quotidianballet

[quotidianballet]

Ballet for Seniors is back! Previously at Active Aging Hub, we have now relocated. Whether you are someone who has training in ballet or a complete beginner, we have a class for you! Email us at quotidianballet@gmail.com to sign up!

[quotidianballet]

Direct School Admissions

[quotidianballet]

Just some real thoughts

Just some real thoughts

A recent episode got me thinking about our role as dance teachers. I had taught this student at my previous school, and she was one of the few students that demonstrated high potential for ballet, young as she was. Some nine months later, after the conclusion of the ballet exams, I was pleasantly surprised to receive a call from her mother, informing me that she was keen to move her daughter, my…

[quotidianballet]

How much do we spend on ballet?!

How much do we spend on ballet?!

Dance education is expensive. In particular, ballet, which is also why it used to be known as a recreational activity for upper middle class families. Thankfully, this idea has changed with the times and our society has progressed significantly as to allow more families to send their kids for ballet classes.

I watched a ballet documentary couple of years back titled First Position which some…

[quotidianballet]

Prioritizing quality over quantity

Prioritizing quality over quantity

A student at the Beijing Dance Academy

I’ve been ruminating about the importance of having good technique and imparting it to students. Especially at the younger ages, where dance foundation is laid, it is important to educate students on how to use the correct muscles for certain movements, as this would translate to stronger technique at the higher levels. While it is much easier to explain…

[quotidianballet]

Thoughts on having a ballet body

Thoughts on having a ballet body

There are certain students that teachers zoom in on during class because they naturally have the right proportions and physical attributes to make good lines, a necessity for ballet, which is a visual art form.

There’s this idea in the ballet world that if a student doesn’t have the right body, she shouldn’t pursue ballet as a career or train rigorously as it wouldn’t be successful,…

[quotidianballet]

Different schools of ballet

Ballet is a universal language, but spoken in different accents all around the world. In this post, I will cover some of the more prominent styles seen all around the world.

Vaganova (Russian ballet)

The Vaganova Academy

The quintessential ballet school (in my opinion) that chooses its students based on their body type and proportions. When you see these dancers, they are long limbed,…

[quotidianballet]

Why should children do RAD exams?

Celebrating the end of the RAD exams

I’ve had so many parents ask me this same question over the past 3 years. Especially at the lower grades (Pri-Primary and Primary), parents put their kids in ballet for recreational purposes or just for holistic development, and they are often puzzled by the need for an exam.

The RAD grades run this way:

Pri-Primary (age 5): Syllabus is focused on…

[quotidianballet]

RAD or CSTD syllabus?

RAD or CSTD syllabus?

In Singapore, most dance schools use either the Royal Academy of Dance syllabus (RAD) or the Commonwealth Society of Teachers of Dancing syllabus (also known as CSTD). RAD is an examining board from the UK but is a separate entity from the Royal Ballet. They conduct examinations worldwide for commercial dance schools. CSTD is from Australia and similar, but they do have exams for other dance…

[quotidianballet]

On loyalties to a teacher

On loyalties to a teacher

The teacher student relationship in the dance world is a special one. I’ve been thinking about why teachers in the dance world seem to hold a more important position than just any school teacher. I reckon it is because most students tend to follow one particular teacher for the whole of their dance education, to the extent that this figure of authority is likened to a parent.

From the…

[quotidianballet]

Men in ballet

Men in ballet have always been somewhat of an enigma to the outside world. Yet they remain rather fascinating for the fact that ballet is often regarded as feminine. Male dancers play an integral role in supporting the female ballerina, and on stage, they are required to show a greater level of height and strength in their jumps and turns and batterie. Here are some of the most prominent male…

[quotidianballet]

How to cope with not being the best dancer in class

How to cope with not being the best dancer in class

Competitiveness is part and parcel of a dance education. Dance is, after all, competitive sport as much as it is an art form. However, standing on the same barre with the girl whose leg is close to touching her face in an adage combination can be seriously daunting. Because we are constantly watching ourselves in the mirrors, we inevitably compare our bodies and work to those of our peers. But…

[quotidianballet]

Acing your DSA audition

Acing your DSA audition

The DSA audition is an admissions exercise in Singapore for students who wish to enter particular schools through their talents instead of their PSLE scores. I’ve observed several of these auditions to know what they look for. Here, I provide some tips for acing your DSA audition.

1. Prepare well for your DSA audition piece

Image credit

Portfolios aside, the panel or judging instructor…

[quotidianballet]

Why are dance competitions such a big thing?

Why are dance competitions such a big thing?

Dance competitions have become an important part of the industry, and it has almost become a necessity for dance studios to do competitions in order to keep up with the times.

Image credit

In Singapore, it used to be that students followed the traditional route of taking yearly ballet exams and the occasional performance. Only a minority would go for dance competitions and even then, there…

[quotidianballet]

Common ballet terms explained

Common ballet terms explained

Dessus: To go over; that is, the working foot passes from back to front. For instance, glissade dessus with the right foot behind would mean gliding to the right with the right foot closing in front.

Dessous: To go under; that is, the working foot passes from front to back. Glissade dessous with the right foot behind would mean traveling to the left with the left foot closing behind.

Elev…

[quotidianballet]

Ten tips for adult ballet beginners

Ten tips for adult ballet beginners

Ballet classes for adults are increasingly popular as fitness has become more important in our world today. If you wish to do ballet as an adult but have never done a class before, here are some tips which you may find useful.

1. Dress appropriately

Image credit: Pxfuel

For those who are not comfortable in a skin tight leotard, fret not. Adult ballet classes are conducted in a more…

[quotidianballet]

Thoughts on the value of a dance education in Singapore

Thoughts on the value of a dance education in Singapore

How much can a dance education earn you in Singapore? Here, I define education as formal studies and/or certification that allows one to pursue a career in dance.

Ten years ago, a dance education was still frowned upon. Possibly because my country has always been a pragmatic one, and no one quite knew what the prospects of dancing were. In fact, it was hard to imagine that something…