No classes during the summer hols

[Kitty]

First of all I would like to say a big thank you to the creators of ballet talk and all the moderators. I have learned so much in such a short period of time!!

 

My ballet school has now closed for the summer holidays so I have about 8 weeks off. My teacher has said that she will be holding some dance classes later in the holidays but they wont all be ballet based and of course I will be attending when they start.

 

In order to keep in shape over the summer I am planning to practice the RAD Intermediate Foundation syllabus and the RAD Intermediate syllabus (I have the videos and booklets) at home. I also have the Summer School in August and week holiday in Kent which is a stones throw (ok an hour) away from the Pineapple Dance studios where I hope to catch a class or five

 

Will this be enough to keep in shape?

[Mel Johnson]

I think you'll be all right with that. Even practicing grade 5 and working for mastery should be good for you.

[Guest MelissaSuzanne]

I'm glad you started this thread, Kitty, I was about to ask a similar question. I hope you don't mind if I throw in a little side question (I wasn't sure if I should start a new thread or not). I can't take classes this summer, either, and am trying to find ways to at least maintain my skill level, if not try to improve somewhat (at least in flexibility). I don't know what the RAD syllabus is, though. I'm a beginner (of 6 months) - is this something I could use, and if so, how do you get it? I have the Joffrey Ballet Fit book that suggests a workout, and the NYCB workout tape (but it's not exactly a ballet class). Can anyone offer any other suggestions for ways to improve or continue to study ballet at home. I know it's not ideal at all, but with two babies, I'm not sure when I'll be able to start again, and I have come to LOVE ballet, so I want to do SOMETHING! Any help would be appreciated!

Melissa

[Mel Johnson]

Melissa, at this point in your experience, you really shouldn't be practicing ballet on your own without an eye outside your own. You're really likely to reinforce errors. The best thing you can probably do is to follow the NYCB workout tapes, and that should suffice during the summer.

[ashatNYU]

Melissa, maybe you could even take some yoga or pilates classes to help strengthen your core during your time off. Since you are a beginner, it might also be helpful for you to exercise your mind as well and review some general ballet techniques and positions. The Technical Manual and Dictionary of Classical Ballet by Gail Grant may be a good one to start with. I realize it may be dificult to learn without doing, but you may be able to at least make some connections between the movement you did in class and the technical French names.

 

Also, the video dictionary on ABT's website is helpful for a visual example ... you can find it here

[Guest MelissaSuzanne]

Thank you for your advice, Mr. Johnson and ashatNYU! I also have a book by Gretchen Ward Warren that's proved very helpful in understanding positions, etc. Since I'm in a small town, there's not really much I can take, but will continue with the workouts, and hope for the best

[Kitty]

Thank you for replying.

 

Mjr Mel I haven't done grade 5 since I was 15 and I don't have any of the notes or music. Will Grade 6 and/or 7 be ok??

 

I also have the NY ballet workouts which I will attempt every weekend. Our ballet class attemped it once using a laptop and bad lighting!!

[Mel Johnson]

I think so. Do 6. The farther back you go, the more you will be able to work on rudiments and get them perfected.