Ballet training is a powerful tool for a developing mind as it organises the body and the mind and lifts the spirit. Ballet opens a direct path to freedom through discipline and commitment. The form, rigour and beauty of the art form provide both challenge and solace. When a dancer conquers a step they conquer themselves and this simultaneously builds humility and deep confidence. Students will learn about great dance artists and directors and optionally study the classical technique.

Students study the life, works and times of great artists, composers, dancers, choreographers, authors, costume and fashion designers. We’ll look at how each artist relates to dance: did they create sets (as Picasso, Dali, Chagall, Matisse all did)? Where their works turned into famous ballets (as in the case of Shakespeare, Hans Christian Andersen and Byron)? Students then create their own works using multiple mediums to integrate what they’ve learned and develop their own creative abilities.

What does politics have to do with ballet? Well everything! It’s the times and world events that contextualise the dancers’ life. Ex: If we are to understand Nureyev and Barishnikov we must understand the Russian Revolution and communism. In order to understand why there are so many women in ballet we have to study King Louis XIV and then Napoleon’s influence on French culture.