Ballet4Life Talks Dance

  BALLET4LIFER OF THE MONTH- JUNE 2021 We welcome Libby Gwyther ( Miss E. A. Gwyther MA (Oxon.) PGdip RNCM, we will have you know!)   this month, to share her thoughts and her stories. Not only is Libby an accomplished professional musician, teacher, loving wife and mum of two adorable children, but she is also a really good dancer and all round lovely person. Libby has sort of grown up with us and if we had one, would win the most adorable photo- as- a- child prize!  Thanks, Libby! When did you start dancing? 4 years old with the wonderful Miss Kim at Kimberly Cooper School of Dance, our local ballet school. There were only a few pupils in those days but the school has now grown into Kimberley Performing Arts Centre and is doing amazing work for the whole community.   Age 5, before pre-primary exam Young teen / start of secondary school- ish  What makes dancing so special to you? Moving to music! I’ve never been one to sit still for lon...

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 ...

Ballet4Lifer of the Month- April 2021 No April's Fools here as I have the pleasure to announce this month's Ballet4Lifer, Jennifer! Jennifer has been with us for well over 11 years and has progressed from Beginner Ballet upwards. She has also enjoyed trying many different techniques, Masterclass, and Workshops along the way. Our Monday morning Gentle Yoga is now a firm favourite in her diary. Both of her daughters started dancing with us 11 years ago as well, and one of the daughters, Sam, carried on devotedly with our Contemporary Dance Programme. It has been so lovely getting to know this wonderful family over the years.  She is not only a mum, wife, and had a full career but now she is a Volunteer for RNLI and for Brentford Lock in her spare time ( not much of that!)  Classes would not be the same online or offline without Jennifer's bright sunny smile, strength of character, positivity, and humour! Thanks for participating in this and see you soon in the studio! ...

   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...