com/directory/dance-classes-and-workshops/ballet/ I personally attend the two ROH classes but only once a month. Pineapple Studios in Covent Garden do a daily class at 3pm for adult beginners plus some more advanced ones too. I'm so glad you have got that one in the bag, hope all goes well when you get there and it meets your expectations. Our rehearsal was a bit of a shambles tonight, unfortunitely our teacher is on crutches as she has pulled some legaments in her foot, she can just about hobble. So leading and demontrating our show sequence was a non-starter, all she could do is describe the moves. Fortunitely I have a copy of her notes which also includes next weeks additions when I wont be there ( at a performance with a friend to see Coppelia). There were several dancers missing too, not sure why. We have come to some form of compromise over the videoing of the sequence, basically my teacher will video me with the appropriate corrections in place, but we didnt do any tonight. Get the experience of this performance out of the way, then next year its solo for me where I have control, as I hate operating in the muddle caused by others.

Yes, I’m going and taking a couple of friends, one is a Salsa dancer the other is Ballet, needless to say I do both. I’m meeting up with a couple of other ballet girls too. Not sure how many are coming from this forum though. I assume you know that “JUST BALLET” has a stand there. I’m going on the 10th, at least you know who I am from my picture, I will have a name badge too.

2dancersmum: well you know what I look like from my picture on this forum, my hair is a little longer now, but I will probably have it in a bun. However I will have my name badge on, I guess that’s a bit of legacy from work when attending professional conferences. I too will be visiting the Just Ballet stand. I haven’t booked anything either, but given the opportunity to dance I don’t think I could walk away, not once the music started. Fiz: that’s fantastic, does that mean you have 15 minutes to go from one class to the other, so I hope they are close together. I wish you luck with that one. Peterborough was a nice class tonight, about 10 of us, very relaxed and nothing too taxing. I think it was just what I needed after yesterdays upset. I was worried before I went as I had an email from my Thursday Kings Lynn class advising me they were on half term; there was no class there last week either. That meant I became unsure about Peterborough too, I tried phoning them but only got the answer machine, that also suggested they were still on half term, anyway I did go and they were open Hooray!

Hi Fiz Yes it is a great loss, today my day ballet class is on half term, I have had one of the girls round for some practice in my studio this morning, but she has now gone home, the studio is lovely and warm and ideal to go though the next section of the show sequence, but what I have committed to memory really is not worth it, as I will be adding loads of corrections in later and unlearning muscle memory. My argument is, that I want to do as close as possible right first time, it’s far more efficient, and corrections take place early on before muscle memory is fully developed. Otherwise their bumbling methodology wastes everyone’s time unnecessarily including my own and that is unacceptable. I am really hacked off at the moment; something I was very enthusiastic about has suddenly turned bad, unless thing change I cant see me staying for long, I’m not a bumbler. Ah well, its Ballet class at Peterborough tonight, hopefully that will chear me up.

Tonight class has turned out to be very frustrating, we have added quite a lot to our show sequence, far more than I can remember in one hour long session. The last sequence before the half term break I videoed, that was invaluable and has allowed me to practice thru many repetitions the sequence, so I’m now extremely familiar with it. According to my teacher the authorities, not sure who they are have put a ban on videoing class work, even thou it only ever contained my teachers demonstration. For me this is like being asked to do a job without the tools to do it. I don’t just want to dance this sequence; I want to dance it really well especially as my position is also one of the nearest to the audience in our formation. As soon as I got home, I wrote down what I could remember, but it has a lot of holes in it. Fragmented sequences lead to errors or misinterpretation which has to be un-learned in terms of muscle memory developed over several iterations of practice off site. This is very inefficient and certainly not the way I want to work. I would rather choreograph my own sequence and dance it solo, at least I would fully understand what I was doing and would have the opportunity to polish it. Needless to say I am very disgruntled even furious with this type of antiquated culture. There is no risk of me wanting to publish such video training material on Youtube etc, in any case a simple solution to this is a non-disclosure agreement which is used by companies all the time to protect their products and technology.

I have a feeling you will, you take care x.

Sorry to hear that Fiz, I was looking forward to meeting you. Yes its not just the cost of the course, its only half of it if that, its the accomodation too. I think I will be stopping at the Ibis which is one of the lower cost options and within walking distance of the Lanterns Theatre. Im fortunite is some ways as I only have myself to look after, but there are times when I miss my partner too, but I try not to think about that as its emotionally a big deep black hole. Look forward to seeing you there next year if they still let me go, ha ha ha.x

Right on 2DancersMum I will be there on the 10th, bringing some girls with me from Lincolnshire, and meeting some others there. I know Just Battet will have a stand there too, are you going?