Adult Ballet Classes at Central

[munchkin16]

Just wondering has anyone taken Hubert Essakow's Sunday class at Central? Any opinions on the level and the teaching? Debating trying this one over David's Beginner Improver+ class but wanted some first hand experiences if anyone would be able to share?

[akh]

I haven't done the classes but Hubert is great.

[LinMM]

A friend of mine attends his classes and she loves them! 
I can ask her about the level etc but she usually attends Intermediate level classes. 

Edited October 26, 2022 by LinMM

[munchkin16]

Thank you that’s really good to know! It might be a little more of a challenge then but possibly worth giving it a shot.

[LinMM]

I’ve sent her a message will report back soon! But yes do just give him a go I seem to remember her saying he was good with individual corrections etc. 

[munchkin16]

Thank you so much, will be really good to hear what she says but individual corrects sounds amazing.

[LinMM]

Regarding Hubert’s classes it’s roughly improvers/intermediate level ( so probably sort of grade 5-7 ish) but not Advanced. 

Its a very technical class and quite slow but at same time hard work! Especially the barre…that’s quite long apparently. He spends time on getting body centred and weight in right place etc and legs in correct positions etc. 

It sounded like a class I used to do at London Russian about six or seven years ago where although wasn’t that complicated you really felt like you’d worked out just after the barre alone but the centre work wasn’t hard( not long enchainements to remember) but everything just very precise. 
I believe Hugo’s Wednesday class is a bit harder technically than the Sunday one ….which may be a bit more dancey …Hope I’ve got that the right way around!! 
Looks like it may be worth giving it a go for sure. 
When I was fit I really liked a balance of more technically orientated classes with more dancey type classes …..these days it’s just the latter!! 
Love the new Central studios too. 

 

[munchkin16]

Definitely sounds like something I can give a try, thank you so much for all the information!

[Guest valentine56]

10 hours ago, LinMM said:

Regarding Hubert’s classes it’s roughly improvers/intermediate level ( so probably sort of grade 5-7 ish) but not Advanced. 

Its a very technical class and quite slow but at same time hard work! Especially the barre…that’s quite long apparently. He spends time on getting body centred and weight in right place etc and legs in correct positions etc. 

It sounded like a class I used to do at London Russian about six or seven years ago where although wasn’t that complicated you really felt like you’d worked out just after the barre alone but the centre work wasn’t hard( not long enchainements to remember) but everything just very precise. 
I believe Hugo’s Wednesday class is a bit harder technically than the Sunday one ….which may be a bit more dancey …Hope I’ve got that the right way around!! 
Looks like it may be worth giving it a go for sure. 
When I was fit I really liked a balance of more technically orientated classes with more dancey type classes …..these days it’s just the latter!! 
Love the new Central studios too. 

 

I agree with this assessment. It is a slow paced class. Hubert is personable, funny, technique focused. The barre is very long. I'd say depends on what you prefer. DPK's class is dynamic, very high energy, shorter barre, more dancing. Hubert's more meditative, technique focused, relaxed atmosphere, he asks to repeat exercise if he wasn't happy. Combinations are not necessarily advanced but can be deceptively tricky. Both are great.

Edited October 29, 2022 by valentine56

[LinMM]

Yes I used to do David Kierce’s classes about ten years ago now!! 
I had just returned to ballet after a 21 year gap and I found his Improvers class just right and he definitely cheered you up on a cold winters evening!!  I’ve done some workshops with him as well and do miss these but just can’t dance continuously all day these days and jumping to any degree is out. 
I like teachers and classes for different reasons some of them coming from completely different perspectives but it’s good to try a variety of classes till you can home in on the ones that you get the most out of …some for more technical reasons others for more artistic ones. 
I’ve never attended Hubert’s classes this is as a friend described them.