***Experience The Education***
Welcome to your free, MONTHLY, online connection to Ballet Class!
KAT'S Class Updates for the month of July:
JULY 4th: We will be OPEN for classes, Saturday Please NOTE: 3pm holiday class!
The Ailey Extension - Real Classes for Real People. In the words of Artistic Director, Judith Jamison, "If you can get yourself in the door, you can take a class!"
The Ailey Studios Location:
at the Joan Weil Center for Dance
405 W. 55th Street (at 9th Avenue)
New York, NY 10019
212-405-9500
ONGOING CLASS UPDATES
Our regular class schedule: check here.
Summer 2009 Highlights
It's still not too late to make YOUR dancing dreams come true this year! See below.
*JULY 4th: We will be OPEN for classes July 4th, 2009 Saturday Please NOTE: 3pm holiday class!
*Sadly Pointe doesn't fit in the schedule for July. The company is home and the school is in session, which means that all 12 studios are in use during this time. See below for August Pointe info.
*July 11 & 12: Ballet Fitness and Fun Weekend @ Ailey! 1 1/2 day workshop combining basic core elements of Ballet, Dance and Fitness with Kat and Fitness Guru Ben Byrd. Ballet to Zumba Dance Fitness Weekend. Sign up now - space is limited.
*July 17 & 18 (Friday & Saturday): Kat will be away. Jeanette Hoffman, Russe de Monte Carlo Alumni, will teach Friday Morning class and Yuka Kawazu will teach Friday both evening classes. Saturday afternoon July 18th 4:30 is SPECIAL GUEST Jack Hertzog!
*July 27-31 (Mon- Fri): Kat will be guest teaching in Chester, NJ. Your subs will be: Jeanette Hoffman morning classes and Laura Di Orio both evening classes. Kat will return to teach Saturday August 1 @ 4:30 PM
*Dear Dancers, Please note in your calendars: There will be no private lessons scheduled for Thursday July 16th & Thursday July 30, 2009, I will be out of town. Your private lessons will be scheduled as usual the following Thursdays. (*Please note that most Sundays are available throughout the summer season to make up these missed sessions!) Thanks, My best wishes,Kat
*August 10-12: Upstate guest teaching Oneonta, NY. Your subs will include your favorite Jeanette Hoffman for morning classes, and The evening classes will be taught by Laura Di Orio.
*Pointe Variations AUGUST '09: Swanilda Variation Act III Coppelia
Sessions:
1.Mon 8/3/2009 - 8/24/2009 12:00 PM - 1:15 PM
2. Wed 8/5/2009 - 8/26/2009 12:00 PM - 1:15 PM and
3. Sat 8/8/2009 - 8/29/2009 6:15 PM - 7:30 PM .
SIGN UP NOW
The Pointe/Variations Course with Kat Wildish serves students at all levels of pointe technique, from beginners in their first time up in the shoes to seasoned professionals maintaining fundamentals. Starting with an intense barre warm-up series to strengthen deep muscles in the legs and feet, the class progresses slowly to center work and variation practice. A different piece of classical repertoire will be taught and coached over the 4-week period. Alignment and correct foot placement in the shoes are emphasized for a solid, healthy approach to pointe work. Kat's signature hands-on teaching style ensures all students receive personal attention to reach their pointe goals
Yes you can participate in soft shoes and learn the variation along with foot exercises to develop a better point. Please remember you must have your pointe shoes prepared properly with ribbons attached, before class. Any classes you have remaining on your Pointe class card can be transferred at the value remaining to this course. Also note: Any pointe classes you may miss during the course can be made up during that same month/course. Please note: We will have a special guest variations teacher Aug 10th & 12 Jeanette Hoffman, Russe de Monte Carlo Alumni.
*August 10: It's still not too late to make YOUR dancing dreams come true this year! Our New York Adult Summer Performance Workshop will begin. Rehearsals will be the entire month, 3 days per week (M & W 9:15 -10:30PM; Sat 2-4pm) culminating in three performances August 29th @ 7PM, August 30th @ 4 & 7 PM in our state of the art Ailey Citigroup Theater.
Ladies will be attempting the "Kingdom of the Shades" scene from the classical ballet "La Bayadere," and also a male variation will be set as a group for our Princes. There will be an additional costume fee (keeping it minimal) for the arm drapery, tutus, and gentlemen attire.
*Performing in New York FULL Intensive
A 3-week ballet intensive culminating in a professionally produced showcase at the Ailey Citigroup Theater in NYC. Held in midtown Manhattan, the workshop will include 30+ classes with acclaimed ballet teacher Kat Wildish at the Alvin Ailey Extension Program. With just 15 hours of rehearsal time outside of technique class, participants will prepare for a performance of classical repertoire in a real New York theater. Learn, refine, practice, and perform in the month of August! The flexible schedule includes morning and/or night classes, so visitors can enjoy New York in the summer or continue their daily duties. RECESSION SPECIAL: it's the most affordable intensive in the city this year!
***Kat Wildish Summer Performing Workshop - w/classes
Includes classes, rehearsals and performance participation. Register here.
***Kat Wildish Summer Performing REHEARSAL Workshop - ONLY!
For rehearsals and performance participation. Does not include the price of classes. Register here.
***Showcase Participant Fee
For those dancers participating in other pieces by guest choreographers (ie. Bev, Josh, Robin, etc). If you are participating in the performances only (no rehearsals) - for students not in a workshop course, performing with outside choreographers – Register here.
*September will begin our last production of this year and run through November 22. 12 weeks of rehearsal, one night per week 9:15-10:30PM. We will have three performances: 11/21 @ 7pm & 11/22 @ 4 & 7pm in our state of the art Ailey Citigroup Theater.
Now remember if you are not sure you want to participate, come to a few rehearsals and see. It's a lot of work & dedication for all involved preparing for these productions and learning your part. (I'm currently negotiating our 2010 performance schedule and will keep you informed right here in our newsletter- Kat)
*Sept 9th Wednesday thru Saturday Sept 26, 2009: Kat will Vacation in Turkey. She will be back to teach Monday September 28 all classes and performance workshop rehearsals.
A Word (or more) from Kat
*Is this the best ever Summer so far? Wow, more rain to hydrate and nourish. The humidity keeps you warm and sweaty, allowing us to go a lil further into our stretches, hold our balances a lil longer, maybe turn three more times...ahhh HA! Summer time in New York City: the best, here with each of you at the Ailey Extension. Wow! Have we got it going on here? Can you believe we are performing again in the theater this summer? Woo Hoo I am loving us being here. Thanks so much for joining me. This place rocks and all you dancers make it so! Together we will make this the summer to understand, achieve, and remember!
*Did you see the article in Dance teacher Magazine this month? First line says, "Kat Wildish knows ballet." REALLY!!!! lol!!!
*Enjoy each day and lets have a great summer season. Hey remember to drop me a note at Kat_wildish@yahoo.com and let me know your summer plans, & when I can expect to see you. Introduce yourself to our visiting classmates and help them feel at home also! Love the summer, Kat!!! oh oh wait one more thing...my new favorite sports drink: coconut water. It's so refreshing and full of good stuff. My friend Nico says not to drink too much of it though...
Classroom Confidential: TMI and Honorable Mentions
July 2009 is Birthday month for the following dancers/classmates: 01 - Rika Eisenberg, 02 - JUNE ITOH, Lyz Keating, Nadine Lavi, 03 - Emily Willard, Joe Cross 05 - Jennifer Pollock, Sharon Ortega , Giulia Santi, 06 - Jackie Dowsett, 09 - Monica Rugås Ulfsbøl, 10 - Mirko Giani, 11 - Erin Augis, Ariel Bullington 12 - Candice Pennefather, Kent M. Lewis, 13- ALEX ORLOFF, 14 - Vika Dell, 15 - Jamal Story, Matt Leger, 17 - Michael Crawford, Frank Dellapolla, 19 - Audrey Abraham-Falia, 20 - Imani, 21 - Marcus Galante, 22 - David Marquez, 25 - Donielle Janora, Jeanne Rivera, 26 – Lalasa, 30 - ,Abril, Donna Reid, 31 - Taylor Gordon. Woo hoo happy birthday dancers! Celebrate your special day with us in class. Vladimir loves playing your birthday song!!!!! Come on and party after!
...Sophia R's film "My Lucky Day" was selected to be a part of the "Long Island International Film Festival." Check below in the performance calendar for details. Congratzz Sophia!...Joe A is in Mermaid on Broadway and that sorta explains why we haven't seen him in 6PM class. Many of your other classmates recently performed in Broadway Bares and gave a great performance for their teacher and promise to soon be back in clothes - I mean class - lol...Check out Kristina's new website here. Wow...The Girl Most Likely To Do Everything, Tapper extraordinaire Michelle Dorrance in STOMP, says Dance magazine. Go Michelle!...Savannah W has been on for Sherri in "ROCK OF AGES" allot lately. Congratzzz! She was also on Rescue Me last night on FX at 10!...Dana Marie I (that sure is a big lemon) is currently dancing/visiting the Almafi coast & Italy. Gregory O and Andrea(aka Alec) T also visited my Italy this season...Have you seen the Ballerina Project book? Laura D wrote the introduction for the book and is in a few images….Nate kid been taking salsa, swing, ballroom and tap all month. Check out his new video here…Leah Hofmann has been performing at the Muny Opera in St. Louis. Right now in between shows, she is in San Fran taking class at the Alonzo King's LINES program. She'll be back in the city & back in our classes early August and will be kickin again in Nashville with the Rockettes this Christmas season. Third Times a Charm!...Irini Res teaches SUNSET YOGA, Thursdays 7pm. This class will start tomorrow, Thursday July 2nd. This is in addition to our Thursday 5pm class and Saturdays at 11. YES Power Ashtanga Yoga, join many of your classmates crosstraining with yoga…BROADWAY BARES 19.0: "CLICK IT!" was an astounding success raising $808,819 to benefit Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. Both performances of BROADWAY BARES sold out faster than any previous edition with all 5,902 available tickets being sold! Congratzz to all the dancers that made this year a success!
*Quote of the month: Always do right. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest. -Mark Twain (as seen on Harry Truman's desk)
*Andros on American Ballet Theatre: Check out Mr. A's website, full of ballet history and witty insights on ballet. Mr. A is a dear friend, teacher and mentor to Kat. He has the answers to all those ballet questions we ALL need tutu know, and now Andros on Facebook: ask him yourself and/or just check if your teacher is correct...lol!
Taylor's Tales
A column by our webmaster, Taylor.
Check the archives for all of Taylor's Tales.
Kat's Monthly Mailbag
Dear Kat, I never thought I was gonna find such a great teacher in NYC. Really, you are amazing!!!! Thank you so much for everything...you can't imagine how much I'm gonna miss you and your classes. Hope I can come back soon to get some more of my favorite torture. You'll always have all my admiration...Have a wonderful summer! All my best wishes, S
*Oh oh S…whatta wonderful card with the lil puppy and rose. Thanks for the lovely flowers and I printed it here complete because it means so much tutu me that you enjoyed your studies here in NYC. It was also wonderful to take yoga classes along with you and cross train like a real pros! We will miss you here at Ailey and hope you can return again soon. There will always be a place for you in my classes. Ballerina hugs, Kat
*Kat, Just a little thanks for the classes over the years. I have always enjoyed it & am grateful for all your corrections that have helped me grow so much as a dancer. Since your coffee cup vision always reminded me to reach further in Adagio, I thought I'd give you one from my hometown & Alma Mater. Miss your class very much & hopefully will be back soon! Sincerely LB
*Hey LB I'm still using this cup and still waiting tutu see you back in class thanks for thinking of me...lol. my best, Kat
*Hi Kat, Coming from Vienna to NY for a 3 week vacation. I discovered Alvin Ailey Extension and attended your classes 3 times this week. It was a wonderful experience for me and I want to thank you for that. I am taking ballet lessons in Vienna and before that in Stuttgart and in Athens/Greece (where I'm originally from). But during your training I got a different feeling for my body and even though it was a very short time, there were so many valuable things I learned from you. It's such a shame that I just can't stay any longer and continue coming to your classes. Thank you again so much. Hope to come back and see you again in the near future. Take care, E.
*Oh E, thanks so much for your kind words and for choosing me on your vacation. Please hurry back! And stay in touch, my best wishes go with you, Kat.
Monthly Tips: Stretching, Pointe, Health, & More
*Stretch-o-da-Month: July 2009: Dolphin Pose. Stretches the shoulders, hamstrings, calves, and arches. Strengthens the arms and legs. Remember to breathe during all your stretching endeavors.
We practiced this stretch last summer and it feels so good. Just enjoy again!
*Pointe Tips of the Month:
*Dame Ninette de Valois said, "When you are on your toes, keep off them." Don't rely on the toe box to keep you up. Not only will it make your dancing look heavy and un-graceful, but it also wears down your shoes very quickly, causing you to need shoes more often and spend more money. Instead, rely on your own muscles, and try to feel as though your muscles are pulling you up out of your toe box.
*Things to do with old pointe shoes
*Health Tips of the Month:
* Tony Morales (Kats Gyro trainer) shares this with us: "Is your AB workout hurting your back?"
*Set aside a few minutes in the morning for a quick bite and you could find yourself with extra energy in the afternoon! According to recent studies by TeensHealth, eating something as small as a piece of whole-grain toast accompanied by a glass of (soy)milk can keep you satisfied, more active and alert. So leave some room for a quick bite and you'll find yourself having a more productive day! -By Marisa Graniela
*It's important to stay hydrated, especially after exercising this summer! Will you please drink more...please!
And Finally...
Re've'rence:
*Michael Jackson's life was infused with fantasy and tragedy. Many people contribute much of Michael's ultimate success to his amazing ability to dance. In 1983, Jackson performed live on a Motown television special, debuting his signature dance move, the moonwalk. When he did the moonwalk, it looked like he was doing something humans should not be able to do. The Motown special will always be remembered as a magic moment in the history of music entertainment, as the Moonwalk set Michael apart in the realm of superstardom. R.I.P.
*German dance legend Pina Bausch: A pioneer of the neo-expressionist form Tanztheater. Though Bausch tended to avoid the limelight, she became known to many people outside the dance world with her appearance in Pedro Almodovar's Oscar-winning film "Talk to Her." The film also pays homage to her work. She is regarded one of the most influential avant-garde artists on the European dance scene. Born in Germany in 1940, Pina Bausch began dancing at the young age of 14. At 19 she went on scholarship to the Juilliard School to continue her modern dance study. Her teachers included José Limón, Antony Tudor, Alfredo Corvino, and Louis Horst. Pina Bausch receiving her 2008 Dance Magazine Award :here. R.I.P.
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