Here are the answers to the questions we expect you have (but please feel free to contact us if you have a different one!)
What should I wear?
It is important that you wear something that will let you move and that you feel comfortable in. Form-fitting clothing is beneficial for both ladies and gentlemen because it allows the teachers to more easily make corrections and to see postural placement. It is recommended that all dancers have correct footwear and these can easily be purchased at a very affordable price from The Classical Boutique (www.theclassicalboutique.com.au). If you have any questions regarding sizing, styles or what you need for Sydney Ballet Intensive, please send The Classical Boutique an email at theclassicalboutique@gmail.com. They also stock great chiffon and lace wrap skirts, tights, leotards and a great range of unique ballet shoes so check them out! Please note that you do not need to wear a leotard or ballet tights, just whatever you feel comfortable in.
I'm too old!
If you can walk then you can take a ballet class. The small class sizes allow the teachers to work with you at your own pace and the purpose of SBI is to help adults - including grandparents - get into ballet. Like many things in ballet, it is your mind that is often the biggest hurdle. Each year we have a range of ages attending SBI from 18 year olds through to 65 to 70 year olds. Never fear! Your SBI teachers are all handpicked for their experience in tailoring classes to meet the expectations, skill level and desires of the dancers.
I'm too uncoordinated!
Ballet does require high levels of coordination. So high in fact that no one - no one - starts with that level of coordination. Professional ballet dancers take class every day to improve their movement, agility and artistry. This is what is so wonderful about ballet - it helps develop coordination whilst improving fitness, muscle tone and memory along with fostering creative artistry. So there is no such thing as being too uncoordinated for ballet!
I'm male and am really keen to give it a go, but ... I don't look good in tights/Won't the women be creeped out?/What would my mates say?/Will there be other guys there?
Tights are certainly not mandatory. In fact very few absolute beginner or even level 1 guys wear tights (try yoga shorts). Ballet is not just for women and in fact, gentlemen with real interest in ballet are generally welcomed with open arms because there are relatively few of them. About one in every 10 SBI students is male and we would like more! One of our goals with SBI is to have enough guy enrolments to be able to run a a separate men's class. We don't know what your mates would say, but if you're brave enough to give ballet a try, then chances are good that you're brave enough to find out. Every year we have several male teachers at SBI too, so it is not just all females!
I have an injury.
Please let us know if you have an injury and what it restricts you from doing so that our very experienced SBI teachers can provide you with alternatives in class that will not aggravate your injury. It would be great if you could shoot us an email via our contact page or at sydneyballetintensive@gmail.com letting us know of the nature of your injury prior to starting SBI.
I don't know what level I should do.
Our enrolment and registration form asks you to nominate a level. If after reading our levels page you're still not sure, don't worry about it. The first thing we do on the first day of an SBI is a placement class. This is not to grade you, but to make sure that the classes are students who are at about the same level by seeing you all together at one time. Absolute beginners do not have to complete a placement class. We can move you between classes if that's needed too.
How fit do I need to be?
You need to be able to walk to the nearest bus stop. Then you get on the bus to come to SBI.
How flexible do I need to be?
Although it may not look it, ballet is as much about strength as it is about flexibility. Correct technique, which all our teachers emphasise, begins from good core stability which ballet will improve. At the end of your first class you are unlikely to be wishing you could touch your toes and quite likely to wish that your calves, thighs and shoulders had more to give. As long as you are free from rigor mortis then you will be fine - but please do let the teachers know about any injuries that restrict your range of motion.
What's the youngest/oldest you will take?
Our intensive is specifically for adults, so all SBI students need to be 18 or older (unless there are special circumstances and we approve your enrolment). There is no upper age limit. Please send us an email at sydneyballetintensive@gmail.com if you have any queries.
How do I pay you?
Payment can be made online through PayPal. You do not need to have a PayPal account in order to use this facility, you just need to have a debit or credit card. Please send us an email if you have any problems using this or have questions regarding payment, we are only too happy to assist.
What is your cancellation policy?
We want to make things as stress free for your (re)entry into ballet - have a look at our terms and conditions page.
How much does it cost?
Please see the Program Details page on this site.
I don't have the typical ballet dancers body, can I still do SBI?
Absolutely you can! SBI is open to all adults of all sizes and experience level. SBI was borne out of the idea that adults should be given equal opportunities to experience the wonderful world of ballet, whether you are coming to us as an absolute beginner or someone that has a long dance history. That is what makes us so great. You wear what YOU feel comfortable wearing and you do the classes that YOU want to do. SBI is an inclusive ballet experience and we welcome everyone with open arms.
What actually happens in a ballet class?
While there is a general format to all ballet classes everywhere in the world - warm up, barre, centre - our teachers run the classes according to what our students need. The good thing about SBI is you work with the same teachers for the whole week - so they can and do, alter the classes to suit where your body is at.
Will you force me to perform at the end of the week?
No. We don't have a planned performance at the end of the week of classes, but that does not mean that they are not allowed if enough people are interested in doing one. Ask the teachers if you are interested.
Why can't I just do one teacher's classes all week? I really like that teacher's classes.
We are lucky to have some amazing teachers for SBI. Most of them teach regular classes around Sydney and we can give you the details of these (which are also available on our Facebook group) so if you like their classes you can make regular visits to their classes. SBI is about experiencing different teachers teaching for your level to make the most of different teaching styles and approaches. It's also really important that our class levels are appropriate and don't move too fast or too slow for anyone in the class, and to make it easier for teachers to deliver at an appropriate level.
