As a dancer, being stuck at home whilst self-isolating leaves you without access to a studio, stage, teachers and other dancers, which is likely a totally foreign concept. However, the dance community has pulled together in times of uncertainty to make sure you still have access to dozens of resources from the comfort of your bedroom. I will be sharing with you some of my top picks for experiencing dance at home, so you can carry on training, learning and getting inspired during this quarantine period.
1. English National Ballet
The ENB is currently live streaming morning ballet classes over on their YouTube channel. These classes are a great way to keep up your technical training and to learn from a new teacher. They also have a chair based ballet class which would be perfect for those with limited mobility and a perfect, mindful form of exercise for older people.
https://www.youtube.com/user/enballet/videos?view=2&sort=dd&live_view=503&shelf_id=53
2. CLI Studios
CLI Studios run a variety of live dance classes on their website. They are an American company so it is a perfect way to learn from choreographers and teachers from across the pond. Brian Friedman, Mark Meismer and Lucy Vallely are a few examples of the incredible talent that they have teaching you. They typically run at 7pm GMT time.
https://www.clistudios.com/keepdancing
3. Instagram Live
Instagram Live has been full of incredible teachers and choreographers providing free classes. There are so many available, it can be hard to keep up. To save you the stress of finding them all out yourself, @livestreamdancefitness creates a daily organised list of all the dance and fitness classes you might want to take part in. Instagram Live classes are a perfect way to train new styles and learn from new teachers.
https://www.instagram.com/livestreamdancefitness/
4. Sadler’s Wells Digital Stage
Once theatres across the UK shut, Sadler’s Wells began streaming some dance performances on their website so you can still get your theatre fix whilst remaining at home. They’ve previously streamed BalletBoyz and BalletLORENT and you can catch a few more performances over the coming month.
https://www.sadlerswells.com/whats-on/2020/digital-stage/
5. Gaga Classes
Gaga classes can be quite hard to come by in the UK so it’s a perfect opportunity to take advantage of the Gaga classes being run on Zoom by teachers in both Tel Aviv and New York. The classes are free, though they have a GoFundMe page for you to pay as you feel. Just make sure you convert the times into GMT time!
https://www.gofundme.com/f/gaga-online-classes?fbclid=IwAR1QSWQmESncj4oPqBVyhauqyyZJSP35zK0j3tZ7iKb4lDk5sQ1MLT13qro
6. Culture in Quarantine - BBC Arts
BBC Arts have a variety of resources available whilst you’re at home in several art forms. Some of their dance picks include an at home ballet class from the Birmingham Royal Ballet and a performance of Rumpelstiltskin by BalletLORENT (perfect for adults and kids!).
https://www.bbc.co.uk/arts
7. Oti Mabuse
Strictly Come Dancing and The Greatest Dancer star, Oti Mabuse, is running daily dance classes for children via Instagram Live. Each class has a theme (past themes include Harry Potter and Aladdin) and it’s a great way for the kids to burn off some energy, get moving and learn a new skill.
https://www.instagram.com/otimabuse/
8. Royal Ballet Online Programme
The Royal Opera House has created an online programme full of ballet and opera. The programme includes online ballet broadcasts and musical masterclasses. Some of the productions coming up include The Metamorphosis and The Winter’s Tale.
https://www.roh.org.uk/streaming
9. RAD at Home
The Royal Academy of Dance is providing a selection of online dance classes for all ages and abilities as well as exclusive Dance Gazette articles, interviews and more.
https://www.royalacademyofdance.org/rad-at-home/
10. Netflix
We can’t forget that there is a pandemic going on, and it is okay if you don’t feel like taking every free class going. Now is the perfect opportunity to relax and take time for yourself. If you’re into watching dance films and TV shows, Netflix has plenty to offer. Some of my top picks would be Honey and Step Up, and for the younger ones, Ballerina.
Culture lockdown: Dance
Whether you’re a seasoned professional or you have never danced before, the dance community has pulled out all the stops to make sure you can still get your dance fix whilst isolating at home.
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