Ballet With Leigh - Los Angeles

Let me be your mirror

2012-02-07T18:07:00.000-08:00

Our studios are filled with mirrors. Our images are everywhere we turn. You can't escape looking at yourself the moment you walk into the room. If you've grown up with this, as I have, it's just part of the classroom experience.

As a student, I use the mirror to check my alignment. As a dancer, I use it to review my performance quality. As a teacher, I ignore it.

Yes, it's true! I somehow manage to teach classes every single day without actually seeing myself. I mean, of course, I notice my reflection but I refer to it only when I'm demonstrating. When I'm facing the mirror, I am looking through it and behind me at my students to see what they are doing, if they are catching on. I'm at the point where I can dance with my nose pressed to the mirror and still not see myself! Sometimes I have no idea what I'm wearing or whether my earrings match until after I get home.

Many students, especially beginners or those who come to ballet later in life, don't know how to look at the mirror. Some of them can't tear their eyes away from their reflections; some can't even look at their reflections. Lots of them don't know what they should be looking at or for.

That's where I come in. Let me tell you what to look at and when. Let me tell you what I see. Let me be your mirror. All images -photographs or reflections - lie. They whisper to you that you're fat or clumsy or unattractive - or conversely that you're doing everything right. I am your teacher and I will tell you the truth. The mirror doesn't care if you improve or if you notice when you're doing things right. But I do.

Happy dancing~

Why do a floor barre?

2012-01-27T14:04:00.000-08:00

About two months ago, one of my students whom I work with en pointe became injured. She couldn't releve or do a traditional ballet class but was reluctant to merely rest until she'd healed. She (and I) didn't want to lose her strength or flexibility that comes from consistent technique class. So I suggested we do floor barre for a while. Since I wasn't entirely sure how to construct one, I reviewed notes I'd gotten from Nichelle Strzepek of Dance Advantage (one of my very favorite dance web sites) and started with that. Using some of Nichelle's guidelines and suggested exercises, I built my own floor barre class.

And then....I became addicted to it! Seriously. Well, maybe not quite so seriously. Part of it was the novelty of a new type of class (which always fires up my creative energy) but another part was how engaged certain muscles were. For instance, I talk a LOT about the importance of inner thigh work, why we must engage the tops of the legs for turnout and lift, for pirouettes and adagio and more. But it's not always easy to identify those incredibly necessary muscles. With a floor barre, you cannot cheat very easily. And without the distraction of epaulement and port de bras, there is nothing else to focus on but using your abdominal muscles and inner thighs to rotate and lift the legs. Genius!

A proper floor barre will mimic much of the same exercises we do in a traditional class. But it will also include core work: situps and crunches to work the obliques, pushups or yoga-type positions for the upper body (which almost never gets worked in ballet class). My class also incorporates lots of static stretching for increased flexibility.

Perhaps the best part of the class is the end! When you leave, you really do feel a sense of euphoria because nearly every part of your body has been engaged at some point. You've also, hopefully, pushed yourself a little beyond what you normally might do. There's something about the anonymity of laying on your back with no one else to see you and no mirror in which to see yourself that allows you to push farther. Maybe it's the lack of pretense, the lack of performance involved, that lets you simply work the muscles properly and get in touch with your center.

A floor barre will never take the place of a traditional class but it's of great benefit to just about every type of student and I heartily recommend it. For anyone interested in trying class with me, I teach a stretch/floor barre on Thursdays from 5:30-6:30PM at Le Studio. I'll be there, for sure, even if you don't show up! That's how addicted I am!

Cheers, happy dancing and stretching and super special thanks to Nichelle!

New class coming in February!

2012-01-20T08:26:00.000-08:00

I’m so excited to be adding a brand new class to myschedule, this one at Dance Arts Academy on Wednesdays at 11AM. Alittle bit later for you (and me!) who need some extra time in the mornings toget going. But it ends at 12:30, which to me still says morning. I chose the time because I think people wantto finish earlier and have the rest of the afternoon to do whatever it is theyneed to do.

It will be an Intermediate level ballet class for adults andfor older teens as well. Very similar tothe class I offer at DAA on Monday mornings at 9:30AM. The only difference is that I will bedevoting the last 15 minutes of the class to something special. Perhaps it will be original choreography orsome contemporary ballet phrases that I want to work on (did someone say ZombieBallet?), or maybe it’s stretching and core fitness (pushups and sit-ups,anyone?). All I know is that I want togive the class a fun and exciting twist!

I hope you’ll put it on your schedule too!

What: Intermediate Ballet

Where: Dance Arts Academy, 731 So. La Brea, LA

When: Wednesdays, 11AM-12:30PM

Cost: $15/class (discount available with a class card)

Begins February 1st! Happy dancing~

(And stay tuned for the next post when I discuss how the Pirouette Workshop went!)

In 2012, I resolve to...

2011-12-26T14:30:00.000-08:00

1. Start new ventures with both caution and enthusiasm.

Reason: I need to broaden my horizons as a teacher and a student. My current schedule is not working for me the way I want it to but I have been either too busy to change - or too afraid.

2. Don't expect everything to be perfect.

Reason: As above, I have to go forward with gusto but also with the understanding that not everything I touch will turn to gold. Whether that means a class I'm currently teaching or one I want to start or one I want to take, I have to recognize that most things fail. If something succeeds, hurrah! If not, move on!!

3. Be more in the moment beyond the classroom.

Reason: When I'm teaching, I forget everything outside the room. I love that! That's the feeling I want to have all the time.

4. Stop playing the blame game.

Reason: I worry constantly about whether students will come to class. I worry about the weather keeping them away, the prices keeping them away, and so on. I blame myself when they don't attend. I have to remember that 99% of the time, it has nothing to do with me. And that 1%? Unless people tell me, I may never know!

5. Do more self-promotion.

Reason: I have long believed that the best advertising for my class is me: I take class, people see me, they like the way I dance or chat with them, they come. Or word-of-mouth: they come, they recommend me. This is totally passive! I need to be more active, including asking my current students to recommend me to their friends or write positive reviews of me on my Yelp page.

**And to get started on #5, here's my Yelp page if you want to recommend me: http://www.yelp.com/biz/adult-ballet-class-with-leigh-purtill-los-angeles (Thanks!!)

Happy New Year and may your life be filled with joy and dance~

2011-12-09T12:58:00.001-08:00

For all of my local students, please note my holiday schedule plus special price breaks through the end of the year at both Le Studio in Pasadena and at Dance Arts Academy in LA.

At Le Studio:
--ALL of my classes continue through the holidays
--**Special price: morning classes on Saturday, Dec 24th and Saturday, Dec 31st are only $10 each!
--New Stretch class for strengthening and flexibility on Thursdays, 5:30-6:30PM

At DAA:
--Class continues through the holidays
--**Special price: if you buy a 5-class card before the end of 2011, you will get one class free! Can be used thru 2/2012.
--**Special price: if you bring a friend in during the month of January (a new student), you each pay only $11!

I want you all to stay fit and stay sane through the holidays!

Be well and happy dancing~

Q&A with Carol Tanzman, author of "Dancergirl"

2011-12-06T09:00:00.000-08:00

A few weeks ago, I reviewed the novel, "Dancergirl," a YA thriller about a dancer who's being stalked online. Here is the review I posted.

Carol's book launched last week and even though she's massively busy, she graciously agreed to answer a few questions for us.

1.Somany of the dance scenes with Ali feel very realistic. Have you studieddance?

WhenI was five, I took tap lessons. A few years later, I added beginning ballet fora couple of years (until the dance teacher got divorced and moved away!). Icredit my sense of rhythm to those early lessons. In college, I took modern tofulfill my “dance for actors” requirement. When I had my first theatre company, I hired four actors, two dancerswho could act, and a composer/pianist. I was very influenced by the totaltheatre movement, which utilized all three art forms to create plays.Specifically for dancergirl, ittaught me that, in terms of performance issues, dancers and actors are verysimilar.

2. Music is so important for dancers and choreographers. Did you have aplaylist when you were writing?

Iput together a SpotifyDancergirl Playlist that Ali might listen to at home: Adele, Janelle Monae,Florence + the Machine, The Black Keys, Chiddy Bang, Matt & Kim, Robyn,Eleanor Friedberger, Glossary.

3.Did any specific incident inspire this story?

Yes.I know a teenager who lives in Brooklyn who had a very creepy experience with astalker. That literally became the seed from which the book grew.

4. You're a teacher and theater director. Do you see the same issues youexplore here arising in other art forms as well?

Interms of performance – absolutely. The stress of auditioning is the samewhether it’s dancing or acting. Performance nerves are … performance nerves nomatter what the art form. It’s part of why writing those scenes were not astretch for me.

5. Without spoiling the ending for readers, did you ever consider a differentending with a different stalker or did you know from the moment you startedwriting it who it was?

Iknew who it was from the beginning! It was probably the only thing I did knowfor sure. However, part of the point of a psychological thriller isn’t justfiguring out who the bad guy. It’s watching how it affects the maincharacter--and feeling the tension––along with her.

6. Were there any "a-ha" moments when you were writing? Didcharacters surprise you at all?

Somany “a-ha” moments. Characters surprise me all the time. Since my training isin theatre and improvisation, I try to stay open to characters and let themreally speak. It sometimes leads me down paths that end up as dead ends (whichis why revising – and the delete button–-were invented) but it also leads tomany moments that I hadn’t planned for which usually means – the reader issurprised, too.

7. What sort of research did you have to do for the book?

I did two kinds of research. One iswhat I like to call location scouting. I used to live in Brooklyn (although I’mnow an L.A. resident.) During the writing of dancergirl, I visited the city and spent a couple of days takingpictures of places that I thought I might use in the book: e.g. The BrooklynPromenade, a rooftop, the park. It’s a way to remind myself of sensory detailsso that when I’m writing in my home office, scenes have an authentic feel. Ialso do what I call fact-checking. Because of the dance lessons I took as botha child and in college, I have a sense of how modern classes work. For each ofthose scenes and sequences, I wrote a rough draft, and then asked aprofessional dancer to go over them so that they’d be totally accurate.

8.You have another thriller coming out next summer. Can you describe the processof writing a thriller?

Ialways start from characters. My main character comes first. I decide what shemost wants in life – and then, tricky author that I am, choose what will get inher way! After that, I sketch out a plot outline with just enough detail to getme started.

9.Do you ever think about your characters after you finish a book? Do youthink about where they might go next?

Inever think about what happens to my characters after it ends. That comes frombeing a theatre director. When a play is over– and you’re sitting right therein the theatre–-you can sense the audience thinking about what happens next. I feel that if I decide,it will somehow take that choice away from the reader. I believe a good book(and play) leave multiple options at the end. It’s the magical part of thecreative process. It’s the place where a reader meets the author and thecharacters. When done right, the reader then gets to participate in a moment offurther creation as she thinks about will happen next.

10.Scenario: your book is optioned for film...who plays Ali in the movie version?

NayaRivera from Glee plays Ali; apunked-out Natalie Portman plays Eva, the choreography teacher!

Thanks so much for coming by, Carol! Readers and dancers, want to own a copy of this fun book or give to a friend? Go to your local bookstore (of course!) or order online at Amazon or Barnes & Noble.

And for more info about Carol Tanzman, be sure to check her web site, her Facebook, or her Twitter page.

Out with the old, in with the new - class!

2011-11-12T16:45:00.001-08:00

Announcing a slight change to my schedule at Le Studio in Pasadena. Beginning this Thursday, November 17, I will be replacing my basic ballet class with a stretch/fitness class, from 5:30-6:30.

Sometimes at the end of a day sitting in front of your computer, all you want to do is stretch, to feel your muscles elongate and the tension ease out of your body. And then top it off with a few sit-ups! Yes, why not! The class will incorporate barre and floor stretches plus a little core work to hold our centers together - but not so much we feel like we've been in a Pilates class.

A stretch class is great for the days when you want to move but you don't want to dance! It's a good way to energize without exhausting yourself and ease into the end of your week. Hope to see some of you there!

Where: Le Studio, 57 Palmetto Dr, Pasadena, CA 91106
When: Thursdays, 5:30-6:30, beginning 11/17
Wear: comfortable shirt and pants, socks or bare feet

Happy moving~

Mark your calendars! $10 class!

2011-11-10T09:06:00.001-08:00

My Second Annual post-Thanksgiving $10 class special will be held on Friday, November 25 from 9:30-11AM! This is an open level class, similar to my Friday evening or Saturday morning class, and all are welcome.

Note: Classes at Le Studio are closed on Thursday, 11/24 (Thanksgiving Day) and Friday, 11/25 (except for my class!) and will open on Saturday, 11/26.

What: $10 Adult Open Level Ballet
Where: Le Studio, 57 Palmetto Dr, Pasadena, CA
When: 9:30-11AM, Friday, November 25

Zombie Ballet/Dancergirl book trailer!

2011-10-25T14:51:00.000-07:00

Check this out! Author Carol Tanzman, whose book DANCERGIRL I loved and reviewed not long ago, put together an amazing book trailer using a portion of my Zombie Ballet and included my dancers too!

Zombie Ballet, performed at ArtNight Pasadena, Oct 14th, 2011

This is only half of it. Once my Ninja Webmaster finishes cutting the other videos, I'll post the whole thing.

One-time only schedule change for Friday night

2011-10-12T08:29:00.000-07:00

Please note: For those of you who take class with me on Friday afternoons or evening in Pasadena, there will be NO classes on October 14th, due to the Zombie Ballet performance. If you can, please come to my Saturday morning class at 10AM. Otherwise I will see you next Friday!

Zombie Ballet & ArtNight Pasadena schedule

2011-10-11T14:04:00.000-07:00

Since everyone's been asking (thank you!), here is the schedule for the ArtNight Pasadena events at ARC (A Room to Create) studio/theater:

ART NIGHT ARC PARTICIPANTS/Friday, October 14, 2011

6:00-6:15 Pennington Dance Group

6:20-6:30 Leigh Purtill and Dancers (Zombie Ballet!)

6:35-6:45 Pasadena Civic Ballet

6:45-7:05 Laurie Sefton-ClairobscurDance

7:10-7:20 Leigh Purtill and Dancers (Zombie Ballet again!)

7:25-7:35 Deborah Rosen Dancers

7:40- 8:10 Benita Bike

8:10-8:30 Danza Floricanto

8:30-8:50 Paula Present -Ptero Dance

8:55-9:05 Jessica Kondrath

9:05-10:00: Laurie Sefton, Pennington Dance Group, Deborah Rosen & Ptero Dance

As you can see, my group of 19 fantastic dancers is performing the Zombie Ballet twice on Friday night, at 6:20 and again at 7:10. I am very excited to watch Pennington Dance Group and my friend Laurie's Clairobscur Dance. Two amazing modern dance companies!

These times are approximate, of course. When you're dealing with such a large number of dances and dancers, you never know exactly how long things will take! My piece is under 2 minutes, just fyi...

Here is the address for ARC:

1158 East Colorado Blvd. (west of Michigan Ave and across the street from Michael's crafts)

Pasadena, California 91106

http://www.arcpasadena.org

Entrance in back. Parking on side streets or in the back of the theater. There will be food trucks plus free shuttles to take people to other performance venues and galleries. And it's all free!

15 Truths About Being a Professional Dancer

2011-10-10T14:52:00.000-07:00

I didn't write this but I wish I had. Melanie at the blog, BalletPages, did and very kindly allowed me to reprint it here. As she noted at the top of her blog post, it was inspired in part by Marc and Angel of Marc and Angel Hack Life. Dancers, please pay special attention to #3 and #8. As a teacher, I know I need to absorb #5 and #11. Thank you, Melanie!

1. Dance is hard. – No dancer ever became successful riding on their natural born talents only. Dancers are artists and athletes. The world of dance today is akin to an extreme sport. Natural ability and talent will only get us so far. Dancers must work hard and persevere. Dancers give years of their lives plus their sweat, tears and sometimes blood to have honor and pleasure of performing on stage

2. You won’t always get what you want. – We don’t always get the role we wanted, go on pointe when we want, get the job we want hear the compliments we want, make the money we want, see companies run the way we want, etc, etc. This teaches us humility and respect for the process, the art form and the masters we have chosen to teach us. The faster we accept this, the faster we can get on with being brilliant. We’ll never be 100% sure it will work, but we can always be 100% sure doing nothing won’t work.

3. There’s a lot you don’t know. – There is always more a dancer can learn. Even our least favorite teachers, choreographers and directors can teach us something. The minute we think we know it all, we stop being a valuable asset.

4. There may not be a tomorrow. – A dancer never knows when their dance career will suddenly vanish… a company folds, career ending injury, car accident, death…Dance every day as if it is the final performance. Don’t save the joy of dance for the stage. Infuse even your routine classroom exercises with passion!

5. There’s a lot you can’t control. – You can’t control who hires you, who fires you, who likes your work, who doesn’t, the politics of being in a company. Don’t waste your talent and energy worrying about things you can’t control. Focus on honing your craft, being the best dancer you can be. Keep an open mind and a positive attitude.

6. Information is not true knowledge. – Knowledge comes from experience. You can discuss a task a hundred times, go to 1000 classes, but unless we get out there and perform we will only have a philosophical understanding of dance. Find opportunities to get on stage. You must experience performance firsthand to call yourself a professional dancer.

7. If you want to be successful, prove you are valuable. – The fastest way out of a job is to prove to your employer they don’t need you. Instead, be indispensable. Show up early, know your material, be prepared, keep your opinions to yourself unless they are solicited and above all be willing to work hard.

8. Someone else will always have more than you/be better than you. – Whether its jobs or money or roles or trophies, it does not matter. Rather than get caught up in the drama about what others are doing around you, focus on the things you are good at, the things you need to work on and the things that make you happiest as a dancer.

9. You can’t change the past. – Everyone has a past. Everyone has made mistakes, and everyone has glorious moments they want to savor. “Would you keep a chive in your tooth just because you enjoyed last night’s potato? Boston Common TV Series. Dance is an art form that forces us to concentrate on the present. To be a master at dance we have be in the moment; the minute the mind wanders, injuries happen. If they do, see #12.

10. The only person who can make you happy is you. – Dancing in and of itself cannot make us happy. The root of our happiness comes from our relationship with ourselves, not from how much money we make, what part we were given, what company we dance for, or how many competitions we won. Sure these things can have effects on our mood, but in the long run it’s who we are on the inside that makes us happy.

11. There will always be people who don’t like you. – Dancers are on public display when they perform and especially in this internet world, critics abound. You can’t be everything to everyone. No matter what you do, there will always be someone who thinks differently. So concentrate on doing what you know in your heart is right. What others think and say about you isn’t all that important. What is important is how you feel about yourself.

12. Sometimes you will fail. – Sometimes, despite our best efforts, following the best advice, being in the right place at the right time, we still fail. Failure is a part of life. Failure can be the catalyst to some of our greatest growth and learning experiences. If we never failed, we would never value our successes. Be willing to fail. When it happens to you (because it will happen to you), embrace the lesson that comes with the failure.

13. Sometimes you will have to work for free. – Every professional dancer has at one time or another had to work without pay. If you are asked to work for free, be sure that you are really ok with it. There are many good reasons to work for free, and there are just as many reasons not to work for free. Ask yourself if the cause is worthy, if the experience is worth it, if it will bring you joy. Go into the situation fully aware of the financial agreement and don’t expect a hand out later.

14. Repetition is good. Doing the same thing over and over expecting a different result is insane. – If you keep doing what you’re doing, you’ll keep getting what you’re getting. If you keep doing the bare minimum of required classes, don’t complain to your teacher when you don’t move up to the next level. If you only give the bare minimum in your company, be happy staying in the corps. If you want to grow beyond your comfort zone, you must push yourself beyond your self imposed limitations.

15. You will never feel 100% ready. – Nobody ever feels 100% ready when an opportunity arises. Dancers have to be willing to take risks. From letting go of the ballet barre to balance, to moving around the world to dance with a new company, from trusting a new partner to trying a new form of dance, dancers must have a flexible mind and attitude as well as body. The greatest opportunities in life force us to grow beyond our comfort zones, which means you won’t feel totally comfortable or ready for it.

Book review: dancergirl by Carol Tanzman

2011-10-06T08:39:00.000-07:00

(From Goodreads)
EVER FEEL LIKE SOMEONE’S WATCHING YOU?
ME TOO.
BUT LATELY IT’S BEEN HAPPENING IN MY ROOM.
WHEN I’M ALONE.

A friend posted a video of me dancing online, and now I’m no longer Alicia Ruffino. I’m dancergirl. And suddenly it’s like me against the world—everyone’s got opinions.

My admirers want more, the haters hate, my best friend Jacy—even he’s acting weird. And some stalker isn’t content to just watch anymore.

Ali. dancergirl. Whatever you know me as, however you’ve seen me online, I’ve trained my whole life to be the best dancer I can be. But if someone watching has their way, I could lose way more than just my love of dancing. I could lose my life.(less)

Ali Ruffino loves to dance. She's got lots of friends, lots of people who would like to be her - and she has a stalker. But who is he? And what does he want from her?

There are so many ways for me to read this book: as a dancer, as a teacher, as a YA writer. As a dancer, I loved Ali's passion for the art form. Anyone who dances will understand and empathize with her need to express her creativity, her inner soul through movement, as well as the sheer joy she feels moving her body. As a teacher, I feel like I got an insight into the many pressures a young dancer has in her life, things I may have forgotten about. And as a YA writer, well, this was a page-turner from the opening chapter and that's the way I like my thrillers - unputdownable!

Our culture's current fascination with YouTube, with getting our 15 minutes of fame, with quick sound bites that we use to define people, are dealt with head-on in "dancergirl." We see how Ali wants to have things both ways: popularity and fame as a dancer on the web, yet respectful privacy in her daily life. As she soon finds, it's nearly impossible to keep secrets once you are in the public eye, for whatever reason.

Ultimately, beneath the trappings of the dance world, this story is a thriller, and it definitely thrills. Tanzman keeps upping the stakes of the game for Ali, who indeed takes it as a game at first until things escalate beyond her control. I thought I knew who the bad guy was - and then Tanzman took it away - again and again and again! LOL - I discovered it the same moment as our heroes, and it wasn't a "butler did it" solution either.

You don't have to love dance to love "dancergirl" but if you do, I think you will find an extra layer of fun and self-discovery within its pages. Tanzman nails the details - the many hours of work and dedication required, the trials and troubles of choreography, the physical joy and pain dancers feel, and especially the competition and jealousy that go along with this very special world.

dancergirl will be available from Harlequin Teen Nov 15th but you can preorder at Amazon and other online stores now.

How much do I love dance? Let me count the ways...

2011-10-04T14:32:00.000-07:00

Last night, I had a new student in one of my classes who told me she used to dance when she was younger. When I asked her what she'd like from class now, she mentioned better health, which I'm always happy to hear, but also that she wanted to move again. For those of us who dance, whose lives revolve around dance, we completely understand and identify with this feeling. Whether you've been away from dance for personal reasons or injury, returning can be a joyous occasion.

Recently I've had to step away from taking classes for myself which is a tremendous hardship because I find solace in a class both emotionally and physically. Teaching, as much as I love sharing my knowledge and passion for dance, is simply not the same. But there is a peril to teaching as often as I do and that is the overuse injury. We tend to demonstrate steps using the same leg all the time (typically the right) so we can become injured in either the standing leg or working leg because we overuse it. For me, it was a hip flexor issue and I have had to curtail much of my demonstrating on that side.

But after two weeks of being very good to my leg, icing it and heating it often, and keeping it low when I demonstrate, I was able to return to my own class this morning. I was still careful, of course, but I did every exercise in class - and what a joyous occasion it was! I wanted to shout out, "I love dance with every fiber of my being, every cell of my body!" This being LA, probably no one would have even noticed or cared that some middle-aged lady was yelling about ballet.

As much as I teach, as many hours as I spend in the studio, I still love ballet. Love it. LOVE. IT. Returning from an injury makes me realize how important it is to me on so many levels. I write this post not to caution you about taking care of yourself so you can dance til you're old ladies and gentlemen (although you should!) but to encourage you to come back if you've been gone for a while. You will feel the joy in your bones.

Book Review: "Every Step You Take" by Jock Soto

2011-09-22T10:12:00.000-07:00

Jock Soto, who retired from his role as a principal dancer with New York City Ballet in 2005, has written a memoir that is both affectionate and affecting. It is a sweet ode to his mother, who passed away three years ago and who was instrumental in the way his dance career - indeed his life - unfolded.

Mama Jo Soto was a Native American who married a Puerto Rican man against the wishes of her entire clan. Mr. Soto's reactions to her dying, her death, and the husband she left behind, play out against his memories of his own life as a professional dancer. This is not a tell-all about Mr. B or the dancers of NYCB in the 80s and 90s. Although Mr. Soto acknowledges his adolescent outbursts, his dalliances with older men, and his forays into New York City nightlife, this is not salacious material.

Instead the reader is rewarded with an intimate look into the world of professional ballet. Following Mr. Soto's rise from a tiny Phoenix, Arizona studio to the hallowed stages of City Ballet in New York, we see also his rise from an insecure and naive young adult to a confident yet humble man. Throughout his life he struggled with the duality of worrying that he left his family behind because of his chosen profession and desperately needing freedom to explore the great big world. Although much of Mr. Soto's absence from his family's life was due to ballet, it was also in part because of the tension that existed between himself and his father over his being gay. He admits to purposefully staying away from his family because of this - and it tortured him until his mother's death.

Personally, I was happy to read about Mr. Soto's ascension to esteemed principal. I loved hearing about his passion for ballet, for choreography - and for his ballerinas. I loved how he called them - Heather Watts, Darci Kistler, Lourdes Lopez - "my ballerinas." He forged several remarkable friendships with these women which was reflected in their work onstage. The best kinds of dance partnerships are built on mutual trust, and this is also true of choreographers. Mr. Soto had an intimate relationship with the amazingly talented choreographer, Christopher Wheeldon, but their professional partnership also resulted in thrilling work.

As a teacher, I also loved reading Mr. Soto's comments about technique and the methods he uses to teach the students at SAB. He tells male dancers to become invisible behind their ballerinas, to place their hands in such a way that the audience can't see them, and above all, NEVER drop a ballerina (a very important lesson he learned the hard way from Heather Watts). Partnering is all about the ballerina because, as Balanchine famously declared, "Ballet is woman." Not that we can live without fabulous male dancers!

Mr. Soto's memoir is a quick, fun read. That he was so talented and gifted yet remained humble throughout his career, always hungry for more and never complacent, is a wonderful guideline for all of us. As he transitions to a career involving cooking - his second love - he will no doubt bring that same passion to the rest of his life.

Special thanks to Danielle Plafsky at HarperCollins for sending me an advance reader copy. This book will be available Oct. 4, 2011 and can be ordered at Amazon here, among other online stores.

Nota bene...

2011-09-19T16:11:00.000-07:00

...I'm changing the name of my class at Dance Arts Academy on Monday mornings to "Intermediate" from "Beg/Int." Nothing is changing - not one thing - but it's a better reflection of the class level. I fear that I have had too many students come to the class thinking it's for beginners when really it's for more experienced dancers. They come once, proclaim its awesomeness, then never return. Now, there certainly could be other reasons for this but I have a gut feeling it's because the class was too complex for them and they were too shy to tell me that.

And my current students, who are more experienced dancers, have told me that my notion of "easy" or "simple" or "beginner" is not what other people consider as such. So, I have to go with what the real level of the class is, teach to it, and not feel pressured to make it easier just because the original class in that time slot was called Beg/Int.

So there you go. Happy dancing~

New classes at Le Studio!

2011-09-09T12:46:00.000-07:00

For my students who are interested in pointe work with me, you have 2 options:

Mondays, 6-6:30PM, Basic Pointe - for adults and teens who are brand new or coming back from an injury, this is perfect. Strengthen the ankles and feet, work on turnout and lift. Mostly barre work.

Saturdays, 11:30AM-12:30PM, Pointe 1 - for adults and teens who may have some pointe experience already or newbies who are strong and can handle a full hour. This class will focus on barre for at least half the class and then progress to some work off the barre for those who can.

I am also teaching the Teen Ballet on Fridays, 4:30-5:30PM. This is an open level class, designed for all of our student division dancers. More experienced dancers can take it en pointe while less experienced ones can do it flat. The Senior Ballet Company rehearsal will follow from 5:30-6:30 very soon!

Can you be perfect?

2011-09-01T14:25:00.000-07:00

Don't spend too long thinking about the answer. I'll tell you: no, you cannot. And you shouldn't try to be. Good things happen when you fail in ballet. (Not "fall," that's a different matter altogether.)

One of the biggest differences between beginning ballet students who are adults and those who are children is that the kids just throw themselves into turns and jumps, usually without any regard for form. Adults, on the other hand, are often too smart for their own good. They think and think and ponder and then very tentatively attempt one pirouette. They are afraid to do it wrong. They want it to be perfect.

It ain't gonna happen.

Gillian Murphy, one of the most gifted dancers in the world yet only occasionally perfect!

When you go for a double pirouette instead of a single - and you tip over- that tells you something. Where you weight is. Where your arms are (or are not). What your head is doing. And so on. All of those things lead you to better pirouettes the next time around. Don't bother analyzing a thing before you try it. Just try it and then analyze it.

One of the most important things you can do in the center is to free your mind and allow yourself to move. The discipline we learn at the barre, the constant repetition of steps and corrections, the little voice that is me (your teacher) telling you to always lift up your hips, etc. - all of these things are important for you to incorporate and then forget when you come to the center. You don't want to be actively thinking about those corrections; the goal is for them to happen on their own because you have done them so many times. Then when you do turns or jumps or adagio, the dancing takes over and you give yourself room in your brain to concentrate on other things like artistry and expression.

You can't be perfect. No one can. Even the most gorgeous and naturally gifted ballerina will only be perfect for a moment in time. As with any athlete, constant training is necessary to achieve even one second of perfection.

With the change of seasons comes a season of change

2011-08-28T13:11:00.000-07:00

How philosophical, lol!! I happen to love Fall, no matter where I am (and contrary to public opinion, we do have our own version of Fall in Los Angeles!). But typically, this season brings changes for people's lives, good and bad. This post is sort of a catch-all as I reflect on some changes in my life...yes, good and bad.

First of all, of course, is studio stuff. Melissa Waters, my partner in crime (!), has moved back to Florida to be with her family and while I'm happy for her, this does mean some changes for me and the other teachers (and students!). On Mondays, I will take on her pointe class from 6-6:30PM and on Fridays, I will take over the teen open ballet class from 5-6:30PM.

Susie and I will also be doing Nutcracker without her and that is a loss of great talent and creativity. Melissa kept us on our toes (no ballet pun intended!) and she did so much with the girls of the company. We will do our best to do another great show but it will be tough without her.

Then there is change among my own teachers. One of my very favorite teachers, Patrick Frantz, has canceled a class I took with him on Saturdays which makes me sad. Not only did I get tremendous feedback from him about my own technique, I also got inspired as a teacher whenever I took class. I saw the nuanced corrections he would make with a student and that would give me ideas for my own students.

On the plus side, though, I'm excited about choreographing my Zombie Ballet for ArtNight in Pasadena (more on that as it develops) for my teen and adult students. I find that, as I age, I love choreographing much more. When I was younger, I think I used to want to perform or my expectations of my dancers would be so astronomically high that it was frustrating for me. Now, I love seeing my students develop and take on roles, making them their own. It challenges me and my creativity.

Another happy moment for me is my new yoga class with Susie at the studio. She introduced me to yoga this summer and now I'm really looking forward to continuing it this Fall.

Overall, I think everything will balance out. Good, bad, it will all be fine in the end. Things are cyclical, as my husband reminds me, and somehow they will work out. I may experience negative things for a while but that will only force me to make positive changes.

Happy dancing~

Underwater ballet...

2011-08-26T14:08:00.001-07:00

Maybe after I finish my Zombie Ballet, I will do an Underwater Ballet...

Upcoming ballet intensive at Le Studio

2011-08-12T15:28:00.001-07:00

From August 22nd through August 26th, Melissa Waters and I are holding our 3rd annual ballet intensive at Le Studio in Pasadena. All ages and levels are welcome to attend, although we do request that dancers be at least 11 years old.

Melissa and I divide the students into 2 groups according to their abilities and then we each teach a class for 1 hour or hour and a quarter. Each day we concentrate on one specific skill, perhaps traveling steps or turns or jumps, then we all come together and work on a repertory piece or a character dance. It's a lot of fun and hard work. If you're an advanced dancer, it will hone your skills and if you're new, it will jump start your vocabulary and push you to the next level.

For more information, just email me or call the studio (info in sidebar on left).

What: Ballet intensive with Leigh and Melissa
When: Aug 22nd-Aug 26th, 4:30-6:30 PM
Where: Le Studio, 57 Palmetto Dr, Pasadena CA 91105
Cost: $100

Happy summer dancing!

Pasadena Weekly: Voting Begins!

2011-08-04T08:59:00.000-07:00

If you're a student of mine at Le Studio in Pasadena, I hope you'll consider voting for us for the Best Dance Studio in Pasadena. Every year, the local Pasadena Weekly paper runs a contest for its "Best of" and last year we won in the Best Dance Studio category. It was a lot of fun and a great source of pride for us over the past year.

Voting begins today online: Pasadena Weekly.

Thank you for helping us be the "Best" we can be! Happy dancing~

An Aussie dancer's blog: 52 Weeks of Adult Ballet

2011-07-23T16:55:00.000-07:00

Thanks to one of my favorite dance blogs, 4Dancers, I was introduced to "52 Weeks of Adult Ballet," a blog written by Jean Kyle, an Australian woman originally from Malaysia, who set herself the challenge of chronicling an entire year of her return to ballet as an adult. I really enjoy reading her posts and think there are some terrific nuggets of inspiration here, for all levels of dancers.

And reading about her instructor, Tibor, makes me want to travel Down Under to take class myself! Good luck, Jean!

Taking corrections

2011-07-19T23:13:00.000-07:00

Face it, you can't always take corrections when they're given. Sometimes you're not experienced enough or in touch with your body enough to understand how to apply them. A good teacher will realize this and not attempt to force a correction on you that you aren't prepared to accept. When you attend class consistently with a teacher, she will get to know you and watch how you grow. She will know when you are ready to take a correction and apply it properly.

As teachers we all want that "aha!" moment in our students' lives. We want to see their eyes light up in understanding. And more importantly, we want to see our corrections used so our students will grow as dancers. As frustrating as it is for you to not "get" the correction, it's frustrating for us as well when we try very hard to give a student information he or she isn't ready to input.

Emotionally, too, some students are not prepared to accept corrections. They need to arrive at a point where they trust that the teacher is helping them, not merely throwing things at them and expecting miracles. Again, a good teacher wants YOU to do better for your growth as a dancer. Giving you a complex correction or one that is so esoteric as to be un-applyable (is that a word?) is merely self-serving for a teacher, an ego boost that makes her appear more "professional" or "expert" than she may be. As a student, I don't care about my teacher's experience - only as it applies to me. Can she give me corrections that enhance my skills as a dancer?

A good teacher wants you to trust her. She wants you to believe she is there to help you, not glorify herself. Consistency of attendance in her class will give you an idea if she has your best interests in mind.

Dancing through the 4th and the summer!

2011-06-16T14:58:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone and happy summer!

A couple of things to tell you about~

1. On Monday, July 4th, I *will* be holding my 9:30AM class at Dance Arts Academy as usual. The fabulous Leon Logvinsky will be playing for me and traffic will be oh-so-minimal! And parking is free! Come enjoy class before you fire up the grill...

(For my Le Studio students in Pasadena, I am probably holding my evening classes there at 6:30 and 7:30 as well...I'll know more soon.)

2. Beginning July 6th, and for July and August only, I will be taking over Preston Li's time slot at Dance Arts Academy on Wednesdays from 11:30AM - 1PM. Same level, same space, possibly even the same combinations (lol!), etc. as my Monday morning class.

Dance Arts Academy
731 South La Brea Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90036

Le Studio Dance
57 Palmetto Dr
Pasadena, CA 91109

Spring Show!

2011-06-03T11:00:00.000-07:00

It's that time of year again - spring recital!

This year, Le Studio will be showcasing its students in 2 separate sections: a ballet section, in which the ballet company will perform "Alice in Wonderland," and a concert section, in which the jazz, hip hop, little dancers, modern and contemporary dancers will perform short pieces.

I am very proud to have my adult dancers in both sections. I have some students who will perform as guests in "Alice" and I will also have a group of dancers for whom I choreographed a contemporary ballet. I'm so excited for them all!

If you'd like to attend, please contact Le Studio for tickets: 626-792-4616, Mon thru Fri 3:30-7PM and Sat 10AM - 1PM. Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 at the door.

Spring Showcase
Sunday, June 12, 2011, 3PM
Lanterman Auditorium
4491 Cornishon Avenue
La Canada Flintridge, CA 91011

See you there~

Holiday class info and a new class!

2011-05-25T23:20:00.000-07:00

1. For everyone in the LA/Pasadena area, I will be teaching all of my classes this holiday weekend (Saturday) and on Memorial Day (Monday). That means I will be teaching these classes:

--Saturday, 9AM & 10AM - Le Studio, 57 Palmetto Dr, Pasadena, 91109

--Monday, 9:30AM - Dance Arts Academy, 731 So. La Brea Ave, LA, 90036 - with Leon!

--Monday, 6:30PM & 7:30PM - Le Studio, 57 Palmetto Dr, Pasadena, 91109**
**Special offer for my Memorial Day evening classes at Le Studio - JUST $10!**

2. Beginning Thursday, June 2, I will be teaching a NEW Basic Ballet class at Le Studio from 5:30-6:30PM. This is the same level I teach on Mon & Wed at 7:30PM and on Sat at 9AM.

Hope to see you at one (or more!) of these classes! Happy dancing~

Post 100! Pirouettes!

2011-05-12T08:29:00.000-07:00

Let's discuss pirouettes. Everyone's favorite thing to do, right? When little kids come to class for the very first time, they always want to spin around and around because it's so much fun. As adults, we associate multiple turns with superior dancing skills. Both kids and adults are right: turns are fun and they do mark a dancer as skilled.

Unlike most other aspects of ballet, good pirouettes are a product of physics, not philosophy. The emotional core of a dance, the connection of dancer to audience, can be conveyed through expressive gestures and facial movements. Turns, however, are strictly virtuosic. When a ballerina does 32 fouettes, we applaud the technique not the passion, although certainly her passion for dance forced her to practice those pirouettes!

There are so many ways to teach turns, so many hints different people give that I don't proclaim to have the absolute best way to turn. Honestly, each person requires different critique and usually in person. That being said, there are certain things that are necessary in order to turn properly:

1. A sharp head spot.
Practice for beginners: stand in front of your bathroom mirror, hold your own gaze, then begin to twist your shoulders to the right and continue walking around yourself, snap your head back to the mirror as quickly as you can and then go in the opposite direction. Try not to lift your head in a circle but keep it level as your shoulders and body twist.

Practice for intermediates: perform a series of increasingly fast chainee turns across the floor, keeping your arms in tight and your feet in fifth position. This will help get your head around fast and isolate it from your shoulders.

2. A fast passe.
Practice for beginners: stand at the barre or a chair that is balanced with weight so you can press down on it. Holding the barre with two hands, stand in fourth position with your right foot in back, do a deep demi plie, then very sharply, bring the right leg up to passe (a retire position) with the toes under the front of the left knee. Hold for two counts and then put it back down to the back. Do this several times and then repeat with the left. When you feel stable during those 2 counts, try the same exercise but release the arms from the barre and pull them to first position. Always try to hold for as long as you can without tipping over.

Practice for intermediates: in the center, do half turns from fourth position. Stand in fourth, take a very deep demi-plie, then lift the leg to passe, balance and land facing the back of the room with the leg behind you, and gently lower it to the floor in demi plie. Then do the same from the back to the front. By doing only 1/2 turns you will be forced to concentrate on the leg pulling up very quickly so you can balance and not on the turn itself.

3. A strong port de bras.
Practice for beginners: pushups. I'm serious! Beginner students have a tendency to let their arms hang by their sides or curl their shoulders in as they turn. They need to feel the energy from their back muscles through their arms to their fingers. This suggestion comes from a teacher I admire, Melissa Waters, who does the same with her young students. Face the barre, about 2 feet away, feet in parallel. Place your hands on the barre as if they were in second position, then do very slow pushups. This will strengthen your back muscles and your biceps, but also will isolate those back muscles so you feel where your arms need to be controlled.

Practice for intermediates: keeping your arms in a wide second position, perform chainee turns across the floor and slowly bring your arms in to first position as your turns speed up. You will feel the muscles in your back bringing your arms in, instead of your shoulders. This is the feeling you want to have as you pirouette - that your arms are being controlled by your back.

This is just the tip of the turn iceberg! There are many, many other things to keep in mind during turns. I will probably revisit this subject again and again. Questions?

Happy turning~

New dance website: Ballet Dance Experts

2011-05-03T13:19:00.000-07:00

Here's a new website I like called Ballet Dance Experts. The site's owner, Marissa, has a variety of interesting articles about what to wear to class, the beauty of male dancers, ballet history and famous dancers, and so on. A lot of good information in one place! Check it out~

Ballet Dance Experts

Thank for the link, Marissa!

Nothing to say but this is just a cool image!

2011-04-29T14:15:00.001-07:00

Spiderman Ballet

Male Voices Episode #4 of online series

2011-04-09T07:36:00.000-07:00

Here is the fourth episode of Rhee Gold's online interview series with young male dancers, entitled "Opinions." The boys discuss what it's like to see other men dancing in a feminine way, as well as the importance of having male role models in their studios and as teachers. Very insightful!

Don't think so much!

2011-04-05T14:12:00.001-07:00

Teaching adults has its own challenges, both physical and mental. Lately, I've been finding myself saying, "Don't think, just do!" a lot. And this goes for all levels of students, not just the beginners.

Watch the teeny tinies in your local studio when you have a chance. Of course you'll squee with joy when you see them in their little tutus running around like puppies but notice how easily they follow each other. The teacher will often put the best students in the front of the room so the others can watch and follow - key word there: follow. Little kids simply do what they see others doing. If a couple of girls are running in a circle, they join in too.

They don't do what adults do which is to intellectualize. Adults question everything - which is fine but often they want to know the answer before they even try the movement. Sometimes the step or combination reveals itself when you do it and you can't know how it will work until you try it with the music, which is why it's so important to mark combinations accurately.

Believe me, I love answering questions. After all, that's why I'm in the front of the room - LOL!! Seriously, though, I welcome questions from students because their issues are often on-going and give me insight to the way they learn. Everyone learns in a different way and the best teachers offer a multitude of ways in.

But - big BUT here - sometimes you just have to let go and do it. Try the step, try the combination, watch how others do it, watch how I do it - and imitate it. Stand in the back and act like a kid would: move your arms they way I do, move your legs and hips and head the way another student does it- and just get the movement into your own body. Do it a few times and then if you have problems, we'll tackle them. But don't anticipate issues before they arise.

Don't think so much!

Male Voices online series: Tights and More

2011-04-01T08:10:00.000-07:00

Here is the third episode of Rhee Gold's online series about male dancers. The boys discuss what it's like to wear tights, how they think male and female dancers differ and what it's like to partner a girl. Another excellent episode!

Dance photography: Win Free Photos and Photo Session!

2011-03-26T16:48:00.000-07:00

Last week, I was honored to be photographed by an amazingly talented photographer, Agnes Muljadi, owner of artsychameleon. Agnes is not only a skilled artist, she is also a classical ballet dancer which means she knows just what the camera (and the audience) wants to see.

There are lots of reasons to have a pro take your dance pictures. A quality photo serves so many purposes: Agnes took mine for promotion of my classes so I would have a sophisticated image for flyers, websites, etc. I wanted my students to be able to point to my picture and say, "That's who I take class from" and be proud. And I wanted it to be current. I can't tell you how many times I have taken a class and expected to see the teacher whose fab photo was used to promote it - and then that person turns out to be about fifty years older! Ha!

As a choreographer, you might want a photographer to take pics of dress rehearsals or shows or workshops. Studios and dance teams want portraits or group photos for promotion or yearbooks. Young dancers need headshots for auditions and applications. As an older dancer, you may simply want to show off your hard work. And what better way to do it than with a high-quality photo?

When Agnes and I were in the studio, she asked me to pose in various ways that I felt comfortable in, yet showed off certain aspects of my body or abilities. She also asked me to do some movement that she could capture in a still shot. As a skilled photographer, she knew when to snap the camera while I was moving. From my point of view, it was very easy - and felt very glamorous. There's nothing like having a person tell you how good something that you're doing looks!

Here are three of the photos Agnes took last week. She edited them, of course, to enhance the lines and angles of my body within the frame (and in some cases, she Photoshopped out things in the background that she didn't like).

And now, the contest! As a special bonus to all of you, Agnes is offering two specials through my blog:

1. One free photo session. In order to qualify for the giveaway, first "like" Agnes' Facebook page (listed below) and then leave a comment letting her know you found her through my blog. Example: "Leigh sent me," "Found you through Leigh's blog," etc. On Monday, April 4th, Agnes will do a random drawing and 1 person gets a photo session and about 3-5 retouched images for FREE.

Please note, the session does not need to be dance-related. Take a look at Agnes' work on her website and you'll see the variety of subjects she shoots. And just try to tear your eyes away from the pictures!

2. 20% off session fee for any kind of session, exclusively for people who heard about Agnes through my blog. For those of you who enter the contest and don't win, here's a great alternative. But be sure to mention my name when you contact her.

Here is her info for the contest:
Agnes' Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/artsychameleon
Agnes' website: http://www.artsychameleon.net/

Male Voices, Episode #2: Acceptance

2011-03-25T13:02:00.001-07:00

The second episode in the online series about young male dancers from Rhee Gold and DanceLife TV. This one is about the importance of a father's support of his son's dancing. Enjoy!

What do my classes look like?

2011-03-21T14:50:00.000-07:00

Ever wonder what one of my classes looks like? Or what I look like when I'm teaching? Well, here are a few photos to give you some idea. This is my adult beg/int class at Le Studio in Pasadena. We are dancing in the downstairs studio which is the biggest of the 3 studios there:

Male Voices dance series

2011-03-18T08:06:00.000-07:00

Rhee Gold, a very well-known and respected dance instructor who owns The Gold School and who has some amazing resources for dancers and dance teachers, has produced this online series about young male dancers and what they go through.

This first episode is called "Confessions," and like most reality shows, introduces us to the young men we will be seeing in the series. They discuss why they started dancing and how hard it's been to be on the receiving end of criticism and teasing from others. Many girls forget that boys have to overcome that obstacle in order to pursue dance. As hard as it is for us to get to class, to pay for class, to struggle through class, we rarely have to fight the prejudice and stereotypes that are pinned on boys who dance.

I really enjoyed this and am looking forward to the next episode.

Another new class and some changes to the old ones!

2011-02-25T20:44:00.000-08:00

New class: I am adding a third Basic Ballet class for adults and older teens at Le Studio in Pasadena on Saturday mornings from 9-10AM. It will be much like the one I teach on Monday/Wednesday evenings at 7:30PM. Everyone is welcome - brand new to ballet? Returning after an injury or years away? This class is perfect for you! We have a LOT of fun.

Changing of the guard: Melissa Waters is taking over the Monday morning class in Pasadena while I am teaching the adult ballet class at Dance Arts Academy in LA at 9:30. Melissa is moving the class time by an hour so it will go from 10-11:30AM (Mondays only; the Wednesday class will stay the same at 9AM).

So long and farewell: the Friday morning ballet class is canceled as of March 4. Sorry!

All other classes are the same. Please see my calendar below for a concise picture and as always, please contact me if you have a question.

Happy dancing!

Keeping a dance journal

2011-02-23T14:18:00.000-08:00

Do you know that I can *still* remember corrections given to me by teachers from 20 years ago? I still try to apply them too (never did get them right!). I was taught to write down corrections after every class so that they would become solid in my mind and also so I wouldn't make the same mistakes twice. A journal can be especially helpful if you're taking with several teachers. One may suggest an arm or head correction while another focuses on your core. By writing it all down, it will reinforce your memory of the correction and also get it into your brain for an application of it somewhere else.

Here is a tip from Pointe Magazine:

"As ballet dancers, our days are chock-full of classes and rehearsals--which makes it difficult to keep track of all the important corrections we receive from teachers and coaches. Try keeping a dance journal. After class or rehearsal, spend some time reviewing your corrections, and jot them down in a notebook. Doing so will help you process and retain the advice--and the less time you spend re-fixing old problems, the more you can work on polishing the details. Soon, you'll be able to conquer whatever you've been focusing on, be it a triple pirouette or that tricky Odile variation."

Schedule change: I'm teaching at Dance Arts Academy!

2011-02-11T22:46:00.000-08:00

Love your body: Spend Valentine's Day in ballet class!

Beginning on Monday, February 14th (Valentine's Day!), I will be teaching adult ballet from 9:30-11AM at Dance Arts Academy. The amazing Leon Logvinsky will be playing for me! I am thrilled to be teaching at Dance Arts - those of you who've taken class there know how spacious the studio is - and I'm especially happy to have Leon as an accompanist.

I hope you'll join me if you have a Monday morning free - or need a boost to start your week!

What: Adult Beg/Int ballet
Where: Dance Arts Academy, 731 So. La Brea Ave, LA 90036
When: Mondays, 9:30-11AM, starting 2/14
$15/class

Happy dancing~
Leigh

Adult Ballet Beginners on Schedules, Attire, and Blogging

2011-02-09T14:20:00.000-08:00

Here is part 2 of the interview from Dance Advantage:

Adult Ballet Beginners on Schedules, Attire, and Blogging

Storytime With Two Adult Ballet Beginners

2011-02-09T14:17:00.000-08:00

This is from one of my favorite dance websites, Dance Advantage. This is the first of a 2-part interview with a couple of adult beginning dancers. If I were their teacher, I would be thrilled at their passion and dedication - just like my very own students! Thanks to Nichelle for allowing me to share with you!

Storytime With Two Adult Ballet Beginners

Getting to the next level

2011-02-05T08:23:00.001-08:00

Recently, an adult student of mine approached me about how she could improve her dancing, telling me she wanted to get to the next level, which for her is pointe work. I am always happy to hear this question, whether it's from an adult or a teen student because that shows me she or he is committed mentally. Often mental focus and energy is half the battle.

The number one thing to improve your technique is consistency. Attend classes regularly - at least twice a week - and you will see your strength and stamina develop. Try as hard as you can not to take off a week or more; this is hard especially for adult dancers because of all their obligations but dance is an obligation too, not necessarily a luxury.

Number two, challenge yourself technically. Step out of your comfort zone in class. Once you can do a double pirouette, push for three - and you'll see your doubles improve! Add beats in allegro, which you can practice first at the barre. If a combination is easy for you, ask the teacher if you can reverse it and practice that on the side.

Number three, go for performance quality. Dancing is not just about technical achievement; it's beauty and art and creative expression. Sometimes the most technically skilled dancers are bland on stage while those who lack certain precision may have outstanding expression in their faces and bodies and we can't take our eyes off them. That's your goal.

200 subscribers! Wow!

2011-01-26T14:22:00.000-08:00

Thanks so very much to all of my YouTube channel subscribers for following me and for watching my instructional mini-videos. Once my editor has finished the DVD of the Nutcracker for the studio, he will put a new video up. I swear.

And if it takes too long, I'll learn the program and do it myself!

Happy dancing~

Back in session!

2011-01-14T23:13:00.000-08:00

Please forgive another boring schedule-related post...just want everyone to know my classes are all back for the new year. I will be teaching my classes as normal on Monday, January 17, which is Martin Luther King Day so if you have the holiday off, come take class with me and start your day with ballet.

[That would make a great bumper sticker: Start Your Day With Ballet! Maybe I'll have to make some of those...]

On the video front, I will soon be posting the trailer for my studio's Nutcracker DVD to give people an idea of what the show looked like. Hint: it was adorable!

Another video note...my webmaster/editor promises me he will get the next instructional video up as soon as he is finished editing the Nutcracker DVD.

Next blog, I promise will be actually interesting! Happy dancing~

Leigh's $10 Ballet class is back!

2010-12-13T13:59:00.000-08:00

To celebrate the end of '10, my 9AM classes on Friday, December 24 and Friday, December 31 are just $10 each!

What: Leigh's Adult Beg/Int ballet class
When: Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve mornings, 9AM-10:30AM
Where: Le Studio, 57 Palmetto Dr, Pasadena, CA 91105

(To see my full schedule during the holiday break, check the calendar below)

Hope to see you! Happy holidays and happy dancing~

A couple of addenda to my movie post...

2010-12-10T21:03:00.000-08:00

First of all, does anyone watch "Fringe"? Okay, spoiler alert if you haven't seen Thursday's episode...

My mini-rant: did they have to make the dead ballerina a depressive suicide victim whose only joy in life came from ballet? They could have made her a beautiful dancer who died an untimely death or who was an accident victim or anything else! This made me sad as both a writer and a viewer. Another stereotype used just to give a character "depth."

Sigh.

Now, onto a happier addendum. I opened my Yahoo page and saw this wonderful article:

4 Ballet Moves for a Beautiful Body from Natalie Portman's trainer for "The Black Swan."

Yay! Bring ballet out into the open! Showcase it, encourage it, support it!

Happy dancing~

Ballet in the movies

2010-12-09T08:08:00.000-08:00

The most recent dance film is Darren Aronofsky's psychological thriller/horror movie, "The Black Swan." Without having seen it, I can only say wow...it looks amazing. Friends who are non-dancers have told me they loved it; friends who are dancers pick on Natalie Portman's technique.

In past movies, ballet has been represented as a dance form that causes people so much heartache! I'm thinking of some of my favorites like "The Turning Point" and "White Knights" and to a lesser extent, "Flashdance" which shows the character wanting to become a ballet dancer by performing mostly jazz (what???). The dancers are often portrayed as tortured artists who give up everything for their extremely short-lived careers (which are then cut even shorter by the filmmaker's evil hand). "Center Stage" had some wonderful dancing but the characters are, sadly, wooden stereotypes and extremely two-dimensional.

Dance forms like hip-hop and jazz, on the other hand, are represented by people who are more easygoing, well-balanced, funny, and likable, especially when those dancers are former ballerinas who are "turned" into jazz dancers, a la "Save the Last Dance."

I always welcome movies or tv shows that feature ballet (or any type of dance). I am thrilled shows like "Glee" put dancers to work. There are so few opportunities for them in the real world beyond companies. I just hope "The Black Swan" encourages people to pursue ballet and doesn't frighten them away from it.

Ballet Class, 11/26 Friday after Thanksgiving!

2010-11-17T14:14:00.000-08:00

Need time away from the family? Want to trim some of that turkey? Hate to shop on the busiest day of the year? Then come take class with me!

As a "thanks" to you, it's only $10!

What: Leigh's Adult Ballet Class
When: 9:00-10:30A, Friday, November 26*
Where: Le Studio, 57 Palmetto Drive, Pasadena, CA 91105

*Option #2: 10:30A-12PM - If enough people are interested in a class that starts a little later and lets you sleep in, I will teach a second one directly after the first (also $10!). Please contact me if you want this class...

Hope you can make it and feel free to tell your friends~

Zombie ballet!

2010-11-11T12:41:00.000-08:00

Ever wonder what zombies would look like if they danced ballet? Well, here you go! I gave this short dance to my adult students for Halloween and one of them had an iPhone so we recorded it. I am seriously considering including it in a larger work as a dream sequence.

Enjoy!

Thanksgiving schedule

2010-11-05T22:28:00.001-07:00

Hello everyone -

An update on the Thanksgiving break schedule is listed below on my calendar. But to recap, I will be teaching all of my regularly scheduled classes except for the 6:30PM on Thursday, November 25 which is Thanksgiving Day and the 6:30PM on Friday, November 26. Otherwise, I will be teaching all classes as normal.

And for participants in the Nutcracker, both senior and junior company members as well as the parents in the party scene, we will be rehearsing on Saturday 11/27 from 12:30-2PM. No Friday rehearsal.

When in doubt, email!

Happy dancing~

Octavia Cup Dance Theater

2010-10-20T14:20:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone!

My friend Laura Ward has been choreographing and performing contemporary ballet for her NYC company, Octavia Cup Dance Theater, for over ten years and I'm so thrilled every time I see a new video of her work. I'd like to share a video she sent me recently. Her dancers have beautiful strong lines and terrific musicality in their movement. I love how Laura partners the women - they lift each other effortlessly!

Enjoy~

I am the dancer I always wanted to be...

2010-10-10T19:00:00.000-07:00

Can I do as many pirouettes as I used to when I was younger? No.

Can I jump as high as I used to? No.

Can I beat or do allegro as fast as I used to? No. Of course not. All of these things diminish with age. But other things improve: my adagio has more expression, my extension is higher, my stamina is just as strong. I have learned where to cheat! I have learned when to stop, or pause, or let my body rest.

I have learned the most important lesson of all: I appreciate my body and what it can do - at this moment. To mourn the loss of speed and height and power is a waste of time. Better to understand and appreciate what I can do and keep doing it. As we age, our bodies change - our centers of gravity change, our ability to point and plie lessen - but we can still dance.

Plus I have an advantage over younger dancers - and my younger self: I have no ego, no need to compete with others. I dance for myself. Yes, certainly, I am vain to a degree, as all of us are. I want to look good, long and lean. But to worry about others, about what they can do better than I, is - again - a waste of time. I know so many dancers my age who are crazy about the "other" in class. They attempt to compete with teens who fly through the air. This is futile. Those teens don't even know my friends exist.

I also know my body better than younger dancers. After all, my body and I have been around a lot longer; I've had a lot more time to get to know it, to experience what it can do and can't, what looks good on it and what doesn't.

And for this reason, I am the teacher I always wanted to be. I feel like I can finally see in others what they can't see in themselves. I can see what their bodies can do before they can. And I want them to be the best dancers they can be. I don't compete with them - I have no need. A teacher who competes with her students has very low self-esteem.

A good teacher wants her dancers to be better than she is. A great teacher makes them better than she is. I am good; I want to be great.

New website/new info/new Nutcracker!

2010-09-15T14:16:00.000-07:00

I'm pleased to share the brand new website for Le Studio Dance, where I teach classes in Pasadena.

Le Studio!

I'm also pleased to announce we have a date for The Nutcracker performance: Sunday, December 12. Melissa Waters, Susie Fioretti and I will be choreographing a classical (albeit shorter) Nutcracker this year which means big skirts and Tchaikovsky, two of my favorite things!

ALL of our students - this includes my adult students too - are invited to participate. We'd love to have the stage filled with our wonderful students. I hope you'll be there to dance or to enjoy.

And be sure to check out the new schedule of classes on the new website, as well as the company photos and other cool stuff.

Happy dancing~

Ballet Intensive over - on to the classic Nut!

2010-09-04T13:27:00.000-07:00

Melissa and I would like to thank everyone who attended the intensive over the past two weeks. We had a terrific time working with everyone - it's especially satisfying to watch people improve and make changes to their technique and their bodies in such a short period. It just goes to show you that consistency is one of the most important parts of training!

[For anyone who was involved in the partnering days and would like to see pictures of themselves being partnered by Jackson or Robson, please let me know your Facebook account or send me your email address so I can send you the link. The on-line photos are set to private view. Thank you!]

And on to the Nut! Nutcracker, that is. This year, Le Studio will be presenting a classical version of The Nutcracker which will be choreographed by Melissa, me and another ballet instructor at the studio, Susie Fioretti. Together we will be putting together a condensed show - with all the boring parts cut out! Ha! Seriously, though, it's going to be a fun show.

We'd like to give everyone at the studio a chance to perform with the ballet company. So if you are an adult student or the parent of a child at the studio and you'd like to be on stage, please consider our Nutcracker. We would love to have all ages and experience levels involved so we can make the show a true Le Studio endeavor. We are considering the afternoon of Sunday, December 12th as a possible date, so take a look at your calendars and let us know if you're interested. For my students, when we have a final date as well as a rehearsal schedule, I will remind you all at the start of the Fall season, which is next week!

And one final note: I will be teaching ALL of my regular classes on Labor Day, this Monday, September 6th, so if you have the day off, come take class with me in the morning or evening. Isabella is our accompanist in the morning and she is wonderful.

Happy dancing~

Vote for Le Studio - Best of Pasadena!

2010-08-17T12:29:00.000-07:00

To all of my friends and students who are familiar with it, the Pasadena Weekly is holding a "Best Of Pasadena" contest and you can vote for the Best Dance Studio!

So please cast your ballet ballot for Le Studio, if you can: Best of Pasadena/Pasadena Weekly.

Thank you~

Ballet Intensive Schedule

2010-08-13T13:26:00.000-07:00

Below is the schedule for the intensive Melissa and I are teaching. Please note that the price for the 2 weeks of classes is $175 but you can also take individual classes for $20 per class or $25 per day. For example, if you want to come take technique class and work on character dance, you could come on a Wednesday and pay $25 for the 2.5 hours of class.

Taking corrections

2010-08-12T14:07:00.001-07:00

Most people you know hate hearing someone tell them what they're doing wrong.

But not you. You're a dancer. You want to hear what's wrong. You want to know how to improve your technique: a pirouette, a jump, even something as tiny as a tendu or an arm en bas. In fact, if you don't get a correction during class, you feel depressed, or worse, ignored.

Getting a compliment in class is nice, of course, but often teachers give those out when they're not warranted (not me, though - if you are my student, you can count on my compliment as sincere because just as sincerely, I will tell you when something looks horrible!). A compliment can be based on previous work, a previous correction or simply to be encouraging during a difficult step or combination.

Compliments are easy but corrections, on the other hand, are hard. They take a lot of work on the part of the teacher and student. First, the teacher has to notice you, has to see what you're doing and determine how it can be improved. Then she has to find the time and place to correct you. Then, *you* need to apply it. Finally, she has to see that the correction worked.

Most importantly, though, is that you understand the correction. If it seems complex during class, wait until afterwards and approach the teacher about it. It does you no good to nod your head and appear to understand when, in fact, you don't. Plus the teacher will assume either the correction didn't work for you or you ignored her suggestion. So, if it doesn't make sense or your mind can't take it all in during the class, be sure to get clarification. She'll appreciate that you want to get the most out of her class.

A general class correction can also be important to you: when a teacher gives a class correction, whether it's for a step or a combination, make sure you listen and internally apply it to yourself. If you're doing it right, good for you but if not, this could be an extra correction you can use.

When I was a young student, we were encouraged to use small notebooks and to write down every correction the teacher gave us specifically and as many of the general ones we could remember. The act of writing down each correction was itself a good exercise in correction retention, but also, we could review later or before the next class so the correction was not repeated. We hated to be told the same thing over and over! And the teacher hated telling us. While I don't keep a notebook anymore, I still remember every correction I get from my different teachers- even years later, I will remember them. They still come in handy.

Happy dancing~

Ballet Intensive with Leigh & Melissa

2010-08-01T12:36:00.001-07:00

From August 23rd to September 3rd, Melissa Waters and I will be teaching our second annual Ballet Intensive at Le Studio. Every weekday for 2 weeks, we will be teaching 1.5 hours of technique and an hour of repertory to students of all ages and all levels. Last year we had a fantastic turnout (ballet pun intended!) and this year will be even more fun!

This time we will be adding character, partnering, and pointe to our technique classes. We will also be working on several short pieces that we will add to our company's repertory for "Nutcracker" and "Alice in Wonderland."

As before, all ages and levels are invited to attend. The cost is an economy-friendly $175 for both weeks. A ballet bargain! If you'd like more information, please contact me here or call Le Studio at 626-792-4616 during office hours (M-F 4PM-7PM, Sat 9AM-12PM) or visit Le Studio's website. Come join us!

What: Ballet Intensive
Where: Le Studio Dance, Pasadena, CA
When: August 23rd-September 3rd, M-F 4-6:30PM
Why: To have fun and tune up your technique!

Happy dancing~

Class level definitions

2010-07-27T13:19:00.000-07:00

Wherever you go, dance instructors and studios have different definitions of what a "beginning" or "intermediate" class is. Even within a single studio, teachers may disagree on what should be included in each level and whether that definition should apply to kids or adults.

At Le Studio where I teach, all three of the ballet instructors (Susie, Melissa and me) are in continual discussions about what each of us includes in our classes and what we expect to see from students who graduate from one level to the next. It's important that we agree on what material and vocabulary are in each level so students have a program to follow.

Some programs of study such as RAD have graded levels and students must pass intense examinations in order to progress. However, for most of the classes you find in the United States, where a combination of French and Russian styles are taught, where a little Balanchine may be introduced to older students or adults, the level distinctions are a little more vague.

Among my classes for adults, I expect beginners to know all their positions, all head and arm movements, basic steps like pas de bourree, pas de chat, and balance. They should be able to do a single pirouette en dehors and en dedans. Across the floor they should do pique turns, chainees, chassee, saute arabesque, and they should know the difference between saut de chat and grand jete. In the center, I expect changement, assemble, glissade, echappe in 4th and 2nd, sobresaut, temps leve and jete.

That's a lot, huh? Well, I also teach a basic class that is the foundation for all of that.

In an intermediate class, I want to see beats: royalles, entrechat quatres and trois, cabriole. Multiple turns as well as turns in second, arabesque, front and back attitude, and fouette pirouettes. They should be able to reverse and invert a petit allegro combination. Across the floor I want to know they can do saut de basque, tour jete, fouette arabesque, traveling fouette turns, multiple pique turns.

In an advanced class, it's no longer a matter of vocabulary (although there are indeed some steps that only very advanced dancers and pros attempt) as much as it is about speed and weight changes. At the barre, the weight is constantly shifted from one foot to the other, combinations are reversed and inverted, and turns are added to just about every exercise. Combinations are very speedy and lengthier. In the center, I expect the same, with fewer "in between" steps. E.g. petit allegro combinations without glissade. A pirouette will land in arabesque and then fouette into an en dehors attitude turn...in other words, steps will be combined in ways that challenge both the body and brain.

Keep in mind that many classes are combinations of beginner and intermediate or intermediate and advanced. I have heard of classes defined as "slow beginner" or "advanced beginner" and so on. There are simply many, many ways to characterize a class and they vary from instructor to instructor. Once you get to know how a teacher works, you can better understand her classifications.

Never judge a class by its title.

That being said, my Friday morning class will no longer be called "Intermediate/Advanced." Instead, it will be "Intermediate" and just about any of my current students will be able to handle the material. The speed will be only slightly increased and some of the combinations will be more of a challenge but I don't want any of my students to feel intimidated. Just come and enjoy.

Happy dancing~

Two great ballet resources

2010-07-17T13:36:00.000-07:00

I just discovered two wonderful sites that are treasure troves of information for the ballet student.

The first is Ballet Connections, a website with many useful links for ballet companies, movies, interviews, books, music and more.

The second is a blog called Ballet Shoes and Pointe Shoes, a blog written by Dianne Buxton, who is a ballet instructor and book author. Among her posts are entries about extension, pointe work, men's classes, nutrition and much more.

I'll be adding these links to my sidebar for future reference.

Cheers and happy dancing~

Summer price break at Le Studio!

2010-06-18T15:01:00.000-07:00

Hi dance friends!

I'm thrilled to tell everyone that the price of my morning adult ballet classes is being *lowered* from now until September 6th!

Yes, lower!

Drop-in rate for a single class is now $17. For pros, it's $13 and for seniors, $15. And if you buy a class card, it's even more affordable! Yay, cheaper ballet classes. All of my morning classes have an accompanist too! Here's the schedule:

Monday 9-10:30AM - Beg/Int
Wednesday 9-10:30AM - Beg/Int
Friday 9-10:30AM - Int/Adv (this is a very fun and challenging class!)
Saturday 10-11:30AM - Open (sleep an extra hour and then start your weekend with ballet!)

Hope to see you there! Happy dancing~
Leigh

New video up soon!

2010-06-10T08:20:00.000-07:00

I've been busy with "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland," the ballet Melissa and I created for our student ballet company and which we performed a week ago. I've been bugging my web ninja to edit that video as well as a new one for my blog and YouTube channel so hopefully, I will get something new up within a week.

Question: should the next video for the blog be--

--glissade - a transitional step which moves from the 5th position through second and back to 5th
--pique - a striking action that prepares us to move across the floor
--sautes - small jumps in 1st position that we use in petit allegro

Any thoughts or opinions?

Memorial Day classes & a schedule change

2010-05-25T14:36:00.000-07:00

Hello dance friends!

A couple of Le Studio-related notes for those of you looking for class in the Pasadena/LA area:.

--I will teach one adult ballet class Memorial Day morning, May 31st, from 9-10:30 AM. The studio will be closed for the rest of the day.

--Beginning June 1, Melissa Waters will be taking over my Tuesday evening ballet class, from 6:30-8PM. Yay, Melissa! She's an amazing teacher and a gorgeous dancer - very inspiring! You will *love* her class.

This weekend, Melissa and I are presenting the student ballet company's very first dance concert, "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" at A Room to Create in Pasadena on May 30th at 2PM. Hope to see some of you there! If not, then in class!

Happy dancing~
Leigh

2010-05-22T13:30:00.000-07:00

Here it comes, one week from tomorrow, Le Studio's Student Ballet Company is presenting its first-ever dance concert, featuring the premiere of "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland," a ballet based on the novel by Lewis Carroll. We will also be showcasing some other pieces from the company's repertory, including the always-popular, "I Feel Pretty" and the rousing "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy." All choreography by Melissa Waters and myself; music by Vivaldi.

Show starts at 2PM on Sunday, May 30th, and will be held at A Room to Create (ARC), 1158 E. Colorado Blvd. in Pasadena. If you're in the area, we would love to have you check it out. Tickets are $10 but space is very limited so please contact Le Studio during office hours (Mon-Fri, 3:30-7PM and Sat, 9AM-12PM), 626-792-4616.

See you at the show!

New classes at Le Studio

2010-05-06T08:04:00.000-07:00

Hello dance friends!

Beginning tomorrow, Friday May 7th, I will be teaching the morning adult ballet classes at Le Studio. Yay! New classes and new times! These are the open level classes that Helene Williamson had been teaching:

Monday, Wednesday and Friday - 9-10:30AM
Saturday - 10-11:30AM

Le Studio
57 Palmetto
Pasadena, CA

If you have a morning free, come take class with me!
Happy dancing~

A busy May

2010-05-05T08:22:00.000-07:00

The month of May is filled with great things like birthdays (yes, okay, mine!) and dance performances!

On May 16th, Le Studio will be holding its annual Spring Show, called City Beat. I have 2 pieces of my choreography in the show that members of the ballet company will be performing: "I Feel Pretty," which is a re-staging of a piece I did last year, and the final courtroom/card scene from Alice in Wonderland which Melissa and I worked on together.

On May 30th, the student ballet company will have its first-ever dance concert! We will be premiering "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" which is, naturally, based on the book by Lewis Carroll and will feature choreography by Melissa and me, with music by Antonio Vivaldi. We will also be showing several other pieces from the company's repertory, including a jazzy pointe number to "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy" that Melissa choreographed, as well as a contemporary ballet that she also set on the company dancers.

We're very excited for both shows and hope you can make one of them! More information below:

Le Studio Spring Show - City Beat
May 16th, 5PM
Lanterman Auditorium
4491 Cornishon Ave, La Canada Flintridge, CA

Le Studio Student Ballet Compant - Dance concert
May 30th, 2PM
A Room to Create (ARC)
1158 E Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, CA

2010-03-25T14:55:00.000-07:00

Be sure to check out my older videos if you haven't had a chance:
Fondu
Coupé & Sur le cou de pied
Warm-up
Putting on pointe shoes and storing
Pas de Cheval
Dégagé
5 Positions with Port de bras
Rond de jambe
Relevé
Tendu
Demi-Plié
Intro

Am I Too Old To Dance?

2010-03-21T13:11:00.000-07:00

Margot Fonteyn was a prima ballerina into her 50s. Here she is at age 55. Gorgeous.

While I'm waiting for my fab webmaster to post a new video, I thought I'd address this question. When I teach adults, I hear the comment, "I'm too old" a lot. And I admit, I have used it myself from time to time. But in reality, the answer is a resounding, NO! It's never too late to begin dancing and you're never too old to continue. My personal goal is to dance until I'm in my 90s! I want to be that very old woman still doing demi-plies and tendus at the barre alongside the youngsters. And I'll probably only be doing demis - no grande plies! LOL!

The key to lifelong dancing is patience. Be patient when you are injured. Be patient when you are learning something new. Be patient when you approach the barre, the center and jumps. I think the biggest mistake dancers make - regardless of their age - is that they rush in too fast. They don't warm up their muscles properly before they begin their barre. They don't work properly when they jump. They don't take time off to heal themselves after an injury.

1. As you get older, your muscles need more time to warm up. Think of them as frozen rubber bands: they need to thaw out before you stretch them.

2. Dancing properly at the barre - working on alignment, keeping your heels down when you plie - has a major impact on your work in the center. If you don't demi plie properly with your hips lifted up the front, your weight over your toes, and opening from the top of the thighs, you will definitely feel it in the center. You won't maintain your balance for turns and you won't get decent height in your jumps.

3. Injuries happen for a multitude of reasons as you age. Simply walking down the street in the wrong pair of shoes can tweak your ankle or your arch. Now imagine that in dance class. Sometimes things just happen and you can't prevent it. Accept it and move on. Don't blame yourself or your technique (not always!).

4. Injuries take more time to heal. If you don't give yourself time to recover, you will find yourself nursing that injured body part again and again. Rest. Rest. Rest. There is always another day to dance, another class you can take. A few days or a week away is NOT the end of the world.

Remember, the goal is to dance for the rest of your life, not just today. Take care of your body, work properly, pay attention to what is changing within you - and you'll dance forever. With me!

Happy dancing~

Ballethnic: a great story about a ballet studio

2010-03-10T08:23:00.000-08:00

Fit Ballet with Leigh - Fondu

2010-02-05T11:55:00.000-08:00

Be sure to check out my older videos if you haven't had a chance:
Coupé & Sur le cou de pied
Warm-up
Putting on pointe shoes and storing
Pas de Cheval
Dégagé
5 Positions with Port de bras
Rond de jambe
Relevé
Tendu
Demi-Plié
Intro

New video and other announcements!

2010-02-03T08:04:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone! I will be posting a new video very, very soon. My webmaster is putting the finishing touches on it now.

I also wanted to mention that I'm thinking of giving away a pair of handknit leg warmers (knit by me!) when I reach 100 subscribers on my YouTube channel. Right now, I have 48 so be sure to subscribe to the channel. I'll let everyone when I hold the contest, plus you'll get email updates whenever I upload a new video.

And one more announcement for people in the LA area: I will be subbing for Perry Brown this Saturday at Hama's in Studio City from 11:30-1PM. It's an open level ballet class so if you're looking for a Saturday morning class, come try it out!

Cheers and happy dancing~

Update - schedule and videos

2010-01-26T12:17:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone! For those of you who take my evening classes in Pasadena, I will not be teaching tonight, Tuesday January 26th because of a prior commitment. The amazing and talented Melissa Waters will be subbing for me - enjoy!

Also, I have LOTS of footage shot for new videos - it's just a matter of getting my webmaster to edit the pieces and upload them. He's been really busy with other video stuff for me, including the short video of me discussing my latest foray in publishing, THE RISE OF GINNY COOPER. Go to my YouTube channel and check it out, if you're interested.

But a new ballet video will definitely go up very soon...

Cheers and happy dancing!

Holiday schedule

2010-01-17T22:13:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone in LA! My classes on Monday, January 18th are all normal:

5PM - Teen ballet
6:30PM - Adv beginner/Slow int Adult ballet
7:30PM - Basic beginner ballet

All at Le Studio in Pasadena.

Come take a dance class with me on your day off!

A new year of dance!

2010-01-02T12:25:00.000-08:00

Long gone are the days when my dance resolutions for a new year might have included, "do consistent triples en pointe" or "do clean beats during allegro." LOL! Now I am more likely to resolve to forgive myself for falling out of my pirouettes on my left side or to avoid comparing myself to other dancers who are many years younger than me. In fact, those are two pretty good resolutions!

Forgiveness for one's own faults- whether they're dance-related or not - is an admirable goal for this new year, a year which has followed a decade of steady decline in our nation's cultural and moral standards. We have such a short time on this planet. Why waste the precious hours we have obsessing over the things we can't do - or can't do any longer?

No, I can't do those triples en pointe but I can do other things. My adagio is more expressive, my barre is more centered than it ever has been. I work more efficiently as an older dancer; my experience gives me insight I can share with my students, both young and old. I don't dance harder; I dance smarter.

Similarly, why compare yourself to others in the first place, regardless of their age? Every person has her own path and yours is not like hers. When I watch beautiful turners (can you tell turning has been the bane of my dance existence?), I look at their arms, their heads, their hips, their demi-plies for any hints that might help me. But unless that person is built exactly like me, she will probably turn in a very different way. No reason why I shouldn't try to get a clue from someone else but I should not expect to have the same result.

As an older dancer, I strive to maintain my skills - as I have developed them over the years - and to be a model for others who might believe they are too old to continue - or to start - dancing. No such thing. Never compare.

A scheduling note: all of my classes are back to normal beginning Monday, January 4th.

Fit Ballet with Leigh - Coupé & Sur le cou de pied

2009-12-09T13:23:00.000-08:00

Be sure to check out my older videos if you haven't had a chance:
Warm-up
Putting on pointe shoes and storing
Pas de Cheval
Dégagé
5 Positions with Port de bras
Rond de jambe
Relevé
Tendu
Demi-Plié
Intro

Everybody dance!

2009-12-05T12:45:00.000-08:00

I truly believe dance is meant for everyone, not merely the financially privileged or the physically gifted. Here is a class that is taught at the Boston Ballet for students who have Down syndrome. I would love to be in a position to teach such a class. Enjoy~

An exercise for working the turnout in releve

2009-11-23T08:18:00.000-08:00

Recently a reader sent me an email with some questions about how to increase her turnout when she is en releve. This is especially important for pirouettes, because if you are turned in at the top of your thighs when you attempt to turn, your weight is thrown back into your hips and knees and you simply won't turn - or at least not properly.

So here is an exercise I use to help students with sautes. It works well for turnout too.

--Stand facing the barre (or a chair) in first position.
--Take your demi-plie, knees over the toes, then stretch back to standing position, thinking about the muscles in the back of the thighs helping you lift, and the muscles at the top of the inner thighs helping to close.
--Eleve (lift the heels to a rise), maintaining that exact position.
--Do this a few times and then practice going directly from demi-plie to the rise (releve).

The important thing to remember is to work your turnout from the top of the inner legs and imagine, if you can, that the smallest muscles under your derriere are the ones turning your legs out not your quads.

I'll be putting up some new videos soon - hopefully one before Thanksgiving, if I can get my editor in gear!

Happy dancing~

Schedule reminder...

2009-11-19T09:53:00.000-08:00

Next week, I will teach my classes as usual on Monday and Tuesday.

There will be only 1 class on Wednesday, the 6:30-7:30P Adv Beginning class that Melissa Waters will teach for me.

Le Studio will be closed on Thursday and Friday to celebrate the holiday.

Normal schedule will resume on Monday, Nov 30. And btw, I will teach all of my adult classes during the studio's Christmas/New Year's break (except for the ones that fall on the actual holidays themselves).

Happy dancing~

Ballet intensive video is done!

2009-11-07T08:19:00.000-08:00

Ta-da! It's done! Mo did a fabulous job shooting and editing the video, which includes a look at the school, the piece Melissa and I choreographed for the intensive, and a little note to the students from both of us. It's so cute and is a lot of fun to watch!

Right now, it's on Vimeo and secured with a password to protect the girl's privacy because we don't want random weirdos clicking on it! But I'm happy to share it with any of you reading the blog. If you'd like to see it, just comment here or send me an email and I'll give you the link and password.

Happy dancing~

Thanksgiving schedule

2009-11-03T08:23:00.001-08:00

For those of you taking my classes (or any classes at Le Studio) this is to let you know that the studio will be closed on Thanksgiving Day and the Friday following. Here is my schedule for that week:

Monday & Tuesday - normal class schedule
Wednesday - Melissa Waters will teach for me
Thursday - closed
Friday - closed unless my adult students want a class at 6:30 in which case Melissa Waters will teach it

So if you are interested in a class on the Friday night after Thanksgiving, let me know in advance so I can arrange things with Melissa. The other option is a Friday morning class at 9AM with Helene Williamson.

Happy dancing~

So proud of my students...

2009-10-27T12:06:00.000-07:00

While I'm happy for all of my students and I love to see them progress, I'm especially proud when they perform. Here are two recent examples:

--At the beginning of this year, Heather came to me and said she wanted to audition for a production of "42nd Street" in March. She'd been away from ballet for a while and knew she needed to get her alignment back. Not only did she get that show, but she just finished a run of "My Fair Lady" with the same theater company plus she served as dance captain! And she told me she has 2 more auditions lined up for winter shows. Although this means that I don't get to see her in class as often, I'm thrilled that she's following her dream!

--About a year ago, Holly began classes with me as a basic beginner. Never had any training but always wanted to dance. She applied herself, came to class consistently, and soared! She picked things up quickly and when she messed up, she'd laugh and keep trying. She has a great attitude which is a real plus when you're just starting out. Last week, she told me she'll be performing on-stage in a winter show that her young daughter is in. I'm so happy for her!

I count these two women as "success" stories insofar as THEY worked hard for their success. I may have served as a conduit to their goals but they did all the work!

Kudos to Heather and Holly - and to all of my students who work so hard!

Fit Ballet with Leigh - Warm Up

2009-10-19T12:24:00.000-07:00

Be sure to check out my older videos if you haven't had a chance:
Putting on pointe shoes and storing
Pas de Cheval
Dégagé
5 Positions with Port de bras
Rond de jambe
Relevé
Tendu
Demi-Plié
Intro

Columbus Day is no holiday for dancers!

2009-10-12T13:55:00.001-07:00

Okay, okay, we should all take a rest here and there but if you're looking for ballet classes, I'm still teaching them today!

6:30-7:30PM - Adult Beg/Adv Beg Ballet
7:30-8:30PM - Adult Basic Ballet

See you in the studio~

Poetry by ballerinas for ballerinas

2009-10-06T12:28:00.000-07:00

My friend Laura Rogers wrote and read this poem at the West Hollywood Book Fair this weekend. I asked her if she would let me share it with all of you and she graciously said yes.

Enjoy~

Dancing Home

I put on my pointe shoes and tied the ribbons around my ankles. The well-known pressure formed around my toes as I stood and adjusted my skirt. Moving towards the bar, the box of my shoes made a familiar tapping sound on the mahogany dance floor. I placed my hand on the smooth, curved wood of the practice bar, and I was home.

I relevéd, and the stretch in my calves brought on a rush of adrenalin. I couped, frappéd, pas de bourréed: I danced. Stretching my arms over my head in fifth position, I let my fingers form into the soft graceful hand of a ballerina.

I walked into the middle of the room and faced the mirror that was so often my audience. I prepped for a pirouette and then pushed off. When I turn I am a whirlwind, and I sweep away the negative thoughts of the outside world. When I leap I fly and leave everything below me. When I am en pointe I am a giant and nobody can touch me. I am a ballerina, and this is what I do, for this is who I am.

Thank you so much for sharing this, Laura!

Pet peeves in ballet class

2009-09-26T08:18:00.000-07:00

As a teacher, these are a few of my least favorite things to see:

--Heels lifting off the floor during demi-plie at the barre. Keep them down, down, down! Not only do you shorten your Achilles tendon by keeping them lifted but you also will develop a bad habit that you will take with you to the center. You can't get height or build strength if you do not put your heels down.

--Toes lifting off the floor during rond de jambe and tendu. Tendu means "stretch" and you're not stretching if you allow the toes to come off the floor. Instead, point the toes and feel the legs lengthen all the way to the top of the thigh. By consciously feeling the floor with the baby toe, you will distribute the weight properly which will result in better positioning for releves and pirouettes.

--Hands flinging during allonge. To allonge means to draw out, stretch, lengthen the line. In particular, when we talk about the allonge line for an arm, we mean to rotate the arm up and back, away from the shoulder. Allonge does not simply take place in the wrists and hands. Start with the shoulder lifting up and back and then lengthen the arm away from it, back and up on the ecarte line, all the way to the hands.

--First arabesque arm that reaches higher than the head. The hand should be directly in line with the nose, no higher, and the arm straight at the elbow (unless you are doing Cecchetti in which the arm is often slightly bent at the elbow). But no matter what style you are studying, do NOT lift that arm above your head. It's an affectation that has repercussions through the rest of your body, destroying the line.

Next time I'll talk about things I do like seeing from students!

Happy dancing~

Le Studio Student Ballet Company

2009-09-24T16:17:00.000-07:00

Come dance with us! Look how excited we are!!

It's easy to audition for the brand new student ballet company at Le Studio in Pasadena. Just take a class with Melissa or me and we'll happily consider you for placement in the company!

Rehearsals start Thursday, October 1st at 5:30PM. We will be learning repertory that we will showcase at schools and venues all over LA.

We've got a great year ahead and we'd love to have you join us!

Schedule update!

2009-09-22T08:22:00.000-07:00

For those of you in the LA area, I will be teaching for Helene Williamson tomorrow, Wednesday, at 9AM at Le Studio. She has a wonderful accompanist and I'm sure we'll have a great time!

Happy dancing~

From the mailbag...

2009-09-17T15:52:00.000-07:00

Two great questions from a subscriber to my videos on YouTube (the FitBallet Channel!):

1. Is turn out supposed to be 180*?

And my response to her was: No, it is not supposed to be 180 degrees. Any teacher who forces your legs into that position will ultimately hurt your knees because it torques the muscles and tendons behind the kneecaps.

The way to determine YOUR best turnout is to stand in first position and take a demi-plie. Your knees should go out directly over the arch of your foot and your toes and your heels should not lift off the floor. Now, watching yourself in a mirror in profile, gradually take your grand plie, letting the weight of the legs lift the heels off the floor. Your legs should be turning out at the top of the thighs in the hips, your derriere should neither be tucked nor lifted, and your lower back should be flat.

If you are forcing your turnout in your feet, then you will see that the knees in grand plie are in front of your toes rather than directly over them. Go back to 1st position and take a shallower turnout and try again.

And then a follow-up question.

2. What can I can do to become more flexible and open my turn out more?

And my response to her was: You can work on your splits to increase flexibility in your hips. Or you can let gravity help you! Lay flat on your back with your rear end against a wall and let your legs open into a wide V. Try to relax the muscles inside your thighs so they don't grip and allow the weight of your legs to help open your hips.

Another option: If you have a sturdy chair, place one leg on top of the chair back (or on the seat if it's too high for you) and slowly lean forward over your leg. Make sure your hips are settled evenly before you lean over. Then turn slightly to the side so the leg is in a la second position. Reach your opposing arm over your head and try to lean the side of your head against your knee.

Both of these stretches will increase your flexibility and ultimately loosen your hips so you can achieve a greater turnout.

Got burning ballet questions? Bring 'em on! I've got new videos coming and more ideas brewing. Let me know if there's anything you want to see.

Happy dancing!

Fit Ballet with Leigh - Putting on pointe shoes and storing

2009-09-09T15:52:00.000-07:00

Be sure to check out my older videos if you haven't had a chance:
Pas de Cheval
Dégagé
5 Positions with Port de bras
Rond de jambe
Relevé
Tendu
Demi-Plié
Intro

Fall Schedule Changes

2009-09-03T08:41:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone! The new season at Le Studio officially began on Tuesday, September 1st so we'll see some changes to the schedule being implemented over the next few weeks. For starters...

1. I've added a new Basic Ballet class on Monday nights, from 7:30-8:30PM. This will be a companion class to the Wednesday night class which also runs from 7:30-8:30PM. Both classes will be just one hour now so we don't go too late.

2. The teen Level 4 Ballet on Monday and Wednesday will run from 5-6PM with a half-hour of pointe from 6-6:30PM. The entire class on Friday from 4-5:30 will be done en pointe.

3. The pointe class on Fridays is gone, replaced by an hour of Company Rehearsal.

4. Company Rehearsals will be held on Thursday and Friday from 5:30-6:30PM.

5. The commitment for the new Le Studio Student Ballet Company will be a minimum of 3 technique classes per week plus the 2 Company Rehearsals.

I'm a little behind on my videos but I should be getting a new one up very soon. I'm also taking requests for videos so if you have any ideas, questions, suggestions, let me know!

Summer dance intensive a success!

2009-08-30T14:08:00.000-07:00

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~

Classroom surprises!

2009-08-24T08:11:00.000-07:00

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.

Free Dance Day at Le Studio!!

2009-08-22T12:35:00.000-07:00

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!

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

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

For more info, check out Le Studio's website: www.lestudiodance.org

Schedule update!

2009-08-18T12:50:00.000-07:00

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

Fit Ballet with Leigh - Pas de Cheval

2009-08-16T17:20:00.000-07:00

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

Pas de bourree v. Balance

2009-08-04T12:46:00.000-07:00

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!

Vote and be counted!!

2009-07-30T15:24:00.000-07:00

Today's the last day to vote...for me!

Three of my technique videos are up for a Pointe video of the month award for July at dancemedia.com:

Tendu, demi-plie and releve!

This is a great site anyway, with loads of dance clips of pros and amateurs, plus technique tips like mine and other cool dance related things. I'd love to get an award there! So if you can, take a look and vote for one of mine - I'd really appreciate it!

Thanks, everyone, and happy dancing!!

Fit Ballet with Leigh - Dégagé

2009-07-27T16:16:00.000-07:00

Be sure to check out my older videos if you haven't had a chance:
5 Positions with Port de bras
Rond de jambe
Relevé
Tendu
Demi-Plié
Intro

Coming Soon!

2009-07-23T09:05:00.000-07:00

There is no rest for the weary! Just because it's summer, that doesn't mean we're on vacation at the ballet blog. We've got lots of new things coming up:

More videos...
degage
pas de cheval
warm-up exercise

More how-to's...
How to wrap your skirt
How to fold your pointe shoes
How to lace your pointe ribbons

More technique tips...
Getting more out of your point
Spotting without getting dizzy

More of YOUR questions answered!
Is pas de bourree like balance?
Should my foot be flexed or pointed in frappe?

Got a question about a step? Want to know more about class? Interested in dance nutrition? Just ask and it shall be answered (eventually!)~