To live her dream and become a dancer Lia Alu moved away from her home country Italy because “dancing was not seen as a respectable career” in her village. She learned the English language, gave it her all and worked her way up to a highly respected dancer, actress, Pilates instructor and the most famous person not only in her village, but the whole region.

She performed in four of the Harry Potter movies, played the Lady Alice in one of the Covent Garden Summer Festival performances of Shakespeare’s Henry V and dances everything from Ballet, Line, Tango, Modern, Salsa, Waltz, Jazz, Disco, Ballroom to Club and Freestyle.

After a serious Achilles tendon injury she was so frustrated that she could not even take ballet classes so she began to work on her own body in a very different way, reading about anatomy, Yoga and Pilates. This ultimately brought her to Danceworks as one of our fabulous Pilates instructors.

Our intern Sandra was pleased to have the opportunity to take Lia’s class during the Open Day on the International Day of Dance 2012; here’s her experience of the class:

Lia’s class was the first class of 3 classes I took on the Open Day and turned out to be a perfect start since, although you leave feeling like you have worked really hard, it also gives you so much energy and power.

I struggled a bit with getting into the right positions and performing the exercises the right way at first because I have never done Pilates before, but Lia was very clear and helpful, correcting ones position, motivating us and always making sure that the exercises would be performed in the most effective way.

She also taught us that Pilates was less about relaxation and more about highly effective strengthening of the body, hard work, concentration and commitment, saying that: “In ten sessions you feel better, in twenty sessions you look better and in thirty sessions you have a new body; Pilates is the ultimate work out.“

One could feel that Lia is a highly competent teacher with lots of experience and a huge amount of background knowledge of the human body, effective techniques of how to shape and move your body and the techniques and history of Pilates; so especially a complete beginner like me is in good hands with Lia.

So, if you want to get fit fast, strengthen your body effectively and are not afraid of working hard and giving it your all, you should not miss Lia Alu’s Pilates class, every Wednesday 12pm.

Open  from 9:30am – close at 8pm.

Jackie trained at The Royal Ballet lower & upper schools then joined Festival Ballet (now English National Ballet) over a period of 8 years danced soloist and principal roles in the company’s repertoire.

Jackie held the hierarchy of Ballet Mistress at Central School of Ballet, Northern Ballet & English National Ballet. She is consistently in demand as a guest teacher with The Royal Ballet, Birmingham Royal Ballet, Rambert Dance Company & National Ballet of Canada.

Jackie works with Christopher Wheeldon and stages his work she is also the private teacher to Lauren Cuthbertson, principal dancer with the Royal Ballet.

Jackie is a very sought after teacher and is in huge demand all over the world this is a class definitely not to be missed!

With an attitude best represented by his favourite quote ‘A dream is a goal with a deadline’ as well as the combination of vision, creativity and passion, he has achieved where many people fail – to be successful and live his dream.

Danceworks intern Sandra took the chance to visit Naz’s Bolly Flex class during the Danceworks Open Day last Sunday to see for herself if it is as much fun to do it as it is to watch. Here is her verdict:

I have been to a rather feminine Bollywood dance class before which had focused a lot on smooth movements, the position of the hands and fingers as well as subtle gestures and sexiness, which was not really my cup of tea, because it was more about gliding from one beautiful posture into the next, shaking your bum a little and keeping an eye on your gestures rather than getting a chance to really dance and lose yourself in the music.

Naz and his class, however, showed me that “Bollywood is a form of world dance with a variety of styles”; it turned out to be all that I’d missed in that other class.

The songs he had chosen were highly energetic and made you really want to get into it and dance. His choreography was thrilling and dynamic with powerful movements and quick turns; combining moves that the fan will easily identify as typically Bollywood, with elements reminding you of Street Dance or even Hip Hop.

I would highly recommend Bolly Flex to dancers of all levels and especially encourage complete beginners to attend since Naz is a wonderful teacher who has an eye for spotting the passages that appear to be more difficult for the group and the patience and intuition to break it down in a way everybody can pick it up and get into the flow. What you can really feel in Naz’s Bolly Flex class is that one of his main goals is for “people to have fun, learn a new style and develop new techniques in their dance vocabulary”. Also, he creates a very warm, comfortable and fun atmosphere in which everybody seems to learn extremely fast and have one hell of a time.

Before the end of the class Naz even told us that “more than 70% of all the dancers in the Bolly Flex team started out as beginners and developed their way up to the main dance company” giving us the perspective of working our way up into his highly prestigious dance company. So, no matter if you’re a beginner or an experienced dancer, if you just want to get fit and have a lot of fun or if you want to get a chance to become part of Bolly Flex, Naz’s class is THE place to go.

Sandra for Danceworks

Due to the Westminster City Council Election In Studio 10

Thursday 3^rd May

The following classes will be CANCELLED: 

6pm GARUDA Matwork – James Da Silva

7pm Jazz – Leanne King

8.30pm C Jazz – Hagit Yakira

And the following classes will be moved from Studio 10 to 11

10am – 11.30pm Zina Mamedova – Ballet (Int/Adv) 

11:30am – 1pm Adam Pudney – Ballet (Pro) 

1pm – 2.30pm Anna Du Boisson – Ballet (Elm) 

3pm – 4.30pm Denzil Bailey – Ballet (Pro) 

4.30pm – 6pm – Christina Mittlemaier – Ballet (Beg)

Classes will resume as normal next Thursday 10/05/12

Leanne has been teaching contemporary technique classes at the Central School of Ballet for 20 years where she recently took on the full-time role of Course Development Coordinator. Prior to this full time role she taught contemporary technique at the Royal Ballet School for many years and now recognises many of the top stars now performing on the Opera House stage.  In addition she has worked at Arts Educational London, the Royal Academy of Dance as well as numerous one-off projects, choreography for TV; co-choreographer and rehearsal director for film; fashion shows and courses nationally and internationally.

We asked Leanne to tell us about her background:

“I began dancing at the age of 3yrs, due to the fact that I was such a shy child, it was a way to try and get me mixing with children my own age, of course I’m still as shy really!

My earliest classes were baby ballet and tap but as the years passed I added more styles to my list including my first go at contemporary dance at the age of 14yrs, this was when I knew I’d found my real love. At 18 I left home to train full time in London at the Arts Educational London School, a school better known now for its Musical Theatre training but at the time there was a great dancer’s course that allowed me to indulge my passion of contemporary dance whilst learning newer skills such as Jazz dance.

During my time at Arts Ed I began to spend more time creating work and got one of my works presented at a local theatre shortly followed by another work and shown at an arts festival…this was what I wanted to do choreograph so that’s just what I did. Performing in my own works and with other small companies, working alone and in collaboration, but as all whilst trying to get different projects off the ground I was asked by one of my teachers to cover classes for her and the rest as they say is history.

Teaching allowed me to afford to present my choreographic projects but then I actually found that I enjoyed the work, in fact performing myself got set aside as the teaching took off. I then got taken under the wing of another former teacher who mentored me over a number of years and allowed me

to learn good teaching practice whilst working alongside her in one of the top ballet schools. To this day I continue to teach Graham based technique both nationally and internationally with my jazz teaching as a good counter balance to the deeply emotional and highly technical Graham work.”

If you would like to attend one of Leanne’s three classes a week at Danceworks, you will be interested to see her descriptions of them:

Beginner/General level Jazz on Tuesday and Wednesday Evenings

“These classes include a general body warm-up from head to toe. The class is conducted in parallel position and does not move into technically turned out exercises; this allows a complete beginner to approach the class safely and not cause injury. The warm-up includes Isolations of the head/shoulders/ribs and hips; swings and gentle standing stretches and footwork. It is better to do this class in soft-soled shoes and not trainers as it is important that you are able to articulate and use your feet fully.

The class always includes floor based strengthening exercises and stretches. This is not a cardio-based warm-up but will move you enough to get the blood flowing and elevate the pulse.

The standing work can include the more technically involved kick or pirouette exercises before the routine begins.

The warm-up is choreographed and is kept for a substantial amount of time, allowing complete beginners to take their time in learning and not have to worry about facing new work each week; however the general level is that the work is taught at speed!

A new routine is taught on a weekly basis and the style can vary but generally the music is jazz funk/electro-swing/speak easy jazz; quirky and often unknown tracks with the occasional pop track thrown in for good measure.

This class is for fun, we don’t take ourselves too seriously even though everyone works hard, there is always a lot of laughing and fun and the atmosphere is friendly and encouraging to all.

Intermediate Jazz Thursday evenings - this class is technically two big jumps up from the beginner/general class and could be called Pre-Advanced. This class is for those students that have had a background in dance and already have a sound understanding of basic ballet technique. The warm-up shifts between parallel and turn-out and alongside the general head to toe warm-up and isolations I also include plie; tendu; and adage as well as parallel foot work and kicks. This class attracts all ages and levels of dancer, but it is important that a beginner should attend ballet classes before making the transition from beginner/general class to the intermediate.

The warm-up also includes floor based strengthening and stretching exercise and although not a cardio- based warm-up it will definitely push your muscles very hard indeed.

The warm-up is choreographed and is kept for a substantial amount of time and should be conducted in soft soled shoes or bare feet

The travelling work can include turns; pirouettes; kicks; jumps in any combination and these are changed on a weekly basis.

The routine will always be technically demanding and is kept and added to over a two week period. The music is jazz funk in heaps but I also go for the more lyrical tracks as they are great to include a more contemporary style to the work.

These classes are also fun and there is generally much laughing but the demands I impose on my dancers are high. Come if you are prepared to work and be rewarded!”

Which dancers and choreographers do you admire?

“Sylvia Guilliem for her ability to cross genres of dance and be beautiful at whatever she does. Whilst a naturally gifted dancer she also works so so hard and pushes the boundaries.

Akram Khan as a dancer and choreographer- his work with Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui in Zero Degrees is outstanding and his collaboration with the actress Juliette Binoche was inspiring.”

And favourite dance movies/performances?

A performance that sticks in my mind from many years ago is;

Lindsay Kemps Cinderella: it was publicised as a ‘Gothic Operetta’ – The performance pushed boundaries and was the best of so many aspects of theatre, classical ballet, contemporary dance ,opera, mime and even pantomime it was so brilliantly realised that it’s still fresh in my mind.

Dance film has to be Cabaret- Bob Fosse choreography and Liza Mineli at her best what a brilliant combination- Sweet Charity isn’t far behind

And

Let’s not forget Liza Mineli’s performance at Kenwood last summer – what a star!

And finally your current playlist?

Lights Went Out – Alice Russell

The Masterplan –Diana Brown & Barrie K Sharpe (Classic Acid Jazz)

Big bad Handsome Man – Imelda May 

Let Me Go  – Maverick Sabre

L.O.V.E. –VV Brown or Tightrope Janelle Monae

Danceworks is delighted to bring Lindy Hop to central London from 1 May in courses taught by Niall and Michaela of “52nd Street Jump”

WHAT IS IT?

Lindy Hop is a partner led dance with the male lead deciding which moves to do and in which order. Unlike the performance style Lindy Hop featured in films such as ‘Hellzapoppin’ and ‘A Day at the Races’ social Lindy Hop is completely unchoreographed. The lead and follow aspect of Lindy Hop means that providing ladies learn to follow they will be able to do moves they didn’t
even know they knew! For men this means you rarely need to worry about whether your partner has learnt the same moves as you. It is an unabashedly joyful and social dance.

WHAT’S THE HISTORY?

In the late 1920′s a new dance was born in The Savoy Ballroom, Harlem. It’s roots were firmly based in the Charleston and it was inspired by Swing music which was growing in popularity. Lindy Hop is the authentic Afro-Euro-American Swing dance. Dance Marathons were also popular, and it is during one of these that the Lindy apparently got its name. In 1927, Charles Lindbergh
was daring the first ever solo flight from New York to Paris, and people were absorbed with his “Hop” across the Atlantic. A great dancer by the name of George “Shorty” Snowden was at the end of a long marathon when a reporter watching asked what this crazy dance was called. The quick witted answer was that it was the “Lindy Hop” and the name stuck.

It was initially called Lindy Hop but was later. This new dance craze joined Collegiate Shag and Balboa to become the predecessor of an entire family of ‘Swing’ dances – East and West Coast Swing, and more recently Jive. During the second world war Swing music became hugely popular and so did the dance which had started years earlier. Jitterbug was the perfect antidote to the stresses of wartime.

Dancing to big band swing music lasted well into the 1950′s. The arrival of Rock & Roll, Jump-Jive and Rhythm & Blues meant that this kind of partner dancing remained fashionable even as styles changed.

Swing dancing was popular for over 30 years and danced to a range of music that suits many tastes. Thanks to a major revival of partner dancing and forties fashions Lindy Hop is now very much in vogue.

WHO CAN LEARN IT?

Lindy Hop is a dance suitable for all ages, abilities and levels of fitness. Classes are great fun and a great night out! In less time than you would think you will be dancing confidently and stylishly at many social events. It will also allow you to try other swing dances such as Balboa or Collegiate Shag.

Lindy Hop is very popular in many different countries which means that whilst you may not share the same language you will be able to share your love of dancing. Although Lindy Hop offers the possibility of learning more complex 8 count patterns, the early stages of the dance can be grasped easily. You will also be able to dance to a wide range of music from Swing to Rock and Roll,
providing it swings you can dance to it!

COURSE DETAILS?

Lindy Hop Foundation Course at Danceworks:
New 10 WEEK FUN COURSE starts Tuesday 1st May.

 Learn the basics of this 1940′s dance on our easy to follow Foundation
Course with Niall and Michaela.

This course teaches the basics of Lindy Hop in this tried and tested
formula. 10 weeks covering 6 count basic, plus triples and finishing off
with 8 Count – the best way to learn the Shim Sham, bit by bit each
week!

Registering is a must, THIS IS NOT A ‘DROP IN CLASS. It is easy to register, drop an email to info@52ndstreetjump.co.uk. If there is room you 
will be accepted, you do not pay any money until the first night. You only
 pay each week when you attend. 
No partner necessary, but we are always short of men (leaders) so ladies
 enroll quickly to secure your place.

Class numbers limited to enable personal feedback

.

This year this personality selected by the founding entity of the International Dance Day, the International Dance Committee of ITI, is Flemish Moroccan choreographer Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, who is primarily known for his production TeZukA, which had its world premiere in London’s famous Sadler’s Wells and revolves around the life of manga artist Osamu Tezuka. The goal of World Dance Day and the WDD – Message is to celebrate dance, to revel in the universality of this art form, to cross all political, cultural and ethnic barriers and bring people together through the common language of dance.

Since this is exactly the message Danceworks wants to spread in London and the 30^th anniversary of World Dance Day also coincides with the 30^th birthday of Danceworks, we decided to celebrate both of these fabulous events with an Open Day. Thus, from 12:30pm – 7:30pm Danceworks will offer over 20 Taster Classes throughout the different genres and levels. For example we have the wonderful Brendon Hansford teaching one of his beginners Hip Hop classes at 12:30pm, Francis Cardoso will offer Little Dance Flavors for our youngest visitors at 1:30 pm as well as his Latin Fitness at 2:30pm. Also, Danceworks is proud to have Kat and Steve from Tango Paseo teaching a beginners Tango class at 3:30pm, famous Naz Choudhury doing his famous BollyFlex at 3pm, Anna Ruini putting on her Cerise Pole Dancing at 6pm and many more exciting classes to take.

On the Open Day you’ll have free entry to Danceworks, plus 18 awesome Open Day Classes and if you decide to become a member of Danceworks on this day there’ll be no joining fee. So if you are already a member of Danceworks and want to seize the opportunity to try something new, want to check out Danceworks for the first time or are a regular daily member who just wants to pop in to some of your favourite classes for free or become a member; just come and celebrate World Dance Day with us on 29 April 12:30pm -7:30pm.

Schedule:

12.30 – 13.30 Hip Hop (Beg) – Brendon Hansford

13.00 – 14.00 Pilates (Gen) - Lia Alu

13.30 – 14.30 Little Dance Flavors (Gen) – Francis Cardoso

14.00 – 15.00 Lyrical Contemporary (Int/Gen) – Matthew Huy

14.00 – 15.00 Lyrical Hip Hop (Gen) – Jasmin Saulo

14.00 – 15.00 Dynamic Pilates (Gen) - Penny Jane Holloway

14.30 – 15.30 Latin Fitness (Gen) – Francis Cardoso

15.00 – 16.00 Bollyflex (Beg) – Naz Choudhury

15.00 – 16.00 Jazz – Musical Theatre (Int) – Jenny Patrone

15.30 – 16.30 Argentine Tango (Beg) – Tango Paseo

16.00 – 17.00 Capoeira (Gen) – Baris Yazar

16.30 – 17.30 Jazz (Int/Adv) – Wintersons Dancers Agency / Becky Barrett

17.00 – 18.00 New Skool Hip Hop (Beg/Gen) – Wyvern Wilkins

17.30 – 18.30 Belly dancing (Gen ) - Pegah Rahmani

17.30 – 18.30 New York Floor-Barre (Gen) – Nina Thilas-Mohs

17.30 – 18.30 VocalWorks – Singing (Gen) – Daniel Thomas

18.00 – 19.00 Livin Ladies (Int/Adv) - Kash Powell

18.00 – 19.00 Cerise Pole Dancing (Gen) - Anna Ruini

Hugo has also performed in several Musicals and other Productions, choreographed for plays and worked for Television, Music Videos and TV Ads whilst doing a bit of modelling on the side.

He says: “The 4 key elements in my approach to fitness are POSTURE, EXERCISE, STRENGTH and TONE. My mission is to help you to achieve your GOALS, start enjoying exercise and make it part of your routine. I believe that what you gain from exercise is literally a new lease of life.”

To get a sense of the atmosphere in Hugo’s classes, Danceworks intern Sandra went to his Zumba and Trampoline Fitness this Tuesday. This is her verdict:

Zumba was just amazing! It’s great for beginners like me since there are no complicated choreographies or combinations of steps and movements that you have to remember. Hugo simply combines very basic, fun and rhythmic steps with all kinds of Latin Party music, some booty shaking and a pinch of his very own charm so everybody can get right into it and go with the flow. Also, Hugo has an incredible energy that he manages to transfer to the entire class so that, although the workout is very affective and works every muscle, his always smiling face and cheeky charm makes it not feel like hard work at all. Other students have confirmed that impression saying that in Hugo’s Zumba you will always feel comfortable, welcome and treated like a good friend. So, if you want to burn off some serious calories and get trim with a smile on your face, Hugo’s Zumba is the place to go.

Trampoline Fitness was completely different to Zumba. After a small introduction for first-timers on how to use the trampolines Hugo puts you right to work. It felt positively intense and a little more like a proper, aerobic-like, workout with motivating music, but the small trampolines add that element of fun that reminds you of the good old childhood days whilst they subtly force all of your muscles to stay active to balance your body the entire time. In this class Hugo combines very intense cardio sequences with highly effective strengthening exercises that are also performed on the trampolines. The music as well as Hugo’s cheerful attitude and love of teaching really gets you going, keeps you motivated and even gets you through the exhausting but also highly energising cardio-bits. All people I spoke to after the class were sweaty and out of breath but also full of energy and very happy; so, if you like an affective, fun and very unique workout which will leave you trim, fit and happy, this is the class for you.

Sandra for Danceworks

With a score co-written by Amy Winehouse and producer Mark Ronson, Wayne McGregor’s new ballet Carbon Life could be the gig of the year. It opens marvellously, with nine scenes and radiant dancers, but Ronson’s music dominates. There is loads of talent on the stage, but the dancers are anonymous and  the band holds the attention.

(Photo by Alice Pennyfather)

The second performance of the night is the gift of MacMillan by Liam Scarlett in Sweet Violets. Forty eight minutes of ballet based on the obsession of a painter, Walter Sickert, with the Camden Town Murder and Jack, the Ripper.

At its best, when you are magically transported to the theatre and, you feel yourself as a part of the backstage, closer to the dancers and directors. For ten minutes the audience becomes a big eye with a lot of perspectives. Marianela Nunez’s gives a breathtaking performance. Nevertheless, Sweet Violets presents a heavy plot and many characters that are just briefly explained, so the performance itself remains baffling.

(Photo by Alice Pennyfather)

Lastly and ironically it’s a revival of Christopher Wheeldon’s Polyphonia (2001) which provides the most thoughtful and refined honour of the evening. It takes eight dancers and a series of routines by Legiti, arbitrarily across the stage, with emotion and passion. It is a masterpiece of perfect combination and elegance.

Review by Tania – Danceworks Intern