All11 questions to ask when selecting a dance school for your childSeptember 16, 2018Ballet General Knowledge 11 Questions to ask when selecting a Dance School for your child The school chosen places a very important part in the child’s progress, continuity and well being. 1 – Does the school have a licence for informal education and an SLC number? Licences and SLC numbers are given to a school upon checking various issues. The premises must be certified by an engineer. The studio must be equipped with safety measures such as smoke detectors, alarms, emergency lights and laminated mirrors and doors. A request in court must be presented for each member of staff, to check if the adult can work with minors. The SLC number grants to the parent 100 euro tax deduction annually. 2 – Is the dance area free from hazards? Check out for any furniture or other materials in the dance area, which can make the child topple. The floor must be adequate for dancing and free from hazards. 3- How is Training delivered? Does the school follow a syllabus? Ideally the system must follow a worldwide recognized syllabus so that switching schools becomes easy even from one country to another. Moreover, affiliation to an international society brings about loads of opportunities for the students such as scholarships and further studying abroad. It is also a good thing to question how are flexibility exercises executed and if supervised by qualified professionals so as not to allow the students to be injured. The classes must follow a lesson plan as this makes class delivering much more efficient, especially when the students are seen for just an hour. 4 – Does the school offer special help for children with conditions? An international examining body should consider reasonable adjustments and special considerations when it comes to exams, always subject to proof from doctors. Upon knowledge of a condition the teachers must be qualified enough to alter the teaching methods. 5 – How are the children divided – how large is the group in a class? The number of children in a class will determine the individual attention the child will benefit from. The ideal number is 6 to 8 children in an hour class. 6- How frequent are the shows and the rehearsals? The parent must check how many times, the child need to present herself for shows and rehearsals. There are schools that present dances frequently whilst others just do an annual show once every two years. The level of commitment required must be known beforehand. 7 – Does the school take part in Festivals? Not everyone like competitions especially when the children are very young. Checking out about festival participation will help prepare the child psychological. Schools taking part in festivals require great dancers with great talent and many times choose the best out of the troupe to compete. 8 – Is the school far away? The parent must keep in mind that going to and fro the school frequently and during traffic times can be quite distressing if this is done 3 to 4 times a week. The school chosen must be close to the residence if this is possible. 9 – What is the fee price, the uniform price and costume pricing on average? Apart from the fee price, checking the price of costumes and uniform is suggested. 10- Is the school dependent only on one teacher? Depending on just one teacher is a bit risky as if the teacher stops then there will be a time gap until a new one is hired. Preferably there should be like a team of teachers that replace eachother if needs be. 11-What policies does the school operate in terms of outside opportunities? It is vital for the students progress to be given the opportunities to attend master classes, dance camps and mix up with other children in the dance world – even if such classes are organized by other schools. Contact us ... 5 Reasons to sign up your child to Dance ClassesSeptember 14, 2018Ballet General Knowledge5 Reasons why signing up your child for Dance Classes Many parents decide to enrol their child into dance classes for various reasons –could be they were dancers themselves or they have observed the child dancing around the house and decided to enrol her. Teaching dance to children and giving them the possibility to dance in a studied structured manner is very beneficial. 1. Great for Fitness and General Health Dancing involves moving around, turning, jumping and loads of physical activities. Parts of the body which are not normally used in every day life are enhanced in dancing. It increases flexibility , muscle tone and improves physical strength and stamina. Dancing improves posture especially in ballet classes where alignment is given alot of importance. 2 Improves Balance and Co-ordination No other form of activity can aid co-ordination and balance more than dancing. Dancing in a structured manner is all about combining the brain and body whereby the person is totally focused in order to be able to execute the exercise. Moreover, the young person starts to learn to co-ordinate movement much better and faster than a person who does not dance. 3 Enhances Well-being It is not the first time we heard the phrase “Dance is my Passion” It has been observed that dancing does make people happier. Movement provides a sense of well- being as the brain releases endorphins. 4 Social Belongingness The dance school provides a niche of friends as well as social interaction much more than any other social group. Dancers must be together to dance together. They must know eachother and just with a look understand their peers. Group dancing teaches them how to work in a group and respect eachother. 5 Qualifications and Opportunities By enrolling to a right school, preferably that is affiliated with foreign authority, will eventually provide certification which are worldwide recognized. Authorities also provide ample opportunities such as scholarships and events to meet up with international students and help gifted students to advance. Contact us... Opening of new studioJuly 8, 2018News/EventsThursday 28th June 2018 the new studio was opened. Present for the ceremony were the Hon Dr Owen Bonnici, the mayor Mr Mario Calleja and Mr Baptist. Fr Roderick blessed the building. The studio enjoys state of art facilities and suitable up to advanced training... Summer Dance CourseJuly 8, 2018News/EventsWe look foward to welcome you to our summer dance course which will commence week Monday 16th July. The teachers are working on their lesson plans to guarantee maximum benefit as well as a sense of enjoyment. Ballet classes with Ms Ilona and Ms Mandy Jazz funk classes with Ms Ana Valentina Perez Gymnastics classes with Ms Audrey Sultana Musical Theatre with Ms Ilona and Ms Kirsten Contemporary and lyrical – Ms Ivana Huggs... General Application FormMay 1, 2018News/Events... Coppélia – Brief Overview Of The StorySeptember 14, 2014Ballet General Knowledge An inventor, Dr Coppelius, made a life-size dancing doll, named Coppelia. Franz, a young boy from the village falls in love with the doll, thinking that the doll is a real person and sets aside his true love Swanhilde. Swanhilde then dresses as the doll, pretending to make it come to life and ultimately saving him from an unfortunate end at the hands of the inventor. Act I The story begins during a town festival to celebrate the arrival of a new bell. It was announced that anyone who becomes married will be awarded a special gift of money. Swanhilde and Franz plan to marry during the festival. However, Swanhilde becomes unhappy with Franz because he seems to be paying more attention to a girl named Coppélia, who sits on the balcony of a nearby house. The house belongs to a mysterious and diabolical inventor, Doctor Coppélius. Although Coppélia spends all of her time sitting without moving and reading, Franz is amazed by her beauty and wants to attract her attention. Still upset with Franz, Swanhilde shakes an ear of wheat to her head: if it rattles, then she will know that Franz loves her. When she does this, she hears nothing. When she shakes it by Franz’s head, he also hears nothing; but then he lied and told her that it rattled. However, she does not believe him and runs away heartbroken. Later on, Dr. Coppelius leaves his house and is attacked by a group of boys. After shooing them away, he continues on without realising that he dropped his keys. Swanhilde finds the keys, which gives her the idea of learning more about Coppélia. She and her girlfriends decide to enter Dr. Coppelius’s house. Meanwhile, Franz develops his own plan to meet Coppélia, climbing a ladder to her balcony. Act II (Act 2 and 3 combined) Swanhilde and her friends find themselves in a large room filled with people. However, the occupants aren’t moving. The girls discover that, rather than people, these are life-size mechanical dolls!! They quickly wind them up and watch them move. Swanhilde also finds Coppélia behind a curtain and discovers that she, too, is a doll. Dr. Coppelius returns home to find the girls. He becomes angry with them, not only for trespassing (entering without permission) but for also disturbing his workroom. He kicks them out and begins cleaning up the mess. However, upon noticing Franz at the window, Coppélius invites him in. The inventor wants to bring Coppelia to life but, to do that, he needs a human sacrifice. With a magic spell, he will take Franz’s spirit and transfer it to Coppélia. After Dr. Coppelius gives him some wine mixed with sleeping powder, Franz begins to fall asleep. The inventor then begins to work on his magic spell. However, Dr. Coppelius did not get rid of all the girls; Swanhilde is still there, hidden behind a curtain. She dresses up in Coppelia’s clothes and pretends that the doll has come to life. She wakes Franz and then winds up all the mechanical dolls to aid their escape. Dr. Coppelius becomes confused and then saddened when he finds a lifeless Coppélia behind the curtain. Act III Swanhilde and Franz are about to make their wedding vows when the angry Dr. Coppelius appears, claiming damages. Dismayed at having caused such an upset, Swanhilde offers Dr. Coppelius her dowry (an amount of money or property that a father gives to the bride before she gets married) in return for his forgiveness. However, Swanhilde’s father tells her to keep her dowry and offers to pay Dr. Coppelius instead. At that point, the mayor intervenes and gives Dr. Coppelius a bag of money, which calms him down. Swanhilde and Franz are married and the entire town celebrates by dancing.... Romeo And JulietSeptember 10, 2014ShowsOn the occasion of their tenth anniversary, Mandy’s Dance Academy, under the direction of Mandy Pellicano together with Waterfall Dancers, produced the famous Shakespearean Romeo and Juliet. This production of Romeo and Juliet was a revolution in theatre composing classical ballet, hiphop, song and drama with the best in theatrical virtuosity. This well known and loved story of true love which blossoms amidst conflict between two families whose bitter fight was unsolvable brought to us in a modern setting. The choreography was a combination of two minds. Ian Mackenzie Stewart A.B.B.O. a premier dancer and world acclaimed choreographer has together with Peter Ray Portelli a captivating production which will enthrall young and old audiences. The idea to expose the dance talent that Malta has was long overdue, so to see this was an expression that has long been awaited. Mr Stewart has brought in the talent of Emma Lister, a ballerina of world wide repute to play the role of Juliet. Former Dancer from The English National Ballet , Ballet Winnapeg Canada and the English Youth Ballet, Ms Lister was captivating in her role. Another principal dancer is Marley Lagana, who performed the part of Romeo. He holds the national champion title of hip-hop for the past five years. He has taken in this role which has traditionally been danced by only the highest standard of classical dancers and he has proved to be excellent in this task. The partnership between Marley and Lister was electrifying and at the same time heart warming. This was a combination of technical brilliance and beautifully honest acting. The production was directed by Mr Joseph Camilleri (Zep). Mr Dominic Cini was responsible for the music arrangements. Ms Ina Robinich, a well renowed local singer, played the part of the nurse. The production was supported by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the British Ballet Organization. This was a show of the highest caliber and something that made audiences and critics alike talk about for a long time after the event. “Romeo, Romeo where for art thow? Here in Malta, Not to be missed” ... Sweet As CandySeptember 7, 2014Shows Sweet as candy was organized by a group of three dance entities: Mandy Dance Academy, Moveo Dance Company and the Waterfall Dancers. The Dance Spectacular, Sweet as Candy, enabled three local major dance groups to join forces whereby the arts of street dance, classical ballet and contemporary dance interacted and formed one show case. Sweet as Candy, was divided into three parts. The first part was staged by Mandy Dance Academy. About 80 Young artists from the age of 5 up to early twenties danced to various soundtracks from musicals – Willy Wonka, Mary Poppins and Citty Citty Band Bang. During this section the stage had candy props as well as kept colourful and bright with lights and projected images. This section was loveable by children. The second section was created by Moveo Dance Company directed by Dorian Mallia, he took this creation on a less conventional manner, where candies and sweets were stretched and distorted to a different proportion. The dancers embodied a different created character and dissolved in stretched fabrics and materials. The last event was produced by Waterfall Street dancers and started out with a little 8 year old girl advancing to her early 30’s. A numerous amount of props were used, showing the artistic side of street dance. ... Malta Independent ArticleNovember 24, 2007News/EventsArticle on the Malta Independent – Romeo and Juliet – Where Hip-hop marries ballet http://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2007-11-24/news/where-hip-hop-marries-ballet-200089/ Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet will be performed as never before on 30 November and 1 December at the Mediterranean Conference Centre at 8pm. This production will be based on a modern scenario, having two totally different dance disciplines – classical ballet and street dance – representing the two different families; the Capulets and Montagues. The fascinating music of Sergei Prokofiev was chosen, and arranged accordingly. The production boasts of approximately 100 participants dressed in delightful costumes that will relate the well-known story in drama, song and dance. The choreography is by Mr Ian Mackenzie Stewart, A.B.B.O. Mr Mackenzie Stewart has been awarded the Gold Land medal for singing, and was the world champion of Highland dancing. He trained at the Scottish Youth Theatre and the Royal Ballet School. He is internationally famous throughout the world of dance, especially in the West End. The part of Juliet will be played by Ms Emma Marion Lister, a principal dancer with the English Youth Ballet. Ms Lister is an experienced dancer who has toured with different ballet companies to perform Swan Lake, the Nutcracker and Giselle. Marlyn Letaga, will be playing Romeo. He has held the title of national champion of street dance for the past five years. The production will be directed by Mr Joseph Camilleri, better known as Zep in the theatre and television world. The producers for this original performance are Mandy’s Dance Academy and the Waterfall Dancers. Mandy’s Dance Academy is the local representative of the British Ballet Organization – where full dance training is given based on the international recognized syllabus of the British Ballet Organization. Waterfall Dancers are a prestigious group of youngsters who train professionally in hip-hop and break dance styles. Since 1999, the Waterfall Dancers have flourished due to an ever increasing interest in their talent throughout Malta and Gozo – they now have studios in ten different localities. Waterfall Dancers are presently the reigning champions of the Goldwell Award. Booking is now open, with prices ranging from Lm5.50/ EUR12.80, Lm 7/EUR17.50 and Lm9.50/EUR22.25. For tickets phone on 9982-3093/7920-7632, or email mandyc@onvol.net... Times of Malta ArticleSeptember 13, 2007News/EventsArticle on the Times of Malta regarding praise received from examiner and patron Ian Mackenzie Stewart. https://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20070913/local/praise-for-ballet-students.5226... Create Post
