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| Increasingly
adults are taking to ballet as a new way to revitalise the body, tune
the muscles, and challenge the mind. Whether dancers in their youth
or beginners later in life, ballet is an increasingly popular art
form for adults, some who had typically hung up their ballet slippers
years ago.
Ballet schools specifically catering
to adults are beginning to emerge in Australia and abroad, including
The Adult Ballet School in Sydney and Elancé Adult
Ballet School in Melbourne. Many schools are also offering adult
classes so that those wishing to return to dance or continue ballet
in their mature years can do so in a non-threatening environment,
away from young, fit, competitive students that can make one feel
self conscious - particularly in front of the mirrors.
Adult dance companies are also emerging
here and overseas, such as Adelaide's Move Through Life Dance
Company, with some company members in their 40's and 50's, and
Britain's From Here to Maturity, started in 2000 by ex-Rambert
dancer Ann Dickie. These companies produce quality performances
and increase opportunities for mature aged dancers to perform at
a high level and continue to enjoy dancing in later years.
Adult ballet is not about having perfect
turnout, perfect feet or the perfect waistline, but it's about embracing
the challenge, feeling the music and developing new skills. Some
teachers typically won't consider students in their adult years
as they know they will never become professional dancers and can't
see the reward in it, but those teachers who take
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| Dianne
Harrison with an adult student at Elancé Adult Ballet
School |
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the time to impart their love
of dance into adults, are sharing a special art form to an
appreciative crowd who are eager to learn.
Studying ballet in adulthood is
challenging and rewarding. At Elancé Adult Ballet
School, Victoria, students learn correct technique from
the very first step. 'It's not wafting around waving scarves
and calling it ballet', says Principal, Dianne Harrison. Pupils
choose from seven levels from Beginners to Intermediate, and
each 90 minute class is divided into barre and centre work.
'Classes are well structured with
a good balance between discipline and pleasure. Importantly,
we understand that adults don't have the body type of a typical
ballerina and we make sure that what we teach is appropriate
to each individual's needs.' Elancé also has
an all-male class that commenced as beginners. 'I think it
takes great courage to do that and their progress is remarkable,'
Ms Harrison says.
Ms Harrison says that adults who
take ballet classes tend to fall into one of two catergories.
Many took ballet classes in earlier years but were unable
to continue professionally. Other students never had the opportunity
to learn- it was too expensive, there
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were no convenient schools, or
were told it was "inappropriate", particularly for
boys, who were pushed into more masculine pursuits such as
football.
Elancé welcomes adults
with no prior ballet experience, and Ms Harrison says there
are always a number of psychological hurdles she coaxes adult
beginners over in the early stages. 'When people phone
up to inquire they will often say, "I'm overweight",
or "I've had three children", or "I'm not fit
or flexible". It's about training them to become the
best dancer they can be with the body they have now, and helping
them to understand that the classes are not competitive. Most
of all, it's about giving students the opportunity to bring
the joy of ballet into their lives.'
Elancé Adult Ballet School
has three studios - Footscray, Hawthorn, Oakleigh.
Call 1300 739 483
www.adultballet.com.au
dianne@adultballet.com.au
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| Print
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| Ms
Harrison teaches students from age 18 and above, with some students
in their 60's |
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