Continuing with our exploration of PERGSET, the 7 qualities of movement in ballet, this month, we’re reflecting on sauter [to jump]. A good jump of any size starts and ends with a strong and intentional plié, providing momentum for takeoff and a safe cushion for landing. (Click here to watch a combination with lots of examples of sauter.)
Like much of ballet, jumps are rooted in natural movement, so everyone can jump, leap and soar through the air. Sometimes the jumps look big to our eyes, and sometimes they feel big inside of our bodies while appearing small or invisible to our eyes. By learning to jump safely, we give ourselves the opportunity to sauter for decades.
At Danspace, we start simply in our Serendipity classes with skips, gallops, and jumps that you might see on a playground. As the dancers progress, we start to add the ballet qualities to these jumps (pointed feet, rotation, more intentional plié, etc).
In ballet 2 we start to add medium allegro steps like petit jeté, assemblé, and pas de chat. We continue to explore and expand our medium allegro vocabulary through advanced level classes.
You’ll even see some cross over from ballet into other styles of dance, including big leaps (grand allegro) and jumps that travel a dancers across the studio or stage.
Jumping, leaping and soaring through the air are opportunities for big movements, for our bodies to take up space and stretch, and for dramatic expression of big emotions.
The next time you watch dancing of any kind (at the studio for Visiting Day, in a theater, or on a screen), see if you can notice and celebrate sauter, both the soaring portions and the plié required to start and finish. Share your favorite sauté movements with us on Facebook.
Reflections
Welcome back to Danspace to both new and returning students. We had a great Visiting Week to wind-down our Fall Semester in Children’s Division where loved ones come to observe class and see what their dancers are working on. Visiting Week is an important way for you to connect with your dancer about their class experience. When we have an audience, it also helps our dancers practice the “performing” part of our performing art!
Adult Ballet Fundamentals is underway!
Adult Ballet Fundamentals is a class designed for true beginners to support you as you begin your ballet practice. We’re offering another Ballet Fundamentals class next series (beginning March 1). Fundamentals explores the building blocks of ballet, giving adult students the opportunity to learn the core principles they need for Adult Beginning Ballet. Please tell your friends and neighbors who are interested in ballet about this unique opportunity! Danspace parents are also very welcome in this class. If you have questions or need more information, please contact us: info@danspace.com.
Children’s Division
Important Dates
Children’s Division is closed for President’s Week: Monday, February 17-Saturday, February 22. There will be no Children’s Division or Teen/Adult classes held this week.
Summer 2020: Keep on Dancin’
Summer workshops are a great way to try different dance styles and make new friends!
Deadline to enroll in our summer workshops in March 14.
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Workshop for ages 7-10 (click here to download the flyer)
Workshop for ages 10-15 (click here to download the flyer)
Hoge Ballet Intensive for ages 13 and up (click here to download the flyer)
Corvino Ballet & Baroque Intensive for ages 13 and up (click here to download the flyer)
CODA Performance Opportunity for ages 13 and up (click here to download the flyer)
Adult Division
Adult Division Series 3 ends Saturday, February 29
Schedule your makeup classes today!
Makeup classes must be completed within the same series. If you know you may miss a class toward the end of the series, you can makeup in advance! Makeup classes are a great way to try a new style or explore the level above or below your current class. For support in choosing a makeup class, please email or ask at the front desk.
Sundays: Adult Beginning Ballet, 10:30am-12pm
Sundays: Adult Ballet Fundamentals, 12-1:30pm
Mondays: Adult Cardio Hip Hop, 7:30-8:30pm
Wednesdays: Adult Adv Beginning/Intermediate Ballet, 7:30-9pm
Thursdays: Adult Beginning/Intermediate Ballet, 7:30-9pm
Intermediate/Advanced Teen/Adult Classes:
Mondays: Intermediate/Advanced Teen Adult Ballet with Kimberly Valmore, 6-7:30pm
Tuesdays: Intermediate/Advanced Teen Adult Modern Jazz with Kimberly Valmore, 6:15-7:45pm
Fridays: Intermediate/Advanced Teen Adult Ballet with Claudine Naganuma, 6-7:30pm
Saturdays: Intermediate/
Ballet with Beth!
Beth Hoge is the Founder and Matriarch of our community at Danspace. She founded Danspace in 1976 after a long dance career in Los Angeles and New York. It is a real treat to experience Ballet with Beth!
- Wednesday, February 5: 11am-12:30pm
- Saturday, February 15: 11am-12:30pm
From the Community
We wanted to share a few resources that we’re excited about:
See Bolshoi Ballet’s Swan Lake at the movies: this can be an affordable and accessible way to see dance – with popcorn in comfy seats!
From Dance Magazine: Perfectionism Is an Epidemic in the Dance World. Here’s How to Keep It from Derailing Your Career
From In Dance: Dance Play is Serious Business: Young Minds Require Freedom
Please email us to share resources or to request information for future newsletters!
Looking Forward
Important Dates
- No Children’s Division classes: February 17-22, 2020
- Last day of Spring semester: June 6, 2020
- Spring Tuition is due. The deadline to make your payment was January 11. Please send in payment ASAP.
Adult Division Series 3 Make-Up classes must be completed by February 29. Schedule your makeups early!
Summer 2020
Registration is open- Enroll today!
Beth Hoge Ballet Intensive
Teen and Adult Division
June 15 – June 19, 2020
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday Ballet from 10:30am-12:30pm
Thursday from 12:00-2:00pm
Corvino Ballet Intensive
Teen and Adult Division
June 22 – June 28, 2020
Monday-Sunday
Schedule varies, evening classes and weekend morning classes offered
CODA Performance Intensive
Students in Ballet 3/4/5
July 6 – August 1, 2020
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday
3:00-8:00pm
Culminating performances at Holy Names University on August 1
Dance Workshop for ages 7-10
July 13 – July 17, 2020
Monday-Friday
9:00am-3:30pm
Dance Workshop for ages 10-15
July 27 – July 31, 2020
Monday-Friday
9:00am-3:30pm
We look forward to jumping through February with you,
The Danspace team
