Adult Ballet Napier runs ballet classes for adults in Napier, Hawke's Bay: complete beginners, returning dancers and anyone who has always wanted to try, at any age. Taught by Royal Academy of Dance-trained teacher Carmen Davidson, twice a week at Henry Charles Community Hall in Onekawa.
This week's programme
Absolute Beginner / Beginner
Beginner / Intermediate
Henry Charles Community Hall
Henry Charles Terrace, Onekawa, Napier
Thursdays
5.30 to 6.45pm
Never done ballet, or not since you were seven.
We start at the barre with the basic positions and build from there, slowly enough that you learn the names as you go. Nobody expects you to know a plié from a pirouette on day one.
Mondays
5.30 to 6.45pm
You know your way around a barre and want more.
Longer combinations, more time in the centre, turns and jumps. Good for dancers coming back after years away, and for Thursday regulars ready for the next step.
Two left feet, or decades at the barre.
Either way, you belong in the room. Ballet gives you the freedom of moving to beautiful music, and an hour and a quarter where nobody needs anything from you except a plié.
Ballet for adults has no upper age limit either. Over 50, over 60 and wondering if you have left it too late? You haven't. Every exercise works at your own range, and you never jump higher than your knees allow.
Under the music you are working on balance, co-ordination, posture and core strength: ballet is gentle, low-impact exercise for adults. Your teacher also trained in diagnostic radiography, so she knows how a body is put together and builds every class with that in mind.
Release your inner dancer. You know you want to.
Pliés, tendus and rises with one hand on the barre. This is where you warm up and find your balance.
The same steps away from the barre. Harder than it sounds, and the fastest way to improve your balance.
Slow, flowing movement. Port de bras, extensions and control.
Small jumps and travelling steps across the floor, at whatever height suits your knees.
A closing bow to the music. Ballet classes have ended this way for generations.
Your teacher
She holds the Royal Academy of Dance's Diploma in Dance Teaching Studies from London. In Napier she runs these adult classes alongside NeuroDance, a weekly class for people living with Parkinson's and other neurological conditions.
“Dance is for everyone, not just the highly trained minority. Put aside your apprehensions and give it a whirl!”
Anything else, give us a call on 022 365 5925.
Yes. The Thursday class is built for adult beginners who have never stood at a barre. You learn the positions and the French names from scratch, and work at your own range of movement. What happens in a beginner class.
New to ballet, or away from it for decades? Start on Thursday (Absolute Beginner / Beginner). If you have some training behind you, come on Monday (Beginner / Intermediate). Not sure? Give us a call and we'll point you to the right one.
Anything fitted that you can move in: leggings or tights and a t-shirt or leotard. Soft ballet slippers are ideal, but for your first class socks are fine. What to wear and bring to your first class.
No. Ballet for adults has no upper age limit, and it suits any body. Exercises are adapted for stiff hips, old injuries and dodgy knees, you never have to jump higher than you are comfortable with, and every class includes work on balance, co-ordination and posture.
Yes. A ballet class works your balance, posture, core strength, flexibility and co-ordination, and it trains your memory as you learn each sequence. It is low impact, and the music makes an hour and a quarter go quickly.
Henry Charles Community Hall on Henry Charles Terrace, Onekawa, Napier: an easy drive from Taradale, Hastings and Havelock North. Both classes run 5.30 to 6.45pm, Mondays and Thursdays.
Give us a call or WhatsApp on 022 365 5925 for current class fees and to book your first class.
You know you want to.
Book your first adult ballet class. Mondays and Thursdays, 5.30pm, at Henry Charles Community Hall, Henry Charles Terrace, Onekawa: an easy drive from Taradale, Hastings and Havelock North.
Open the hall in Google Maps