Swan Lake Intensive Workshop

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My most remarkable experience as an adult dance student was taking part in KNT Danceworks' Swan Lake intensive nearly 10 years ago.   As I was more than twice as old as the next oldest person who took part in that workshop, I was sick with worry (see KNT's Beginners' Adult Ballet Intensive - Swan Lake: Day 1, 18 Aug 2015 Terpsichore). However, as the workshop progressed, I began to enjoy myself  (see KNT's Beginners' Adult Ballet Intensive - Swan Lake: Day 2 19  Aug 2015 Terpsichore).  By the end, I felt a real sense of achievement (see KNT's Beginners' Adult Ballet Intensive - Swan Lake: Day 3, 20 Aug 2015, Terpsichore). I learnt more about Swan Lake from that intensive than in a lifetime of ballet going.  I shall forever be grateful to Karen Lester Sant of KNT Danceworks for running that intensive, and to Jane Tucker for teaching it.

I am now in a position to share that experience with others.    On Sunday, 25 May 2025, Powerhouse Ballet will hold a full-day workshop on Swan Lake in Studio 3 at Dance Studio Leeds.  We are fortunate to have two exceptional guest ballet mistresses.   Sara Horner will train us with floor exercises, a thorough barre, the usual centre exercises, a delightful adagio, an exuberant grand allegro and pointe work for those with the shoes and training in the morning.  Jane Tucker will introduce us to some of Petipa and Ivanov's sublime choreography in the afternoon.  At the end of the day, we shall probably be very stiff and very sore, but also quite elated.

Powerhouse Ballet has been invited to take part in Dance Studio Leeds's annual Celebration of Dance at Chroma Q in November.  It would be good to have a new piece for this year's show.  We may also have opportunities to dance in other galas.  It is also good for us as a company and for our members as artists to expand our repertoire.

For those who do not already know Dance Studio Leeds, it is located at Mabgate Mills in one of the most interesting quarters of Leeds (see History of Mabgate in Leeds on YouTube).  It is on several bus routes about half a mile from Northern Ballet and a mile from Leeds's mainline railway station with connections to the rest of the country.  If you have your own transport there are masses of parking spaces for your car or bike in the mill yard.

We have hired Dance Studio Leeds's biggest studio and have space for up to 23 dancers.   If you want to come, please register on our booking page.  This course is sponsored by NIPC Law so it is free at the point of use.  As we are always looking for new members, the intensive is open to every dance student over the age of 18.  We look forward to meeting you on Sunday, 25 May 2025 at 10:00.