| Imperial
Ballet Teachers Group (Worchester)
On
Sunday 12th September the Imperial Ballet Teachers Group (Worcester)
gathered at Stratford-upon-Avon Girls Grammar School for a
workshop with Lorraine Swain.
The
day began in an informal way with new faces and acquaintances
being met over coffee. With the prospect of the first term
of the new academic year ahead of us all, the anticipation
for exchanging knowledge and enthusiasm was palpable. The
main agenda for the day was the new alternative dances for
the Imperial Ballet Grades.
We
began working through the variations for Grades 5, 6 and Intermediate
Foundation, all were deconstructed and explored in detail.
I was particularly engaged by Lorraine’s emphasis on
bringing out the artistry and style of each variation, indeed
it struck me almost immediately that we, as teachers, now
have a wonderful choice of variations to suit the differing
levels of maturity, artistry and technical ability which we
find in our students.
After
an appetising buffet, the afternoon resumed with a detailed
run through of the Grade 4 Boys and Girls Alternative Variation.
I am sure that I can speak for all the teachers on the course
when I say how much fun was had in dancing ‘A Day at
the Races’. Once again Lorraine’s clarity of detail,
not only in a technical sense, but in an artistic and characteristic
sense, enabled us to portray the true character of the dance.
After
the short tea break we gathered in the hall for the final
part of the day. The excited laughter and chatter of the arriving
children aged between 8 and 10 years old could be heard emanating
from the dressing room. Their enthusiasm at the prospect of
a class with Lorraine, to be observed not only by their own
teachers but by other teachers too, was obvious from the moment
they all entered the room. Every child was neatly groomed
and on their best behaviour.
Lorraine
immediately dispelled any nervousness the children may have
had with her friendly and confident manner. After a simple
warm up, the children appeared relaxed yet keenly focused
on the lesson ahead. The focus for the class was the use of
port de bras.
Lorraine
firstly explored such vital concepts as fluidity of movement
and an appropriate use of head and upper body. This was humourously
done by observing how a simple port de bras would look without
these concepts. Lorraine then set a port de bras which clearly
demonstrated the above attributes, and soon the girls were
putting these ideas into practice.
Once
the class had mastered the port de bras, Lorraine proceeded
to create a further three enchainements incorporating both
adage and allegro all of which utilised the same port de bras.
This meant taking the port de bras one step further: to co-ordinate
the carriage of the arms with steps and movement without using
vital concepts. It also meant addressing differences in speed
and dynamics as they occurred.
The
idea of using the same port de bras throughout worked perfectly
with this age group and by the end of the session all the
pupils regardless of ability were able to dance with a controlled,
co-ordinated and much improved port de bras.
As
the class drew to a close I could not help but feel that the
day really had ended on a high, both for the teachers and
the pupils. We had all been inspired by Lorraine to whom we
would like to express our gratitude.
On
a final note, I would really like to encourage all teachers
to find their nearest teachers group and join it. It is so
vital to keep up to date with the accuracy and technical detail
of the syllabus, also to ensure that our approach to teaching
is never allowed to become stale.
Many
teachers work alone so it can be a lonely business if you
allow it to be. Joining such a group is an excellent way to
meet and get to know fellow teachers and it is also an ideal
environment for learning and support. Such groups exist for
our benefit so why not take full advantage of them?
Denise
Horsley
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