webfoot Posted October 14, 2015 Share Posted October 14, 2015 Crystal Ballet are holding a Swan Lake masterclass in Birmingham, at the BRB studios, in November. Details can be found here: http://crystalballet.com/index.php/event/crystal-ballet-birmingham-ladies-masterclass.html I have no affiliation with Crystal Ballet but the day is being organised by Silvia Jimenez, formerly a soloist with both Stuttgart Ballet and BRB, currently teaching at the Dance Xchange in Birmingham, which is where I take classes. Silvia is an excellent teacher and the rep coaching is by Jenna Roberts, BRB principal. It's not very often we get this sort of event in the Midlands, so please do come along and support. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anna C Posted October 14, 2015 Share Posted October 14, 2015 I take it this is for adults only, webfoot? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
webfoot Posted October 14, 2015 Author Share Posted October 14, 2015 That is my understanding, but I suggest you contact Crystal Ballet directly to confirm this. As it is a "Ladies" class then I would assume 18+, I guess there would be no issue for a student a little younger than this, but I don't know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anna C Posted October 14, 2015 Share Posted October 14, 2015 Ah ok, just wondering whether to apply the "Adult Ballet" tag to the thread or not. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2dancersmum Posted October 14, 2015 Share Posted October 14, 2015 Their e terms and conditions for regular classes includes a clause saying 'I confirm that I am 18+ years old' so I would assume that the masterclass is adults only if normal classes are 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrystalBallet Posted November 4, 2015 Share Posted November 4, 2015 Morning all, I can confirm that at the moment we are adult-only I'm afraid. Its less to do with the CRB requirement for the teachers as they usually have one and we could easily organise one if they don't. Its actually because any under-18's would mean all of the other adult attendees would have to be CRB checked too which as I'm sure you can understand would be a logistical nightmare! We currently have a pre-christmas, end-of-term offer code that gives 10% off the price. Just put "COURSE10" into the code box at checkout: http://crystalballet.com/index.php/event/crystal-ballet-birmingham-ladies-masterclass.html Thank you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Picturesinthefirelight Posted November 4, 2015 Share Posted November 4, 2015 Who has told you that crystalballet? As its not true. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
taxi4ballet Posted November 4, 2015 Share Posted November 4, 2015 It's actually quite hard to find workshops for advanced 16-17 year-olds, most of the workshops are either for younger age groups or for adults 18+ (ENB I'm looking at you in particular!). 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Picturesinthefirelight Posted November 4, 2015 Share Posted November 4, 2015 If you can get to Birmingham the Pickford Back to School workshops (2-4 Jan) have a 15 plus age category. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Picturesinthefirelight Posted November 4, 2015 Share Posted November 4, 2015 PICKFORD WINTER CLASSES *Additional date added 2nd, 3rd and 4th January 2016 Venue: Dancexchange, Thorp Street. (Walking distance from New Street Station) Age range -10 years upwards. Ideal for anyone auditioning for either vocational schools, companies or are presently at vocational school or who just simply loves ballet. 10-11.15am Ballet Group 1 (15 years up) Errol Pickford 10-11.15am Ballet Group 2 ( 10-14 years) Olivia Pickford 11.30-Jazz Class-Olivia Pickford PRICE- Ballet is £10 per class Jazz is £8 per class Pay on the door. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loulabelle Posted November 4, 2015 Share Posted November 4, 2015 Are they drop in Pictures? Or do you need to book? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Picturesinthefirelight Posted November 4, 2015 Share Posted November 4, 2015 I've always emailed dd's attendance in advance but you pay on the door. I think it's just so they can get an idea of numbers. thepickfords@hotmail.co.uk 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kate_N Posted November 4, 2015 Share Posted November 4, 2015 I'm not going to be able to attend this p[articular workshop, but to be honest, I'm quite glad that there are workshops for adult dancers. Their needs for teaching, and ways of working are quite different from that of teenagers. And in my experience, when young teens/children are in adult classes, it can be a very different atmosphere - and not always one that helps adults. There are many many more opportunities for young dancers than for adults; it seems only fair to welcome the few opportunities developed specifically for adults. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michelle_Richer Posted November 4, 2015 Share Posted November 4, 2015 (edited) Hi Crystal Ballet It looks like a nice Masterclass / Workshop in a really nice venue, the price is very attractive too even without the discount. But as always I’m curious about its content: 1) Solo from act2 I guess can only be Odette’s solo that follows the Big Swan dance. 2) Perhaps you can elaborate which scene(s) are being taught for Swans rep. 3) However having a whole half hour allocated to Q & A seems a little odd, especially as it’s at the end of the event. Of all the workshops and Intensives I’ve attended, I don’t think I have experience a Q &A session at the end, usually the closing session is the final run-though in performance mode for videoing of the event, and some times with friends and family watching. However I am aware some establishments don’t permit this, like the Royal Opera House. Edited November 4, 2015 by Michelle_Richer 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
taxi4ballet Posted November 4, 2015 Share Posted November 4, 2015 I'm not going to be able to attend this p[articular workshop, but to be honest, I'm quite glad that there are workshops for adult dancers. Their needs for teaching, and ways of working are quite different from that of teenagers. And in my experience, when young teens/children are in adult classes, it can be a very different atmosphere - and not always one that helps adults. There are many many more opportunities for young dancers than for adults; it seems only fair to welcome the few opportunities developed specifically for adults. Yes definitely, there are fewer opportunities for adult dancers, and I welcome them too (although I am about as far from being a dancer as you can get!). The teenagers I was referring to in my post though weren't young teens/children but mature, sensible young adults 16+ in full-time vocational training who often need additional classes during holidays to keep their hand in and who thoroughly enjoy the opportunity to take class with the grown-ups 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrystalBallet Posted November 5, 2015 Share Posted November 5, 2015 Thats interesting Picturesinthefirelight.... I thought that was the case. I'll investigate more. However I am keen to keep it as adult based as possible, Kate_N is absolutely right - there are loads of kids ballet courses and classes and adults can feel a bit self-conscious being in a room full of kids. Michelle, I'm glad you think the price is about right, its very difficult to judge and its easy to make it too expensive and put people off. 1) The solo is the solo following big swans - you're right 2) Swans rep will be "entrance of the swans" and if there's time also "leaving the lake" and possibly even a bit of cygnets and big swans depending on height of participant. 3) a 30 minute Q&A is a big favourite of ours in fact its usually not enough time. In my experience the adults who are attending the course are so keen to know more about a dancer's life that the time flys by. The day is taught by BRB principal Jenna Roberts so I'm sure she'll be inundated... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Picturesinthefirelight Posted November 5, 2015 Share Posted November 5, 2015 Absolutely crystal. But I think many 16/17 year olds (who are often living away from home at this point in a more uni type environment also feel self conscious in kids classes becsuse they identify more as adults. There are no laws or rules as such other than organisations have to ensure they do not employ anyone who is unsuitable to work with children or vulnerable adults. (A DBS disclosure being the best way to do this) Only members of staff with unsupervised access to children need the DBS so other class members or adult members of a dance/theatre company putting on a show don't need a DBS only the person actually teaching/supervising the young person. Anyone who is only ever with a child under supervision does not need one. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrystalBallet Posted November 12, 2015 Share Posted November 12, 2015 You are absolutely right Picturesinthefirelight - no reason why not! I've accepted a couple of 16-17 year olds onto the course and I'm interested to see how the whole thing goes.... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
triphazard Posted November 12, 2015 Share Posted November 12, 2015 CrystalBallet, something that would be really helpful in general is guidance on required level of ballet for attendees. Having danced various bits of Swan Lake in the past it was attractive. Also, I would especially have wanted to participate in order to encourage more events outside London. However, being on the 'incompetent thirtysomething numbskull' end of the ballet spectrum. I wasn't sure whether it was ok to sign up so I hesitated! :-) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pastel Posted November 14, 2015 Share Posted November 14, 2015 PICKFORD WINTER CLASSES *Additional date added 2nd, 3rd and 4th January 2016 Venue: Dancexchange, Thorp Street. (Walking distance from New Street Station) Age range -10 years upwards. Ideal for anyone auditioning for either vocational schools, companies or are presently at vocational school or who just simply loves ballet. 10-11.15am Ballet Group 1 (15 years up) Errol Pickford 10-11.15am Ballet Group 2 ( 10-14 years) Olivia Pickford 11.30-Jazz Class-Olivia Pickford PRICE- Ballet is £10 per class Jazz is £8 per class Pay on the door. Do you have contact details to register for these classes or do students just turn up on the day? Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Picturesinthefirelight Posted November 14, 2015 Share Posted November 14, 2015 You can email thepickfords@hotmail.co.uk I've always let them know we are coming but I gave a feeling you can turn up on the day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
webfoot Posted November 16, 2015 Author Share Posted November 16, 2015 The Crystal Ballet masterclass in Birmingham was really excellent, if exhausting. I felt like I was dying after the end of the barre work but managed to complete the whole day and enjoyed myself so very much. My fitness levels are currently down due to minor health issues and I did wonder if I was being over ambitious too soon, but it was so much fun that I didn't want to hold anything back in reserve. Silvia's class was of a high standard, as usual and Jenna's coaching in the rep was excellent. Both were looking for the detail but so very encouraging as well. They seemed to enjoy the day as well. The Q&A session at the end was also really interesting. Great insights to the tricks of performing. Thank you Crystal Ballet and especially many thanks to Silvia and Jenna. Can't wait for the next one - hopefully I will be back to full fitness. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kate_N Posted November 17, 2015 Share Posted November 17, 2015 Thanks for this report, Webfoot. I'm sorry I couldn't be at the workshop as it sounded a lot of fun & learning in those beautiful studios. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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