Michelle_Richer

This may be of interest. This has some of the world's best International faculty while admiring the Alpine Foothills of Switzerland! With a very special Easter Celebration, six days of classes, a gala performance and various city, lake and mountain excursions, World Dance Movement Switzerland is the perfect event for a 'spring break'! Follow the link http://worlddancemovement.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=21&Itemid=150〈=en

Just got home, see it in my emails, but I see lartiste posted it before me. I need to check date too, as I may be doing New York in August. I have and another mailshot from a different New York ballet company (SAB) but same old story, upper age limit, however I have ask them to clarify the adult summer intensives just in case. Looks like being a busy summer.

Done my first Ballet aerobic workout today for the new year, less than a week to go for my first class this year , cant wait, I really do feel like a fish out of water. Did a series of Salsa dance workshops over the weekend at the Radisson Blu Edwardian hotel at Heathrow, they were very good , lots of social dancing in the evening on three separate dance floors ( Salsa, Bachata and Kizomba), I managed to christen the main dance floor before anyone else by dancing with both of the organisers, something I always love to do. Unfortunately Saturday evening in the Bachata room, someone bumped into me from behind and managed to rip my dress, fortunately it’s reparable. I don’t know what the guy was doing who was supposed to be leading me, as it was his job to steer. I think the guy from behind danced into me and somehow got his foot caught in the bottom of my dress. It’s in the menders at the moment being repaired. While I was there I made full use of the hotels Gym to continue the gym part of my daily ballet workout on both Saturday and Sunday mornings. New Years Eve was another salsa dance party this time in Boston, another good event but a crowded dance floor, but stayed to see the New Year in. Managed to get home just before 1AM, just enough time to pop into my local village pub, get a drink and wish everyone a happy new year before they closed at 1AM. So now my ballet fix is well overdue, cant wait especially for my two new classes.

My thoughts too, Happy new year everone.

I see them in sleeping beauty in November this year at Kingd Lynn, Norfolk. they were fantastic, they are back in March with Coppelia. All being well I will see them again.

Absolutely gorgeous, I've saved the link, thank you

The Awesome Abs class was fun, only lasted 45 minutes, and I could have done more. Its now the day after and I now know I have done it, my tummy muscles are a little sore, so it must be getting to places that need it. Needless to say my next purchase will be an Abs board and hope that will ultimately push a few more inches higher on my développés.

Wow Janet, keep them coming. This one looks really good value, unfortunately not for me just yet: A: Its too far away for daily travel. B: I haven’t started Contemporary Ballet yet, not until March, when my classical ballet teacher is opening a new class in Contemporary ballet which she has asked me if I’m on board with. Which I most definitely am.

Oh poo its all youngsters again!

Another problem solved I hope. The loss of my Sleaford ballet class (for the Theatre one) has meant I have lost the Stretch and Tone class, which has been very beneficial to me. I’ve managed to get in at an Awesome Abs class for Sunday morning (its still running), I hope it has similar benefits.

AWWW Fiz, attention to detail sweetheart, that’s an opportunity missed. I have taken all my teachers cards, I even took one some chocolates. I have taken chocolates to most of the classes too, it just makes things a little special, apart from ROH I didn’t have any and there I only had one. The card I gave to one of my teachers last night included a sheet with a dance lesson attached, someone has to train the teachers, might as well be me Ha ha ha. It was a stroll dance called Kuduro which is danced at salsa parties, my ballet teacher last night also teaches salsa but did not know of this dance even though she played that music at her stretch and tone class (sacrilege). Had a fantastic Christmas lunch with most of the girls today, including some of those that did not show up for class. Not all girls went, but most did, for me anywhere there is a party, I’m a real socialite. Must soon start practicing my little ballet sequence I have to do as a cool down at one of my salsa class as penance. They have told me I must do it in a tutu, thats like saying to brae rabbit we are going to chuck you in the brier patch. I just want to see the guys faces when they have to come on the dance floor and do a little ballet, that will really make me smile as they think they are very macho.

Classes all finished now for Christmas. I finished at Sleaford last night for the last time, exchanged a hug with my teacher when we said our goodbyes, it left me really sad in spite the disagreement we had about me doing dual classes. Met the principle last night, she was nice to, we parted on good terms. I felt a bit emotional all evening after that. Only four at this mornings class including me, just us hardcore dancers. I went in a red leotard today to add a bit of Christmas spirit. Our teacher decided we would do our normal work at the barre, without one to test our balance. Needless to say there were a few wobbles especially with grand plies. Nicky our teacher had combined the girls from all three of her classes (Ballet, Tap and Dance Fever) for Christmas lunch, I got to see a lot of new faces as I don’t do Tap. It was a lovely social gathering and the meal was really nice too, had to ignore my dieting for today though. I’m really looking forward to starting my two new class in January, even though the travel distances are much longer, with a third new class coming on board around March. Still lots of work to do over the holiday, two girls from one of my ballet classes are coming down to my studio to do some practice. As a result, we are forming a self help group. I have the training plan to write for that, so that should keep me out of mischief if I’m not dancing. Only one dance to go now, tomorrow night (Friday) yippee! Need to find something to replace my Sleaford Stretch and Tone class, ideally something local, as I have really benefited from that.

Downloaded the form, application will be in today, thank you BankruptMum Michelle x

I would but Im along way past 30 their upper age limit, Im just waiting to get the UK summer school dates in, due January, so I can plan my summer. I may even go to New York in August for an intensive weekend class if the dates dont clash. It was to have been Feb where flights and hotels were half the price but unfortunitly it was cancelled.

Dear Anjuli As this thread appears to have dried up a bit, I’m going to play devils advocate with the following responses: Firstly the relationship seems to be between a mature teacher as the font of all knowledge and a child student. Which in the context of the thread (“BUT I’M AN ADULT”) is not really appropriate. Para 1 on the surface makes a lot of sense and generally I would agree with it, however I would also regard it as a bit simplistic. “If it’s an “ADULT” class you are attending, the teacher may appreciate help in setting up the class before hand, like moving portable barre’s into position or chairs representing the barre etc. If it’s a professional studio with fixed barre’s then none of this will be necessary. Equally at the end of class, help with putting things away is always appreciated by the teacher. I mention this as not only do I do this, but it also allows me to obtain additional coaching one to one coaching for an extra 10 to 15 minutes when class has finished. I know this is not always the case, especially if the teacher is required in another class immediately afterwards. But adult classes are generally take place in the evening and there is a good chance that no class follows them, in which case the teacher and room may be available for a short period. Para 2, the art of questioning: This is not just about ballet, this is general in life as a whole. No one like a smart arse to humiliate them in public. This is something I have applied in my working life, I have attended many professional conferences and I am usually an active front row questioner, I remember one occasion in particular, this presenter had actually done some consultancy work for me in my company, we had similar levels of knowledge. We chatted before his presentation to about 500 in the audience; I know he was nervous of me in the front row. After his presentation he invited questions, none were forth coming. I raise four in turn, but nothing that was in conflict with what had been said, but was loosely associated with that subject (yes I already knew the answers) but it gave him the opportunity to present his explanation and demonstrate his knowledge. He went away like a dog with two tails, we were both winners. The same applies in class, and asking for help is a sure fire way of getting into the heart of your teacher. One point which is not mentioned at all, but I guess is implied (the teacher is a font of all knowledge), the more read you become on the subject, the more cracks you may detect in your teachers knowledge, after all they are only human and cannot be familiar with every facet of ballet. From that perspective, if a teacher said “I am not sure but I will research it and give you the answer next week”, for me, that teacher has a lot of credibility and I’m likely to trust their judgement. But for one I catch out telling me something that is blatantly wrong or mis-interpreted, I would never trust again. Para 3 Four Letter Words Again the context for adults seems inappropriate from the point of view there may be a health and safety implication, for example a senior adult may have limited flexibility to perform a particular movement, and no matter how hard she tries its never going to happen for her. One of my teachers will not teach pirouettes as the majority of her class are senior adults and are likely to suffer from dizziness, which may result in a fall and broken bones. That makes perfect sense don’t you think? Whilst I do agree in principle with what you have said about four letter words, I personally never use cant and if I’m not able to do something properly in class, I will take it away to my studio to overcome the difficulty, but then I have an appetite for difficult problems, that’s in my mindset. Many adult ballet students just come to class for social interaction and a bit of keep fit, especially as many only did ballet as a small child and only copied teacher without fully understanding the terms. Para 4 If access to the teacher is difficult and especially if it’s not germane with what is currently being taught, check out if the teacher is comfortable with accepting emails, mine are and it give them time to think too. Para 5 Teacher Helping others, shall I mention this. This para makes some good points and especially as I have discussed this topic in detail with one of my teachers. As she teaches mainly senior adults, she is careful about the feedback she gives them and it tends to be done sparingly and very politely, as she doesn’t want to upset anyone. For me, I actively seek feedback and consequently I get it, she even makes the comment sometimes even though I have done nothing wrong, that I was thinking about it, she’s great, I think she’s telepathic too ha ha ha. I is really important that as an adult you make your teacher aware of the feedback you desire. Last Para Above all do let your teacher know that you value them, that is really really important For me this ceases to be a teacher student relationship as portrayed in the preceding post, it’s a partnership to develop my ballet performance; It requires focused dedication from myself and my teacher to achieve the end goal efficiently.

Tonight’s class was a bit disappointing, the work we did was OK, its was another tiny class, at the beginning apart from me, we had our part time girl that only stays for half the class. The TOOW that was present last week had phoned in to say she would not be there tonight. For the first ten minutes I though I would be the only student later on, then our other regular young lady turned up. The class itself was fine, but our teacher and one of the organisers had decided that it was not a good idea for so few of us to go out for a Christmas drink afterward and we would leave it until January when more students are back.I can understand that but it was a bit of a let down. The good side is, they have decided to keep the class going and are going to promote it, including getting in touch with our existing core of absent students. I hope that promotion is successful, however I have a contingency class up my sleeve just in case things fail, but I would be very sad to leave this Monday class.

Merry Christmas to everyone however associated with the forum. I hope 2013 brings you the happiness, prosperity and successful you all hoped for. Love Michelle x

Why do you say that? You are much further advanced than me, but given the opportunity I would go, then again I do have a big appetite for what appears impossible.

JB: I guess they are just not ready for us yet.

Well well well girls, I thought we only had hard core ballerinas on this site. I must confess I was worried last night that my car would not start in the railway station car park when I collected it just before 10pm, the windows were frozen and it was very cold. Four girls included me attended this mornings ballet class, I was still in tights and chiffon skirt but I did leave my jumper on, as it was still a bit chilly in the hall. One of the girls kept her scarf on and Nicky our teacher said it’s the first time she has ever taught a ballet class with one of her students in a scarf. The class as usual was good, afterwards one of the girls invited me back for coffee and mince pies and a chat (mostly ballet), four and half hours later I went home, a really nice finish to ballet today. Tonight out dancing Salsa at Stamford, this girl never stops whatever the weather, as they say born to dance. A useful piece of info I received today from Scottish Ballet’s mail shot: Kick start your 2013 fitness regime with 'New Year, New You', the third in our series of exercise downloads. Following on from the hugely popular 'Core de Ballet' and 'Port de Bras' this download focuses on lengthening and toning muscles, and introduces barre work for the first time. Keep your eyes peeled for the new download launching on our website in early January 2013 I have personally incorporated their “Core de Ballet” as part of the cool-down to my daily ballet aerobic workout.

Monday class very thin again, with the cold dark nights and Christmas, only two and a half girls including me. We have only one remaining Monday class now before Christmas. I really do hope this class can survive through the winter months as there are 19 dancers if everyone was to turn up. Not quite so many at the ROH ballet class this time (Wednesday), although its their last before Christmas. I took some chocolates this time as they dont appear to do anything special for christmas (Not like my other ballet classes). Starting next year they are offering a new intermediate level ballet class following their existing beginner class. I will be doing both on the same evening but on an ad-hock basis; I will have to see how it fits in with my new Theatre ballet class on the same evening. Managed to get back from the ROH just in time to catch the last half hour of my Salsa class (10.45pm), it was their last class before Christmas, managed to get a couple of dances and a few party nibbles. At least I got to wish everyone a happy Christmas and exchange a few hugs too.

Wow good for her. I’ve had to move mine to a cool down as I will miss the beginning of the class. I’m already at two other classes that evening, Ballet + Stretch and tone. I have already sorted out a suitable easy sequence for them based on balancé’s, in the end my choice of music is based on a salsa rhythm which the class is familiar with. For me this is not about me showing how cleaver or artist I am, its about creating entertainment that the class can fully participate in and have fun, after all these are my dancing friends.

Probably, I’ve got an even bigger problem now, I missed the back end of my salsa class last night, which I tend to do after ballet, but I don’t generally get there until after 9pm, but it was too late last night. I sent them a little sorry email and told them I would not be there next week (At ROH class) at all but should be back the week after. So they have told me I’m a naughty girl and I have penance to do. I am to go to salsa in a red tutu and do a Ballet warm-up for the class. Well it will be a cool down as I will not be there at the start, but I now have to think of something that’s ballet related dance wise that non-ballet dancers can do, plus I need to have the appropriate music too. It doesn’t need to last much more than 5 minutes but it must be fun and enjoyable by both guys and girls. Am I going to do it, your dammed right I am.

We did remarkable well this morning considering my Thursday local class is quite small, we had 7 including me. But for the first 5-10minutes there was only two of us, we had a newbie this time too. The things that frustrate me the most is Développé’s, my Tuesday class which is a sort of fusion of Latin and ballet run by Nicky my favourite ballet teach. In that class Nicky sometimes does a Développé walk. I’m always front line and stand opposite her, when she does that walk, she walk towards and sometimes past me as I walk towards her, she always has that knowingly cheeky grin to say “ Your not there yet”, the rest of her moves including the high kicks are no problem for me. But that walk is so infuriating. In ballet class she does not take things as high, but I think that is deliberate for the mature ladies in our class. Today we did a bit of a strange exercise, not sure how it was supposed to help. We where divided up into groups of two dancers. One dancer would start with there foot back in a Tendu, small brush forward and back on 1-2, then a high brush on three when your partner was suppose to catch your foot and pump it up and down. My partner was too frightened of hurting me; she would let my foot fall before she would catch it. On the last time we did it, I got her to hold my foot somewhere near. Mine tends to be lack of strength rather than flexibility, the left foot I can extend it to just four feet, but the right to only three foot eight inches. I really want to clear five feet from both legs, I’m still making progress but its painfully slow Grrrrr.

The cold weather seems to be driving my ballet class girls away. My Wednesday class usually has around twenty dancers but tonight there was only six, not a bad class for a Wednesday (I like small classes). There were several questions raised and comments I made, the teacher said we dont do that in this class, its in the next one up, which they wont allow me to do. Most of the movements done in that class are done in third, however she did say I could use fifth tonight(small consession). However I did tell her at the end of class, that I had selected alternative classes for the new year. But I will still keep the door open with that school. The stretch and tone afterwards was quite good, that seemed reasonably full, for once I managed to get my nose down in contact with my leg in spite of my boobs being in the way, that was a first for me.