→ July - September Term Dates are up! Click Here For class registration details: Click Here → NEW Beginner 1 Class Registration CLOSED Space is very limited this term. New queries will be placed on the waiting list. My apologies to those who are unable to join me in July! → Read my Nutcracker '08 article published on artzine.wordpress.com. Click here! → Created a poll on RAD exams just below my tagboard. i'm setting up a new mixed-RAD class in july for those around Level 2 standard and would like to know your thoughts. the mixed-RAD class includes free work to work on technique, as well as Grades 5, 6, Inter-foundation. students would get to enter an exam or presentation class only if they have competent technique. please vote! → New video posted..Don Quixote Pas De Deux... beautiful!!! Click here to watch =P I Dreamed A Dream -- Video on youtube..if you need some inspiration! =P → New article posted! The Thinking Dancer Topic 3 (Part 2): A 2nd Look at Glissades → Ballet Party in Dec 2008! Click Here to see the video and pics! → Recommended Attire

Singapore Adult Ballet Classes

Classes Available:

1. Beginner I -- With no previous dance/ballet background
Strictly only two intakes for new Beginner Class per year: January and July. Location changes for each intake.

2. Beginner II -- For those who have completed 1 term of Beginner I Class, or with some dance/ballet background (have knowledge of basic positions, able to do sautes and releves).

3. Level 1 (Basic) -- Around RAD Grade 1-2 standard. For those who have completed at least 1 term of Beginner II Class, or with dance/ballet background

4. Level 1 (Intermediate) -- Around RAD Grade 3-5 standard. For those who have completed at least 2 terms of Level 1 Basic Class, or with previous ballet background.

5. Level 2 -- Around RAD Grade 5-7 or RAD Intermediate Foundation standard. At least 1-year of adult ballet class experience. Able to do single pirouettes. This is also a pre-pointe class, so participants should be able to be execute all steps en demi pointe.

6. Open Class -- Level 1 & 2 standard (with less explanation =P). Around RAD Grade 8 or Intermediate standard. Pointe work.

	for Class Schedule and Location
	for Term Dates

My Dance Story

~I've decided to tell my dance story...as an inspiration to other dancers and dancer-to-bes. Enjoy!~

I first started dancing at the age of 5...and took my first Primary RAD exam at 7. Unfortunately, my parents stopped my classes when we shifted to a new town that did not offer ballet classes. When a Yamaha School was set up there a few years later, I dragged my mother to the school to let me sign up for classes. I was so upset when I found out they didn't have classes "for my age and grade at the moment". On the other hand, I guess my parents were quite relieved as my piano lessons were already eating into their pockets.

I continued on with life of course =P...but still looking with envy at other girls dressed in pink leotard and skirts on their way to ballet lessons. My passion still burned in me...and grew as I read ballet story books at the Tampines Regional Library. When I finished reading all the ballet books available, I had to switch libraries...

Just when I thought I could find no more ballet books to read, I chanced upon an RAD guidebook for Pre-primary to Grade 5. Using my window sill as a barre while I carefully copied the pictures in the book which I placed on a music stand, I began my self-taught ballet at the age of 13. Soon I found that I wasn't able to understand the steps on my own. What made me decide I had to find a teacher was this step called "glissades". It was mind-boggling...the pictures only showed poses of the movement...but nothing between the poses. (yeah, I didn't have internet at that time for me to click on "glissades" and watch a real dancer execute the step)

I started calling up dance schools in the yellow pages...I was going nuts...I just had to dance! The rates they quoted to me were all for adult beginners...which were too expensive for someone like me with an $18/week allowance. I finally found my beloved teacher, Mrs Lim Soo Chern through a church friend. I was 15. Mrs Lim allowed me to stomp around her studio with the rest of her Grade 6 students...letting me find my way. My fellow classmates were extremely helpful, agreeing to come down earlier every week to coach me just before lessons.

2 yrs later, I took my Intermediate Foundation (RAD Vocational Exams)...with a sprained ankle. Yeah I was seriously depressed and freaked out about my ankle. But things turned out okay. The next few years I took Grades 6-8, achieving perfect scores for Grades 6 & 7. My Grade 6 was done with my still-recovering ankle, and Grade 7 was done with a fresh sprain on the other leg. Grade 8 was done with stress fractures on both legs from the knees down to the feet. I found out that I had very lax ligaments...so that in addition to my late and accelerated training caused all my injuries.

I finally did my latest examination in 2005 (Intermediate RAD) with a pinched nerve in my foot which didn't allow me to dance for the crucial last 2wks before the exams. So far, I have danced with SDT in the role of snowflakes in The Nutcracker in Dec 2005 (with the pinched nerve and a sprained toe) as well as "dance of the hours" in Coppelia March 2007 (for once no injury!). I'm glad that my passion has driven me to survive such "ordeals".

My dream has been to teach late beginners or late "restarters" like myself..just like the way my teacher patiently groomed me to what I have become. I have also found great importance in conditioning exercises that have helped me strengthen and tone my muscles to make up for my lax ligaments, and stretching exercises to soothe and lengthen tired muscles to reduce overuse injury. This is the impetus for my Stretch & Strengthen classes.

I hope my story has inspired you! Do email me with your own stories which I would gladly post here =P

Keep on dancing and live your dreams!