Ballet is often seen as something that you either take up as a kid or you miss out on entirely. And while lots of ballet dancers do start as children, it is also something you can learn at any age. Whether you start as a school kid or take it up in later years, there are some great reasons why you should learn ballet.
If you take an interest in ballet, you will quickly run across the term ‘ballet company’. In fact, some of the most famous performances around the world are put on by a particular ballet company. But what does the term really mean, and which are the best around the world?
One of the great things about recent times in the dance world is the amazing new dancers that are coming through and performing in the biggest shows on the biggest stages. But that’s not all – there are also lots of talented choreographers who are also showing their abilities. Added to that, a good number of them are female. If choreography is your thing, here are five up and coming female choreographers we love.
When we talk about the ‘best’ or the ‘greatest’ for anything we are always talking about our opinions. With ballet composers, however, there are some that stand out from the crowd, regardless of your taste or preferences.
While ballet can be danced to pretty much any music there are some classic composers that stand the test of time.
Here’s our list of those composers we are sure will always be classified as great ballet composers.
Who doesn’t love a book under the Christmas tree? Or just as something to enjoy during a quiet weekend. Add to that books about dance and you have the perfect match. So, what are some of the best books on dance for your 2020 reading list?
Being a ballet dancer is often the dream of young girls across the world, so it is no surprise that whether your child is a dancer or not having a ballet themed birthday party is becoming more and more popular.
Ballet is often seen as pretty, pink and full or fun for younger birthdays, think pink cakes, pretty fluffy tutu’s and ballet themed games for the guests. But it can also be interpreted for tweens, teens and older parties as a modern ballet party, edgy and inspiring.
Ballet is one of the many types of dance but within the category there are also different types of ballet. Some are defined by certain dances, by the eras they come from or by particular things featured within the dance. Here are some of the different types of ballet and what makes them unique.
If there’s one thing that people from all parts of the world share, it is a love of dance and music. Many dance styles started as a traditional cultural dance and this has led to an incredible number of different styles of dance from around the globe.
As ballet teachers in North Tyneside we are constantly inspired by dance styles from across the world so here is a quick list of some traditional dances we know and love:
Dance is an amazing thing to learn that helps you both physically and mentally. It is also a great preparation for a range of other activities and even careers. One of those is to become an actress – the skills and discipline learned is an excellent foundation for a career in acting. And to prove it, here are some of the most famous actresses who also took dance when they were younger.
When you study ballet, one of the most important things is your attention to detail. Every little movement, gesture and angle of your body is part of the story and has a purpose. There is also precedent for everything, so you need to learn the technical elements to ensure you look the part.
If you are parents to a young boy and you want them to try ballet as a great after school activity, then there’s a well-known role model for them to follow – Prince George. At five years old, the young prince is trying dancing and according to dad Prince William, is already loving it. In fact, the royal family has quite a history with dancing in different kinds!
If there’s one way to know that something has ‘made it’ in this world, it is when it gets its own celebratory day! And World Tutu Day has arrived! It is a celebration of the classic ballerina outfit normally held on February 2nd, it is a celebration of more than just the dress but of the whole world of ballet, its history and place in modern society.
When we talk about ballet, it is often the most famous productions that get the most conversation times. They are iconic and for good reason. But there are also ballets that have shocked, inspired and redefined what people think of as ballet. Here let’s look at what these are and what made them so revolutionary.
Commercial street dance is one of those styles that you might recognise without actually knowing the name. Back in 2011, when an episode of So You Think You Can Dance drew ‘commercial’ out of the that for the week’s dance style, there was some confusion as to what this even was.
Now we love commercial dance and lots of people have even taken commercial street dance lessons – here’s why:
With its magical storylines and fantastic costumes, there’s something perfect about going to see a ballet at Christmas. From the dark, snowy weather outside to the magic of Christmas, the season is one of the most popular for people to attend the ballet. So, if you are going this holiday season, what are the best ballets to catch?
Dancing can be so romantic – that’s why we have a first dance at a wedding where the new couple take to the floor together. The movies are also filled with examples of romantic, memorable dances that we all secretly dream of recreating in our own way. Or just to watch, armed with a tissue!
With Valentine’s Day fast approaching here are 10 of our favourites:
There’s a strong connection between ballet and fashion. Ballet dancers need beautiful costumes to complement their amazing dancing, but these are specialist pieces, not the kind of clothes you would normally wear on the street. Fashion designers often work with similar concepts, designing something amazing to showcase what they do, not always for use on the high street.
And often, the two meet – including these fashion designers who create for ballet.
For dance fans, part of New Year is deciding what performances they must see in the year to come. And as ever, 2018 has some amazing dance performances available around the country. The team at Jade Harrison School of Dance are always excited about both the next performance they are going to see and the performances that their students are going to take part it.
Here are a few performances that we are excited about for 2018!
We love ballet and that the stories that it tells through dance are reflective of love, loss and life so as Halloween is coming, we wanted to see which of our favourite ballets are a little bit creepy and why! Ballets are often a lot darker than you think, as they are based on folk stories, or fairy tales which are often very dark and deep, despite their fluffier presentation. It is this way with ballet, below the white tutu’s and pretty flowers can be very serious and emotional stories that when danced with love and passion can move us to tears, especially when they are on the dark side.
This is a quick list of ballets that are on the darker side of dance, and we have to say we love a black tutu!
Many ballets are created specifically to be a ballet or other type of musical dance show. But other times, producers turn their attention to literature to find stories to use in their productions. In fact, a number of very famous ballets are based on books from different eras.
As we get geared up for another season of Strictly Come Dancing on our screens, this year it is without its Prima Ballerina, Darcey Bussell. Having stepped down from the show she is replaced by a new judge and we will wait to see how the relationship works out.
As a Ballerina, Darcey has spent her whole life in the dance world so we wanted to take a closer look at her career and her achievements as a Prima Ballerina. Darcey Bussell had one of the longest careers of the modern era and has been the single most renowned lyrical prima ballerina of her generation. Born in London in 1969, she seriously considered becoming a professional swimmer before opting for ballet at the age of thirteen, when she entered the Royal Ballet Lower School.
Christmas is a great time to go and see a ballet at one of the many beautiful venues around the country. As ballet lovers watching ballet at Christmas has become somewhat of a tradition, there are plenty to choose from, but some have a greater connection with the festive season than others.
Here is our list of some of the best ballets to see at Christmas Time
As a dance school we are very proud to be affiliated with, and teach the syllabus of, the most respected and well-known ballet education organisation anywhere.
The Royal Academy of Dance or the RAD is one of the most important dance education organisations in the world. They have a series of exams that are seen as setting standards for classic ballet around the world and are one of the most important organisations for anyone interest in dance. But what are their exams and how do children prepare for them?
We love a Musical and whether you are a dedicated fan of musicals or want to try one for the first time, London’s West End is always the place to start. With some 15 million visitors every year, the theatres here host the most memorable and amazing shows in the world.
At our dance school in North Tyneside we offer Musical Theatre style dance lessons where anyone with a love of the music of musicals can learn fun routines to some of the best music written for these incredible shows.
Dance has been around since the dawn of time and we love it, in all its forms. Sophisticated, elegant, and when done well looking totally effortless, Ballet is one of the world’s oldest forms of organised dancing. With such a rich history and there being so many different interpretations of ballet across the world it is no wonder there are some interesting things to learn about. As dance teachers in North Tyneside we love a good dance fact or two, and the more unusual the better!
Lyrical dance may be one of the newcomers to the range of dances being learned around the country. But it has quickly become popular for everyone from kids learning their first dance to adults looking to expand their dancing skills. But what is lyrical dance and what makes it so popular?
Ballet is our first love and introducing ballet to our young students is a real joy and privilege. For those children who love their ballet lessons and practice at home to get the perfect ballet positions, there can be nothing more thrilling than going to see a ballet performance at the theatre.
Live ballet is immersive and fascinating, but not all ballets can capture the attention of younger dancers. While they may enjoy ballet, sitting for 2 hours, asked to be quiet and follow complicated choreography may be too much of an ask – so here are a few different ballets that are perfect for the budding - but young - ballet dancer.
When you start music theatre lessons, you start on a path that leads a few people to heights of Broadway and other top locations around the world. It is an aspirational dream, to become the next Broadway superstar and people do achieve this dream.
But even for those who never hit these heights, there are a number of benefits to music theatre lessons that make them worth doing.
Women have always been at the forefront of pushing the art of dance forwards. There are many forms of dance all around the world so we thought we would take a look at some of the most inspirational and influential women in the dance world.
Acrobatic Arts is a unique blend of dancing and gymnastic disciplines that is taking the dance world by storm. Loved by both teachers and students alike Acrobatic Arts is a multi-discipline blend and is also known as AcroDance. Stunning moves from gymnastics is blended with steps and routines from the dance world for a unique and modern approach to dance.
Just like taking part in a football match or any other sport, dancing requires you to do a quick warm up before you get started. Yeah it might be annoying especially when you’re pumped up and ready to dance but stretching and warming up exercises are important, and you shouldn't skip them.
You might be surprised by this if it’s your first dance lesson but it’s essential to ensuring you get the best dance experience possible. Every tutor will have their own preferred warm up routines and they will often vary so people don’t get to bored repeating the same movements.
There are a lot of reasons why you choose to, or encourage your child to attend dance lessons, for some the potential of becoming a professional dancer is a real draw, for others it is fostering a hobby that will last for life. While becoming a professional dancer is a reality for some, there are many people who find themselves dancing as a passion but not a profession.
The skills learned and developed in those dance lessons can be applied to a wide range of jobs across many sectors not just the arts, here are a few of them:
Dance is part of our soul and as a dance school in the North East we love to dance but also to watch great dance performances and other dance events, whether we are performing with our dance students or seeing others dance. Here is a quick round up of some of the most exciting dance events coming to our region in 2019!
The Northern Ballet has quickly moved into a position of being one of the top ballet companies in the country, despite having just been founded in 1969. The company offers classical dance techniques and a diverse story-telling repertoire that mean people of all ages and all ballet experience can come and enjoy the productions.
For a ballet dancer, the ballet bag never leaves their side and goes to every dance related event with them. That’s because it contains their most important items but also a range of secondary items that might just be needed. So what should you have in your ballet bag?
Just as dance has changed throughout its history, so too has the fashion of the dancers. Dance fashion is always a balance between the needs of the dancer and the style of the dance and has led to some weird and wonderful looks.
When you want your child to learn dance or they have a passion to take it up, you want to be certain that the teaching they receive is of the highest quality. One of the ways to ensure this is to look at the qualifications of the teacher. Here in the UK, the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) is one of the top dance teacher programs and have just been judged as ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted.
Cheerleading is an American activity that has spread around the world with the growing interest in American sports. But people have quickly realised that as well as being great fun, there are also a lot of benefits to the activity for kids to help them keep fit and active. Here are a few examples.
It is many people's childhood dream to become a ballet dancer, although only a select few ever go on to be proficient enough to make a professional career of it. However, this should never prevent you from taking up ballet as an adult – it is a great way to get into shape, and can certainly help you to become more flexible, and you can really enjoy your time spent with other like-minded people.
There are hundreds of songs that feature dance in their title and lyrics but not all are about actual dancing. Some highlight the emotions that dance create or the romantic side of dancing with someone you love.
Whatever the story that the song tells, there are some amazing songs about dance. Here are ten of our favourites.
Lauren Cuthbertson is both the principal ballerina for the Royal Ballet and also the patron of the National Youth Ballet. She achieved her position with the Royal Ballet aged just 24 in 2008. Born in Devon, she decided to become a classical ballet dancer and took part in the Junior Associated Program of the Royal Ballet School. Eventually, in 2002, she joined the Royal Ballet and became a soloist the following year. She became first soloist in 2006 and finally reached her role as principal in 2008.
Being a North-East Dance School, of course we love Billy Elliot, but there are also some other great tap routines seen in Movies over the years!
Tap dancing is one of the classic styles of dance to feature in movies and has been around since movies were first made. While many of the great tap dancing sequences in movies come from those early times, there have also been some great later additions to the genre that show that tap is a current and fresh as ever.
Lots of teenagers love to read and often have their nose stuck in a book when they aren’t at school or with friends. And if they have a passion for dance, then the best dance books for teenagers and young adults will be just what they need. Here are some of the best currently available.
Ask most sportspeople and they will say that ballet is a very different world from the one they inhabit. At first glance, there doesn’t seem much of an overlap, apart from maybe some mental toughness approaches and the dedication needed for both. But as a number of big name sports and athletics stars have recently discovered, the training for ballet is also great training for any number of sports. Here’s why.
While dance has always been popular, it has risen to new heights in recent years. And one of the main reasons for that is the growth in the popularity of dance shows on TV. Strictly Come Dancing is the first name that everyone knows when it comes to dance shows, but it isn’t the only one and there are also a number of US shows now available on UK screens too.
Whether you actively enjoy ballet or simply love to watch others perform, there’s nothing more fun than having a marathon ballet movie session where you watch the best dance films ever made.
Performing arts is essentially two parts – the learning preparation and practice, and then the performance itself. This may be a ballet production, a musical performance or even a contest with prizes involved. Whatever the case, this second component puts pressure on children, but this isn’t a bad thing when it is taught in the right way. And this is something that performing arts teachers excel at.
Going to the cinema to watch a movie has the been a favourite activity for generations. Movies make huge amounts of money in their opening weeks at the cinema while others can flop on a massive scale. But a new trend has crept into the world of the cinema – live screen ballet, theatre or opera. So, what is the trend all about and why is it so popular?
There has always been a connection between the world of ballet and the world of fashion. Many designers look to ballet for inspiration and ideas while more recently, ballet has looked to designers to create costumes for the dance. This has seen designers such as Riccardo Tisci and Miuccia Prada creating ballet costumes for some of the big ballet companies around the world.
In some cases, these collaborations have led to some very notable creations!
Every once in a while, a film comes along that changes our view on things and encourages us to learn to love something that we might not have bothered with before. In the last few months, that something has been the film La La Land and since it has become popular, there has been a renewed interest in musical theatre classes, especially among children. But why is this such a good thing?
It may seem that hosting ballet performances in an opera house is a tradition but there’s more to it than that. These are buildings specifically designed to accent the amazing talents of the people on stage in a host of clever ways. Here are some of the best examples of opera houses from around the world and why they are a match made in heaven for ballet.
The Associate Program was started by the Royal Ballet School in order to augment the current training and to introduce students to the System of Training used by it. The program allows people to train in regional centres and have the same chances to perform with the Royal Ballet, the Birmingham Royal Ballet and other ballet companies as well as progressing through the school. There are four levels currently on offer through the program.
Special days that celebrate many things are a big part of the annual calendar and it stands to reason that ballet has one too. It is called World Ballet Day and it happens every year at the beginning of October. But what does the day celebrate and what happens?
Here are a Few Great Places in Newcastle to Experience Dance:
As dancers in the North East we always love to see different styles of dance that we can watch or join in with. Whether that be a dance class in our dance studio in New York, North Tyneside or in the wider Newcastle area.
Disney has taken the story of one of the best loved ballets and turned it into a glittering new movie with a star-studded cast. It is no wonder that they have brought the story of the Nutcracker out at Christmas as it is a well-loved tradition to watch the Nutcracker Ballet at Christmas for many, many dancers.
As the creator of the world’s longest running ballet production, Matthew Bourne has earned his title as the most popular and successful choreographer and director in the UK. He has worked for over 30 years creating musicals, opera, films and theatre as well as running his own award-winning companies. Here is a glimpse into his impressive list of accomplishments so you can see why we all love his choreography so much.
Music and art often help inspire each other with artists using music as inspiration and art helping musicians and dancers with visual inspiration. Capturing dance in art isn’t the simplest task – how do you capture something that is about movement in a medium that is still and motionless? It is possible and here are some of the best from great artists both historical and modern that show how it can be done – and in many different styles!
It seems strange to think that one of the leading inspiration for ballet performances is the written work of an English man from the 16th century. William Shakespeare ‘The Bard’ is known throughout the world for his works including over 30 plays and 150 sonnets as well as two long narrative poems. While none of these were musical or relating to dance, his works have been transformed into a variety of music performances and one of the most popular is ballet.
People often think that dancers must hardly eat anything to stay so thin and in shape. But this is very much not the case! A good dancer knows they need to eat a balanced diet with the right foods in it to give them the energy and stamina they need. So what are the most dancer-friendly foods and tips for solid eating habits?
We don’t know anyone who doesn’t really like dancing – and yes we mean you too – the ones who say they don’t like to dance but then we catch them tapping their feet along to the beat! (You know who you are!)
So as dance lovers we thought we would take a look at some of the dance opportunities across North Tyneside. Dance does not have to be formal lessons it can be enjoyed in a variety of situations with as much participation as you feel comfortable with.
Ballet is at the heart of everything we do at Jade Harrison School of Dance. It takes a lot of time, training and effort to become a ballet dancer, and it is known as probably the most difficult of dance styles to master. The discipline, practice and skill it takes to complete some of the ballet steps take dedication but once learned they are beautiful to watch.
Here are some of the most difficult ballet steps to master:
As dancers in North Tyneside we are always looking for dance inspiration, new ideas and exciting performances to learn from. One of the most inspirational and well known dance, gymnastic and movement companies in the world is Cirque de Soleil. There new critically acclaimed show Varekai will be performed at the Metro Radio Arena in February so we thought we would take a look at the Circus of the Sun and why we love it!
Choosing a style of dance that is suitable for you child can be a little daunting. Fortunately, there are a lot of different styles to choose from at Jade Harrison School of Dance. One of the most popular dance classes at the moment is Acro Dance and it is not hard to understand why so many parents are choosing this for their child.
Acro dance classes offer a wide array of benefits, including increasing strength, flexibility, and coordination in students, here are some reasons why we love this class:
For many dancers, you begin at a good local dance school, like Jade Harrison School of Dance, and if things work out, you continue to progress. For some this might mean heading to a college or university to expand on your dance skills, theatre skills or a combination of both. For others this is simply a lifelong love of dance.
If you have real dance passion and the ability to match then for a small number of students, progression might mean attending one of the greatest dance schools in the world – here are a few of them to inspire you.
Ballet is normally seen as a mostly female activity, especially for younger people. Attracting more boys and men to this form of dance has always been more of a challenge. There are, however, plenty of good role models out there that may just inspire the next generation of Nureyev’s.
Everyone likes to have a role model so here are just a few guys who have introduced dance into their lives and never looked back:
There are a lot of reasons for kids to take up dancing and attend a dance school but one of the subtler ones is the way it boosts their confidence. Sometimes children don’t seem like they have a problem with this but even the ones that seem confident need practice and encouragement to shine. Whether they are bold or shy, dancing can help give them good confidence that can be used in many other aspects of life.
Anyone who follows ballet knows that it requires a high level of fitness as well as great co-ordination. The range of injuries that professional dancers suffer from nowadays can compete with any high intensity sport.
And just as with sport, sustaining an injury can have a huge impact on the career and future of even the fittest dancer, this is why professional ballet companies are employing the services of sports scientist to create training sessions that support the art of ballet specifically and reduce the chance of injuries.
There are many types of dance from around the world that can include elements beyond the music and the steps. One of the most famous of these is musical theatre, a combination of songs, spoken dialogue, dancing and acting. Taking musical theatre lessons is a great way for kids to learn a variety of skills and even set themselves up for a career in the theatre.
Cheerleading is an activity that has become really popular in the UK. There are professional teams around the UK which have even won international tournaments, such as the 2018 ICU international cheerleading championships. So why do kids love cheerleading lessons so much?
There’s no doubt that kids love to dance and have no hesitation about throwing themselves around the room, jigging and shuffling to the music with no care about how they appear. As we get older, we get more self-conscious and the desire to dance madly fades in some of us. But there are more benefits to dance for children than just having fun – here’s a look at why it is so beneficial to them.
When you start learning ballet, it may seem that there’s such a lot on the technique side and not so much on the dancing, music and the fun stuff. But there are good reasons for that. So let’s look at why good ballet technique is so important.
Whether you are learning to dance yourself or are visiting classes with a child, there is a lot to learn. Not only are there are all the steps and routines but there is the dance gear required – and there are so many to choose from! But it is worth remembering that if you need advice about what to buy or what you need, you have the perfect resource on hand – your dance teacher!
There’s two things that say ‘ballet’ like nothing else – one is the tutu and the other are pointe shoes. These special shoes look delicate and dainty but these specially designed and created shoes are what keeps ballerinas on the tips of their toes and dance gracefully across the stage.
So to honour the work of the pointe shoe, here’s a guide to the basics of it.
No? Then you should definitely check it out! Our new gallery is filled with photographs of our dance school, our latest productions and other fun photos of what we get up to at Jade Harrison School of dance.
We love to showcase our students doing what they do best, in costume and on stage!
We have an onsite theatre that seats up to 80 people and we also offer opportunities for our students to be involved in productions across the local theatres.
Currently in our gallery we have two productions that took place at the Peoples Theatre and two more at our own onsite theatre.
There’s often a bit of resistance from the world of high fashion when it comes to creating clothing for dancers. Alexander McQueen was one example who always said he didn’t want to become the ‘costume department’ by working on creating outfits for dance – but even he broke his rule for the 2009 production Eonnagata.
In fact, there is a strong case for crossing dance with fashion and that the two are forever linked.
We run many different types of dance classes from our custom built dance school in North Tyneside. Here is a quick overview of some of our classes in no particular order. You can click here for our current timetable and prices or contact us if you would like to join!
Ballet Lessons
Ballet is the first love of many dancers are we are no different. Our ballet classes are relaxed but professional and we teach the Royal Academy of Dance syllabus and our students have a 100% pass rate on their examinations. Ballet is a fantastic discipline to learn with so many benefits. We also showcase our student’s ballet skills at performances at our onsite theatre.
Ballet is a dance that has its own language, a series of terms and descriptions that have come from different languages and have their own special meaning. To understand ballet and to enjoy it, it is important to learn some of these terms and what they mean in the dance.
There are so many reasons to join a dance class and love dancing so much we can’t understand anyone who would need convincing of joining but if you do here are our top 5 reasons why joining a dance class is the best thing you will do!
1. Learning to take instruction
All dance classes should be fun and have a relaxed happy atmosphere but that does not mean that there is no discipline, in fact a great way for younger children to start to concentrate on given instruction is in their first dance classes, often this starts even before they start school. Following a teacher, joining in with their class mates, following simple steps in repetition is a great introduction to taking instruction and concentration.
As a ballet school in North Tyneside we are always inspired by ballerina’s that we see and hear about and the story of Michaela DePrince who was a war orphan who finally fulfilled a dream of being a ballerina is a wonderful story so we were intrigued when it was announced Madonna was going to make a movie out of it.
Jade Harrison School of dance is very proud to be affiliated with, be a teacher of, and run the Ballet syllabus for the RAD (Royal Academy of Dance). As one of the world’s most influential dance organisations who also support the continuing education of their teachers and other ballet professionals it is no wonder that their reputation in ballet is so high.
The RAD sets many of the national and global standards for exams in classical ballet and ensures professionalism for those teaching it and with Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II as the RAD's patron and the former ballerina and Strictly Come Dancing Judge Darcey Bussell as the President you would expect nothing less.