Why not Mariinsky? | Pointe shoe chat!

[@mauiskater]

So I’m a former figure skater and went to university in London in the late 80’s. I’m American and live in Hawaii. I loved this video. It makes me think of my younger days dancing and skating. Not all great dancers are great teachers. I’m a terrible teacher. It’s hard for me to describe what I do to beginners. It’s so much muscle memory and we didn’t have this much knowledge back then. I’m very happy to see that dancers and companies are working on safety more to reduce injuries. Although saying that the things dancers do now are more advanced. I have a lot of injuries now at age 56. I was one of those aerobics girls too in the 80’s and 90’s. I taught aerobics at Pineapple Studios in London in the late 80’s! 😅We just weren’t thinking the long term affect of repetitious movement injuries. Now I have arthritis and a lot of pain. Stem cell injections have helped some but basically too little too late. Yoga is what keeps me in shape as well as Pilates. I love how you would physically describe a movement from sitting!! I mean come on that’s incredible! I thoroughly enjoyed this and wish I could do your classes. My body would say no way and I have to agree. Makes me miss it all so much. 😢😢😢It’s tough when the body just can’t do it anymore. Skating especially which is ballet on skates was the most incredible feeling ever. It was like flying. I’m never as present as I am when I’m skating. Nothing replaces that feeling either. I can still skate but I have to be super cautious so it’s not the same now. Aloha from Maui Hawaii! 🌸🥰 🩰

[@kaykomckayface1097]

The adult summer intensive sounds like a dream but I live half a planet away and can't afford to take a week off. So I'm sending all the love and best wishes to fellow adults who got to join your program. Can't wait to hear the amazing results ❤

[@balletwithisabella]

THE SUMMER INTENSIVE IS ANNOUNCED! The first pre professional adult intensive in the vaganova style in London! Link in description for more details. Grab you spot ❤

[@nathaliemaullin6590]

Danced for 20 years. I love your analytic approach. So much better than how I was taught. Brilliant.

[@rawmagnolia]

I’m 37 YO and I live in the U.S. but would love to go to your summer intensive. It would be a great reason to see Great Britain for me and my husband. I’m at the intermediate level. Thank you so much for all you do Isabella. It truly has helped me a lot.

[@balletwithisabella]

This would be great for you! Check the link in bio to be sure you’re comfortable with the criteria along with all the info and there a lot! We have sold over half the spots already including some to US dancers! we hope you can join us too 😍🙌

[@rawmagnolia]

@@balletwithisabella I neglected to say that I would go next year if this year is successful for you. I am going to plan on it. I have already told my husband. Thank you for replying Isabella! So sweet of you. I look forward to it.

[@judegarcia6657]

This was one of the best videos so far. I’m becoming more and more interested in your coaching even though I’m 60 and live in California. From what I’ve learned from you so far, I think your coaching style is superb, especially for aspiring professionals. 👏

[@balletwithisabella]

I appreciate that!❤

[@natalie8457]

Yes would love to attend, I'm 41 dancing 6 years

[@balletwithisabella]

Link in bio! Read the information and see it's the right fit for you. Then please come 🙂 We would love to have you!

[@JaxiXD210XD]

I would love to visit London for your summer intensive, travel expenses would be a bit much for me but in the future it would definitely be something I would save up for! I’m 24 now and have been doing ballet since I was about 15 or 16 😊 love these chit chat style q & a’s as well!

[@balletwithisabella]

You should come! You can also do PayPal pay in 3 ❤ buytickets.at/balletwithisabella/900870

[@michidodbayar5159]

I'm a child 10 year old going to audition at vaganova academy ❤ trying my best😊

[@tiffcat1100]

❤

[@shannonasakura7815]

I always wondered why you were never invited into Mariinsky - thanks for being so honest about that. I'm curious now - how do they go about selecting who from Vaganova ends up in Mariinsky? Is there like one big audition class that's held for all graduates, or is it based on your graduation exam/grad performance, or is it a longer process where they simply watch people over the last couple of years of training? Like is it common knowledge to the teachers and/or students who they're interested in hiring?

[@K_ballet]

Great video. Thanks for sharing! ❤ I’m in adult ballet (over 40) and live in US, but I would LOVE to go to one of your intensives someday!

[@balletwithisabella]

Come this year!! buytickets.at/balletwithisabella/900870

[@valentina.mend0za]

hey isabella, i love your content!!! if you ever get the chance i would really like to see a character class on the online studio❤️💃 i love character dance but i think it’s becoming a lost art.

[@ellr241]

Hi Isabella! Thank you so much for the video! I was wondering if there was any chance you could do a follow along 10min pre class routine? :) Would be very interested in a summer intensive, but unfortunately I don’t think I’m quite at the right level yet. Will have to do more of your online training and classes first! :)

[@rebelmama37]

Summer intensive sounds fantastic, I'm 66 and studied dance all of my life, just came back to ballet. I can get to London since I live elsewhere in EU, but the price is prohibitive for me. Marybe next year!

[@natalie8457]

Can't wait, I'm very excited 🎉

[@sarahdrury3382]

I would’ve loved to do the intensive but can’t take that much time off work 😢 If you’re considering doing some others, maybe one over the weekend or perhaps Friday- Monday? ❤

[@green4est]

it's so calming to see you sewing shoe!))

[@balletwithisabella]

I thought it would be! We can do more like this ❤️

[@green4est]

@@balletwithisabella it would be great! you're beautiful storyteller and this combination is just perfect! Thank You!😀

[@thesparkypilot]

I’d be highly interested in this. Be something to practice for and plan for.

[@CorinnePina]

I’d love to come, but I think I’m not quite at that level yet. Will there be more beginner / advanced beginner ones in the future ? Also how do I improve my speed like tendus and frappe? I feel like I’m losing technique when going faster

[@dronesclubhighjinks]

Thank you for the video! I can't believe that was 40 minutes long because that went by really quickly. I'm not a dancer, but I love watching ballet and learning about what goes into the training and behind the scenes interviews is awe-inspiring. Dear young dancers: In case you are so wrapped up in the ballet world that you don't have a lot of outside contacts, I'd like you to know that the physical work, time, and emotional commitment required to become a professional ballet dancer exceeds any other career I can think of. You are already an extraordinary person for setting such a goal. Few kids and teenagers, or even adults, have the personality type, determination, and mental toughness to be able to even set such a goal, and to continually work towards it. What is so unusual about your art is that while you're doing extremely difficult skills, you're supposed to look like you're enjoying yourself or at least keep a neutral expression. Imagine if boxers or footballers were smiling as they compete! Loads of luck and best wishes to you all! 🍀

[@flyingdana2317]

I would have booked the summer intensive since I am based in London but its sooooo expensive! Love you 🥰

[@balletwithisabella]

There is a PayPal pay in 3 option which a lot of our participants have used.

[@lapristine]

Great coffee and chat! Your apartment is super cute, though I missed the cat cameos. 32 year old adult beginner from Sydney here - I love all your tips and would love to attend the next adult workshop. Can’t attend this year as I have another Europe trip already planned. It would help to have a bit more lead time to organise leave, flights etc

[@balletwithisabella]

I may be in Sydney this year end of July just and will for sure offer lessons while out there. I’m share more when I know what’s going on 😅!

[@lapristine]

@@balletwithisabella Exciting! I’ll keep my eyes peeled

[@kristiLB93]

Adult ballet dancer here. Former dancer -my main training was in classical ballet but I ended up in a small modern/contemporary company here in the US. Great exposure to amazing dancers that have gone to big careers but not me. But I am a life long dancer/learner. I am a 45 yr old mom coming back to dance. I have been utilizing many online classes and local ballet classes to get my body back in shape. I'd love to attend your classes in England but alas, I'm in the USA. So here's my big question- Extensions. I never did achieve a high sumptuous extension (those beautiful light legs say like Maria Khoreva to name one amongst so many others) What are the muscles I am using specifically? What should I be working on every day to achieve high extensions? This is a goal that could very well last a lifetime to achieve!😆 Thanks so much for your channel!!❤

[@balletwithisabella]

Hi Kristin, this is something I can’t sum up in a comment box. I have extensive classes and courses on my platform about achieving better extentions. There’s specific things you need to be able to feel. I can help for sure. It’s how I got ridiculously high legs like in my vaganova walk through videos you can see x 😅

[@kristiLB93]

@@balletwithisabella Thank you! I will check those out.

[@AnnaLouiseSpecht]

If you haven't already could you make a video on how you managed to improve your turnout ❤

[@theresia_g_hall]

Please come to Australia!

[@normamimosa5991]

Let me preface by saying, I would love to go to London to take class with you, Isabella! Unfortunately, an injury and the stress of inflation prevents me from being able to do that; however, I am sure there are many in a position to jump at the chance. I wish you the best. Some thoughts: Drop-in Classes: Drop-in classes should be the same and mixed for both adults and recreational/vocational students, not seperated, albeit, separated according to level. Ballet is ballet, with the same technique and class formats required for all. The age range in drop-in classes I have taken over the years ranges from approximately 15/16 upwards. Dancers in classes have included professionals (including top world dancers), retired professionals, pre-professionals, recreational adults, and teens. Separating adults creates an impression that they are just adults, not able ever to learn how to be a good dancers. In need of special-needs training. That is not true. It becomes true when they have not been taught the basics or are not corrected. Adult Beginners: I think it is important for adult beginners to start with workshops that run for set periods (vs. drop in), in order to learn the basics, that are not easily taught in drop-in classes. When drop-in classes are slowed down to teach a student here and there a step or combination, dancers will stop attending that class. That always happens. The key for teachers of drop-in classes is to be able to teach without slowing the class down. Interestingly, when you watch adult classes in Russia, they are taught as if they were young starters. They get into fifth; they have pretty good turnout; they know the steps - not professionals, of course, but impressive. Summer Intensives: Great idea. An opportunity to separate adult beginners (and teen beginners) to learn the basics (vs drop-ins). There has to be improvements and results from summer intensives, I think, versus just more classes. Having said that, I have often dreamed about creating a summer intensive for adults in an exoctic place, just for the experience of it. .................... You are a treasure, Isabella, the real deal, with the training to make a huge difference for all students.

[@balletwithisabella]

Totally agree with a lot of what you’ve said! We plan to do many more intensives so if you can’t make this one we hope you can make more in future! ❤️ I take my students of all levels very seriously making sure they get what they need at their current level of training. I could say a lot more about some of the points you mentioned as I agree with you! Thank you for the support x

[@xoxcxsxm]

I am an adult beginner, started at 30😅 (did other dances for a few years) I would be interested at adult beginner/beginner plus program, so far I only found beginner drop-in classes and the level varies a lot (some are more intermediate level, so even if I can do them thanks to my strength, I am missing a lot of foundations), the only organised program I did which I learnt a lot of my foundation was actually a more Jazz oriented program, we did Barr warm up and techniques, maybe Jazz is more suitable for adults but I want to pursue more ballet education

[@lindaxu7882]

Love the cover girl of this video, Aziz Yasmina, she is a talented young dancer!

[@lisakenton2392]

My goodness there are a few 60+ers here. The dream never dies does it?

[@Dr.TinaGoodin]

I wish I had known about this wonderful Intensive sooner! Signed up on the waiting list...fingers crossed I will hear back! 🤞🩰

[@johanne198]

Would be nice to see a video with the 10 minutes exercises before class:) great video, i always watch your videos while I stretch

[@balletwithisabella]

All the specific exercises are on my Platform balletwithisabella.com - I’m sure I will share insights on Instagram if I haven’t already x

[@glendapeterson1180]

I was fortunate enough to study ballet for years as a child. Unfortunately, I had minimal talent (poor turnout, etc.). However, I have an idea for you. Older adults are encouraged to exercise, and to me that means ballet. But how do you modify ballet--time, moves--for a woman of 70? I know you're thinking "can't be done", but I think it can by someone who's a real teacher. I don't like yoga; I want to relevee. Please think about this and discuss it with others who might be interested. I believe ballet has a lot to carefully offer the older student who wants to remember the 60s.