Adult Ballet Classes - Phillippines

[Chat De Pas]

My husband and I will be moving to Manila. Philippines for a two-year assignment starting October 1st, 2010.

 

I'm hoping to find a dance studio that offers ballet class for adults at the beginning-to-intermediate level.

 

We'll be located in the Makati City area. Any recommendations will be appreciated!

 

Thank you - Carolyn

[tutu2you]

I believe the Philippines have a National Ballet Company. You might check with them and see where dancers from your area have been known to take classes.

[Mel Johnson]

It's been a long time since I was there, but Makati is the central business district for Metro Manila, and while the city has sprawl and congestion, like any great town, it also has mass transit and rail service which gives access to any part of the Metro area to any other place there. My general modus operandi when going anyplace where ballet was an unknown quantity, was to shop around. Unless you're way, way out, odds are good for finding ballet. I even managed to find class in a combat zone! (OK, it was Saigon, but you get the idea!)

[purplyneshie]

i know steps studio in makati has adult ballet classes also there is one in edsa shangri la i cant remember the name that offers a class on tuesdays 7-8 pm, halili- cruz school of ballet and ballet manila might also have classes but they are quite far from makati. the info i have gathered are from their websites since i will also be going to manila next year and have been looking to find ballet classes as well hope this helps

[Chat De Pas]

Thank you for the responses! We are leaving on Friday, Sep 17th and will arrive Manila on Saturday the 18th.

 

As soon as we are settled, I'll put on my exploring shoes and go check out these suggestions.

 

I'll report back with whatever I find! Thanks again.

 

Carolyn ;o)

[Chat De Pas]

Here is an update!

 

Well, we have been in Manila for 2+ months, and I'm pleased to report that I found a really good dance studio, where I am now taking ballet classes three times a week.

 

The name of the studio is "STEPS Dance Studio" (thank you, purplyneshie!). It's located in the Makati City section of Manila. The studio follows the Royal Academy of Dancing syllabus, which is new to me.

 

Here is the link to their website: www.stepsdancestudio.ph

 

Since I have been away from ballet for over a year, I started at a lower level, and am registered in the RAD "Interfoundation / Intermediate" class which meets every Tuesday and Thursday afternoons. There is one other adult student and 2-5 teens in the class. The teacher is "Mr. Marion" Ignacio. He is excellent - and very patient with me, as I work to rebuild my technique, and to learn the RAD way of dancing!

 

On Saturday mornings, I take an Open Ballet class (combination of Interfoundation and Intermediate levels), taught by "Mr. Edward". This is not a RAD-syllabus class - it's more like the type of ballet class that I have found at my home studios in New Jersey, NYC, Montana, and the SunKing Adult Ballet Camp in Richmond. So, it's a nice contrast to the RAD classes during the week. This class has three adult students (including me), and anywhere from 4-6 teens.

 

Although most of the classes use CDs for accompaniment, occasionally "Mr. Gary", an excellent pianist, joins us. It's always a pleasure to dance to his music.

 

The school has three studios, and my ballet classes all meet in the largest one. There is lots of room to run and jump, which makes me happy!

 

Nice people, great instruction, a friendly atmosphere - and teachers who expect you to work hard, and help you to improve. I am very pleased.....

[AmaLari]

Here is an update!

 

Well, we have been in Manila for 2+ months, and I'm pleased to report that I found a really good dance studio, where I am now taking ballet classes three times a week.

 

The name of the studio is "STEPS Dance Studio" (thank you, purplyneshie!). It's located in the Makati City section of Manila. The studio follows the Royal Academy of Dancing syllabus, which is new to me.

 

Hi! My DD studied at STEPS for several years while we lived in Manila and it's a fantastic school. Enjoy!!

[ggskirts]

Here is an update!

 

Well, we have been in Manila for 2+ months, and I'm pleased to report that I found a really good dance studio, where I am now taking ballet classes three times a week.

 

The name of the studio is "STEPS Dance Studio" (thank you, purplyneshie!). It's located in the Makati City section of Manila. The studio follows the Royal Academy of Dancing syllabus, which is new to me.

 

Here is the link to their website: www.stepsdancestudio.ph

 

Since I have been away from ballet for over a year, I started at a lower level, and am registered in the RAD "Interfoundation / Intermediate" class which meets every Tuesday and Thursday afternoons. There is one other adult student and 2-5 teens in the class. The teacher is "Mr. Marion" Ignacio. He is excellent - and very patient with me, as I work to rebuild my technique, and to learn the RAD way of dancing!

 

On Saturday mornings, I take an Open Ballet class (combination of Interfoundation and Intermediate levels), taught by "Mr. Edward". This is not a RAD-syllabus class - it's more like the type of ballet class that I have found at my home studios in New Jersey, NYC, Montana, and the SunKing Adult Ballet Camp in Richmond. So, it's a nice contrast to the RAD classes during the week. This class has three adult students (including me), and anywhere from 4-6 teens.

 

Although most of the classes use CDs for accompaniment, occasionally "Mr. Gary", an excellent pianist, joins us. It's always a pleasure to dance to his music.

 

The school has three studios, and my ballet classes all meet in the largest one. There is lots of room to run and jump, which makes me happy!

 

Nice people, great instruction, a friendly atmosphere - and teachers who expect you to work hard, and help you to improve. I am very pleased.....

 

Thanks so much for the update! I'm heading to Manila tomorrow (arrive 12/23) and have taken the Sun King Adult Ballet Camp. Do you know if Steps will be open/teaching w/o Dec 27? Perhaps I will see you at one of those classes if they are teaching?

[Chat De Pas]

Thanks so much for the update! I'm heading to Manila tomorrow (arrive 12/23) and have taken the Sun King Adult Ballet Camp. Do you know if Steps will be open/teaching w/o Dec 27? Perhaps I will see you at one of those classes if they are teaching?

[Chat De Pas]

Unfortunately, the studio is closed for the Christmas holiday, from December 15 until sometime in early January (I'll have to check for the exact date).

 

I'm going back to the U.S. for 6 weeks, from Dec. 29 till February 10th. I'll be back in ballet class at Steps after I return to Manila in mid-February.

 

Any chance you'll be coming back to Manila then?

[pianolady]

Hello chat de pas, it was nice to see you in inter class last tuesday, hope to see you again thursday! I like the school and hoping to take classes there every six month i am assigned to manila. The teacher is really kind, she allowed me to even take advanced Foundation class.