All About Ballet

[vanyali]

Does anyone know of a beginning ballet class that has some older girls in it?


Some of the other activities that my girls (7 and 11) do have mixed ages in a class, so my girls don’t feel out of place as beginners. I am thinking of their gymnastics and rock climbing classes. Other classes they take (drama) group the children by age regardless of experience.

My girls would like to start ballet, but we are having a hard time figuring out how to start them out without them having to take a class with 3-5 year olds. My 11-year-old especially would feel too humiliated, and would not enjoy that.

Does anyone have a suggestion for us? We are based in Bishan, but have no problem traveling for classes.

Thanks.

[Serendipity]

Actually I doubt they’d be put with the 3-5yo because they are capable of better motor coordination and shld be able to join in at Grade 1 minimally. Why dun you speak to the ballet school u like and get the teachers to assess ur girls and see which class is most suitable?

[twilight]

I also don’t think they will be put with 3-5 years old kids. They will most likely start from grade 1 or maybe perhaps 2, so the class will consist of mostly about 7-9 years old kids.

[vanyali]

That would be nice.


So far, it’s been hard to even just get past the secretaries at the couple of ballet schools I’ve tried. Three schools have tried to put my girls with the 5 year olds, and none have let me start them at grade 1. We did one trial class this morning, but my oldest refused to join such a young class. My 7 year old did a good job (better than some of the girls enrolled in the class) but the teacher made us feel very unwelcome anyway.

[metz]

Hi,


My 7 year old has just joined a Grade 1 ballet class. In fact, I was the one who was hesitant about putting her in Grade 1 class. She has no ballet training except the 1 year baby ballet class she took when she was 3. Perhaps, you can request for a trial class to try out first? Btw, my daughter is taking classes at http://www.attitudearts.com/?page_id=5. Another school I heard my friends talking about is http://thedancestation.com.sg/. However, these schools are a distance from where you are staying.

[Serendipity]

vanyali, maybe you could try YMCA at Dhoby Ghaut. My girl used to attend classes there. Ask to speak to the ballet teacher personally. She is quite friendly and shld be able to assess ur girls.

[twilight]

Or try some CC, but I’m not sure what CC are near bishan.

[vanyali]

How do you find out who gives lessons at the community centers? They seem like they are all independent instructors who just use the cc space. Do the cc’s keep a list or do I have to try to figure that out some other way?

[jtoh]

vanyali:

How do you find out who gives lessons at the community centers? They seem like they are all independent instructors who just use the cc space. Do the cc's keep a list or do I have to try to figure that out some other way?

Call the CC.

[twilight]

Or you can check online at one.pa.gov.sg

Just type in ballet in the search bar, and they will list out all the cc that have ballet lessons.