Beginner Ballet Technique

with Amanda Killian

class times

Thursdays 10:30 AM to Noon

Sunday Noon to 1:30 PM: intermediate ballet Technique

Sunday: 1:30 to 2:30 PM beginning ballet

Sunday 3-4:30 PM beginning ballet technique

Thursdays 10:30 AM to Noon

Advanced Beginner Technique    This class includes a 45 minute barre focusing on placement and strength to prepare for 45 minutes of center work: learning to turn, balance in adage, and traveling steps across the floor. More emphasis will be placed on longer combinations of steps and incorporating arm movements (port de bras).

It is helpful to be familiar (not proficient) with: soutenu, fondu, temps lié, pas de bourrée, développé, balancé, and promenade.

Sundays Noon to 1:30 Pm

Intermediate Ballet Technique   This level focuses on refining our technique and executing more complex choreography in a traditional class format. Emphasis is placed on musicality and artistry in both barre and center work, by refining port de bras and incorporating èpaulment.  A 45 minute center will include turns, adage, across the floor, and allegro. 

It is helpful to be familiar (not proficient) with: pirouettes, turns across the floor such as chaîne, piqué, petit allegro steps such as glissade, échappé, and jeté. 

Sundays 1:30 to 2:30 PM

Basic Ballet Technique   No experience required! Explore the building blocks of classical ballet vocabulary with in-depth explanations and repetition in a welcoming environment. This class will teach the essentials of barre work and spend some time growing comfortable in the center.  

Sunday 3-4:30 PM 

Beginner Ballet Technique     This class builds upon the basic steps as we continue to learn vocabulary at the barre. Center work begins in earnest at this level as we explore how exercises at the barre translate into dancing in the center through short combinations. It is helpful to be familiar (not proficient) with:  tendu, plié, relevé, dégagé, and ronde de jambe.

about Amanda Killian

Amanda Killian has taught Pilates, Tap Dance, and Ballet in Los Angeles since 2002. She studied Intercultural Choreography at UCLA and is currently pursuing a degree in Anthropology with a focus on Conservation. She has 30 years of ballet experience, most recently studying with Edouard Kouzmitch and at EDGE in Los Angeles, and trained in 2008 with Angel Corella in Spain. Additionally, she has trained in tap, Bharata Natyam, Korean classical dance, Delicious Movement with Eiko and Koma, Ba Gua Zhang Tai Chi, and arial arts.

This diversity of dance experience not only taught Amanda that ballet is her true passion, but fuels her belief that classical technique creates a movement foundation which a dancer can use in any discipline.

Above all else, Amanda believes that ballet can be a fun and rewarding addition to everyone’s life.

A Word From One Of Amanda’s Students:

As an adult with no previous ballet experience, I made several fruitless attempts to study beginning ballet before meeting Amanda. The other teachers taught to the level of the students with some experience, and demonstrated steps but never explained or showed the rest of us how to do them. Amanda breaks down all the steps and combinations, and shows us (and drills us) on how to execute them properly. Even the more experienced students do the same exercises and appreciate being able to improve their technique. I recommend her classes highly.

Diane

Rates and Contact info

Classes are $20 and can be paid with Venmo (@Ammanda-Killian-11), PayPal (@AmandaSugarKillian), or cash. If you have questions, please email Amanda at sugarllama2@yahoo.com

NOTE: this program is independent of Studio A Dance, please contact Amanda directly