Have you always been interested in taking ballet classes but never had the chance? It is never too late to start as a total beginner and there are many good reasons to do so!
Ballet has a number of benefits including building strength and endurance, increasing flexibility, and improving posture and coordination. Moreover, recent studies have shown that dance has numerous positive effects on mental health as well. According to these studies, dancing supports motor, emotional, and intellectual functions, reducing depression symptoms and boosting memory (“Is Dancing Good for the Brain?” https://www.news-medical.net/health/Is-Dancing-Good-for-the-Brain.aspx).
At Amherst Ballet, you can learn ballet from the very beginning and reap all of its benefit safely at any age in “Intro to Ballet” with Karen Michaels. Karen holds a BFA in dance from The Boston Conservatory of Music and has been teaching dance at various locations in the Pioneer Valley since 2004. Karen is also a licensed massage therapist for over 30 years, a certified Zero Balancer and mentor for the Zero Balancing Health Association, and a certified yoga teacher.
With her profound knowledge in both dancing and body mechanics, Karen has designed an 8-week introductory course that teaches adults the beginning basics of ballet technique as well as proper and healthy bio-mechanical body alignment. In this course, students will learn basic ballet positions, vocabulary, and class exercises, with an emphasis on alignment and musicality.
Dates: April 15 – June 10
Time: Thursday 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
Tuition: In studio $175 (Student Rate $160); Zoom $120 (Student Rate $110)
*Karen will be teaching remotely. We’ll project her onto a screen for dancers in the studio.
** Studio capacity is limited to four.
To register, click on the “Register” button at the upper right corner of the page. This will take you to Dance Studio Pro Parent Portal. If you are new to Amherst Ballet, please make a free account first and add yourself as your student. Then, click on “Register for Classes” and choose this class in the next screen.
To get the student rate, please email info@amherstballet.org.