There have been ladies asking me if it is too late to learn ballet after certain of age, especially adults.

Am I too old? Am I too fat? Am I too stiff? Am I too slow?

Why?It is always not too late to learn anything, nobody is perfect too.

Adult ballet offers artistic joys of dancing classical ballet, while developing elements of grace, flexibility, strength and posture. It is also a good choice for those who wish to shape up and get fit, as dancing provides both elements of fitness and artistry.

There’s a blog I want to recommend to all ladies who are interested in adult ballet but hesitate…… really admire her courage and consistence in ballet. =)

 輕舞胖恐龍 - 成人芭蕾 Adult Ballet

What is ballet? Why learn ballet?什麽是芭蕾？ 爲什麽學芭蕾？

Ballet is a classical dance form originated from
Europe, it started as a court dance but eventually developed into a performing arts in theatre. It’s the most important dance training in the world, as ballet gives the most scientific, strictest ，systematic, and well-rounded training. 。（ie Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty, The Nutcracker）古典芭蕾源自歐洲，本來是宮廷舞蹈， 後來發展成劇場表演藝術.芭蕾訓練是最受重視的舞蹈訓練， 因爲它是最有系統化，科學，嚴格而且全面性的。 

What is modern Jazz? Why learn Jazz?什麽是現代爵士？ 爲什麽學現代爵士？

Modern Jazz is the most popular and entertaining Jazz form nowadays. It blends classical Jazz, broadway, modern, ballet and hip-hop together. Students learn not only dance with techniques but also with their unique personal styles. Learning modern Jazz provides dance training with strict routine and fun. Usually ballet training is added in class. (ie High School Musical, Cats, Hairspray)

現代爵士是最流行最有娛樂性的爵士舞。 它融合了古典爵士，百老汇，现代,芭蕾，和嘻哈。学生不止学习正统舞蹈技巧也学会如何表现自己， 可以在严格的训练中享受跳舞乐趣。 通常基础芭蕾训练也会加在课程里。

Benefits of learning dance? 學舞蹈有什麽好處？

Dance improves 1) body posture 2) body co-ordination and flexibility 3) musicality  4) confidence with oneself 5) relationships with others 6) self-disciplines 7)could be a life long hobby

1）良好的身体姿势2）良好的身体协调和灵活度 3）敏感的音乐感 4）自我信心提升 5）与其他人的互动关系6）自我纪律 7）培养嗜好 

Is exam compulsory? 是不是一定要報名考試？

Exam is not compulsory but encouraged, as it might push students to achieve their best potential in dancing. However we do provide same training to all students, both exam candidates and non exam candidates.

不一定要報名考試, 可是我們鼓勵學生參加考試是爲了督促他們更積極學習。 不管有沒有報名考試, 我們都一視同仁給予一樣的訓練, 沒有偏袒。 

 Can children skip to a grade higher which is beyond their age?可以跳級嗎？

It is not recommended to push children to attend class which is beyond their age and body limitation. It is harmful and dangerous for their body, and might cause children lost interest in dancing by being pushed.

我們不建議學生學習超越他們年齡及身體能力的課程， 這對 他們的身體是很危險， 可能導致受傷和影響發育。 而且， 他們可能會因此失去對舞蹈的學習興趣。

Kids learn ballet will walk with turn-out legs?學芭蕾會不會走路外開？

Turn-out is the most important part in the training. However we never teach students to walk turn-out in their everyday life. They are encouraged to walk in good posture and natural parallel legs.

雙腳外開是芭蕾最重要的訓練， 可是我們沒有教學生平常走路外開。 我們鼓勵他們身體姿勢正確，平常走路自然。 

Will their legs get thick?腿會不會練粗？

Students will gain strong and lean muscles with correct and strict dance training. Teacher will give correct instructions to students. Students who work correctly and hard will no gain extra bulk muscles around their legs.

正確的舞蹈訓練不會導致腿粗。 老師會給正確專業的指導，學生必須遵照而且用功。 正確訓練下， 腿部不但不會變粗，反而是結實修長。

More enquiries please call 019 7700495 , or email chooting.dance@gmail.com, or visit http://chooting.blogspot.com.

CSTD Modern Jazz is a whole new Jazz dance education system introduced in 2004, catering kids to adults. It not only introduces basic Jazz techniques but also incorporates many Jazz moves of styles, ie ballet, broadway, contemporary, hip hop. It emphasizes strong techniques and unique personal styles, whereas students are encouraged to express their own individual interpretations always.
From the beginning grades onwards, students are to be taught basic ballet techniques also, in preparation to cope with higher demand of Jazz moves. They will be guided to do a series of muscle strengthening and stretching exercises which help them dance with greater ability.

This new system particularly suits today’s young kids and adults, especially most of the music are the hittest pop songs.

Classical ballet is the most formal of the ballet styles, as it adheres to to traditional ballet techniques. Various traditional styles of ballet in the world: Russian, Italian, French, Italian, Danish, English.

The most unique features of classical ballet are turn-out, extension of the feet, pointe work, pulled-up body posture and elegance. Students receive proper training on turn-out from the hips, and will achieve greater turn-out even 180 degree after years of training. Extensions of legs, ankles, spine, arms are repeatedly stressed in everyday class, students develop strong lean muscles and beautiful body posture since the day one of their training.

The structure of class is always : warm-up, barre work, stretching, center, turns, jumps, enchainments and body conditioning. However this is up to the styles of teaching/school accordingly.

Pointe work is usually introduced to students who achieve a high standard of techniques, and have at least 3-5 years of serious ballet training. It is dangerous to put students who have unsatisfactory technical skills and poor strength, en pointe.

The most famous romantic/classical ballets are La Sylphide, Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty, The Nutcracker, La Bayadere etc. However, nowadays there are also many modern and contemporary ballets which mold classical ballet techniques into more modernized choreographies.

Dance is a graceful disciplined art, but it is also Expression, Education, Encouragement and Enjoyment. With us, your child will experience the “four E’s”…

Expression…

We believe that when a child learns to dance they must also express something of themselves. We aim to develop the personality in your children and teach them how to present themselves, as well as musical expression. Besides ballet steps they will learn how to tell a familiar story in dance and to express their own culture as well as that of others through dance.

Education…

We want your children to understand what they are doing and why and how their body is working to achieve this. From day one they will learn that every step and position has a name and these can be joined together in many different ways.

Encouragement…

Whether in class, in the examination room or on the stage, we believe in the importance of encouraging your children to give to the best of their own ability, and assessment is based on their own personal achievement. Every child is an individual and what may be easy for one may be milestone for another. We recognise this and give praise where it is due and constructive criticism where it is needed.

Enjoyment…

Children should enjoy learning to dance beyond just moving to the music. While there are many different exercises that must be practiced first, these are varied so that each week the class will be a little different. A child who is stimulated will learn more readily and perform better. We want your child to leave class with a sense of achievement and come back next week ready to achieve more.