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Robert Abrams
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Ballet
Studio Maestro
United States
New York City
New York
New York, NY

Ballet Classes at Studio Maestro

by Robert Abrams
February 9, 2007
Studio Maestro
48 West 68th Street
New York, NY 10023
212.787.1178
Ballet Classes at Studio Maestro
Deborah Wingert's Level 7 Ballet Class at Studio Maestro
Nadege Hottier's Level 6 Ballet Class at Studio Maestro
Noriko Hara's Level 3 Ballet Class at Studio Maestro

An Interview with François Perron, Managing Artistic Director of Studio Maestro and Manhattan Youth Ballet and Photos of Deborah Wingert's Student Rehearsal
Introductory Lesson for Pre-Schoolers With Francois Perron, Managing Artistic Director of Studio Maestro and Manhattan Youth Ballet
There are currently three ballet classes offered at Studio Maestro from 4 pm to 5:30 pm on Fridays. These include Noriko Hara's Level 3 ballet class, Nadege Hottier's Level 6 ballet class and Deborah Wingert's Level 7 ballet class.

All three classes, while at different levels of skill and focussing on different elements, consist of guided repetition. At times the class excercises start to feel like choreography. The teachers give a balance of praise and criticism. I have heard stories of ballet teachers who are withering and harsh, but Studio Maestro's teachers were honest, constructive and supportive: the kind of teachers with whom I would want to take a class. The higher level classes were accompanied by live piano.

Here are a few nuggets of specific advice that I thought represented the teachers' attention to detail.
  • Push up your heel to get your knees to bend - you have to learn how to move the body as a system, not just as isolated parts.
  • Pet the floor - how you think about your movement can affect how it looks.
  • Know where your knee cap is without looking at it - the head is the heaviest part of the body and can throw off your balance if you are not paying attention to it.
  • Practice working from your center so that your whole body is dancing.
  • Don't give up.

    Viewing Ms. Hottier's class made me think "Who is dance's Coach Carter?" Coach Carter believed that basketball players needed to be in top condition before learning the principles of their game. Ms. Hottier's students were getting a real workout. What might a dance oriented conditioning class look like? This could be a studio offering that could appeal to people studying a variety of styles of dance, and could thus bring people together who otherwise might not have contact with each other.

    As can be seen from the photos, Studio Maestro's students look graceful whether on the floor, at the barre or in the air.
    Noriko Hara's Level 3 Ballet Class at Studio Maestro <a href='article.htm?id=1735'>More Level 3 Ballet Photos</a>

    Noriko Hara's Level 3 Ballet Class at Studio Maestro
    More Level 3 Ballet Photos

    Photo © & courtesy of Robert Abrams


    Nadege Hottier's Level 6 Ballet Class at Studio Maestro <a href='article.htm?id=1733'>More Level 6 Ballet Photos</a>

    Nadege Hottier's Level 6 Ballet Class at Studio Maestro
    More Level 6 Ballet Photos

    Photo © & courtesy of Robert Abrams


    Deborah Wingert's Level 7 Ballet Class at Studio Maestro <a href='article.htm?id=1734'>More Level 7 Ballet Photos</a>

    Deborah Wingert's Level 7 Ballet Class at Studio Maestro
    More Level 7 Ballet Photos

    Photo © & courtesy of Robert Abrams

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