Discover the Joy of Ballet for Absolute Beginners at Sydney Dance Company
When seeking advice from my ballet instructor, the talented Mia, regarding tips for absolute beginners, she simply says: “Just have fun!” That’s the first thing you need to know about Ballet for Absolute Beginners at Sydney Dance Company – it’s a 90-minute drop-in class specially designed for individuals who have already completed the four-part Introduction to Ballet series.
But don’t fret if you’re like me, a genuine novice (with my closest encounter to ballet being grabbing a plastic ballerina off a cake at a child’s birthday party). Mia assures me that even without knowing the names of ballet positions, it’s possible to keep up in the class.
When it comes to footwear, ankle socks, whether striped or not, are perfectly suitable for absolute beginners. You don’t need fancy ballet shoes just yet.
This encouraging information from Mia gives me hope, but I still have my doubts. The Sydney Dance Company describes classical ballet as an art form characterized by precise steps, elegant poses, and graceful movements such as pointed feet, rising, jumping, stretching, and spinning. It requires strength, discipline, and stylization – qualities that seem far from my couch-bound, puzzle-playing self.
With Mia’s words of encouragement in mind, I confidently join a group at the barre, a wooden bar used for support during ballet exercises. Two individuals with impeccable posture and ballet shoes are already there while I don my striped ankle socks. But that’s perfectly acceptable for a beginner like me.
We start with simple exercises: standing with our heels together, feet and toes pointing outwards to 180 degrees (known as first position), and bending the knees (plié). Mia guides us, instructing us to imagine floaties (those inflatable arm bands) under our arms when we hold them in front of us. We then come up on our toes and raise our arms above our heads, which, in my case, results in a bit of wobbling.
The first 45 minutes of the class are dedicated to barre exercises that gradually increase in difficulty. We learn short sequences involving pointed feet, bent knees, sweeping movements with our feet, and corresponding arm movements. The more experienced students demonstrate gracefulness that extends all the way to their fingertips.
After practicing the sequences several times, we perform them to the accompaniment of lively piano pieces, occasionally switching it up with Christina Aguilera’s “Beautiful.” By the end, I find myself apologizing to my toes for not communicating with them more often but also demanding they leap into action.
The second half of the class takes place in the center of the studio, away from the barre. It’s time to jump and eventually work our way up to pirouettes. Mia suggests that if we can’t keep up, we can simply jump on the spot. As we attempt pirouettes, some individuals twirl elegantly en pointe like seasoned dancers.
Meanwhile, Tia, a fellow newbie in the back row, and I burst into laughter as we try our best to keep up. “I’m just jumping on the spot,” she gleefully remarks.
My attempts at a pirouette resemble nothing more than walking in a small circle. This advanced section of the class proves to be a challenge for us, although I later learn that Tia danced ballet for six or seven years during her childhood.
Overall, this class is perfect for those returning to ballet after a break or for individuals who have completed an Introduction to Ballet course. Having prior knowledge of ballet terminology definitely adds to the enjoyment.
As the class concludes, I become acutely aware of the weight of my arms. However, it is also immensely satisfying to hold them above my head while standing on my tippy-toes. I may not be a ballerina just yet, but I am finding balance.
The Sydney Dance Company offers adult ballet classes ranging from beginner to advanced levels, as well as a four-week Introduction to Ballet course. Step into the world of ballet and embark on a beautiful journey of self-expression and movement.
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