Ballet Technique with Stephen Baranovics

One of the problems with learning ballet as an adult is that you often don't get an organized, comprehensive introduction. Instead you jump into a class with other adults, some of whom know what they're doing and others who are just as lost. There are many parts of ballet I can do without thinking about it, and others of which I'm clueless.

If I was starting over from scratch I might take MYB's Intro to Ballet enrollment classes, but after six years of classes I think they're targeted a bit lower than I need. So I was intrigued by the announcement of a four-day ballet technique workshop being offered by the Washington School of Ballet (the school associated with the Washington Ballet professional company). Here's an excerpt from the flier:

Ballet Technique with Stephen Baranovics 

Sundays 9:30am-11:00am
October 15th-November 5th
Cost: $76 for all 4 classes


Pre-registration is required. No drop-ins.

This four-week workshop is designed for students with a minimum of 2 years of ballet training to help them strengthen their technique and provide the tools to move to the next level. The workshop will cover the 7 movements of ballet as well as pirouettes, jumps and turns.

Sign up online, at the front desk, or by calling 202.349.0261.

Class will be held at the Joseph C. Coleman Studios (The Joe), 3308 Wisconsin Ave. NW.

www.washingtonballet.org/adult-classes 

Stephen Baranovics also teaches a class for younger boys at MYB immediately before the Saturday Beginner II class I often take. Some years ago our instructor for was suddenly taken ill on her way to class, and he substituted during barre. I've been curious about taking a full class with him ever since. I've taken a very few classes taught by male instructors, and I find the differences in technique to be very helpful.

I decided to sign up for this class, despite it meaning that I have to get up at some horrendously early hour on a Sunday morning. I hope it's worth it!