For the past two weeks, Melissa Waters and I have been working with some terrific students as part of a ballet intensive we put together at Le Studio - and it was a blast! We even choreographed a 2.5 minute piece on all fifteen girls, finishing it in a record 9 days. Huge kudos to Melissa who did the majority of the choreography while I stood on the sidelines and cheered her on!
My ninja webmaster, Mo (who films and cuts all of my technique videos) taped the last class and the piece itself and will hopefully get that up soon - here and on the studio's website. So look for that to come.
Melissa and I envisioned the intensive as the launching pad for the student company we're starting at Le Studio this fall (which is next week - whoa!). We've got some great students already and are hoping to entice a few more into the ranks. We've got an ambitious goal: to create a repertory of pieces that will ultimately result in a full-length "Alice in Wonderland." And in the meantime, we anticipate having a lot of opportunities to perform selections of it, including the marvelous "Tea Party" we did during the intensive.
I'll be posting a new video soon...not sure what the ninja has planned but I'm sure it will be awesome. And look for more info on the company!
Happy dancing~
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Monday, August 24, 2009
Classroom surprises!
Every teacher wants to believe she gives a good class, one that anyone could enjoy at some level. If you are a beginner taking a more advanced class, then you should be able to learn from the better dancers, following along wherever you can. If you are an advanced student taking a beginner or intermediate level class, you should be able to work on placement and alignment and doing things properly.
But what happens when a professional walks into your class? On Friday night, I had the pleasurable surprise of dancer Colby Parsons from ABT taking my class. I don't know Colby personally and he was new to the studio so I think he was simply in town and looking for a class. As Melissa tells me, even pros need class. Colby was humble and kind with my students and above all, respectful of me as a teacher. When he wanted to add to a combination, he asked my permission first. He was very self-effacing when most of us told him how wonderful he was. He displayed no ego to any of us. He didn't leave early or do his own thing in a corner - and he even laughed when he made a mistake with a combination.
His professional demeanor and courteous behavior was a beacon of light shining on my students. They saw how a pro acts - and dances. And it made them step up their game. Every single one of my students had a better class because of his presence. They simply worked harder and smarter.
It was a wonderful class. I wish Colby the best of luck with his career and I'm very thankful he decided to take class with us while he was in town.
But what happens when a professional walks into your class? On Friday night, I had the pleasurable surprise of dancer Colby Parsons from ABT taking my class. I don't know Colby personally and he was new to the studio so I think he was simply in town and looking for a class. As Melissa tells me, even pros need class. Colby was humble and kind with my students and above all, respectful of me as a teacher. When he wanted to add to a combination, he asked my permission first. He was very self-effacing when most of us told him how wonderful he was. He displayed no ego to any of us. He didn't leave early or do his own thing in a corner - and he even laughed when he made a mistake with a combination.
His professional demeanor and courteous behavior was a beacon of light shining on my students. They saw how a pro acts - and dances. And it made them step up their game. Every single one of my students had a better class because of his presence. They simply worked harder and smarter.
It was a wonderful class. I wish Colby the best of luck with his career and I'm very thankful he decided to take class with us while he was in town.
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Free Dance Day at Le Studio!!
On Saturday, August 29th, Le Studio will be holding a Dance Class Marathon Day - free dance classes from 9AM until 4:30PM. I will be teaching an Intermediate Ballet Class at 3:30PM but there will be lots of other dance classes too: hip hop, modern, jazz, and yoga too!
So make room on your schedule for the marathon and pick out your favorite classes! It's a great way to sample teachers and styles!
For more info, check out Le Studio's website: www.lestudiodance.org
So make room on your schedule for the marathon and pick out your favorite classes! It's a great way to sample teachers and styles!
Le Studio Dance/ Studio 57 Presents "DANCE MARATHON 2"
Saturday, August 29th, 2009 9:00am-4:30pm
Le Studio Dance, 57 Palmetto, Pasadena Ca. 91105
Saturday, August 29th, 2009 9:00am-4:30pm
Le Studio Dance, 57 Palmetto, Pasadena Ca. 91105
9:00am KIDS BALLET/INT. YOGA / BEG. BALLET
10:05am KIDS HIP HOP / BEG. MODERN / LYRICAL
11:10am KIDS JAZZ/ JAZZ/ OPEN HIP HOP
12:15pm INT/ADV JAZZ/ INT. BALLET/ BEG. SALSA
1:20pm BEG. BALLET /LYRICAL/INT CONTEMP
2:25pm INT/ADV MOD. /OPEN SALSA/ INT HIP HOP
3:30pm INT. BALLET/BEG. YOGA/RHYTHM HIP HOP
10:05am KIDS HIP HOP / BEG. MODERN / LYRICAL
11:10am KIDS JAZZ/ JAZZ/ OPEN HIP HOP
12:15pm INT/ADV JAZZ/ INT. BALLET/ BEG. SALSA
1:20pm BEG. BALLET /LYRICAL/INT CONTEMP
2:25pm INT/ADV MOD. /OPEN SALSA/ INT HIP HOP
3:30pm INT. BALLET/BEG. YOGA/RHYTHM HIP HOP
For more info, check out Le Studio's website: www.lestudiodance.org
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Schedule update!
The summer intensive has begun and Melissa and I are truly excited about it! Everyone who participates will be eligible to join the studio's ballet company in the fall without having to audition for it - that's a good incentive, isn't it?
As a reminder, all of my adult classes for the next 2 weeks will be in session and the Tuesday class will start at 6:30 instead of 6PM. Which reminds me, starting in September, ALL of my adult classes will begin at 6:30 and I will be adding a second basic ballet class on Monday nights at 7:30 following my earlier class. Yay! It's a great class for beginners, for people who are coming back to class after an absence for whatever reason, or simply to work slowly and carefully on your skills.
My schedule at the bottom of the page will be updated for September.
Happy dancing and don't forget to check out the videos for some tips~
Leigh
As a reminder, all of my adult classes for the next 2 weeks will be in session and the Tuesday class will start at 6:30 instead of 6PM. Which reminds me, starting in September, ALL of my adult classes will begin at 6:30 and I will be adding a second basic ballet class on Monday nights at 7:30 following my earlier class. Yay! It's a great class for beginners, for people who are coming back to class after an absence for whatever reason, or simply to work slowly and carefully on your skills.
My schedule at the bottom of the page will be updated for September.
Happy dancing and don't forget to check out the videos for some tips~
Leigh
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Fit Ballet with Leigh - Pas de Cheval
Be sure to check out my older videos if you haven't had a chance:
Dégagé
5 Positions with Port de bras
Rond de jambe
Relevé
Tendu
Demi-Plié
Intro
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Pas de bourree v. Balance
A beginning student asked me recently, "What's the difference between 'pas de bourree' and 'balance'?" We had learned both steps within the space of a couple of weeks and she was confused, seeing as how both steps seemed to have 3 parts and involved shifting the weight from one foot to the other.
The question stopped me short. I knew I knew the difference and could show it to her but articulating it was another matter. First of all, let's look at the definitions:
Pas de bourree: It consists of three quick steps. It literally means 'Step of the Drunken Lady' and when done à la seconde the feet usually change positions (right left right or back, side, front). (Wikipedia)
Balance: A rocking step. A step that shifts body weight from one foot to the other, usually in 3/4 time. A balance may be performed by crossing the foot in front or in back. (About.com)
Btw, balance is often called a waltz step because it is done in 3/4 waltz time, da-dum-dum, da-dum-dum.
Now, here is the practical difference: with pas de bourree, we start with the weight on one foot and end on the other but with balance, we simply shift to one foot and then back. Try it yourself:
For pas de bourree, start with your feet in fifth position, right foot in front. Lift the left foot to coupe, step onto it, step side with the right foot and then step forward with the left. Your weight shifts from right to the left, to the right and to the left - back, side, front.
For balance, start with your feet in fifth position, right foot in front. Degage the right foot to the side, step onto it, bring the left foot to coupe behind the right and rock onto the ball of the foot and then settle back down onto the right foot. You've just done right, left, right.
And there you have it. Happy dancing!
The question stopped me short. I knew I knew the difference and could show it to her but articulating it was another matter. First of all, let's look at the definitions:
Pas de bourree: It consists of three quick steps. It literally means 'Step of the Drunken Lady' and when done à la seconde the feet usually change positions (right left right or back, side, front). (Wikipedia)
Balance: A rocking step. A step that shifts body weight from one foot to the other, usually in 3/4 time. A balance may be performed by crossing the foot in front or in back. (About.com)
Btw, balance is often called a waltz step because it is done in 3/4 waltz time, da-dum-dum, da-dum-dum.
Now, here is the practical difference: with pas de bourree, we start with the weight on one foot and end on the other but with balance, we simply shift to one foot and then back. Try it yourself:
For pas de bourree, start with your feet in fifth position, right foot in front. Lift the left foot to coupe, step onto it, step side with the right foot and then step forward with the left. Your weight shifts from right to the left, to the right and to the left - back, side, front.
For balance, start with your feet in fifth position, right foot in front. Degage the right foot to the side, step onto it, bring the left foot to coupe behind the right and rock onto the ball of the foot and then settle back down onto the right foot. You've just done right, left, right.
And there you have it. Happy dancing!
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