Would you believe there were reindeer in class a few weeks ago?! Of course, I suppose it actually makes a lot of sense – what could be better than ballet training to prepare for a graceful and nimble ascent into the skies later this month! As we find ourselves in the final weeks of 2017, FRCBA has many joyful offerings to help you make the most of the end of your year!
Pas de Deux
Partnering has always been one of my favorite parts of dancing. Growing up in Casper, Wyoming, there were very few opportunities for this, except at summer programs out of state, until my University of Utah days… Learning to work with a partner while dancing is a very different skill from what we learn in regular technique classes, and provides an opportunity to stretch ourselves in new ways, while sharing the challenge and joy of movement with our partner. By way of introducing my students to this experience, I am offering Pas de Deux class (ballet partnering – literally “Step of Two”) on the evening of Friday, December 15 5:30 – 7:30 pm. Students should be age 11 through adult and of an intermediate to advanced level. Those who are strong and experienced on pointe are encouraged to wear their pointe shoes for at least part of the class, although pointe shoes are not required. Bringing your own partner (men need not have experience) is great, but not required. Please sign up well in advance if you are interested in this class, as I will try to rent the Contemporary Dance Academy for the occasion if there are enough students. Cost is $20 if registered and paid by Dec. 8; $25 after Dec. 8.
The Nutcracker
To include the Nutcracker as part of your December tradition, come attend the Loveland Dance Academy’s presentation the weekend of Dec. 9 & 10 at Thompson Valley High School. FRCBA dancers will be performing a lively and original rendition of the Spanish variation. Tickets are available at www.showtix4u.com. For me, Nutcracker is the reminder of my days performing the Sugar Plum Pas de Deux. It was one of my very favorite roles which I had the opportunity to perform many times, eventually allowing me to feel totally at home in the role. Of course, with each different partner, it was a new experience, and gave me the chance to explore the role in a novel way.
Performance and Potluck
If Nutcracker isn’t really your thing (and believe me, I understand if you’ve seen your fill of them!), perhaps you’d prefer to attend our performance on Sunday, December 17, at 3:30 pm at the Greyrock Cohousing Common House, 2265 Shooting Star Lane. Part of this performance will be accompanied by live musicians! You will still have the opportunity to see the Spanish variation, although you won’t have to sit through the rest of the Nutcracker. In addition, you will see the premier of Goddess Counsel, and a reprise of The Space Between, a ballet choreographed over 18 years ago by myself and a dear friend of mine. This performance is free and open to the public, and you are invited to stay for our holiday potluck afterwards. (Please bring a dish to share if you plan to stay.) You are also welcome to come to just the holiday potluck, which will probably start around 5 pm!
Scholarship Fund
Holidays, holidays… Whatever holiday you and your family celebrate, if you are searching for a unique and beautiful gift for that ballet lover you know, be sure to check out these gorgeous creations by FRCBA student (and multi-talented Crafting Queen!) Jayme Tilley. She has turned our old well-worn pointe shoes into incredible works of art and is donating all the proceeds to the FRCBA scholarship fund. (If you have old pointe shoes to which you’d like to give new life, please bring them in - donate to the cause and see how they can be restored to glory!) You can see Jayme’s creations at Me Oh My Coffee and Pie in Laporte, and online at: Very Home Made.
Holiday Break
Phew! Once all that is over, I’m pretty sure we’ll all be needing a break. Good thing the studio is closed for most of the holiday! Classes will be as normal through Saturday, Dec. 23. Break will be Sunday, Dec. 24, through Friday, Jan. 5. Regular classes will resume on Saturday, Jan. 6. If there is enough interest, I will hold the following classes on Saturday, Dec. 30: 9-9:45 am Conditioning and Stretching (appropriate for anyone age 10+); 9:45 – 11:30 am Back-to-Basics Technique (appropriate for all dancers of advanced beginning through advanced level technique); 11:30-12:30 Pointe and Variations (on this day anyone at any level of pointe technique is welcome to join us and we will learn the classic Sugar Plum Variation; students new on pointe may take their shoes off after a few exercises and continue the class in their ballet slippers). These classes can be taken as make-up classes by anyone on monthly tuition, hour cards may be used, or students may pay drop-in rates. PLEASE sign up by Dec. 16 if you’d like to attend these classes as I will NOT hold them if there are not enough students interested. I will post a sign-up sheet on the dressing room door.
I hope 2017 has been a wonderful year for you all and I hope that FRCBA has helped to make it so. Wishing you all the best for a joyful holiday season!!