Ballet4Life Talks Dance

Now S as in Susan of the duo S & J Talk Ballet ! Progress in Pointe Class! Another term of dance has flown past, time really does fly when you are enjoying yourself.  This term we have started all of Mark’s pointe classes with centre work beginning with gentle pliés and rises and progressing to échappées and bourrées. We all feel that this has helped us feel more confident when undertaking the barre exercises. During the latter part of the term, we have had the opportunity  (which we all took) to try some partnered exercises with Mark being our partner. We have also been trying to master pose turns on either demi-pointe or on pointe.  We have been focusing throughout the term on our alignment and keeping our carriage inline as we move. The members of the pointe class all agreed we have had a very productive term and we all feel that we have improved. We are grateful for Mark’s continued support and encouragement and individual help to enable u...

J for Julia of S & J Talk Ballet is here wrapping up the season with her positive words! Winter Curtain Call Hi to all dancers; here are a few memorable Curtain Calls for Ballet4life , as we near the end of a fabulous 2018 year of dance: April was the month that a small but eager group of dancers from Ballet4life ventured on an amazing cultural tour to Kiev, which was arranged by Donna, Founder of Ballet4life along with Ukrainian dance teacher Alina. Whilst there we enjoyed tasty food, Operetta Theatre, Frescos, Banya ( a Ukranian steam room), Classical Music Concerts, Private Tours, Monasteries, beautiful ballet and people, most times followed by wine and vodka and more wine! We managed to make the flight home feeling very happily exhausted and inspired!!! Georgia is the destination for the next Ballet4Life Cultural excursion to be directed by Alina. Let us know if you are interested in coming along. In May, under the directorship of Donna, we per...

Donna Schoenherr - Founder and Director of  Ballet4life takes the floor A little dark and rainy evening hello to everyone! I wanted to let everyone know that we are now having guest bloggers on a regular basis. SO if there is something you want to shout out about or are curious about please let me know and we can give you a slot here! It is all about dance, wellbeing, ballet, health, support, community, taking care of yourselves,  each other and our beautiful planet! 20 November Neither here nor there! Hello everyone, Hope this finds you all well, staying warm, dry, and having a nice Autumn. I cannot begin to tell you all how busy this term has been! Every day it seems like an exciting surprise flies in and lands on my lap! I am so grateful and inspired by developments with Ballet4life and with our charity Move into Wellbeing®. Hard work, dedication, and perseverance DO pay off! We also welcomed a new teacher to our roster and conti...

Fond reflections on the summer and our extra week of classes from J of S & J talk ballet! #silverswans #goldenswans #nevertoolate #nevertooold #balletforadults Hi, Julia reporting here. What an amazing summer term it has been at ballet4life; all classes have been well attended and greatly enjoyed by all! We were fortunate to have our term extended for one extra week by our inspirational Director Donna,  which enabled us to really have a treat that broadened our ballet horizons!! Mark and Beatrice were to be our teachers and we were scheduled to enjoy alternate classes of ballet and contemporary dance. BUT...the highlight of the week arranged for us by Donna, and taught by Beatrice, was to be the choreography from the Ballet 'Raymonda', act 3, last Variation.      This dance, then demonstrated by Bea was alluring to watch, the music captivating and we were, to say the least.......apprehensive!!  But primed to give it our best i...

#fridayfeeling Today we have the lovely Susan, the S of "S and J Talk Ballet" giving some thoughts about the Beginner Pointe class held on Saturdays from 12.15- 12.45pm at the Arts Educational School, 14 Bath Road, London W4 1LY. It is taught by the wonderful dance artist, teacher Mark Kimmett/Kelly. This class was created with adult learners in mind and it is important to take the Beginner Improvers Ballet class beforehand to ensure proper preparation for the body is in the place! Any queries? Please contact Ballet4life on ballet4lifeuk@gmail.com Take it away Susan! We are nearly at the end of another term and the pointe class at Arts Ed has seen new dancers join during this term. Mark manages the class in his own unique way so that everyone attending is treated as an individual so that nobody is held back nor anyone new is left feeling rushed. Some members are now able to undertake the centre exercises on pointe while others are on demi-pointe. Last S...

We have the exciting news of a guest blogger - P as in Patricia! She is celebrating her first year of dancing with Ballet4life and wrote the following lovely piece. Thanks, Patricia! Ballet4Life- My First Year The time has gone so quickly, I can’t believe I’ve done a whole year of ballet and dance as a complete beginner. So this seems like an excellent time to give a big thank you to all the wonderful teachers at B4L. I have found the tuition has been first rate, truly professional yet enjoyable as well. I am delighted with the progress being made by myself and my classmates. As a bonus I have made lots of new friends of all ages. I have also been surprised at the restorative nature of the dance class. Attending these classes has done wonders for my health both in body and mind. Backache, which I used to get regularly, has disappeared over the year. I have found the regular exercise and the concentration required to learn a new skill have brought about life-enhanc...

J as in Julia is back and reporting on her watching the creation of the recent choreography and performances. Hi all dancers, Julia here reporting on a splendid opportunity that arose for me a few months back when I was invited to view a brand new Ballet4life undertaking, which was being newly choreographed by its multi-talented Director Donna Schoenherr. The ballet was Apollon Musag ète and was to be set to the emotionally charged music of Stravinsky... But this was to be a unique performance, as the renowned Nonesuch Orchestra would be accompanying the dancers live, and the monies raised for all performances were to go to four local charities! As the weeks passed, I observed the talents and confidence of the four dancers blossoming, and I was really impressed by their dedication to the direction and mentoring, given by Donna. This  Ballet follows the mythical tale of the god Apollo, played by Chris Christodoulou and his three muses Polyhymnia, Calliope ...

After taking care of some serious family matters, Susan the S of S & J Talk Ballet, is back to share some of her tips and recommendations! Over to Susan! The pointe class with former Rambert Dance Company and Scottish Ballet dancer Mark Kelly/Kimmett continues to have a stable number of core participants ( although there is always room for more ). The class usually begins with centre work now before going to the barre and we are managing to execute more of the exercises on pointe, including bourrees though there is always the option of being on demi-pointe should we wish. Mark continues to give individually tailored support as and when necessary. I think we all feel that we are making progress. I personally am still struggling with my shoe ribbons with the elastic insert but I am determined to master them rather than removing them and attaching regular ribbons. On a recent shopping trip after walking through the perfume hall of a large departme...

Sorry for the long silence! We have been so busy at Ballet4life! Also, Susan's internet has been down so she has not posted in a while. J as in Julia of S&J Talk Ballet has a report of the upcoming 12th May Showcase! over to Julia...... Showtime Blossoms! There's a hub of activity and a buzz of excitement, as ballet4life students prepare for their 2018 Showcase!  Rehearsals are well underway with all performers working hard to enhance their dance skills, in order to make this the best Showcase ever!.... There will be Ballet, Character Dance, and even a sneak peek at the upcoming   Stravinsky's Apollo and the Muses Ballet and live music with The Nonesuch Orchestra performances in June in Chiswick! Although I am a blogger for Ballet4life, I also attend and enjoy dance classes which embrace many different styles of dance. The new dance on the block this year is to be a beautiful Ukrainian Gypsy dance, taught to us by Ukrainian ballet teacher Alina....

Sorry for the long silence! We have been so busy at Ballet4life! Also, Susan's internet has been down so she has not posted in a while. J as in Julia of S&J Talk Ballet has a report of the upcoming 12th May Showcase! over to Julia...... Showtime Blossoms! There's a hub of activity and a buzz of excitement, as ballet4life students prepare for their 2018 Showcase!  Rehearsals are well underway with all performers working hard to enhance their dance skills, in order to make this the best Showcase ever!.... There will be Ballet, Character Dance, and even a sneak peek at the upcoming   Stravinsky's Apollo and the Muses Ballet and live music with The Nonesuch Orchestra performances in June in Chiswick! Although I am a blogger for Ballet4life, I also attend and enjoy dance classes which embrace many different styles of dance. The new dance on the block this year is to be a beautiful Ukrainian Gypsy dance, taught to us by Ukrainian ballet teacher Alina....

  #silverswans do a Ballroom and Latin Dance Taster! #strictlycomedancing J as in Julia of S & J Talk Ballet ( and other dance techniques) Without a doubt, the range of dance classes held at the Ballet4life bespoke dance studio in Chiswick at St. Peter's Hall, Southfield Road, London W4 1BB, is both original and refreshing!! Under the awesome direction of the Founder of Ballet4life Donna Schoenherr, last Tuesday, I and many other dance students enjoyed a Taster Ballroom and Latin Dance class held at the studio which was taught by exceptional dance teacher Anca Nistor. Incredible it may seem by the end of this class ALL the participants were successfully able to Waltz and Cha Cha Cha across the dance floor with a new found confidence! During my dance journey as a mature student at Ballet4life I have experienced a variety of dance from Ballet to Contemporary and now Ballroom. Phew!...AND watch this space as I believe Character and Folk dancing are about to ent...