Classes in London?

[Guest dianacteon]

Hi! I'll be in London in the third week of March for some R&R on my spring break from senior year of HS. I was wondering if I could procure a list of schools/dance centres offering "open" classes to people at the Int. Adv to Adv level, in the London area?

 

If any potential repliers could also supply me with information on tasty cafés and choice shopping secrets, I'd be forever endebted! Most every tourism-based site repeats each other in terms of "Where To Go, What To Do" and I don't want to miss out on anything special!

 

Thanks in advance,

Katy.

Edited December 9, 2004 by dianacteon

[Dance_Scholar_London]

Knock Knock. Adult student here so I am not sure if I am supposed to post here...

 

The most popular schools in London are Pineapple at Covent Garden and Danceworks at Bond Street. Both studios have a variety of all forms of dance, and or course ballet at each level. The level of instruction is high though some classes are more given instead of taught. You will also find that the classes are extremely busy (up to 35 students in a class).

 

If you want to get more individual attention I would recommend to go to one of the professional dance schools such as London Studio Centre at Kings X, which has open classes for adults in the evening. Class size is much smaller and most classes are syllabus (ISTD, Cecchetti, RAD). Normally you have to register for a complete term but there is the possibility to do a drop in class (or severals). A lot of the advanced classes are taken by the full-time students of the school (after their regular dance training all day), i.e. the level is high and demanding. I am taking RAD Intermediate at the moment but level go up to RAD Solo Seal.

Edited December 9, 2004 by vrsfanatic

[vrsfanatic]

Welcome dianacteon! It sounds like you will be having a great trip to London! What fun. Try running a search to see what other information you may find on ballet classes in London.

 

Thank you Dance_Scholar_London for your helpful information, however please remember that a Moderator must respond to the dancers in this Forum prior to other helpful posters. Also, dianacteon is a very new poster, this being her 1st post. Perhaps she may wait a bit before corresponding through PMs.

 

I will edit your post for this reason.

[Kate B]

Also good, if you like a less busy (or more spacious) class, are The Place and Urdang Academy. The teachers at both are very good.

 

www.theplace.org.uk

www.theurdangacademy.com

[Guest dianacteon]

Thank you, everyone for your very quick and très très helpful replies! After class tonight I think I will be reviewing the aforementioned schools, perhaps contacting the studio at Kings Cross about dropping in for just a few classes here and there.

 

Again, merci beaucoup, tout le monde.

Edited December 9, 2004 by dianacteon

[Guest Lovebird]

At Pineapple I recommend Laura Connor's class, Studio Centre, Urdang are good, too. ENB has open classes as well. For shopping go to Topshop! My whole wardrobe is from there, the clothes are amazing and its prices are unbelievable.

[Guest dianacteon]

Wow, thank you Lovebird!

 

*puts Topshop on future-site-of-spending-frenzy list*

 

 

The ballet class information is equally invaluable, though, so I also thank you for that.

 

[Dance_Scholar_London]

IMO, Urdang is too expensive. Some teacher take 13 GBP for 1,5 hour lesson. That is far overpriced. You can find classes as cheap as 4 GBP. Danceworks has classes from 5 GBP (I recommend TK though she does not give advanced classes but if you want to work on alignment, placement and correct technique then her class is wonderful - though VERY strict). Classes at Pineapple are between 6 and 8 GBP. Studio Centre has the same price though there are far less students in a class. I recommend Kit (she teaches RAD Intermediate and Advanced 1 this term)

[Guest dianacteon]

Quick q, now that I've had time to mull over things a bit more. My background in ballet is quite foreign to RAD, as it's mostly been Vaganova and some Balanchinean phases by way of SAB-trained folks.

 

I suppose there is a bit more leeway regarding differences in 'school' for dropping-in students? I hope, I should say. :-)

 

Just voicing my worry. :-)

[Dance_Scholar_London]

No worries. At London Studio Centre, students register for a term (at least), drop-in students but it is still an open class. I dont know if there is any Balanchine or Vaganova training available in London, but maybe somebody else could advise you. Danceworks has Russian ballet classes at professional level - maybe that is for you then?

[Kate B]

Most of the classes at Urdang are only £5, although I know the one you mean at £13 - a complete rip-off (but at least an exception)! The £5 ones are English style and Russian style - the teacher with the Russian-sounding name does the Russian ballet classes there. It's very popular, although I've not been. I've been to Karen Smith's and that is such a lovely friendly class.

 

Remember that Danceworks requires a day membership on top of the cost of the class, which at peak times can bring the cost of a class up to £9 or £10.

 

And Topshop is great for shopping!