Class Themes & Music for Spring 2010 Production

We are beginning work on class choreography for the Tales of Beatrix Potter Ballet.  This post will outline the various themes and link to music downloads for all the classes.  It is important to study the variations as a tool for advancement.  As students learn various steps and vocabulary, placing those movements into larger studies helps to solidify knowledge base for that level.  Please contact Laura Hughes with any questions about our performance.  (Laura: 513 410-0277)

Please check this post for updates for choreography downloads as choreography is given in class.

Pre-ballet

In pre-ballet students perform based on the same storytelling improv technique we use in each class.  Students are challenged to listen and move as the teacher recites and acts out a story.   Steps and movements are built upon the story using creative imagery.  The story will be told to the students on stage and demonstrated.  It is important that the pre-ballet student be given the chance to focus on the story as a tool to remember the order of movements and for the artistic interpretaion of the story on stage.  Pre-ballet dances are a little longer in length to give students ample chance to be seen on stage. 

Monday 5:00 class will perform The Tale of Two Bad Mice

Click link for music: Two Bad Mice  

Tuesday 6:00 class will perform The Tale of the Flopsy Bunnies

Click link for music: The Tale of the Flopsy Bunnies

Click link for Story Notes: Flopsy Bunny Story Notes

 

The Batesville classes will perform as mice, ladybugs, and butterflies together in The Tale of Mrs. Tittlemouse

Click link for music:  Mrs Tittlemouse & Neighbors

 

Beginning Ballet

At the beginning level dances are based on arranging basic dance vocabulary into a longer composition.  Although not based on the story improvisation technique as the pre-ballet are, stories are still important creative imagery to remember the order of movements and as inspiration for artistic interpretation on stage.  Dances are a little shorter as every movement must be memorized.  Demonstrators are used to assist the students.

 Monday 5:30 class will perform The Tale of Tom Kitten

Click link for music:   Kitten Tea Party

Click link for Story Notes: Tom Kitten Notes PDF

 

 Thursday 5:00 class will perform The Mouse Picnic Waltz

Click link for music:  Mouse Waltz

 

Advanced Beginners

Students at this level will focus on more intricate compositions reflecting more advanced vocabulary studied.  Since it is our philosophy that steps reflect material already mastered, the dance may be simplified to material studied in the fall semester of classes.  

The Monday 6:30 class will perform The Story of Jeremy Fisher

Click link for music:  Jeremy Fisher Monday 6:30

The Thursday 6:00 class will perform The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin

Click link for music:  Squirrel Nutkin

Click link for written choreography: Squirrel Nutkin Notes PDF

 

Teen & Intermediate Levels

As students progress choreography becomes more challenging.  Those with sufficient strength will be permitted to perform en pointe.  Students will have opportunity for small features in smaller groups of two or three as longer music permits.

The Wednesday Teen & Adult class will perform The Tale of Jemima Puddleduck

Click link for music:  Ducks & Foxes

The Saturday Morning Pre-Pointe will perform The Tale of Pigling Bland

 Click link for music: Pig Wig & Pigling Bland

 

Advanced Intermediate & Advanced Classes

Students in the advanced levels will study the four classical variations given in Company:  the two variations from The Grand Pas de Quatre, The Don Quixote Cupid, and the Raymonda variation.  Please refer to the following posts with video and explanations for reference:

Squirrel Nutkin joins in: http://www.avoballet.org/squirrel-nutkin-joins-in/

A Little Ballet History: http://www.avoballet.org/a-little-ballet-history/