LGI/

Proof of COVID-19 vaccination (or valid medical exemption) is required before entry to WXYZ Studios

Class today is Ballet w/ Damian Smith

Damian’s class is a basic classical ballet class from simple warm up with barre exercises, transitioning to the centre. Usually fulfilling the necessary amount of exercises to reach grand allegro by the end.

The class is appropriate for pre professional to very experienced. Damian studied in the Royal Academy of Dance technique and later at the school of American Ballet in NYC learning Balanchine technique and the Russian Vaganova technique which requires a little more speed and is more stylised.

Damian believe’s dance class is a time of personal and physical exploration and discovery. It’s not about doing the steps perfectly from the beginning, it’s about finding new ways to use the technique and think about how the body relates to space, weight, music and coordination. Damian like’s to see a dancer thinking and searching and not just following and doing for the sake of doing what they are told. The exercises in Damian’s class are the vocabulary for a dancer to write their own story, finding their intention and purpose and stepping outside their comfort zone.

The purpose of Damian’s class is also to prepare any dancer for any dance style, to warm up their entire body, getting the body aligned and on the standing leg. Damian like’s to create a sense of release and expressive freedom in the centre and encourages dancers to not hold back and be expansive and use the entire space. Damian focus’s on the use of plié and connecting with the floor and breath in order to find the positioning, balance and coordination in the movement. Damian believe’s a dancer must apply the upper body just as much as the lower body. Most importantly, a dancer must listen to the music, attempt every exercise, have fun and come away with new concepts, knowledge and understanding of their own physical ability.

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These ballet classes are aimed at offering the benefits of technical ballet classes to contemporary dancers. All LGI Morning Classes are open to ex-dancers, students at a tertiary level, recent graduates and current professionals. Previous dance experience is advised as classes are taught at intermediate/advanced level.

Find physical access information to WXYZ Studios here: https://lucyguerininc.com/wxyz-studios#accessibility-guide