A Wonderful Day at Alice's Workshop

What a wonderful day we had at the Alice's Adventures in Wonderland Family Workshop. Children together with their families had lots of fun with creative dancing, crafts and a tea to finish.

Mums, dads and their little ones took part in the creative dance session. All together had a good time finding different ways to fall into the White Rabbit's hole, to paint the Queen of Hearts' roses, or to find a way out of the labyrinth.

After exploring stage directions with the help of the Cheshire Cat, families collaborated to create a simple dance in which children took the leadership. It was lovely to see the children helping parents with their experience in dance.

Afterwards, it was crafts time. Tables placed, lots of glittery materials and heart-shaped markers, all set for our cup creations - after all we were to have a tea party.

Could we have tea in those cups? I think the Mad Hatter would say yes to that. Children did beautiful creations and some parents did theirs too!

To finish, we had a lovely tea with biscuits and a cheesecake a mum brought, how lovely. (Thank you, Elle!) We did our own tea party, just as the Mad Hatter would have wanted us to. (I'll leave it to your imagination whether we used the cups we created.)

It was really nice to see how ballet and dance gathered families together and how the story generated a playful moment for all. I loved to see the collaboration and teamwork between families. I think with this workshop parents could experience how our classes are like.

Hope you had as much fun as I did and hope to see you soon in any future workshop and in our classes!

Alice's Adventures in Wonderland Family Workshop

Sunday 1 March 2015 at 1.00 - 3.00pm - FULL

Illustration by John Tenniel, 1865

I am delighted to offer a new Alice's Adventures in Wonderland Family Workshop.

Children and grownups will dive their imaginations into the madness of Lewis Carroll's story and characters through creative dance, crafts and make-up for the younger ones. 

Come to Wonderland and have fun with Alice and the white rabbit, the mad hatter and the tea party, the naughty playing cards and the wicked queen of hearts.

Illustration by John Tenniel, 1865

Our workshop includes a creative dance session, followed by arts and crafts. Children will build their props, colour, and we will make our own tea party.

Children building their props with Roman, teacher of arts&crafts section. Coppélia Workshop 2014

This is a workshop for the whole family so parents, brothers and sisters are welcome. Please note at least one adult per child needs to attend. No special skills needed, just a large amount of enthusiasm!

Open class for parents. Spring term 2014

The workshop is open to all ages. Please bring clothing that allow movement.

Prices
Child & Accompanying Adult - £25

Bring a friend or sibling - £21 each

Extra adult is free.

(Price includes afternoon tea for child and accompanying adult)

Adult to child ratio: 1 adult to max. 2 children

Where
HACKNEY FORGE
243a Victoria Park Village
London E9 7HD
view map

Numbers are limited so please book early to avoid disappointment. To book please contact:

07550 722 693 or rod_maf@yahoo.com

I look forward to seeing you all there!

Illustration by John Tenniel, 1865

Christmas Alice's Adventures in Wonderland Family Workshop

Alice's Adventures of Wonderland, The Royal Ballet © ROH

This Christmas I am delighted to offer Alice's Adventures in Wonderland Family Workshop, a lovely way to enjoy this time of the year in family.

In this creative workshop, parents and children will explore the fantasy and Lewis Carroll's story characters through creative dancing, crafts and make-up for the younger ones (or who wishes!). 

No special skills needed, just a large amount of enthusiasm and will to have a great time.

Come all and enjoy Alice's adventures with the mad hatter and the tea party, the white rabbit, the naughty playing cards and the wicked queen of hearts - a workshop for all the family to have fun.

Jillian Vanstone and Aleksandar Antonijevic in Alice's Adventures in Wonderland,
The National Ballet of Canada.

The workshop is for all ages. Parents, brothers and sisters are welcome. Please bring clothing that allow movement.

When
Sunday 14 December at 12.00 - 2.00pm

Prices
Adult: £17
Child: £12

Adult to child ratio: 1 Adult to max. 2 children

HACKNEY FORGE
243a Victoria Park Village
London E9 7HD
view map

Numbers are limited. To book a place please contact:

07550 722 693 or rod_maf@yahoo.com

I look forward to seeing you there!

New Coppélia Ballet Workshop

Following the visible enjoyment children had in previous workshops, I am now offering a New Coppélia Workshop to welcome the best way this new academic year.

After the success of our last Coppélia workshop, this time we have new surprises.

In this creative workshop children will explore the story and characters of this comic ballet through new games with dancing, mime and crafts, and have lots of fun.

Come and meet the eccentric Dr. Coppelius, his favourite doll Coppélia, and the young Swanhilde, and make dolls come to life!

The workshop is open to children of 3-8 years old and, as usual, it will end with a small presentation for family and friends.

It is a lovely introduction for newcomers to the ballet classes.


HACKNEY FORGE
243a Victoria Park Village
London E9 7HD
view map


NEW DATE Sunday 14th September

12.00 - 2.00pm

Cost: £21

Bring a friend or sibling - £18 each


Booking essential. To book, please contact:

07550 722 693 or rod_maf@yahoo.com

Sleeping Beauty Summer Ballet Workshop

I am delighted to offer a Sleeping Beauty 2-day workshop, the perfect way to start the summer holidays.

In this creative workshop, children will explore the story and characters of this classic ballet through dance, crafts, storytelling and basic make-up!

Come and have fun with Princess Aurora and friends learning dances set to Tchaikovsky's enchanting score.

Children are welcome to bring princesses, witches or fairies' costumes!

The workshop is for ages 3-8 years, and will end with in a performance for family and friends.


Group 3-5 Year olds

Wednesday 23rd July at 9.45am - 11.45am
Thursday 24th July at 9.45am - 11.45am

Group 6-8 Year olds

Wednesday 23rd July at 1.30pm - 3.30pm
Thursday 24th July at 1.30pm - 3.30pm


Cost: £42

Bring a friend or sibling new to our ballet classes - £38 each


HACKNEY FORGE
243a Victoria Park Village
London E9 7HD
view map


Numbers are limited so to book a place please contact:

07550 722 693 or rod_maf@yahoo.com

Coppélia Ballet Workshop

I am delighted to offer a Coppélia workshop.

In this creative workshop children explore the story and characters of this classic comic ballet through dance, crafts and lots of fun.

Meet the eccentric inventor Dr. Coppelius, Coppélia and Swanhilde, and make dolls come to life!

Children will colour, create their props, learn dances and become a mechanic doll.

This Easter come and have fun with Coppélia. The workshop will end with a presentation for parents.


HACKNEY FORGE
243a Victoria Park Village
London E9 7HD
view map

Sunday 6th April

12.00 - 1.45pm - 3-5 Year olds
2.00 - 4.00pm - 6-8 Year olds


Cost: £21

Bring a friend or sibling - £18 each

Includes a Goodie Bag!


To book a place, please contact:

07550 722 693 or rod_maf@yahoo.com

A Chat with Tamara Rojo on Teaching Artistic Emotion

How to train children to become future dancers with artistic emotion.

Talking with Tamara Rojo

Yesterday I had the pleasure to meet and have a little chat with Tamara Rojo, the artistic director of the English National Ballet and one of the best dancers in the world. In good Spanish we chatted.

One of my main concerns on ballet education at the moment is the lack of artistic emotion of english dancers on stage. Schools and teachers have the power to cut out a personal expression on a search for a style, or to nurture it; I work to empower it.

Tamara is famous for her emotional presence on stage and so I asked her what is her opinion about this matter and if she had any suggestions on how not to cut student’s self out of them. To always do whatever inspires them was her advice. “When they are young, put some music on and let them dance freely; improvisation in young ages is very important", she said. This will lead them to one day find their own style. “A 5th is a 5th and a port de bras is a port de bras, but everyone has their own way to do it", she admitted.

Apparently we both agree on this matter. As a teacher, I let my students have their own style, their voice; it helps develop confidence and self expression, and is what makes them special. I do not see them as machines, but as humans with own thoughts, own bodies and own souls.

I told Tamara in my classes for little ones, we let our imagination fly visiting the Space, the Circus or the Zoo, and in our adventure we get to do our train in our high tippy toes to get there, our sensitive hands to smell flowers or pick up some stars, our balance in the trapeze, and our skips to come back home. “But when I ask my students what we did last week, they do not remember the steps, they only remember the story!”, and we both laugh.

Tamara Rojo and me (reads right to left)

Tamara Rojo also suggested to take children to attend ballet performances and see real ballet dancers on stage. Funny, as I am now arranging tickets to take my younger ones to see “My First Ballet: Coppélia”, an English National Ballet production for children aged 3+.

I can prepare students for vocational training and a professional dance career, but this is not what matters the most to me. What I do care about is that they have fun, enjoy learning dance, grow into good persons and are inspired by ballet as an art form, and that this gives them life.

It was a great moment and very inspiring talking with Tamara. With me, ballet enriches children’s minds and hearts; children become fulfilled beings and dancers with own style and voice and, in the future, will be more humans ready to star uniquely on a stage.


Photos by Roman Perona

The Nutcracker Ballet Workshop

Hackney Forge
Victoria Park Village

Saturday 21st December

3-5 Year Olds
10am-11.30am

5-7 Year-Olds
11.30am-1pm

This Christmas come and enjoy the magic of The Nutcracker. Start the holidays with this enchanting and imaginative ever famous ballet.

Have fun with Drosselmeyer and the magic that brings toys to life, learning dances of soldiers and mice set to Tchaikovsky's inspiring score!

Children will explore The Nutcracker's main characters, colour and build their own props.

The teachers will be Mafalda as the ballet teacher and Roman as the arts and crafts teacher. 

• The workshop is open to children aged 3-5 and 5-7 (no previous experience necessary) and will end in a presentation for family and friends.

• Children must wear ballet clothing and shoes, or comfortable clothing suitable for movement and barefoot

• The workshop costs £16 per child and is payable on the day prior starting the workshop.

• See here the venue's map.

Numbers are limited so please book early to avoid disappointment.

To book, please call 07550 722 693 or email rod_maf@yahoo.com.


Look forward to seeing you there!

Swan Lake Ballet Workshop

Hackney Forge, Victoria Park Village
Tuesday 27^th August, 11am-12pm

St John The Baptist, by London Fields
Thursday 29^th August, 11am-12pm

Come and enjoy the magic of Swan Lake. The perfect way to make the most of the last days of holidays.

Join in the fun and explore the enchanting story of good versus evil in a creative ballet workshop set to Tchaikovsky's inspiring score.

Children will explore the Swan Lake's main characters, create their dances and be a swan!

• The workshop is open to children aged 5-7 (no experience necessary) and will end in a presentation for family and friends.

• Children must wear comfortable clothing suitable for movement and ballet shoes or barefoot in case of not having ballet shoes.

• The workshop costs £6 per child and is payable on the day prior starting the workshop.

Venues map:

Hackney Forge

St John The Baptist


To book, please contact me on 07550 722 693 or rod_maf@yahoo.com.


Illustration by Roman Perona

The Pure Feeling

It is amazing the good energy of a pure feeling. You can blow minds away when dancing with true pleasure.

Last Tuesday, I have been to a performance at an incredible place to perform, the Westminster Hall, Houses of Parliament.

This is what is interesting about London.

This performance brought together young artists, such as street artists, singers, spoken word artists, and, of course, dancers. Organised by Somewhereto_, this project helps young people find space for them to do what they love. What a great purpose, ham?

Spoken word artists

Dancers

It was a lovely show, you could feel the positive energy in the air. When your purpose is good, you become better and all around you becomes good. That is my aim for my classes and pupils: every time you will be learning to be better and feel better. You will work on dance and on yourself as one.

Can you imagine what could come out of you dancing amazingly and connected with yourself? I can. It is an electrifying energy that people don't really know where it comes from, but they feel it! What matters is how you feel with yourself and with what you are doing; the audience will follow. And you should enjoy you dancing, feel excited about it and feel good.

Contrary to what you may think, people don't really connect with an oversplit or a marathon of pirouettes; it is amazing and beautiful to see, of course, but people are people and we only truly connect with emotions! So, like these people in the video, if you feel true pleasure, joy and happiness when dancing, it is just perfect. That is what people will remember.

What are you waiting for? Come join my classes, connect with yourself and experiment joy when dancing!

Photos and video by Mafalda Rodrigues.

You Are Welcome to Dance

After having experienced Big Dance, it is clear to me that dancing is not only for dance professionals. Dancing doesn't depend on technical quality, but above all on the will and commitment of people.

On Saturday 14th of July, I took part in the Big Dance Trafalgar Square, a massive dance event with 1000 people coordinated by Wayne McGregor and his company Random Dance. The event was actually choreographed by the people who took part in it, which was people not necessarily dance experienced, of all ages and physical abilities that you can see in the video bellow. The company dancers role was to piece all the choreographic fragments together into a cohesive structure.

Dance is for everybody who wants to express him/herself. When you are dancing you don't only exercise your muscles and sweat; you enter in a mind state that let your body and soul flow. You connect with your inner self, with your spirit, by expressing yourself - and physically you produce feel-good hormones! It is a pleasure to teach something that makes people feel good, not only physically, but spiritually.
When you feel better with yourself as human being, expressing yourself as you are and being what you really are, the world is a better world, and it is a pleasure for me to see you connect with your true self.

The event ended with the schools pledge choreography created by Wayne McGregor, in which I performed. It was danced by all participants and company dancers all together. The huge finale in unison produced a mind-blowing energy in the air. It was very exciting to dance with so many people. It is amazing when you come together to collaborate with others for a common good.

That's me back there!

Dancing is for everyone and you are welcome. Enjoy it!

Photos and video by Roman Perona - Thank you Roman for your endless support!

When Dancing Meets Emotional Intelligence

I have just arrived in London back from the course of Emotional Intelligence in Pineda de Mar, Barcelona, on 27, 28 and 29 June 2012, organised by Eduard Punset Foundation and the ASE team.
It was an excellent experience. In this course I have learnt to articulate and manage emotions which is of extreme importance to my students.

For me as dance teacher, it is primordial to include emotional learning in my classes and in a such competitive discipline as ballet. I do not work for competition, but only towards collaboration. Yes, it is possible, and I do it!

It was a great joy to know that lots of people have the same vision and work towards the same direction as me: to emotionally educate a society and make a better world.

(In the picture, I'm the one at the end of the right side.)

About This Blog and Me

Hi everyone and welcome to my blog. This blog is about ballet and dance education and is for those who want to be inspired by dance. I am a ballet teacher, always a dancer, completely passionate about what I do.

My purpose is to bring dance to people of all ages and abilities and inspire lives with magic and creativity. With me, you have fun learning dance and developing life skills. People tend to think in adding years to life - but what I am committed to is in adding life to years.

Hope you enjoy reading the blog and look forward to receiving your comments!
See you soon.

Let's get started!

Hello! Hope you like this new blog about dance and especially dance education. Let's revolutionise it! Welcome :)