Ballet4lifer of the Month- February 20tutu

Le Quach

Thank you Le; especially for stepping in last minute to provide your story for our monthly feature. Apologies to all for our lateness; blame it on COVID prison conditions and COVID related issues!

Le has steadily advanced in her Ballet technique, training, confidence, and skills. She works hard, stays focused, and gives herself challenges with an open mind and command of her body. She is inquisitive and eager to learn and to expand her dance vocabulary and knowledge. Cheers to you Le on your accomplishments at Ballet4Life!  

Le in our rehearsal for the last Dance Showcase we did, held July 2019, at Waterman Theatre.

Le takes the floor.

When did you start dancing?

Like a lot of little kids, I took a tap and ballet when I was in primary school. When I got to secondary school, my mum made me choose between tennis and ballet. In the end I chose tennis and that was the end of dance for a loooong time.

What makes dancing so special to you?

The combination of music and movement makes dancing joyous. I’m also inspired by my parents who took up ballroom dancing in their fifties (they are now in their 70s).

When did you start with Ballet4Life?

April 2018. I took the Beginner Ballet course with Chris which was a great introduction to ballet.

What makes B4L so special for you?

B4L is such an inclusive dance school and community. I love that the teachers and students are all so welcoming. I think its great that they offer so many levels of dance classes. From a practical point of view, it is close by so I don’t have any excuses to skip class.

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

Not as often as I’d like! The most recent performance we recently went to was the "Nutcracker" by the Royal Ballet which was amazing and beautiful.

I also love New Adventures (Matthew Bourne) for their revisionist story telling of Classical Ballets.

What do your ballet classes do for you?

I really enjoy taking ballet lessons because you need to focus on it 100%. It lets my brain focus on something else other than my long to do list.

Do you have a favourite Ballet4Life class?

No – that is like asking me to pick my favorite child! All B4L teachers have different styles and all of them offer something different. The one thing that all the teachers have in common are that they are all encouraging and supportive.

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

Not for me personally (I don’t have time for another hobby!) but my friends keep asking me about street dance classes.

What do you do for your “day job”, and what were you educated to do a profession?

I’m an Underwriter at Generali, which is an Italian insurance company. I’m lucky because it is a great company to work for and my colleagues are great. It is a very technical role so doing ballet in my spare time is a great contrast as it is such a creative outlet.

Le on the slopes

Le enjoying a night out

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

Starting something new as an adult can be so daunting, but seriously just do it.

Also, for parents that don’t think they have the time – I know it is ridiculously hard to get any spare time with little kids but it is worth the effort. My husband knows that he needs to be home by 6.30pm on Tuesday evenings so I can get to my Ballet class!

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

I like the barre – once I am at the barre my brain somehow tells me to calm down and focus.

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

I have to admit that I completely stopped dancing during COVID 19. I didn’t realise how much I missed it until I returned to in person dance classes.

Whilst personally online classes are not for me (I would most likely be interrupted by my kids) it is I do think it is great that COVID 19 made taking dance lessons accessible to a lot more people.