Class timetable additions
We have added another Adult Ballet Class on Wednesdays 18:15-19:15 to meet the need for a class out of working hours midweek, in addition to our Saturday Adult Ballet class; we have already had feedback and good take-up for this class with our Adult Ballet ladies.
The Basic Mat Pilates class is offered on Thursdays at 17:45-18:45 – am excellent way to strengthen core, increase stability and flexibility.
Thursday advanced Ballet for our vocational students has been increased to an hour and a quarter class, now at 17:30-18:45
At last!
AT LAST – BALLET FIRST RE-OPENED FULLY ON SEPT 7th FOR ALL THE LOWER AND UPPER SCHOOL STUDENTS.
Measures were in place for a Covid-safe return to the Ballet School for all dancers with additional classes added to the new timetable. The new term was started with the positive BALLET FIRST mind-set that saw us all through the challenging Lockdown and out the other side. Ballet shoes at the ready – Let’s get dancing again!
Success! Amanda Ochap gains place on Central School of Ballet Associate course
BALLET FIRST has a another student who has successfully auditioned for a place in one of the top Vocational Schools in the country – CENTRAL SCHOOL of BALLET.
Dancers throughout the UK and abroad audition for one of the few coveted places offered at the School every year.
12 year old Amanda Ochap (pictured right) will be taking up her place on the Central School of Ballet Associate course from September 2020 after having been awarded a bursary and auditioning via video link during the Lockdown from her home, quite a feat and achievement in itself. Amanda has been dancing with BALLET FIRST since Primary School age and has worked extremely hard with determination and commitment throughout. Well done Amanda, watch this space!
Charlotte Coles joins London Contemporary Dance School
Our former advanced student Charlotte Coles, who had successfully auditioned in 2018 for a place with a leading Scottish vocational Ballet School, (see News and Events 2018 ) has now been accepted for the London Contemporary Dance School to further her training from September 2020. Well done Charlotte and Good Luck!
Lockdown timetable at the School July-Aug 2020
A return to the Ballet School was seen on 11th July – 15th August with a special ‘Lockdown timetable’ for the Upper School students, with the Lower School students expected to follow from Sept 8th, all being well.
Th classes were much welcomed, with safety measures in place to support dancing in a Covid-safe environment. Dancers were extremely pleased to be back, longing to stretch their limbs in a space where they could move again. A degree of semi-normality was up and running and Ballet was once again part of our lives in a way we had know it to be. The Lockdown classes were so well received, that an additional class was added on 22nd Aug.
Covid Lockdown – Dance via Zoom
During the lockdown, ballet life for our dancers carried on in ways unprecedented and unimaginable before life at our Dance studio, with dancers engaging in ZOOM Ballet classes; dancers called on their ambition, resilience and focus by engaging in their living rooms, kitchens, bedrooms, even utility areas at home, using a chair of all shapes and sizes as a Ballet Barre to keep in shape and maintain their technique. The dancers were able to adapt to dancing in often very tight spaces, totally in opposition to the expansive movement that Ballet needs in the longer term, yet keeping a positive mind with an eye on the future and belief in the long term goal. Well done everyone for getting through it, we are all very proud of you!
