WELCOME TO YOUR HOME STUDIO
STEP 1: PREPARE FOR CLASS
Typically ballet attire is set, however in an online class, attire became more relaxed. At home, dancers often arrive to class in t-shirts instead of leotards, yoga pants instead of tights, and socks instead of proper ballet shoes. Buns can be messy or just ponytails instead. Be creative, relaxed or just turn up after a long day's work however you can!
STEP 2: PREPARE YOUR HOME STUDIO
Floorspace
Average space: 2-3m x 1-2m
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Find (or build) a hard surface
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Move furniture out of the way
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Use a dance mat (recommend Harlequin) for grip & safety
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Close the door to your cat/dog/flatmate, if applicable
Dancer Tip: Write a note to your downstairs neighbour to let them know you're dancing today!
Barre
Options for an at-home barre:
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Buy a barre
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Kitchen countertop
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Chair
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Ironing board
Dancer Tip: Weigh the chair down with a stack of your favourite books! Or, let it wobble to work on your strength and stability.
Audio/Visual
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'Pin' the instructor on Zoom
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Use bluetooth headphones if your speakers are not loud enough
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Position your laptop tablet, or phone so as much of you is in view
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Teacher Tip: Prioritize your feet on camera
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Dancer Tip: Connect your laptop to your TV to better see the class and better sound
STEP 3: FIND YOUR SPOT AT THE BARRE
STEP 4: TIME FOR CLASS
Barre - Plie
Barre - Tendu
Barre - Rond de Jambe
Centre - Tendu
Centre - Pirouette
It's hard to turn when your focal point is a blank wall (nowhere to focus) and really close to you. The mirror in the studio helps a lot!
Centre - Grand Allegro
Note how I give up rather quickly and just watch (with envy!) the dancers who are in-studio leaping across the floor!
STEP 5: APPLAUSE
Describe your experience dancing at home.
There was no one in front of me to learn from or follow along [with the combinations] to.
We didn’t really do turns and jumps because not everyone had good, [safe] floors.
Everyone is on mute. There is no small talk. You just do your own thing and then leave.
You’re just dancing on the spot, not really moving the way you normally would.
For the first part of lockdown, online was my only social, non-work activity.
I missed the teacher coming around giving (physical) corrections like touching my knee or or arm*
Watching them online, they were doing all the things I missed. I didn’t like the hybrid experience, doing it from home.
We didn’t dance as much, but we trained. It made me stronger because the main thing we did was technique and flexibility.
I’d rather have ballet than not at all. It wasn’t perfect, but I’m grateful we have this technology.
*Physical touch as a technique for giving corrections in ballet and dance is common. While every teacher I know and have danced with has asked for consent before giving a physical correction, this is an area the art form is aware of its need to improve in. Touch is an important element in learning in a dance context. As students learn proper technique, placement or muscle engagement, it can help to have a teacher or choreographer 'place' your limb for you to then learn what it feels like so you can replicate that feeling, and therefore placement, on your own.