Autumn Update

Having officially settled into the year, it is so great when the time comes when teachers start to see real progress in their classes.  The first few weeks back, students are always trying to get their bodies back into shape.  After 3 weeks dancers typically perform at a similar level that they were at towards the end of the previous season.  The good stuff comes at the end of October when students really start to progress in a noticeable way.  I find that at each level there is something big to get excited about.  For instance, we are really focusing on cou-de-pied position with my Grade Two class.  This is a position with the foot placed low at the ankle and has been in their repertoire for a few years.  Now, we are finally at a stage where they are understanding the finer details of the position and this change is opening many doors for them.  In my Grade Four class, the time has finally arrived where they are ready to take the leg off the floor to arabesque.  This is a very complicated position that takes a lot of work to master.  It is a challenge for them but still it is obvious that they are up to it and have the necessary body awareness and ability to figure it out.  Again, knowing this placement will pave the way to new steps and elements.  Even in the older classes, as the true concept of turn out and posture are becoming more automatic and the basic foundation has been laid, we are getting closer and closer to being able to accomplish much more sophisticated movements.  Hooray for progress!
With all these changes I think it's safe to say we are officially ready for the busy month that November promises to be.  In mid October a few students were fortunate enough to work with choreographer Mindy Conto who was brought in from Ontario to work specifically with students from Absolute Dance.  It is one thing for studios to host the odd workshop here and there, but to have someone fly in to work privately on competition pieces is a real privilege.  We are so happy that Mindy was able to free a few days in her busy schedule to visit.
Next up, Absolute Dance will be holding their second Mom's Night Out.  Held on the 28th at 7 pm, Mom's are welcome to the studio to take part in a Bollywood inspired fitness class, followed by some shopping with Fair Planet.  On Halloween evening, many Absolute dancers will be performing at the Northland Mall and are busy putting together a few original hip hop pieces for the event.  Don't forget that The Royal Winnipeg Ballet will be in town with its production of Wonderland from October 27 - 29.  In early November, Canada's National Ballet School will be visiting Calgary and will hold open classes and auditions for their summer school.  Students are strongly encouraged to attend.  Absolute Dance will also continue their visit to preschool classes around the city, bringing a dance experience to little ones outside its studio doors.
Amidst all the madness, several students will also be participating in a ballet exam and many will be performing in our upcoming production of Cinderella.  It is a huge project but things are already starting to come together.  Costumes have been ordered, set decorations have been purchased and the task of building a giant pumpkin has begun!  In the studio, each group of dancers has already learned their first piece and are well into the second one.  With the ballet set to a score by Sergei Prokofiev, the dancers have all noticed that the ballet version of this story has a very quirky personality.  The music is very dissonant sounding, is often in a minor key and has irregular phrases.  The initial reaction from the mice was that it sounded spooky!  Initially, I was a bit intimidated by the task of choreographing to the music but as we have delved deeper into things I have become more accustomed to the way that Prokofiev works and his music has told me where to go as far as character choices and blocking.  I recently listened to an interview with british choreographer Christopher Wheeldon who has created many ballets to very unstable sounding music.  He admitted being intimidated by working with his musical choices but remarked on how it is better to put yourself in an uncomfortable position as it will make your skills better in the end and will demand more from you.  I will keep his comments in mind as I attempt to put the finishing touches on our production!
Before we know it, December will be upon us!  Here's hoping we all stay healthy as we transition into the holiday season.  Stay tuned for the winner of the Absolute Dance essay writing contest who's "Live to Dance" essay will be posted right here come late November.