Ballet4Lifer of the Month- September 2021

We welcome long term Ballet4lifer Jo Marshall-Collins to the dance floor today. Jo is not only a dedicated and talented dancer, she is also a mother, wife, post graduate student, human rights advocate, and worker / volunteer for a variety of charities.  Take it jeté - away Jo, and thank you for participating!

Jo as a child rocking the roller skater look with her sister 

 

When did you start dancing?

 

At Miss Broach’s from age 4 to 6 (so the late 1960s), where after having done our class, we used to watch the big girls, including my sister, doing barre work with chairs. We wore little tunics rather than leotards and I’m pretty sure I had red ballet pumps. The pinnacle of my early ballet life was playing the role of chief bluebell in a ‘gala’, resplendent in a blue and green tutu made by my mother which remained my favourite party dress until I grew out of it. We all sat in a circle doing ports de bras until I was given the sign to lead the bluebells in a wafting line around the stage. I think I was a bit stage-struck and not altogether reliable! When Miss Broach moved venues to the other side of town, I was afraid of the unfamiliar and wouldn’t go to ballet class anymore. I still played minor roles at home when my sister put on ‘shows’, however – my rather repetitive speciality was leaping out from behind the curtains to the Russian Dance from The Nutcracker. Dancing was something I always did, whether I was roller skating in the garden or up in my room with the radio on, although I never thought about taking it up again until my early thirties. This was at an Adult Beginner Ballet Class I saw advertised at Danceworks in Balderton Street near Selfridges. The teacher there, whose Sunday afternoon class I then became addicted to, was Renato Paroni. He’s coached Tamara Rojo (she occasionally used to come to class!) and is now ballet master at English National Ballet. Renato taught basic technique very rigorously – sometimes he would do a whole 90-minute class of tendus at the barre and nothing else. He was also very fond of telling us to practice in the kitchen, and lo and behold lock-down has made that a reality!

 

What makes dancing so special to you?

 

As a classical ballet fan (although I also love contemporary and other dance forms) I think it’s the combination of aesthetic beauty and narrative, both of which can stir emotions in quite a profound and cathartic way. I love learning about the different national styles and repertoires, the choreography, the history, the costumes, the storytelling, the staging, the music! As a student it’s the physical and mental challenge you get in class at whatever level, the shared experience, and the chance for self-expression.

 

When did you start with Ballet4Life?

 

The early days, when Donna ran a morning class at the old Rambert Dance Company studios (now the Chiswick Cinema). I discovered it just at the time that my youngest had reached the nursery stage and my oldest was at school all day so I would rush there once they were settled and I had a few hours free. Truthfully it was also very good for me to now have a different teacher bringing different techniques and combinations. Renato had a very American, forward-facing style at the barre, so it was great to now add in more upper body and head movement. Also, Donna brought waltzing to the party (not to mention glissade-jeté-assemblé combinations, and sissonnes – forever challenging!).

 

Jo at early B4L classes held at the former Rambert Dance Co studios in Chiswick

(Photo courtesy of Simone Ghera)

 

 

What makes B4l so special for you?

 

The understanding that ballet/dance goes beyond the lovely and powerful performances we see on stage, and that it’s for everyone. That it’s an art but also a therapy, it’s for health, fitness, sociability, personal development – literally for life. Ever since I began adult ballet there have been quite long periods when I haven’t danced – children, health etc – but it’s always there when I’m ready again. The Move into Wellbeing® part of B4L is also very important and inspiring. Dance for older people with mobility and other problems should be available for all. Even when very ill with dementia, the Mazurka from Coppélia would bring my mother to life. It was one of her last pleasures.

 

https://vimeo.com/manage/videos/153899563 - to see Jo in action in a B4L class

 

Jo with fellow dancers at Mark's B4l class at Arts Ed

Do you get to see dance performances regularly? If yes, any favourite companies, dancers, performances you have seen recently?

 

Before the pandemic, yes, as often and life and finances allowed! The Royal Ballet, English National Ballet, Northern Ballet, BalletBoyz and Akram Khan all featured over the last few years. Rambert have always been a must-see too, and in 2016 I volunteered as part of ‘Rambert at 90’ by transcribing historical interviews, including one with Lindsay Kemp which taught me loads about the history of the company, and of contemporary dance in Britain. In terms of current dancers, one of my most watched YouTube videos from World Ballet Day 2018 is of ballet mistress Samantha Raine rehearsing the Royal Ballet corps in the Kingdom of the Shades from La Bayadere. Romany Pajdak, who leads the Shades in the 39 arabesques (and is now a Soloist) is a current favourite, as is Ivana Bueno of ENB (who won their 2020 Emerging Dancer competition). While deprived of live performance, watching streamed performances over lock-down has been wonderful. Standouts recently have been the Royal Ballet’s The Dream with Stephen McRae and Akane Takada, and Crystal Pite’s dance-drama The Statement. It’s thrilling to see classical dancers embrace modern work.

 

What do your ballet classes do for you?

 

Keep me more flexible than I would be if I didn’t do them (which is to say, still not very flexible!), as well as keep me sane. I think we’re sort of obliged to try and leave our personal vanity and insecurity at the door when we come to class because it’s hard to progress or fully contribute without ‘exposing’ yourself. I’m not saying that’s easy at all, mind you! At the same time ballet is great for quietly concentrating on the self for a while, and I think that’s beneficial too.

 

 

Do you have a favourite Ballet4Life class?

I’ve never done a B4L class, or had a B4L teacher, that I haven’t really appreciated, both in studio and online. Before the pandemic Saturday mornings at Arts Ed had been the most convenient time for me to do ballet and I was a regular at Mark’s Beginner Improver class. I really enjoy the contemporary dance language Mark brings to ballet, and the attention to mindfulness. Awareness of and respect for dancing with others is also something I always get from his classes.

Is there any dance style you wish to study but we do not offer presently?

Tap!

 

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

 

Currently I’m a postgraduate literature student and have just completed an M.A. in Dickens Studies, looking at the collaboration between literature and art. I would love to do some work on Dickens and dance! My professional life has, by chance more than anything, mostly been in the charity sector, specifically human rights.

 

Do you have any tips for someone wishing to start dance training as an adult?

 

Just that it really is never too late, whether you have ever danced before or not. And that if you go to ballet class you will never regret it!

 

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

 

Perhaps pas de bourrées, a game changer once mastered. I also enjoy pirouettes, although only in one direction, and only singles!

 

How has Covid-19 changed the way you have dance in your life?

 

Not being in the studio has been hard, with just a little Zoom window to the outside world! Having said that, online classes bring their own rewards, I know I’m lucky to have space to take class at home, and the teachers have adapted their teaching magnificently. Similarly, while there is nothing like seeing live dance performances in a theatre or other space, the live and on-demand streaming that many companies have offered has been wonderful. I can see the mix of live and online continuing for me, both in class and at performances.

 

Anything else you would like to add, please feel free to do so.

 

In class or out, keeeep dancing!