It is now nine months since I started adult ballet at 2ballerinas.
A Plie’ and wearing tights were alien to my everyday world but I can assure you that at the age of 65 years, the decision to take ballet has been transforming. My physical wellbeing and balance has improved beyond what I thought possible for someone my age. The discipline of mind, body and soul is outstanding and in being creative it releases you from the real world.
The essence of ballet is intoxicating, expressive satisfaction of the heart, soul seeking, descriptive of the mind knowing you can accomplish something not thought possible. As with me, from the very first time you put your ballet shoes on and your toes touch the floor, you will enter another world as if no other world exists.
For me ballet is a sacred expression of art from your soul and to accomplish a move that you never thought possible in a few weeks is so uplifting, you just can’t miss a class.
I can assure you I am walking taller, with more self-esteem and confidence, people in everyday life notice.
The camaraderie, happy and joyous atmosphere at ballet classes in Bardon is like nectar to your inner soul.
The teachers are wonderful, caring, and considerate of your experience if you have none at all. By the end of first term I was hooked, passionate, confident and fit. I did not want to miss a class.
Anyone who is considering doing adult ballet in Brisbane, I can think of no better place to start, lift your heart rate a bit and put some excitement into your day.
So put on your tights and ballet shoes and join with me in the happy caring atmosphere that is 2ballerinas.
Again, my thanks go to Michelle and Rosetta and all the teachers who make this experience possible.
Michelle White expressed it perfectly when she said, “You can go to the gym and you can dance. The difference is, dancing feeds your soul.” And it does.
I was amazed after years (and years & years …) of not doing ballet, how my body intuitively recalled the basic steps, and without the drama of exams and the childhood pressure of maybe one day doing this professionally. Now I can relax while building up a sweat & actually enjoy myself. The drop-in option & variety of levels also makes it easier to schedule (& this time ‘round, without the fear of getting into trouble for missing a class!)
Michelle and Rosetta are my childhood heroines in the ballet world and to have them as teachers, or to be taught by their immensely talented peers, is phenomenal. And most of all, soooo much more interesting & fun than jogging on that stair master watching the clock.
I only wish I’d discovered them sooner.
I joined 2ballerinas at the beginning of the year. After having 18 months off ballet, I must say that I was a little nervous beforehand (thinking should I or shouldn’t I go to ballet) but I’m glad I went.
I was welcomed from the start. All the teachers are extremely supportive and encouraging and the classes are so much fun.
Looking forward to another great year next year.
Thank you Rosetta and Michelle for creating a friendly and welcoming studio with a safe atmosphere for those of us who are new to ballet as well as seasoned students.
Larissa makes each of her students feel optimistic and capable even from our earliest beginner stages. Although we’ll never be on stage, as an adult beginner I’m receiving a thorough education in this beautiful art form .
With a relaxed and friendly style Larissa teaches with lots of smiles and helpful corrections that encourage me to return each week and look forward to the next class as soon as one has ended.
I can’t wait to see where my new journey takes me in relation to fitness, strength, balance and all the benefits of this delightful movement.
Much love to all teachers, and students who attend 2ballerinas dance studio for their friendship and guidance as we share in our passion for dance.
Beginning ballet classes at 2ballerinas as a 55+ with no previous experience of ballet has been brilliant for me on so many levels.
From my first class, I was greeted warmly by Kitty the teacher and other participants in the class and made to feel most welcome. I have so much new found respect for those ballerinas who perform on stage and bring great joy to so many people. All the teachers at 2ballerinas have been professional ballerinas and have the most amazing generosity of spirit in breaking down the components of ballet so we too can share in their love of ballet.
I have recently begun pointe classes – which I would never have imagined I could do but for the wonderful teaching, support and encouragement of the great staff. And I have made some beautiful friends through this wonderful 2ballerina school experience. It really is never to late to take on new challenges that provide growth physically, mentally, spiritually and emotionally. Thank you with all my heart.
I feel privileged to learn ballet at 2ballerinas by awesome teachers and visiting teachers, who show such care, compassion and love of dance no matter our age (anywhere between 20-80 years of age).
The classes are fun with everyone enjoying each other’s company and the encouragement received is appreciated and heartening.
For myself I cannot wait to get to class whether it be ballet or tap, much like a child with a passion for dance.
Friendly students that have the same love and passion complete the joy of dancing at 2ballerinas and I highly recommend the experience.
I can’t remember back to a time when I didn’t love, breathe and live for Ballet. From when I was a little girl living in The Netherlands, it was part of what I did who I was.
We moved to Australia the year I turned 8. My parents found me a Ballet Teacher with Schools in Caboolture and Clayfield and I danced and tapped away to my heart’s content. Many years of joy, some special highlights with Recitals and even being involved in a performance of ‘Ballet Steps To Stardom’ as a child at Her Majesty’s Theatre Brisbane, some exams (up to RAD Intermediate) – and then in my late teens, after some major Ballet disappointments, I stopped dancing!
Apart from teaching Ballet for a while to help out a friend with her pupils needing extra classes prior to exams, and sending my own girls to Ballet when they were small, any physical involvement in my Beloved Ballet was becoming something that was only in my past, more distant each year until I discovered 2ballerinas at 64 years of age!
Over the years, I have never stuck with any well-intended forms of exercise to keep me fit. Ballgames – well, my hand/eye co-ordination didn’t seem to work for me. Walking – I would manage for a week or two, but then it would rain and I would forget to start again. Aqua-aerobics – quit that too on a rainy day! I didn’t seem to fit the bill for any of these exercises.
But at the mention of ‘BALLET’ 40+ years on, now THAT caught my attention. That’s because the PASSION has always been there and just needed re-igniting.
How Blessed was I to find out that Michelle and Rosetta had the foresight to start these classes for Adults. I have been going for well over a year now every Tuesday. I arrive in anticipation of dancing with all my new-found friends, gently encouraged by my beautiful Teacher and I go home completely satisfied with my life, knowing that I will be back again next Tuesday. We all do our very best and we are all improving, no matter what our age or ability. Some have never done Ballet before. That doesn’t matter. Ballet is good for mental and physical health. Oh, and they joy of being carried along to the music! I have even watched my body form changing as I am becoming fitter and fitter. No-one is critical of your efforts. Everyone has that common interest in Ballet. Many like me, relive the dream of being a Ballerina – which we all ARE – at 2ballerinas. Our Teacher Michelle said a few weeks ago, that she just loves to stand there and watch us when we execute a routine she has taught us. She is so proud of us!
I used to have 4 Ballet Books in my youth – they were my Treasures – I would spend hours and hours looking at the Beautiful Ballet poses created by the dancers. I would study every one of them. I don’t know what ever happened to those books. I am sad that I lost them, but now at 2ballerinas, I get to look at a wall of photos of our Teachers in their performances over the past years. How Blessed am I to be taught by them! Sometimes in class, I just watch my teacher’s feet when she is showing us some Barre exercise – so smooth and beautiful. I want to be just like her! We are also privileged to be able to attend Workshops with other well know Ballet Celebrities who are invited by our 2ballerinas to teach us from time to time.
To top off your day, if the time is convenient, you might like to stay for a coffee after class. You get to find out about your friends’ Ballet journeys and you get to share yours. Everyone’s story is interesting! Often times, the stories overlap with others, for example, they may have been taught by the same teachers you had. Many friendships are being formed. I like no other friends better than those I have made at 2ballerinas! Come and join us and find your Passion.
It used to seem to be that when one finally physically “hung up the dancing shoes”, that was it! There was nowhere even remotely enjoyable to go to maintain (or regain) your fitness level, flexibility or simply just to experience the exhilaration that dance brings, but… I joined 2ballerinas nearly 10 years ago and it has changed my life.
I began classical ballet classes at the age of 6 and virtually stopped dancing when I was a teenager not long after obtaining my Advanced certificate. After nearly 50 years of feeling disconnected, I’m now dancing again.
I turned to yoga over 30 years ago to maintain a degree of fitness and flexibility because I had no interest whatsoever in either jogging or attending a gym.
I came across 2ballerinas completely by chance when Michelle and Rosetta were being interviewed one Saturday morning by Howard Ainsworth on ABC radio. Talk about being in the right place at the right time! Listeners were invited to phone in during the programme in order to win some complimentary ballet classes. The rest is history. That was nearly 10 years ago and it was the phone call that changed my life.
The 2ballerinas offer a wonderful variety of dance styles and there is something for everyone. – any age, any level, complete beginners, advanced – everyone is catered for.
Life’s so much better when dance forms part of your life.
When you read other testimonials there is a common theme: encouragement from teachers, encouragement amongst students, spirituality, exhilaration, fun, laughter, challenges for the brain (also a hoot), maintenance of strength and flexibility, and the formation of friendships.
Our inspiration is taken to another level when our wonderful pianist, Catherine, plays for our classes.
Class doesn’t always end once the ballet shoes, tap shoes or jazz shoes come off. We are quite a force at the local coffee shop.
To anyone reading this, irrespective of age, I encourage you to get out of your own way and give this a go. You’ll be quite surprised at what you can do! … And you won’t regret it.