Ballet Manila holds summer workshop

MANILA, Philippines - The Ballet Manila School, the educational arm of the country’s premiere classical ballet company, will hold its annual intensive Summer Workshop dubbed “Just Dance 2014” from April 7 to May 25. Enrollment is ongoing.

Regular classes (three classes a week) and intensive classes (six classes a week) will be held for Baby Ballet, Level 1 Beginner, Level 1 Advanced, Level 2, Level 3 and Beginner Pointe.

Prima ballerina and BM artistic director Lisa Macuja-Elizalde and artistic associate Osias Barroso lead the faculty roster, which will also include the company’s seasoned dancers and teachers.

All classes are open to girls and boys as follows:

Baby Ballet, 3-5 years old (emphasis is on basic posture, building a sense of rhythm, space and direction); Level 1 Beginner, 6-10 years old (this level teaches basic posture and pull-up and a dance vocabulary); Level 1 Advanced, 6-10 years old (ideal for students who have had previous ballet classes, it includes classical ballet basics of turning out the legs in the hip socket, going on demi-pointe and pulling up in proper classical posture); Level 2, 11-14 years old (focus is on more advanced barre work as well as strengthening the legs and feet by more intensive pointe exercises); Level 3, 12-16 years old (students are expected to be able to execute all exercises in the barre and center on demi-pointe and full pointe); Beginner Pointe (a class for Level 2 and 3 students deemed strong enough on demi-pointe to go on pointe for the first time). Most exercises are done with the aid of the barre, first on both legs and then progressing to balances on one leg.

Classes will be held at the Ballet Manila studios at 1915 Donada Street, Pasay City.

“Just Dance 2014” will culminate in a recital at the Aliw Theater, CCP Complex, Pasay City. A certificate of completion will be awarded to each student.

There will also be classes on Kids Modern Ballet, Jazz and Hip-hop, but must be taken alongside classical ballet class. Also offered are adult classes in Modern Ballet, Jazz, Hip-hop, Yoga and Pilates with twice-a-week sessions, and an Adult Dance Fitness class with daily sessions.

All students/ enrollees of the Ballet Manila School may qualify for full and half scholarships. Scholarships are awarded only after live auditions.

Ballet Manila will hold auditions for its Project Ballet Futures scholarship program on  March 15 and 16 at Aliw Theater, CCP Complex, Pasay City. Registration will be at 10 a.m. while audition proper will be at 2 p.m. Boys and girls, 10-16 years old, may apply. Applicants aged 12-16 must have at least two years of ballet training.

For inquiries, call the Ballet Manila office at 400-0292 and 525-5967, email info@balletmanila.com.ph or visit www.balletmanila.com.ph.