Adult Ballet Workshop: Waltz of the Snowflakes
Adult Ballet Workshop: Waltz of the Snowflakes
4 Mondays: November 16, 23 & 30 and December 7
6:30–8:30 p.m.
Hennepin Center for the Arts, Studio 2B
528 Hennepin Avenue, Minneapolis
Calling all adult dancers who want to get in the holiday spirit! Take a ballet class with some holiday-themed accompaniment, then learn choreography from The Nutcracker.
We’ll explore “The Waltz of the Snowflakes.” Enjoy dancing to Tchaikovsky’s orchestral score while moving as an ensemble through formations, refining your execution through coaching, building your stamina, and learning choreography designed with intermediate adult dancers in mind.
Harmony. Focus. Collaboration. Joy.
Schedule
6:00–6:30pm: Studio available for personal warm-up
6:30–7:45pm: Technique class
7:45–7:50pm: Break
7:50–8:30pm: Repertoire
Details
Open to ages 16 and up. All genders are welcome. Everyone will learn the corps de ballet role. Be a snowflake!
During the first three sessions, we’ll learn as much of the dance as possible while continuing to review and rehearse material from previous weeks. Our final session will focus entirely on rehearsing, refining, and enjoying what we’ve learned — no new choreography at that point!
Friends and family are invited to join us at 8:15 p.m. on our final Monday for an informal showing and final run-through. This is a fun, low-pressure way to celebrate what we’ve accomplished together, not a formal performance.
Video recordings of the choreography will be made available to registered participants for optional practice and review between sessions.
Pricing
EARLY BIRD RATE: $150 through Sunday, November 1
REGULAR RATE: $175 after November 1
Space is limited to 16 dancers. Pre-register to secure your spot.
Payment is accepted by credit card with online registration or by cash or check before the first class.
FAQs
What if I can’t attend four sessions?
Since we’re working with formations, it’s ideal that we have a consistent group for three sessions so that each person can hold a place in the ensemble. However, if you can’t make it to all sessions, an accommodation can be made. I can give you a code to register at a reduced rate for your availability – please contact me to inquire.
I’m younger than 16 and really want to take this workshop. Can you make an exception for me?
Please have your guardian email me at justin.leaf@gmail.com and share about your situation and previous experience. Younger dancers (ages 13-15) who have the appropriate level of technique and capacity to focus may be registered.
What if I have to miss one or more sessions? Can I get a refund?
Sorry, refunds will not be available. If you need to miss a session due to illness, let me know and you’ll receive a credit for the prorated amount that you can use for future workshops with me.
Is there an option to attend virtually?
Sorry, we’re not offering a virtual option for this workshop.
Will you have live piano accompaniment?
The music for the repertoire portion will be prerecorded so that we can enjoy dancing to the fully orchestrated “Waltz of the Flowers.” The music for ballet class may be live depending on how many are registered and the availability of suitable accompanists (to be determined). Otherwise, class music will be prerecorded as well.
What level of ballet technique should I have to attend this workshop?
This workshop is designed for intermediate-level adult dancers, which is a broad category with varying definition depending on where you’ve trained. However, the class portion of each session has the approach of an adult open class; you’re welcome to modify exercises to make them simpler or more challenging, or to accommodate whatever physical limitations you may have. The repertoire portion is more specific. The choreographic sequences, formations, and ballet vocabulary have been adjusted to be appropriate for the typical intermediate-level student.
What should I wear?
Participants are encouraged to wear regular open ballet class attire for both class and repertoire (tights, leotards, warm-ups etc). Ballet slippers are strongly encouraged, as opposed to just wearing socks.
Can I wear pointe shoes?
Pointe shoes are optional, though please know the choreography will be modified to an intermediate level and intended for those who are dancing on flat; pointe shoes would make it more advanced.
I can’t afford the cost of registration. Is there a sliding scale option available?
Yes. Please email me to see what the options are.
Any other questions? Don’t hesitate to contact me.
About the Teacher
I’m a Juilliard graduate and former dancer with Minnesota Dance Theatre and James Sewell Ballet. Since 2006, I’ve regularly taught adult open ballet classes in the Twin Cities, and I treasure the experiences I’ve had working with a range of avocational and professional dancers.
I’ve taught ballet and coached repertoire for schools and companies including Ballet Hispánico, James Sewell Ballet, Minnesota Dance Theatre, Ballet Co.Laboratory, and Minnesota Ballet. Currently, I teach open adult ballet at Minnesota Dance Theatre and continue my performance work in music and theater, incorporating my dancing chops here and there.
My teaching approach is influenced by my professional experiences as well as my mentorship with Andra and Ernesta Corvino. My ballet classes emphasize musicality, coordination, phrasing, placement, and line. I synthesize influences from various schools of ballet as well as contemporary dance, hatha yoga, and the Alexander Technique.
My experience as a singer and theater artist also informs my approach, with special attention to musicality and stage presence—elements that will definitely inform our interpretation of “The Waltz of the Snowflakes.”
It will be about more than the steps!
