Academy of Northern Ballet

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1 Adult Open Classes Information Handbook

2 General Information Identity The Academy of Northern Ballet offers a unique holistic and healthy training method which helps create a well-balanced dance environment. We recognise that individuals develop in different areas at varying rates from each other therefore each student is considered individually, corrected, and scheduled accordingly. Injury prevention is at the very core of the teaching method which emphasises correct alignment, fitness and the development of adequate strength at each stage. Nutrition and anatomy are also key elements of the curriculum. Students are actively encouraged to be creative, to ask questions, conduct research and take responsibility for their own learning. Adult Classes Drop in classes: Adult drop in class places must be booked in advance. Bookings will open from 12:00 on Saturday for the upcoming week. Bookings can be made by calling Northern Ballet on Spaces will be fill on a first come first served basis. There must be a minimum number of people in each class in order for it to run. Courses: Courses run in 10 week blocks and need to be booked and paid for in advance. Contact Details: academy@northernballet.com Phone number: Registration fee All students must pay a registration fee in order to regularly attend classes with Northern Ballet to cover administration costs. Uniform There is no set uniform for our adult classes. Please wear something that you feel comfortable in and allows you to move. Either track suit / sports leggings and vest or leotard and tights. Students should either wear ballet shoes or bare feet. Prior to class Attendees will be let upstairs from mins before the start of class and will have 10 minutes at the end of class to cool down. Please note that there are many classes going on in the building at one time as well as company rehearsals. Attendees can warm up and cool down outside of the studio where appropriate but please be aware of walk ways and fire exits. All our adult classes will include a warm up and cool down within your class time. Showers are not available for adult class use before or after class. 2

3 Class times Drop in/ Class Course Day and Time Level Adult Ballet 1 Drop In Thursday 19:00-20:15 Beginners Adult Ballet 2 Drop In Wednesday 19:00-20:30 Improvers Adult Ballet 3 Drop In Tuesday 19:00-20:30 Improvers/Advanced Dancing for the over 55s Drop in Tuesday 11:25-12:25 Beginners Dancing for the over 55s Drop in Tuesday 10:10-11:25 Improvers Dancing for the over 55s Drop in Thursday 11:10-12:25 Improvers Adult Ballet Course Level 1 Adult Ballet Course Level 2 Course Thursday 19:00-20:00 Level 1 (no previous experience required) Course Thursday 18:00-19:00 Level 2 (improvers) Studio Allocation Our building holds a range of classes and professional rehearsals for our company during the week. Generally your class will be held in the same studio every week. If our company are at base studio changes may occur staff will let you know if any there are any changes. Green Passes All visitors to our building, including our adult class participants will be given a green pass by our reception team this must be worn when you are in the building. If you are not wearing your pass you may be approached by a member of staff to confirm if you have been allocated a pass. Please remember to hand your pass back into reception at the end of the evening. Faculty All teaching faculty have been carefully selected by Northern Ballet Artistic Director, David Nixon. All have performed professionally, many with Northern Ballet and teach on our open classes as well as our professional training classes. The syllabus taught at Northern Ballet has been carefully designed by ballet mistress Yoko Ichino to make sure that all students gain the most out of their training. 3

4 Amanda Gilliland Classical Ballet Born in the UK, Amanda trained at the Lupino Theatre School before moving onto the Royal Ballet Upper School. She joined the London Festival Ballet/English National Ballet where she was a coryphee and danced soloist roles in productions such as La Sylphide and Romeo and Juliet, before moving on to dance on the West End in productions including Chess and Phantom of the Opera where she was a dancer/singer as well as the second assistant to the director. Following this Amanda then went on to be the Assistant to the Artistic Director, Derek Deane at English National Ballet and then Company Manager for their spring and Australia/Hong Kong tour. Along with dancing Amanda has a wealth of teaching experience at a number of different schools including London Studio Centre, Cardwell Theatre School and her own associate classes for dancers wishing to follow a classical career. Annemarie Donoghue Over 55s Annemarie trained in classical ballet from a very young age and graduated from Bretton Hall College with a BA Hons in Dance in On graduation she taught GCSE and A Level dance at Ossett High School, Wakefield. She joined Northern Ballet in 1996 as Education Officer and project manager and led workshops up and down the country in company repertoire and technique. In 2005 she became the manager of the newly formed Classical Training Department (now Academy) having been an integral part of the set up of the Centre for Advanced Training programme at Northern Ballet. Annemarie left the department for a short while in 2007 to look after her growing family of 3 children returning to teach our mini movers and creative movement classes as well as being a member of the pastoral team and mentoring programme. Jane Tucker Classical Ballet Jane began her training with Northern Dance Centre, completing it at Central School of Ballet and Northern Ballet School. Jane began her professional career with the Hong Kong Ballet in 1994, touring extensively throughout Asia, North America and Canada. She joined Northern Ballet in 1999 and performed in ballets such as In the Mood, Great Expectations, A Streetcar Named Desire, and Madame Butterfly to name but a few. Jane gained a Distinction in the Professional Dancers Teaching Diploma at the Royal Academy of Dancing in London She has since taught at Northern Ballet School, Elmhurst, Northern School of Contemporary Dance and Liverpool Theatre School besides doing workshops throughout Australia. Christopher Hinton-Lewis Classical Ballet Chris was born in Wolverhampton and trained at the English National Ballet School. He joined Northern Ballet as a dancer in 1999 and was promoted to Premier Dancer in Throughout his time with the Company he performed many roles including Romeo and Mercutio in Massimo Morricone's Romeo & Juliet; Scrooge and Young Scrooge in A Christmas Carol, Dracula in David Nixon's Dracula and Heathcliff in Wuthering Heights and 4

5 many more. Chris also created many title roles including Demetrius in A Midsummer Night's Dream; Simon in Swan Lake; Adameter in A Sleeping Beauty Tale; Duke of Buckingham in The Three Musketeers and Hamlet which were all choreographed by David Nixon. In 2010 Chris joined the Royal New Zealand Ballet under artistic director Gary Harris. Whilst there he performed leading roles including José in Didy Veldman's Carmen, Tibalt in Christopher Hampson's Romeo & Juliet, Cavalier in Gary Harris' The Nutcracker and Petrushka in Michael Fokine's Petrushka. Since retiring Christopher has been a guest ballet master with Northern Ballet helping to restage productions including A Midsummer Night's Dream, Angels in the Architecture and A Christmas Carol. As a freelance teacher he has taught at The Hammond School, the University of Leeds, Laban CAT programme and has given Company Class for Matthew Bourne's Sleeping Beauty. Chris is currently studying BSc Sports and Exercise Science at the University of Leeds. Rachel English Classical Ballet Born in the UK, Rachel trained as a Royal Ballet School Associate before moving on to train at Elmhurst Ballet School, where she gained experience dancing in Birmingham Royal B Firebird, Coppelia and Façade. Following her training Rachel spent some time dancing with Ballet Ireland and Cinevox Contemporary Company before spending some time dancing for TV and cruise ships including Cunard and Costa. Rachel has also been teaching for a number of years in a variety of styles including classical ballet, contemporary, musical theatre, jazz and tap and currently teaches at a number of different schools in Yorkshire. In 2015 she graduated with a First Class BHSc Honours Degree in Physiotherapy. Guest teachers may also teach class throughout the year. Class Conduct Please arrive at least mins prior to the published class time for registration. This allows for a prompt start and ensures that you have time to warm up for the session. Teachers are there to help you. If you have any questions you can approach them. Northern Ballet reserves the right to substitute artists, vary the advertised programme or cancel classes if necessary. No refunds can be given unless a class is cancelled. All pre-booked classes, master classes and courses are non-refundable and non-transferable at the point of sale. You should inform members of Student Support and teachers of any injury or illness prior to the beginning of class. 5

6 Any injury or pain incurred during class should be reported to the teacher immediately. If you are ill or injured it is your responsibility to stop, notify the teacher and seek help. Eating is not permitted in the studios at any time. Gum should not be chewed during class. Water is permitted in the studios as long as it is in a bottle with a secure lid. There are water fountains on each level but plastic cups are not to be brought into the studio. Respectful and proper behaviour is expected in all areas of the building, including dressing rooms. For safety minutes, latecomers will not be allowed to join in class after the first 10 minutes. Any changing for classes should be done in the changing rooms of toilet facilities and not in the public areas. Northern Ballet reserves the right to take action if we consider that any individual is not acting in an appropriate manner or complying with the above terms. Students should consult a doctor before joining the class if it means a change in their usual fitness schedule. No outdoor shoes or socks are to be worn in the studios. Becoming a Friend of the Academy We need your support to allow us to sustain all our dance programmes and classes. By becoming a friend of the Academy of Northern Ballet you can really make a difference. Membership costs just 25 with special benefits and events for members. Visit northernballet.com/academy or call us to find out more. Getting to us By Train Leeds city Station, situated on new Station Street, is approximately a ten minute walk from Northern Ballet National Rail Enquiries:

7 By Bus & coach The central bus and coach station is opposite the West Yorkshire Playhouse and two minutes from Northern Ballet. Regular services from Hull, London and Manchester Airport National Express Enquiries: By Road Leeds is located at the crossroads of the M62 and the M1 and just a few kilometres from the A1. When entering the City follow the brown road signed for the West Yorkshire Playhouse at Quarry Hill just off the A64 York road in the centre of Leeds or you can follow the City Centre Loop signs. Major attractions, including the West Yorkshire Playhouse, are identified on the Loop signs. Northern Ballet is at Loop Junction 12 Car parking Please note that Northern Ballet has no dedicated parking apart from two accessible parking spaces. We recommend that visitors use the multi-storey car park on Harper Street near Leeds Kirkgate market. There is also parking at the West Yorkshire Playhouse next door to the building. Term Dates General Monday 11 th September Sunday 17 th December half term w/c 23 rd October Christmas Break: Monday 18 th December Sunday 7 th January Monday 8 th January Thursday 29 th March half term w/c 12 th February Easter break: Friday 30 th March Sunday 15 th April Monday 16 th April Saturday 2nd July half term w/c 28 th May Term Dates Courses Only Course Term 1 Thursday 7 th September Thursday 16 th November (Holiday Dates Thursday 26 th Oct HALF TERM) Course Term 2 Thursday 23 rd November Thursday 8 th February (Christmas Holiday Dates Thursday 21 st Dec, Thursday 28 th Dec) Course Term 3 Thursday 22 nd February Thurs 10 th May (Easter Holiday Dates Thurs 5 th April, Thurs 12 th April) 7

Classes for all ages and abilities from tiny tots to adults. Register online at northernballet.com/classes or call

dance classes 2014-15 Classes for all ages and abilities from tiny tots to adults Register online at northernballet.com/classes or call 0113 220 8000 find the right class We believe that there is a dancer