Monday, November 10, 2014

Classes while traveling?

Sorry about the rare updates. I used to write most of them on my phone using Bloggeroid, but for some reason I haven't been able to get them to post unless I have a WiFi connection. If I try using the cellular data connection, everything goes poof!

I've been getting to class a bit less regularly, but for good causes. Like an absolutely killer Halloween party only a 3.5 hour drive from home. No way to get to a weekend class when you're two states away late on a Saturday night. Still, I've managed to improve in some areas. It's becoming more common, though not yet routine, to be able to hold my balance in passé relevé on demi-pointe for longer and longer; Sunday I held it for several measures (not beats — MEASURES). I even got a called out by name for it! Woot! If I'd managed decent turns later in class I'd be even more excited.

Speaking of turns, last Tuesday's class is worthy of noting. We were doing a sequence which alternated piqué and soutenu turns, and the instructor wasn't happy with us. She felt we were sort-of going through the motions, rather than dancing with energy. I decided to really attack the combination while paying attention to spotting. Based on the whoop and compliment from the instructor, I must have done pretty well. Unfortunately that burned a lot of energy, and by the last exercise in class I was wiped out.

While I have your attention... does anyone have a recommendation for adult drop-in ballet classes in the Raleigh, Durham, or RTP area of North Carolina? It seems I may spend a few weeks there in the next few months.

How about the Boston suburbs out near I-495 nearish Rt 2? I guess I could trek into Boston proper for class, if it starts late enough in the evening.

5 comments:

  1. I know people who love Ninth Street Dance in Durham, a quirky but nice old studio that offers a range of different dance styles, including several levels of ballet for adults.

    The Ballet School of Chapel Hill is more of a traditional ballet school for students but has a range of evening adult classes as well.

    I hope you can find something that fits your travel schedule. Have fun! :)

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    Replies
    1. I looked at both your suggestions, but neither fit my schedule. I ended up at the Raleigh School of Ballet, which I liked aside from a somewhat higher fee than I'm used to.

      Thanks for the suggestions!

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  2. Some friend of mine recommend the Boston Ballet's evening adult classes. Their Newtonville location (west of the city) might fit your needs:

    http://www.bostonballet.org/school/adults/adult-open-classes.html

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  3. Ugh, wish I knew of more stuff in that part of Mass. The Newton studio of Boston Ballet School offers great classes and if you have time might be worth a trek (it's relatively easy to get to off of either 95 or 90). The evening classes there start at 7pm.

    The other studios I know of are even farther away from there: Boston Ballet School in Boston proper; Jose Mateo or the Dance Complex, both in Cambridge; or New England Movement Arts in Burlington.

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  4. If you are in the Durham, NC area again for work, you can visit the Barriskill Dance Theater School at http://barriskilldance.com/classes/adults/. The studio is located in the Hope Valley area of Durham, and is located near the Shannon Road Post Office. The studio offers several levels for Adult Ballet classes, as well as other dance genres (ie. salsa, tango) throughout the week. I have been taking the "Adult Ballet Basics I" since August, as I have no prior dance experience to speak of. I really like it.

    ReplyDelete

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