Ballet Manila Opens in Fisher Mall

I've never been a dancer, but it's never too late to learn something new.

Just yesterday, I was given an opportunity to meet and to be taught by the Prima Ballerina Ms. Lisa Macuja-Elizalde. How could one refuse such an offer? Even with my zero dance background, I surely knew who she is, and I bet everyone does! She is an inspiration to behold - grace and elegance personified. Even with my hard and stiff body (I can't even reach my toes, and let's not even talk about my hand and feet coordination), I made it a point to go and experience something new!

Before the class started, we were treated to two magical performances by the talented members of Ballet Manila. I was already happy with my spanking new peach soft ballet shoes, but they were all on pointe shoes and they walked and spinned in it ever so gracefully. WOW!

After the performance, we were given important tips to live by if we were to practice ballet. Ballet is the strictest form of dance as it has the most rules. It's an art, and the dancers are the sculptures. We fill the room with our presence, move from point to point to fill the lines. Our legs must always be turned outwards, as this gives us a more graceful stance and wider reach.

One noteworthy thing to mention is that the school's flooring has layers of rubber padding and wood, and is designed to be soft on the dancer's joints.

During the event, we had a preview of Adult Ballet - a light workout employing ballet techniques. I used to do Barre3 (which was a workout combination of yoga, pilates, and ballet) so some of the moves were familiar to me. Adult Ballet felt a lot more feminine and graceful with some of the moves, but some were challenging as well! I can't wait to go back. I promise I will go back. :D

FUN DAY!

 

Thank you for being an inspiration, Ms. Lisa!

 

After class, I felt more confident with posing in front of the camera since I've learned the proper ballet stance. And because of sitting properly the entire afternoon and being able to get some exercise, I was able to sing better during choir practice that night, as in it was easier for me to hit my high Soprano 1 notes. Yay!

  

The Lisa Macuja School of Ballet Manila has always been on a mission to bringing ballet closer to the people, and the people closer to ballet. To reach more people in the North, they're opening a NEW branch in Fisher Mall, Quezon City. It brings the signature discipline and technique that Ballet Manila has come to be known for closer to aspiring ballerinas and danseurs residing north of Metro Manila.

Prima Ballerina Lisa Macuja-Elizalde is the school’s Director. Their school is famous for producing some of the most successful classical dancers in the country, and for that, most people who wish to learn ballet would want to learn it from them. There has been such a big clamor for the school in this area as they have students who live in Quezon City, Marikina, and other nearby areas who travel all the way to Pasay every day just to rehearse and learn. This location will definitely make learning more accessible for students who live in the North.

The Lisa Macuja School of Ballet Manila is the only ballet school in the Philippines with direct links to the Russian Ballet Academy of St. Petersburg, Russia. Ballet enthusiasts often praise the school for staying true to the principles of the art form and for teaching the rigorous Vaganova Academy method of dancing, which is widely accepted as the highest standard of style when it comes to classical ballet.

The school’s faculty is made up of accomplished Vaganova style-trained classical dancers who are highly considered as some of the best in the country, including Jonathan Janolo, Sofia Sangco-Peralta, Gerardo Francisco, Eileen Lopez, Czarina Villegas, and of course, Lisa Macuja-Elizalde and Osias Barroso, who is the school’s Co-Director.

Courses offered:

• Creative Movement for Toddlers (for ages 2-3)
• Baby Ballerinas (for ages 3-5)
• Twinkle Toes (for ages 5-6)
• Level 1B-Beginner and Level 1A-Advanced (for ages 6-9)
• Level 2B-Beginner and Level 2B-Advanced (for 10-12 years old)
• Level 3B-Intermediate (for boys and girls aged 12-16 with previous ballet training and intermediate pointe work)
• Level 3-A Advanced (for 14 years old and above)
• Refresher Class (for those with aged 16 and up with substantial past training and want to be reintroduced to the art’s basic concepts)
• Ballet for Fitness class*
• Yoga and Conditioning classes*
• *Both are perfect for those with zero background in ballet and wish to learn it for fitness’ sake.
• Specialty classes (Modern Ballet, Zumba, Street Dance, and Ballroom)

The new The Lisa Macuja School of Ballet Manila opens to the public starting on August 6, when the school will start offering free trial classes for all children’s courses and Ballet for Fitness from 2:00-5:00PM. Free trial classes for other select courses will be held from August 7-14. For a complete list of the schedules and courses, you may visit Ballet Manila’s website (www.balletmanila.com.ph) or call their office at telephone numbers 400-0292 and 525-5967. You may also send an email to info@balletmanila.com.ph or follow Ballet Manila on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Who is going tomorrow? Do not miss out, the experience is super worth it! :)

Love,
Helen
 

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