Beyond the Barre...

Our series of “Beyond the Barre” sessions, led by Studio Director Janine Fraser will begin on Saturday, Nov. 8th at 9 am sharp.

The purpose of these sessions is to give our Spokane dancers a ballet education beyond what they receive in class, since class time is so limited. Our first session will include some short study and quiz time on world reknown choreographers, dancers, and composers, as well as a few minutes of flash cards for our French terms, and a little study on different methods of ballet training. Upper levels please review what we have learned in the past, and we will pair you with a younger student to help them learn what we have already studied. This is a very casual stretch time, no dancing, so dress warm and dress comfortably. If you are enrolled in our 9:30 am class, be dressed and ready to go directly from our session right to the barre.

This session is open free of charge to all dancers who are enrolled in two or more classes a week.

To reward those of you who keep up with our blog...Here is a sneak peek at some of the material we will study...You may wish to get a head start by reviewing or researching some of these questions, making you a whiz come Saturday morning!

Who is famous for dancing the role of the Firebird?

Who is the lead male character in “Coppelia”?

Name two well known modern dance choreographers. (hint: one wild haired dancer is from Seattle, one created a musical around Billy Joel music, one had very elaborately braided hair during performances)

Who wrote the Nutcracker story?

What are the name(s) of the prince in Sleeping Beauty?

What are the names of the ghosts in Giselle?

Who is their Queen?

Who was the composer of “Swan Lake”?

What are the traveling turns called when a man & woman dance a “pas de duex”?

What large instrument plays the music for the Dying Swan?

Name a ballet that has three dolls as the main characters. (hint: two are male dolls)

What was Pavlova’s first name? What did she do that few people have done?

Who was the original choreographer of “Les Sylphides”?

When someone is said to have “plastique”, what does this mean? Who uses this term?

What world renowned dancer was rejected by Balanchine, and what did Balanchine say to this dancer?

The Sadler Wells company is now called what?

Whose real name is Roberta Sue Ficker?

What dancer caught fire on the stage lights (gas lights) and died (eight months later?)

The first tutu was made for what ballet?

Have fun researching this information...We'll see you bright and early on Saturday!