101 Reasons to Study Ballet - #34 Joy

Reason # 34  - Joy

We have all heard the expression "Jump for Joy" in ballet we get the opportunity to do it. Ballet can be a fulfilling form of exercise for everyone, regardless of their age or experience. Physical activity is known to exert a powerful "feel-good" effect. A feeling of joy. Ballet is a great form of exercise.  Brightening mood and enhancing mental health, in fact some people believe, regular exercise may be as effective as medication for some people with depression.The joy of movement will make you feel good. A growing body of evidence supports this boost to psychological well being. Endorphins are morphine-like brain chemicals that can trigger feelings of euphoria, relaxation and joy.  Add some joy to your life join a ballet class.
http://www.theballetcenter.org/

101 Reasons to Study Ballet - #33 Jump

Reason #33 - Jump

Once you are warmed up and have completed barre you get to jump in ballet class. Jumping is fun, it burns calories and helps give you strong legs. Ballet Jumps are an essential part of ballet class. There are small jumps and big jumps. You will see professional dancers leap across the stage looking light and effortless. Sometimes it looks like they float on air.
From small jumps to big jumps, there are many tips and techniques that you can learn to enhance your ability to jump. Your plie is important to your jump for both the landing and the take off. Without your plie you simply can not jump as high. Without the right use of the plie you can not give full value to each jump. Plie also works as a cushion to the landing of the jump. Some of the names of steps are jete, grand jete, assemble, sissone, tour jete, pas de chat , saute and there are many more.  No matter whether you have a natural jump or not, it can be improved with the help of a good ballet teacher. Join a ballet class today.
http://www.theballetcenter.org/

Meet The Teachers - Natasa Trifan

Natasa Trifan is an international choreographer and teacher who was raised in Romania where she studied ballet for nine years at "Floria Capsali", the premier Romanian Ballet School. She graduated from the "Academy of Theater and Film" in Bucharest with a major in choreography and modern dance. During her major in dance she got involved in numerous student theater and film projects. "My absolute passion for image, any kind of image (cinematic, theatrical, photographic or emotional) came from these film and theater projects and from studying and seeing the same segments of film repeatedly. I have learned to compose from the outside, contrary to my usual dancer's approach of  building from inside-out... I think it's important to master both." 1999 she moved to United States of America and graduated from SUNY Brockport with an MA in Dance and Somatics. In 2001 she studied at the East -West Movement Therapy Program, the Alexander Technique and the Feldenkrais Method, that later will be integrated in her movement and aesthetic approaches. In 2002 she studied intensely physical theater with the international director Rene Migliaccio. Natasa founded Natasa Trifan Performance Group in 1999.

Work Methods - Collaboration

Collaboration is the core of her creative process, Natasa has worked with composers: Lucian Ban, Sylvia Mincewicz, Petre Radu Scafaru, Erol Israfil; costume designer Oana Botez Ban; filmmakers/ video artists: Chiaki Watanabe , Giles Hendrix, Martin Burga; writers/director: Saviana Stanescu and Rene Migliaccio, sculptor Rina Peleg and set designer Catalin Nastasoiu. She has created original works on students from  SUNY Brockport, and for the Minus Company, the Black Moon company and the Sudden Enlightenment Theater. Natasa Trifan has taught dance and movement awareness  at SUNY Brockport for one year.

Performance History

Natasa's work has been seen in Romania, Germany, Portugal, Russia, Chile, England at Chipping Norton Theater and the Bath Theater and in New York City at the Citicorp Theater at Alvin Ailey Studios , the HERE Theater, The Harlem Stages, the Dance New Amsterdam, the Theater for The New City, the Merkin Hall at Kaufman Center, the Construction Company, the Dance Theater Workshop, the Joyce Soho theater,  the Merce Cunningham Studio and at many others venues in Brooklyn.

Awards

Natasa Trifan's performance group received federal grants from Queens Council for the Arts, and grants from the Trust for Mutual Understanding foundation,  92y and from the USAInternatinonal from Mid Atlantic Foundation. 

She has been honored with the best dance critic prize from the Romanian Union of Choreographers and Composers and received full scholarship from the Academy of Theater and Film Bucharest and from SUNY, Brockport. In 2007 she was honored by the Romanian National Journal with the award entitled "The person of the day".

Art Residencies

She had art residencies at the White Oak, Florida and at the Romanian National Dance Center, Bucharest.

Published

Natasa Trifan is a dance scholar and a co writer of the textbook named "The art of choreography for actors" (published in Romania.) She published dance reviews for "Cotidianul", "Romania Literara" and other dance magazines. 

Memberships  

She is a current member of the International Dance Council under the UNESCO, the Field, a non profit organization for artists in NYC and Dance Theater Workshop.

For more information visit -www.theballetcenter.org

101 Reasons to Study Ballet - #32 Beats

Reason # 32 - Beats

I am not talking about those cool headphones or a DJ adding sounds to music - I am talking ballet.  Beats or batterie in ballet is a brilliant display of virtuosity in which the dancer's legs open and close rapidly while in the air added to petite or grand allegro. When beats are added to steps it gives the illusion of striking together and rebounding. Also known as battu. This is an advanced technique for students that have mastered steps and are now performing them at a higher level. Adding beats to steps is a goal to work towards. Have fun and learn ballet.
http://www.theballetcenter.org/

101 reasons to Study Ballet - #31 Pirouette

Reason # 31 Pirouette

Turning on one leg is both fun and a challenge. A pirouette is a rapid whirling or turning on the toe or ball of one foot in ballet. Most children love that feeling of spinning. Many people go to amusement parks and go on rides that spin and spin. Ballet dancers experience the enjoyment of spinning by trying to perfect the pirouette. When it is performed correctly it is a thing of pure beauty. Correct body placement is essential in all kinds of pirouettes. While repeatedly practicing the turn may improve performance, strengthening the muscles involved in your pirouette is also important. Exercises that improve balance, strengthen ankles, calves and turn out muscles are all important to help learn pirouettes. There are many kinds of pirouettes to learn. Choreographers create wonderful combinations of pirouettes for dancers to perform. Learn to turn today -- take a ballet class.

http://www.theballetcenter.org/

Modern Dance Classes

                   Modern Dance is an evolution from Classical Ballet. It breaks the rules of Classical Ballet and creates new ones of its own. Modern dance was an early 20th century dance form that emerged as expression of rebellion against classical ballet. The dancers who developed modern dance of this period include Loie Fuller, Isadora Duncan and Ruth St Denis who thought ballet was ugly and meaningless gymnastics. Later on, Martha Graham saw it as European, Imperialistic, and un-American. It therefore has fewer restrictions, and can be seen as a fusion of many dances. So, in one single Modern Contemporary Dance class, you may get to try out lots of different dances. You could find yourself dancing a routine that has elements of African dance, Tango, Salsa, Jazz, Ballet and so on. You name it, you’ll probably find it in a Modern Dance class. In its sophistication it has developed many styles and techniques. The beauty of it is that it allows a freer dance, which can be initiated by music or by an internal theme or inspiration.

http://www.theballetcenter.org/

Preschool Dance Classes

Preschool Dance Classes
If your child is interested in taking dance lessons, spend some time searching for the perfect dance studio. Classes for child ages 2 - 5 are very different then classes for older children. What should you look for? The school should have classes that are designed for preschool age students. Look for small class size. Some sort of physical play helping children develop gross motor skills. Proper dance technique, proper names of steps all introduced to the young child. You want a balance between learning and creative movement. The music used in class should be age appropriate. Ask about annual dance recitals - are costumes age appropriate and it the theme of the recital age appropriate?  Note that very young children cannot follow the strict nature of Classical Ballet class, so often they are often enrolled in "Baby Ballet" classes. These are designed to introduce the child to learning to following instructions, sit and stand quietly, leaving other students alone, creative movement and listening to the music. Above all, introductory classes should be fun for the very young child.

http://www.theballetcenter.org/

About Ballet Long Island

About Ballet Long Island

Ballet Long Island is a professional ballet company established in 1985. Our services include performances, arts in education programs, apprentice program, trainee program, choreography, master classes and workshops. Our r epertoire includes – The Nutcracker, Cinderella, Snow White, The Sleeping Beauty, The Fantastic Toyshop, Beauty & the Beast, The Little Mermaid, Swan Lake Act II, Multicultural Celebration, Le Corsaire pas de deux, Don Quixote pas de deux and original ballets choreographed for our company.

Our mission is to make ballet available and affordable to everyone

http://www.theballetcenter.org/

About The Ballet Center

               The Ballet Center and Artistic Director Debra Punzi has provided dance education on Long Island  for over 35 years . We have classes in Ballet, Jazz, Hip Hop , Musical Theater, Acting and Tap for all ages, young and adult alike.
                 The Ballet Center is founded on the belief that the study of dance gives students the skills and creativity to develop their own personal expression. This will carry over into every aspect of their lives. Guidance, support and challenge in a positive learning environment offer opportunities for personal and artistic growth. Classes include ballet,pointe, tap, jazz/theater dance,modern, Irish Step, hip-hop offered for preschoolers – adults. For some, the program will inspire a commitment to a professional career in, and for others it will inspire a love of dance. We have trained more professional dancers, teachers, and choreographers than any other school on Long Island.
                 Nonprofit means all of our funds go back into the community with scholarships, low tuition fees and more.
We are one of the top rated schools in the country.
              The Ballet Center is competition-free; that is not to say our students are not competitive, just that we do not promote sports-like competitions that are more lucrative than educational. Rather our dance education is centered around stage performance.
              Professional quality dance productions with Ballet Long Island provide students with theater experience and the opportunity to refine their dance technique. In the process they develop technical and social skills needed for collective participation towards a common goal. We feel these skills are more valuable to the community and to the individual. And besides, even though preparing for a major full-length ballet performance is hard work, our students find out that it is a lot of fun - fun that they share with other dancers. Many of our students have gone on to careers in ballet companies, modern companies, film, TV, broadway shows, dance teacher, directors and for other they develop a life long love of dance and theater.

Register for classes today call 631-737-1964
http://www.theballetcenter.org/

101 Reasons to Study Ballet - #30 Be on Pointe

Reason #30 Be on Pointe

Pointe with the "e" on the end means dancing on your toes. The technique developed from the desire for dancers on stage to appear weightless or other worldly. It has evolved as a part of ballet technique to enable dancers to dance on their toes. Special shoes have been designed to support the feet and help dancers stay up on their toes for long peroid of time. Dancing en pointe is part of studing ballet but not everyone who studies ballet needs to on their toes. Children should not start pointe classes until they are at least 11 or 12 years old and have good posture and good ballet technique. Never try dancing on pointe shoes if an instructor tells you to wait, as it's easy to become injured. Both men and women are capable of dancing en pointe, it is more commonly done by women but ballet is ever changing and there are companies - Men -on- Po!nte who are an all-male ballet company pioneering the development and promotion of male pointe technique . Remember it is not the shoes that dance -  it is the strong dancer it the shoes that holds the balance en pointe.
http://www.theballetcenter.org/

101 Reasons to Study Ballet - #29 Stretch

Reason # 29 Stretch
Ballet is all about increasing your range of movement. Stretching is a form of  exercise in which a specific muscle or group muscles is deliberately stretched  to improve the muscle's elasticity and increase range of movement. Stretching should be done gently and slowly. You need to be able to stretch correctly, so you do not injure yourself. Hold the stretches, do not bounce, feel the stretch but not pain, and maintain proper posture with your back straight. Stretch at least three to four times per week but daily is best to keep your muscles flexible.  Some ballet teachers include a stretch at the barre or on the floor. Students will find stretching is useful to do before and after class. Most people think of a dancer in a split as the idea of stretching but stretching is so much more. Dancer need to stretch many parts of the body including feet, arms, back, hamstrings, hip flexors and calf muscles. The thing to remember about stretching - SLOW and controlled. Join a ballet class today and stretch yourself.
http://www.theballetcenter.org/

101 Reasons to Study Ballet - #28 Learn a Little French

Reason # 28 Learn a Little French

French is the language of ballet. Most of the names of the steps in ballet come from the French language. King Louis XIV of France loved ballet. He performed in ballets along with members of his court. In 1662 he established the first official school of ballet, known today as the Paris Opera Ballet. The names of the steps created by King Louis are still used today. Ballet instructors pride themselves on teaching their students the French ballet vocabulary.
Many of the terms, when translated, give clues to their corresponding steps. There is an excellent book "Technical Manual and Dictionary of Classical Ballet" written by Gail Grant published by Dover that gives you the French pronunciation and definition of each term.  Here are some French terms used in ballet and the meaning of the word:

• assemble - assembled or joined together
• avant - forward
• plie - bend
• changement - change
• battement - beat
• pas de chat - step of the cat
• ballonne - bounced, like a ball 
• ballotte - tossed
• chaines - chains, links

All right, taking a ballet class will not help you order in a French restaurant or help you on your vacation to Paris but it will keep your mind sharp learning new words and their meanings. Start attending a ballet class today.
http://www.theballetcenter.org/

101 Reasons to Study Ballet -#27 - Burn Calories

Reason # 27 - Burn Calories

You probably already know that in order to lose weight or maintain your current weight you need to burn calories. Ballet exercises will give you some easy ways to burn calories that you can incorporate into your daily life. Start your day with a ballet barre. You can learn some basic ballet barre exercises by attending a ballet class and then do these exercises each morning and burn calories. Put on some beautiful classical music and start your barre. You will be dancing and moving and burning calories. Start with plie - bend your knees , tendu - pointe your feet, rond de jambe a tere - circle of the leg, develope - lift leg slowly through passe and hold it out away from body, releve - rise up to the ball of the foot, grand battement - kick leg. Have fun and burn calories with ballet.
http://www.theballetcenter.org/

101 Reasons to Study Ballet - # 25 Warm Your Body

Reason # 25 Warm Your Body

The ballet barre is a series of exercises that warm your body to perpare to dance. A good ballet teacher knows how to warm you up properly. Professional dancers are careful with their bodies and this warm up has developed over 300 years. Every barre workout alternates the big and small muscles groups accelerating the exertion needed in a gradual method. Most dancers like to develop a warm up routine that they do before class starts. These pre-class warm ups can be simple :
Examples
> Roll head to right slowly and then left
> Roll wrists slowly out and in
>lying down on their back the dancer assumes a low passe, legs parallel and then turned out
> Reach up slowly to releve then slowly roll down to touch the floor
There are many more warm up exercises that dancers add to their routine before class.
Ballet will warm your body and help you gain a healthy body.
http://www.theballetcenter.org/