The very core of Studio Tibor, classical ballet open class for adult students. Exceptional teachers from various countries around the world teach using the influences of Russian, French, Italian and American styles in an open class format. All our teachers are ex dancers from National and International companies including: The Australian Ballet, Finnish National Ballet, Royal Ballet, National Theatre Mannheim, Sydney Dance Company, English National Ballet, Royal Swedish Ballet, Cairo Ballet Company, Royal New Zealand Ballet, Norwegian National Ballet Company, and Queensland Ballet.
FIRST STEPS
For students who have little to no previous experience of participating in a ballet class. If you are new to ballet this is the class for you. You will methodically learn the positions of the feet and arms, how to coordinate and combining them while being introduced to the vocabulary of ballet terms such as Plié, Tendu and Dégagé. More experienced students will benefit from this class as they reinforce the very first steps of ballet class at the barre. Developing students musicality and counting are an important part of First Steps. The class focuses on barre work and an introduction to basic centre positions.
Students are encourage to take 2 classes a week and build up to an additional class at the level above as they become more confident.
FIRST STEPS CENTRE
For students who have little to no previous experience of participating in a ballet class in the centre (unsupported by the barre).
This class builds on First Steps class by moving you to unsupported exercises in the centre. The class focuses on an introduction to basic centre positions. More experienced students will benefit from this class as they reinforce the very first steps of ballet class, unsupported, in the centre.
Students will develop coordination of their arms, legs and head positions and how to combining them while being introduced to the vocabulary of ballet terms in centre-work. The exercises of First Steps Centre encourage the use of stabilising muscles throughout your core, upper body, shoulders and feet as your strive to perfect your placement.
Students are encourage to take 2 classes a week and build up to an additional class at the level above as they become more confident.
ABSOLUTE BEGINNER
Students who have experience at either First Steps or another Absolute Beginner level ballet class. This may be as an adult student or when they were a teenager. If you understand terms like Grande Plié in second, Port de Bras and Frappé then you will be well suited for this level. Students will be building on their existing barre work while adding new exercises and moving to centre work. In the centre they will work on learning basic connection steps such as, Chassé Pas de Bourrée and Balancé, the correct preparation for pirouettes and preparation for petit allegro (small jumps at the barre). Focus will be given to an important feature of any ballet class, the transfer of weight between your supporting and working leg.
Students are encouraged to take a minimum of 2 classes a week and build up to an additional level above as their understanding develops.
FIRST STEPS POINTE
For students who have never been on pointe or who are new to pointe work with the focus on the basics of using the foot correctly to develop a smooth transition to full pointe. This level sits below Absolute Beginner Pointe class. Students of all levels are welcome to take this class to ensure correct footwork and placement for more advanced pointe. Students will combine Classical classes with First Steps Pointe class to reinforce a strong foundation of technique.
Students are required to attend 2 – 3 classical classes a week at Absolute Beginner level or above to develop the technique required for Pointe classes.
ABSOLUTE BEGINNER / BEGINNER
This is the first in a series of mixed levels designed as bridging classes. The combination of two similar levels assists the student progress to the next level by fine tuning their existing skills and stretching their knowledge beyond their comfort zone before tackling the more demanding level above. Depending on your ability and understanding some students will be able to bypass this bridging level and go directly to the one above.
BEGINNER
Beginner level students who have achieved a high level such as Elementary or Intermediate as teenagers or who have attended any of the levels previously described. A beginner student will have started to build confidence in their understanding and use of ballet terms. Beginners students will be able to start recognising the name of exercises demonstrated by the teacher, more complex exercise at the barre without being shown several times and have good coordinate of the arms and legs within basic exercises. Beginner students will be comfortable with understanding basic centre work including connection steps, single pirouettes and petite allegro. This level will also build on medium jumps and more involved centre combinations. Students will start to have control of their body positions in centre work including working from one leg.
Students are encouraged to take a minimum of 2 – 3 classes a week to enhance the body/brain coordination which facilitates remembering the more complex exercises.
BEGINNER / ELEMENTARY
This is the second in a series of mixed levels designed as bridging classes.The combination of two similar levels assists the student progress to the next level by fine tuning their existing skills and stretching their knowledge beyond their comfort zone before tackling the more demanding level above. Moving to Elementary from Beginner will require most students to take this bridging class to cope with the increased demands on their body, mind and technique. This class will help to make sense of choreographed Enchaînement and diagonal work including traveling exercises from one leg.
Students are encouraged to take one bridging class a week either before progressing up a level or in combination with the higher level to provide a stable foundation for their technique.
ELEMENTARY
Student suited to this level class may have been up to Intermediate or Advanced ballet level in their teenage years or have participated in any of the levels previously described. Students will be required to have a strong understanding of ballet terminology and technique. Will be able to pick up steps at the barre and in the centre primarily when verbally directed and with minimal demonstration from the teacher. Students will be learning for the first time a full range of barre work from Plies through to Grande Battement. Centre work will focus on learning enchaînement and diagonal work such as , Grande Pirouettes, Petite Allegro and Medium Allegro. Students will learn Grande Allegro and the technique required for multiple pirouettes including Piqué turns. Students of elementary level will tackle choreographed combinations that are the basis for Spotlight Classes Variation and Pointe.
Students are encouraged to take 3 – 4 classes a week to maintain and develop their technique at this higher level.
ELEMENTARY / INTERMEDIATE
This is the third in a series of mixed levels designed as bridging classes.The combination of two similar levels assists the student progress to the next level by fine tuning their existing skills and stretching their knowledge beyond their comfort zone before tackling the more demanding level above. Moving to Elementary from Intermediate will require all students to take this level bridging class assuring they will be able to cope with the increased demands on their body, mind and technique required for Intermediate. This class will help to make sense of choreographed enchaînement and diagonal work including traveling exercises from one leg.
Students are encouraged to take one bridging class a week either before progressing up a level or in combination with the higher level to provide a stable foundation for their technique.
INTERMEDIATE
Intermediate level is for students who are taking 3 – 5 classes a week. Students will be confident at barre and centre work. Have a solid technique and be fluent in ballet terminology. Students at this level will be learning to develop their artistry in combination with execution of complex choreographed enchaînement. Students at this level may be complimenting their training with one or more Spotlight Classes such as Pointe and Variation and are invited to take class in pointe shoes.
SPOTLIGHT CLASSES
These classes do just that, cast a spotlight on important components of the overall classical ballet technique. Although some of these classes such as Centre Work, Character, Floor Barre, Syllabus and First Steps are stand alone classes and do not have to be taken in combination with a classical class before, all Spotlight Classes are designed to compliment existing classical classes at your level. Other Spotlight Classes like Variations and Pointe demand taking the class before to ensure you have prepared your body sufficiently before the challenge of the Spotlight class. These classes will assist in developing strong technique and widening you knowledge of ballet enabling you to progress beyond your existing level. They are also fun!
CENTRE-WORK
Students will often feel themselves building their technique at the barre and then doubt themselves as they step into the centre. Centre Work Spotlight classes are a great way to build on what is often the weakest part of a dancers technique. This class will focus on how to use your body with correct placement and posture and give you a firm footing learning to work from one leg. There will be a strong emphasis on Ports de Bars and connecting steps. This Spotlight Class is offered at two levels. Absolute beginner/Beginner and Beginner/Elementary.
POINTE
Students undertaking this Spotlight Class are required to speak with the teacher before attending. All levels of Pointe Class take concentration and precision in execution to ensure no injury or damage to the feet and ankles occur. Students are required to have there pointe shoes fitted at Bloch or another specialist dance store. The pointe shoe must be well fitted so that students have free movement to use all of their foot in rising and lowering. Working on pointe takes time to develop and will require at least 2 other classical classes a week to provide you with enough technique to execute pointe exercises. While pointe work is challenging for all students it provides a greater freedom to dance more complex choreography and Pas de Duex (working with a partner). Caution is an important part of learning pointe work but also well worth the effort to reach this pinnacle of Classical ballet.
Pointe Class is offered in three levels Absolute Beginner, Beginner and Beginner/Elementary.
VARIATION
Now is your chance to feel how a professional dancer feels in rehearsal for a new ballet. You will be taught the original choreography from some of the most famous ballets ever created such as Swan Lake, Don Quixote, Coppélia, La Baydere, Sleeping Beauty and Nutcracker to name a few. Tutus are provided and you will be asked to perform the variation as a solo during class once you have built your confidence. Students who have a strong technique on pointe may perform the variation on pointe. You will be dancing to orchestral music from the ballets they come from to inspire you to new heights in your ballet training. Variations are chose to suite the technique of participating students at both levels. This Spotlight Class is offered at two levels. Beginner and Elementary.
BEGINNER
Students at this level will learn simplified versions of original choreograph and perform the solo in ballet flats or pointe shoes. Solos will also be performed in small groups while you build your confidence to take centre stage alone!
ELEMENTARY
Students at this level will learn original versions of variations and be comfortable to perform the solo centre stage. Many students at this level will perform on pointe and greater emphasis will be put on the artistry of the variation.
SYLLABUS
This Spotlight Class is designed for those of you who like the repetition of exercises giving you time to learn them before changing. You will learn consistent exercises for a 12 week period, giving yourself and the teacher a chance to work up to mastering each step and movement. You will learn the exercises and remember them from week to week, pushing your memory and creating a fast moving class. This Spotlight class is offered at two levels. Beginner and Elementary to mirror classical classes at this level. Students are encouraged to commit to the full 12 weeks of the Syllabus.
FLOOR BARRE
We will be stretching you, literally with a Floor Barre class designed for all levels, where barre exercises are conducted laying on the floor. Don’t be fooled, this class will work you as much or even more than when you are standing. With no floor and no barre to rest or push against, it will quickly expose where your weak spots are and how much control you have over your body position using only your technique. Students will develop core strength and power as they mover their arms and legs with only air as resistance. This class is excellent for body alignment and posture.
CHARACTER
Character dance is a combination of dancers from across the globe. Many of the national dancers are from Russia, Ukraine, Hungary, Poland and Italy. This class is for all levels as it builds your coordination and speed of movement. It is a class to learn how to present yourself in dance. This class will have you running, turning and jumping to the live accompaniment of Mark Dubovsky as he plays his accordion under the exceptional tuition of Vadym. Fun and exhausting are the best descriptor of this class.
Students will need character shoes to excel in this class. Bloch have the correct character shoes for this class.