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The Benefits of Ballet for Children

The Benefits of Youth Ballet for Children

Originally published by Child Development Institute

When it comes to their kids, parents want them to have the best. Exposure to things like sports and the arts help them to become more well rounded young men and women. Have you thought about ballet? Kids are into all sorts of after-school sports and other activities like piano and violin lessons. Dancing is a great medium for both girls and boys. And, they can start young. Classical ballet may have been pushed aside in favor of tap dancing, hip-hop, jazz and other forms. But, did you know that beginning with ballet will help with these other types of dancing? That is just one little secret we’re letting you in on. Ballet dancers make it look effortless as they move across the stage. From the lifts to the toe points, many wonder how they can do it. Your kids can also be a part of this through the practice of classical ballet. Ballet classes can start for young kids around ages four and five. For them, being in front of all those mirrors and the bar is something new and exciting. Some of the benefits of ballet for young kids are:

They learn to follow instructions
They gain a sense of discipline through learning new positions
They learn co-ordination, balance and how to control their bodies in motion
They are active and getting daily exercise
They become comfortable performing before groups

When a child is young, learning new things is easier for them. They can adapt and learn more quickly than when they are older. So, once a child begins in ballet at an early age, they are not only learning a valued art form but also getting trained for the life that is ahead of them. This is just the beginning, though. As a child continues to pursue ballet, youíll see more benefits emerging – especially when they become adolescents and into the teenage years.

They develop long and strong muscles from the practice of ballet
They gain a sense of self-confidence and pride in their bodies and what they can accomplish
They learn how to work to get what they want out of their performance
The skills learned in ballet are useful for other forms of dancing like tap or jazz if they want to take that up later
They learn about proper nutrition to keep their bodies in shape so they can dance

Maybe you’ve never considered ballet as an after-school activity before. Now that you are aware of some of the wonderful benefits of this form of dance you have another option for your children. Who knows, one day they could be dancing across stages all over the country and beyond.

To learn more about ballet classes at Grand Rapids Ballet School, call 616.454.4771 x17 or email us today!

September 26, 2017/by Michael Erickson

Children, Classes, Company, News, Parkinsons, School, Students

Grand Rapids Ballet School bringing classes to Holland

HOLLAND, MI (WHTC-AM/FM) – Grand Rapids Ballet School will be holding classes at the Holland Area Arts Council starting in September.

A partnership with the Arts Council through the years with the the school’s performance of the Nutcracker Ballet and the “tea party with Clara” event every December prompted the expansion. Their was just a great interest in the December event that the school decided to bring their faculty to Holland. The classes will give kids ages 3-9 years old a chance to learn ballet. The school will also hold classes for those with Down Syndrome and Parkinson’s disease as well.

Attila Mosolygo is the Director and Principal of Grand Rapids School of Ballet (GRBS) and says he believes strongly that dance plays an important role in the healthy development of your child’s focus, coordination, discipline, and etiquette. Mosolygo starting training in Hungary and by the time he was 12-year-old knew he would be dancing. After moving to America he studied at the Joffrey Ballet and an audition with the Grand Rapids Ballet led him to Michigan.

Mosolygo says the classes for Down Syndrome students first started in Grand Rapids and the results were fantastic.

“To be able to offer a dance class to every child you know regardless of their ability, age or body type is fantastic and to be able to enrich lives of young kids.The first thing I thought was if we’re going to try to bring this program out to the Holland community, I want to make sure people are aware of it. We connected with the director of The Commons of Evergreen. It’s been long proven that dance is one of the best things you can do when you have Parkinson’s. The class is very physical and active. but we can adapt the class to everyone’s need.”

In an effort to make sure they can fill the classes, you are asked to register as soon as possible so that the school has an idea of how nany students they will be training.

Classes start on Monday September 11 and will run until Monday, May 7, 2018. Ballet classes are available for children 3-4 and 7-9 and children with Down syndrome age 5 and up, and do not require prior dance or ballet experience.

Creative Dance

Ages: 3-5
Day/time: Monday 4:15-5pm
Cost: $380 per school year, $205 per semester ($410 total), $49 per month ($441 total)
Dress code Girls: soft pink leotard, soft pink tights, and pink ballet shoes. Boys: black ballet tights or black leggings, black ballet shoes, plain white fitted t-shirt.

Beginner Ballet

Ages:6-9
Day/time: Monday 5-6pm
Cost: $435 per school year, $235 per semester ($470 total), $58 per month ($504 total)
Dress code: Girls: lavender leotard, soft pink tights, and pink ballet shoes. Boys: black ballet tights or black leggings, black ballet shoes, plain white fitted t-shirt.

Explorer Dance for Down Syndrome

Ages: 5 and up
Day/time: Wednesday 5:30-6:15pm
Cost: $162 per school year, $90 per semester ($180 total), $22 per month ($198 total)

Moving with Parkinson’s

Ages: 50 and up and their care partners of any age
Day/time: Monday 11:15am-12pm
Cost: $3 for Evergreen Commons members / $5 for non-members.
Dress code: loose, comfortable clothing

Holland Area Arts Council is located at in downtown at 150 East 8th Street, Holland, Michigan 49423. Evergreen Commons is located at 480 State Street, Holland, Michigan 49423. For more information on all the GRBS classes offered in Holland, including schedules, costs, directions, enrollment, and financial aid, please visit grballet.com/holland, email school@grballet.com, or call 616.454.4771 x17.

Celebrating its 47th anniversary, Grand Rapids Ballet will kick off the 2017-2018 seasons with From Russia with Love. Performances are October 6-8 & 13, 2017 at the Peter Martin Wege Theatre.

The GRBS remains committed to lifting the human spirit through the art of dance under the leadership of Patricia Barker as artistic director, Glenn Del Vecchio as executive director, and Attila Mosolygo as school director. A proud recipient of the ArtServe Michigan Governor’s Arts Award for Outstanding Cultural Organization, Michigan’s only professional ballet company has a rich history marked by steady growth, a commitment to excellence, and strong community support. In addition,

Grand Rapids Ballet School provides over 200 students with the highest quality dance instruction in a nurturing and encouraging environment and the opportunity to perform in productions by Grand Rapids Junior Company. Keep up with the ballet on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

August 21, 2017/by Michael Erickson

Classes, Students, Summer Intensive

Summer 2017 Ballet Intensive

Summer 2017 Ballet Intensive at Grand Rapids Ballet

When the average student thinks of summer vacation, words like “beach” (as in lazy days on), “sleeping” (as in late), and “binging” (as in Game of Thrones) are probably some of the first to come to mind.

But for others, the words might be “sweat” (as in breaking a), “work” (as in hard), and “intensive” (as in summer).

Grand Rapids Ballet’s annual Summer Intensive, scheduled for June 26-July 28 at the Meijer-Royce Center for Dance, gives you the rare opportunity to refine your ballet skills in technique and artistry. You’ll get face-to-face, hands-on training with some of the best stars and renowned master teachers from today’s ballet world including Patricia Barker (current Grand Rapids Ballet artistic director and former principal dancer with Pacific Northwest Ballet), Nicole Ciapponi (Joffrey Ballet), Elizabeth Murphy (Pacific Northwest Ballet), and Aaron Renteria (Joffrey Ballet).

You’ll also gain valuable insights through seminars and specialized classes in nutrition, injury prevention, cardio training, and more.

To be considered for our Summer Intensive, interested students must first audition in person (schedule below). Dancers attending these open auditions are asked to arrive at least 15 minutes early in order to complete their registration on-site. Bring a head shot and a photo in arabesque; ladies, be prepared to audition en pointe, as well. The audition fee is $20. Call 616.454.4771 or email for more information on how to attend.

DATE January 15 (ages 16+ only)	PLACE Center of Creative Arts	LOCATION St. Louis, Missouri
January 22 12:30-2pm	Geiger Ballet	West Bloomfield, Michigan
January 27 7-8:30pm	Capital Ballet Theatre	Lansing, Michigan
January 28 2-3:30pm	Grand Rapids Ballet	Grand Rapids, Michigan
January 29 2-3:30pm	Ballet Chelsea	Chelsea, Michigan
February 18 12:30-2pm	Ballet Arts Ensemble	Kalamazoo, Michigan
February 26 3:30-5pm	Joanne’s Dance Extension	Canton, Michigan

Once you’ve auditioned, you may receive an invitation to attend our Summer Intensive at Grand Rapids Ballet. Senior students (age 12-19) will attend class Monday-Friday from 10am-5pm and junior students (age 9-15) will attend class Monday-Friday from 10am-2pm; it’s called an “intensive” for a reason.

Tuition for senior students is $450 per week or $1,875 for the entire five-week course (save $375) and $250 per week or $975 for entire five-week course (save $275) for junior students. A limited number of scholarships are available and are awarded based on need and talent.

So, while it’s no day at the beach, your hard work will produce amazing results and give you tools you’ll use throughout your dance career. That’s way better than tan. For more information on auditions, tuition, housing, faculty, and more, call 616.454.4771 or email us today.

Also, be on the lookout for more information coming soon about our Summer 2017 Contemporary Intensive!

January 5, 2017/by Michael Erickson

Adult, Classes, School

Get Fit Like Attila Mosylogo

Use Ballet to Stay Fit

Stay fit with adult ballet classes in Grand Rapids Michigan

Want to stay fit as a fiddle? Attila Mosolygo is already a pro in the ballet world, as well as the assistant artistic director and principal of Grand Rapids Ballet School. But did you know he’s also got some mad skills in the gym? Dancing already burns tons of calories and the sporadic movements call upon many muscles. Many people envy the physique but don’t actually realize they can get a similar shape. Check out how he trains for performances and implement some of his moves into your regimen.

Exercise 1: Basic Pushup
Keep you back flat, legs straight, and hands placed outside of your shoulders.
3 SETS OF 20 REPS 30-60 SECONDS REST

Exercise 2: Military Pushup
Push up with the hands placed directly under shoulders, upper arms remain next to the body in the down position.
3 SETS OF 20 REPS 30-60 SECONDS REST

Exercise 3: Crunches
On a flat back with legs at 90 degrees and toes pointing up, keep your arms vertical with your fingers above your shoulders. This is a basic crunch with fingers extending up to the same level as the toes.
3 SETS OF 30 REPS 30-60 SECONDS REST

Exercise 4: Starfish
In a basic pushup position create a wide X shape without twisting or tipping the torso. Raise one arm, hold it for 5-10 seconds, place it down, then do the same with opposite arm. And the with legs (one at a time)
2 SETS OF 20 REPS

“Follow exercise #4 with a moderate speed run for 1 mile and then repeat exercises 1-4”

And don’t forget we also offer adult ballet classes that will help you stay fit, increase flexibility, and raise your spirits. Find out more here.

December 12, 2016/by Michael Erickson