Skip to main content

Ballet4Lifer of the Month!!

The Merry Month of May!!!

Silvia Mattii

This month we feature the lovely dancer, teacher, mother Silvia Mattii. She started dancing with us nine years ago now. Silvia was very much part of the Ballet4life family immediately after joining, and even when she relocated back to Italy, we kept in touch. When the online programme was rolled out she joined us at classes again. Her humour, grace, warmth, open-mindedness and generousity of spirit have always made us happy and have enriched our lives. She is also a loving mum to two gorgeous children and they create and laugh every day with her in beautiful Tuscany.




Donna and Silvia reunited in San Gimignano , Italy 2019


When did you start dancing? I started dancing when I was six and it was love at first sight. Unfortunately I couldn't continue. But I promised to myself I will have danced at some point, and I did it again when I was a grown up. And it was amazing!

What makes dancing so special to you? It’s a way to go deep into yourself, it’s your training for life. A meditation through movement, it’s always challenging but utterly necessary.  It keeps me strong and grounded.


When did you start with Ballet4Life? In 2012. As soon as I moved to London I started looking for a job and a ballet school at the same time.  My first class at Balle4life was with Donna: we clicked immediately. 


What makes B4l so special for you? Donna! She is incredible, she’ s smart and super professional,  She is the best teacher I have ever met. She  always has been inspiring to me. ( OK- Donna is blushing at reading this ad says THANK YOU!)


Do you get to see dance performances regularly? If yes, any favourite companies, dancers, performances you have seen recently? yes I do: especially Rambert , Sadler’s Well, Royal Ballet.


What do your ballet classes do for you? They allow me to learn every day more, they enhance my body strength, they keep my mind focused and my social life alive.


Do you have a favourite Ballet4Life class? just one? well, I am “ devoted” to Beatrice too. I love all her classes.



 Beatrice: "No more triple-espressos before class again, ok?"





Beatrice and Silvia in class in February 2013



Is there any dance style you wish to study but we do not offer presently? I’m not sure. They do everything!


What do/did you do for your “day job?” and/or what were you educated/trained to do as a profession? I’m a teacher.


Do you have any tips for someone wishing to start dance training as an adult? Be open-minded. Dance needs flexibility . 


Do you have a favourite part of class/ ballet step you love? the barre.


How has Covid-19 changed the way you have dance in your life? Since the Pandemic emergency has started I haven’t had the opportunity to go to London and attend Ballet4life’s classes at the studios. Sad.


Anything else you would like to add, please feel free to do so. Just : Thank you for being so splendid, you’ve enriched my life. 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

   Because you asked for this! LOL! Donna Schoenherr - Founder of www.ballet4life.com® and of charity Move into Wellbeing®   Happy March 2021 all! The days are getting longer and Spring is not far off! Here we are nearly one year since the whole COVID-19 Pandemic hit our lives in London and also changed the world. This selfie below, I took the last day of our in-person classes on 19 March, 2020. I will never forget that day.    This past year, many of you have asked me to share more details about my life and my career. I am not someone who likes to blow one’s own horn , so I thought best to share a long version of my biography created for me but with my own satirical quips interspersed, and then just be open to conversations. I finally found and edited the long version of my CV/Biography. If you fancy a read (and maybe a giggle or two) please sit back with a cuppa or a glass of vino and enjoy. None of the names or facts have been changed and the craz...
2 comments
Read more
 VeRNaL eQuiNoX -  nearlY   18 March, 2024 Dear All, I just wanted to day hello and to provide some news and comments before too long! I am trying this approach versus the Mailchimp newsletter to see which is easiest. Studio Swap   We had an interesting, enriching and exciting time with the Saturday studio swap for our Spring Term! We hope you enjoyed the experience. We are now reverting to our previous set up for Summer Term which means the following: Beatrice classes return to St. Peter's Hall Int/Adv Ballet- 10.30am - 12pm Pointe Exercise 12.05- 12.20pm General Level Contemporary Dance- 12.30- 1.30pm Move into Wellbeing 1.45- 3pm Down the road at Arts Ed, Studio 210 Beginner Follow-on Ballet 10-11am Beginner Improvers Ballet 11.05- 12.15pm Tasters in Beginner Jazz Dance, Contemporary Dance, and Beginner Ballet 12.15 - 1.15pm Short Beginner Ballet Course - 12.15 -1.15pm  Johanna Von Salmuth will lead these on a rota with our newest teacher Shiri Hadad joining...
Post a Comment
Read more
Limericks, heels, dynamics, class and more! Ms Mary E is back with her next bubbly and bright blog for all ballet/ dance/theatre lovers! Hello again, thrill-seekers in tights!  I threw together a couple of limericks for you to start the week. There was an old dancer in Ealing Who had a peculiar feeling With one leg on the barre She pliéd too far And hit her head hard on the ceiling. Or: If you look up quite hard at the ceiling Of St Peter’s dance studio in Ealing There’s a tiny balloon That deflated too soon And got stuck there - it’s cute and appealing The first is clearly ridiculous (as limericks generally are) but the second is true. Have a look next time you do class at St Peter’s. Floor barre would give you the best view. Which limerick do you prefer? I need feedback from all you gorgeous dancers. In fact, I had an idea that I might open a Ballet4life themed limerick competition! Post your contributions in the comments se...
6 comments
Read more