Organising masterclasses

[thewinelake]

Just wondering, how likely is it that RB (or would it be RBS?) or BRB or some other world-class ballet organisation would be on for sending one of their top dancers along to a University Ballet club to do some kind of masterclass? Would they expect payment beyond expenses? I guess some here must have organised such things in the past?

[Jan McNulty]

I assume they would want a fee beyond expenses!

 

I've seen pictures on Instagram, for example, over the years of dancers teaching at masterclasses.  I think the first approach would be to the Company.

[Picturesinthefirelight]

I imagine that they would definately want a fee as it would be asking their dancers to do something extra.

 

MAny ballet companies do have outreach departments but they tend to focus on schools or underpriveleged groups.

[thewinelake]

As expected, thanks... Any idea what department one would contact?

[Kate_N]

9 hours ago, thewinelake said:

Just wondering, how likely is it that RB (or would it be RBS?) or BRB or some other world-class ballet organisation would be on for sending one of their top dancers along to a University Ballet club to do some kind of masterclass? Would they expect payment beyond expenses? I guess some here must have organised such things in the past?

 

I think it would be really insulting to offer anything less than a substantial payment, plus travel and accommodation. Artists should not be expected to work for free, nor even have to negotiate about that. For example, I know that the standard coaching/private lessons with teachers in New York are around $US120 per hour, plus the cost of studio hire.

 

Your best bet would be to approach your target companies' Education & Outreach offices. I know that, for example, the ENB Adult workshops are overseen by a former dancer who now teaches. Here's the ENB page - a little searching is always a good idea!

https://www.ballet.org.uk/project/schools-link/

You could also try the various Dance Agencies (not places for getting performers work) which are publicly funded to do just this kind of outreach work. See here:

http://www.onedanceuk.org/resource/regional-dance-agencies/

 

It may be more difficult to secure the services of a currently dancing, performing professional from any of these companies. They are busy people, who may want to use any spare time in other kinds of work, study or even leisure!

 

You might also approach some of the amazing teachers we are so lucky to have, who specialise in teaching adults. You only have to read this forum for some suggestions, I think.

 

Good luck!

 

[thewinelake]

Cheers all!

 

For the avoidance of doubt, I wasn't going to say "Yeah, Kevin, maybe Natalia's not busy tomorrow - if we give her the coach fare, maybe she'd like to pop up and show us a thing or two" ;-)

 

So my questions are purely innocently ignorant! And, to a certain degree, a bit of an exploratory/kite-flying exercise.

 

However....  I did note that Steven Macrae was inviting questions from all and sundry by DM on Twitter, so I asked ("who should I contact...?") and he seemed very friendly and suggested that he might be on for a visit himself, if a mutually convenient time could be agreed. Boggle! No idea what fee he'd be after, but he wasn't suggesting that we go via his agent....

Edited March 19, 2018 by thewinelake

[Pups_mum]

Maybe not on the same scale as the Royal Ballet etc but when Ballet Cymru were touring in our area they did workshops for older students at local dance schools. They were free (or at least free to us - I am not sure if they were subsidised by any external organisation or anything) and my DD found them very useful. It might be worth contacting their education dept to see if they could offer anything.

[Nicola H]

4 hours ago, thewinelake said:

Cheers all!

 

For the avoidance of doubt, I wasn't going to say "Yeah, Kevin, maybe Natalia's not busy tomorrow - if we give her the coach fare, maybe she'd like to pop up and show us a thing or two" ;-)

 

So my questions are purely innocently ignorant! And, to a certain degree, a bit of an exploratory/kite-flying exercise.

 

However....  I did note that Steven Macrae was inviting questions from all and sundry by DM on Twitter, so I asked ("who should I contact...?") and he seemed very friendly and suggested that he might be on for a visit himself, if a mutually convenient time could be agreed. Boggle! No idea what fee he'd be after, but he wasn't suggesting that we go via his agent....

i can think of  half a dozen other names    that might  respond in similar terms   - names  associated with BRB and  Northern  mainly , but that reflects the interactions i've had  with those companies / people's who 'day job'  is with  those companies ... 

everyone has a price  for this sort of thing , in some cases you may find it easier to , ironically,  aim for some bigger names , particularly those who are no longer tied to a Substantive Company contract - who may be more  open on dates 

'shy bairns  get no sweets ' as they say in the NE 
 

Edited March 19, 2018 by Nicola H

[Peanut68]

5 hours ago, thewinelake said:

However....  I did note that Steven Macrae was inviting questions from all and sundry by DM on Twitter, so I asked ("who should I contact...?") and he seemed very friendly and suggested that he might be on for a visit himself, if a mutually convenient time could be agreed. Boggle! No idea what fee he'd be after, but he wasn't suggesting that we go via his agent....

Wow - what a top guy!! Go for it....you just never know.....maybe involve media as publicity has mutual benefits all round? ....everyone wants to be seen to be championing 'dance for all'!

There may be funding you could get to secure a top deliverer for a Master Class from University funds (Student Uni/Arts Faculty) or other local charities or even do a fundraiser?

[thewinelake]

DD2 has offered her baby-sitting services in exchange. Very cute, aren't they? ;-)

[Kate_N]

14 hours ago, thewinelake said:

but he wasn't suggesting that we go via his agent....

 

When I mentioned Dance Agencies, I specifically said I wasn't talking about agencies which manage individual performers & artists. I was referring to community regional organisations which exist to foster participation in dance in the community.

 

Mr MacRae has been injured recently, I think, so may have more time than most senior artists at the moment ...

[thewinelake]

Sorry, my use of the term was not in reference to yours, but more an indication that I felt he might not be viewing this as a commercial opportunity. My involvement with the ballet club is very indirect and mostly as an interfering parent (DD being vice-president) but they do already have teachers etc. My guess is that inviting along a more famous figure will be less likely to cause the existing teaching talent to feel in any way slighted/snubbed - IYSWIM.

 

I didn't know he was injured. Must be so frustrating. I find it annoying when a mere sore achilles prevents me from doing my weekly Park Run(!) - I can't imagine what it's like for these guys.

[Mummy twinkle toes]

I would also recommend Ballet Cymru. They are very approachable and accommodating.

BRB regularly do workshops so may be willing. They came to Cardiff on Friday but only 8 girls did the senior workshop which was just under £20 each. They were performing Sleeping Beauty there and offered workshops as part of this.(more girls in lower groups).

Could you get any funding from the University to help pay? Does the University have a theatre? Ours does and companies use it to perform so could also be approached to do a workshop.

[thewinelake]

The Ballet Club does get a certain subsidy from the University and could likely afford to pay something towards a workshop. The Music faculty has West Road, which is where most of the ballet shows are performed. Very nicely raked seating, too. They're toying with the idea of having a live orchestra for their next Spring show, but I'm not sure that it won't be hard to find one good enough that's available!