Plie22 Posted June 15, 2017 Share Posted June 15, 2017 I'm an early 20s male who decided to leap back into the world of ballet last year after several years away. I've been going to a fairly regular class in my home city in the south of the UK, where I've really settled but found it quite challenging to reach that point. Teacher is pretty strict with uniform and the class is quite quiet and almost antisocial....I'm quite an upbeat and cheerful person, so find the class almost depressing! I travel a lot with my job, which means I am able to sample different casual ballet classes when time permits- today I've been working in Leeds, so decided to go to the Northern Ballet drop in class for beginners. I made a slight faux pas and rocked up to the class in full RAD ballet kit and was one of the few who did...thank goodness I'm not self conscious! Having sampled probably 10-15 casual classes over the past 18 months or so, in addition to my regularly weekly class, never have I been in awe of such a brilliant teacher- his energy and charisma really flew around the studio and it was evident that he cared about each and every person in the class. He also gave different routines and options based upon ability and gave a real focus to the students who had never seen a barre before....bless them! Now, I feel awfully guilty as it's really highlighted how much I simply tolerate my usual class and in reality, only go to it because it's the only one in my area. If anyone happens to know of a sociable adult class in the Bristol area that would welcome me with open arms, please let me know! If anyone happens to know Chris at Northern Ballet, please do pass on my compliments- his dedication and enthusiasm is admirable! I hope to come back soon when I'm in the area. 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loulabelle Posted June 15, 2017 Share Posted June 15, 2017 Bristol Russian run adult ballet classes. Unless that's where you already go....... 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plie22 Posted June 15, 2017 Author Share Posted June 15, 2017 No- will check them out Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LinMM Posted June 15, 2017 Share Posted June 15, 2017 I attended Chris's class at Northern just a couple of weeks ago ....one Thursday evening ....18th May. I loved the class and the one I attended the following morning aimed at 55 plus but given by a different teacher. i loved the whole experience there .....the studios are great ....the building is extremely well designed a little gem of a place better than any dance studios ...for the more casual ballet goer ...I've seen in London except perhaps RAD in Battersea and the studios at the ROH and RBS....but only get very rare access to those!! I shall definitely return to classes at Northern whenever I'm in Leeds or not too far away. im thinking of going to the Gala for Annie Maguire in September in Leeds so hope to be back in the Dance studios there then. Do try Bristol Russian have heard such good things about them and there's another place for adults there but will have to ask one of the people who does some teaching there where it is!! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trog Posted June 16, 2017 Share Posted June 16, 2017 If you're ever in Brum and go to the DanceXchange, just rock up in whatever you feel like dancing in. Nobody cares what you wear. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anna C Posted June 16, 2017 Share Posted June 16, 2017 Hello Plie22 and welcome. I've added the Adult Ballet "tag" underneath the thread title. If you click on it you'll be able to see a list of other threads on the subject. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
baby steps Posted June 16, 2017 Share Posted June 16, 2017 Hello Plie22. Bristol Russian do adult beginners and they also do adult improver classes. It is an excellent school with classes based at the Tobacco Factory Theatre and John Lloyd sports centre. They have a good website and are also on facebook. 344 dance centre also offer adult dance classes, they are based in Fishponds..They also have a website and a facebook page. I hope this helps. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
w445403 Posted June 16, 2017 Share Posted June 16, 2017 There is a great class in Derby if you're ever in that neck of the woods 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
primrose Posted June 16, 2017 Share Posted June 16, 2017 Bristol Russian ballet school is taught by ex professional dancers who were principle dancers with the Bolshoi and Vaganova companies. It is an outstanding school. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MAB Posted June 16, 2017 Share Posted June 16, 2017 25 minutes ago, primrose said: Bristol Russian ballet school is taught by ex professional dancers who were principle dancers with the Bolshoi and Vaganova companies. It is an outstanding school. Bolshoi? Not according to their website and I've never heard of a Vaganova company. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
primrose Posted June 22, 2017 Share Posted June 22, 2017 I am certain Yury was at the Bolshoi and Chika Vaganova. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CeliB Posted June 22, 2017 Share Posted June 22, 2017 45 minutes ago, primrose said: I am certain Yury was at the Bolshoi and Chika Vaganova. Trained at the schools I think rather than dancing with the companies MAB - Vaganova /Kirov associated company would be the Kirov Theatre - now post USSR has now gone back to the old name of Mariinsky Theatre IMO the place a teacher was trained is at least (more?) important than where they danced, as that teaching is what they are passing on to their students, and it doesn't come better than the Vaganova and Bolshoi... 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
angel Posted June 22, 2017 Share Posted June 22, 2017 On 16/06/2017 at 19:15, w445403 said: There is a great class in Derby if you're ever in that neck of the woods Where is the Derby class? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
w445403 Posted June 23, 2017 Share Posted June 23, 2017 22 hours ago, angel said: Where is the Derby class? At the Derby Academy, taught by Chris Parkes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jan McNulty Posted June 23, 2017 Share Posted June 23, 2017 Website for Derby Academy: http://www.derby-academy.com/index.php 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
angel Posted July 6, 2017 Share Posted July 6, 2017 My DD's used to go there. Taught by Eve Leveaux. She was fantastic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phill UpNorth Posted July 6, 2017 Share Posted July 6, 2017 On 6/15/2017 at 22:06, Plie22 said: If anyone happens to know Chris at Northern Ballet, please do pass on my compliments- his dedication and enthusiasm is admirable! I hope to come back soon when I'm in the area. I've only just seen this - that would be Christopher Hinton-Lewis, a former principal dancer with Northern Ballet. I'll certainly pass yours, and others, compliments on to him and the whole Academy staff. Thank you, Phill Garnett Northern Ballet Digital Manager 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jan McNulty Posted July 24, 2017 Share Posted July 24, 2017 Here's a feature about a young man going for a taster class to a "men only" adult ballet class that has recently been set up: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/entertainment-arts-40703299/yorkshireman-xander-parish-on-dancing-in-russia 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alison Posted July 24, 2017 Share Posted July 24, 2017 Ah, no, it isn't, Janet Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jan McNulty Posted July 24, 2017 Share Posted July 24, 2017 Hopefully here it is (and hopefully our male dancing members enjoy the video interview with Xander Parish!): http://www.standard.co.uk/lifestyle/health/lifting-the-barre-this-is-what-its-like-to-take-londons-first-ballet-class-for-men-a3594446.html 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicola H Posted July 24, 2017 Share Posted July 24, 2017 4 hours ago, Jan McNulty said: Hopefully here it is (and hopefully our male dancing members enjoy the video interview with Xander Parish!): http://www.standard.co.uk/lifestyle/health/lifting-the-barre-this-is-what-its-like-to-take-londons-first-ballet-class-for-men-a3594446.html hopefully it'll be something that will reduce the impaqct of the psychological bars to men taking class, i think the real push with promoting ballet for adults should be the core strength stuff ... and to pinch the whole 'do you even lift' thing how aobut some shirts with a silhouette of dancers doing a lift and the " do you even lift ? " phrases much beloved of soem of the gym going types ... 'i think a lot people all ready have ' ballet , like a sport but harder' stuff ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colman Posted July 24, 2017 Share Posted July 24, 2017 Ballet has an awful lot of parallels to martial arts. Different aim,, but similar discipline and physical/mental requirements. And I've got a rather better chance of performing than I do at having to actually use martial arts skills! I'm half planning a t-shirt with Quote "I don't lift weights; I just lift beautiful women." - Bolle "I life weights *so* I can lift beautiful women." - Me :-) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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