Skip to main content

 Ballet4Lifer of the Month- April


Spring Beauty 


We welcome Jacira "Jas" Pereira this month to share her thoughts on dance and dancing. Jacira performed the Character Dances created by Alina Luts  plus Ballet selections created by Mark Kelly and Beatrice Ghezzi with Ballet4life, before the COVID pandemic. She impressed us all with her quickly learned skills, confidence on stage, team work, and warmth.


Coming into Ballet and Dance training as an adult she has shown that it is not only possible to do this, but that this learning new skills and the joy of dancing brings so much to one's life.  We hope she will join us again at our next Showcase.



Jas centre of the photo- performing with Ballet4Life at the Belmont Primary School, Chiswick, 2019





Jas on the left at our last Dance Showcase July 2019 at Watermans Theatre 

When did you start dancing?

I started in Brasil when I was about 20.

 

At our performance at the Bedford Park Festival 2019 with Alina Luts, and the Character Dance performers


What makes dancing so special to you?

Since I was very young, I had the idea to become a Gymnastics teacher. At the age of 16 I became an acrobat in the circus. During which time I became acquainted with people in the entertainment world, some of whom were dancers. This in particular was a very important influence in my life, and along with my earlier experiences, evolved into making dancing so special to me.

 

Dress rehearsal -Dancing with Le in Mark Kelly's piece for the July 2019 Showcase


When did you start with Ballet4Life?

Approximately in 2018.

 

Jas- far right in photo- working hard in Beatrice's Ballet class, August 2018 

What makes B4l so special for you?

I enjoy the Ballet classes and have a great respect for the abilities of the teachers.

 

With Master Teacher Brian Bertscher during his Friday class on our previous extensive M-F daytime dance programme


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

No, but I do enjoy watching various types of dancing, such as Riverdance and Flamenco.


What do your ballet classes do for you?

Develop my Ballet skills and keep me in touch with dancing.

Jas with her Ballet Buddies at Beatrice's previous Thursday Ballet4Life class.


Do you have a favourite Ballet4Life class?

I enjoy all the Classical Ballet classes.


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

Yes, Flamenco dance.


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

Early Years Teacher was my day job and was what I studied at University.

 

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

Just to enjoy themselves without worrying how they are dancing.

 

Enjoying a well deserved rapturous Curtain Call July 2019

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

Yes, when we are being taught choreography.

 

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

It stopped me progressing in my dancing for almost 2 years, which was very annoying.

 

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

No, not at the moment.

 

Thank you, Jas! Here's to many more years of dancing with Ballet4Life.


All images are copyright of Ballet4Life and may not be reproduced without prior request.

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