PEDAGOGY AND GENERAL MANAGEMENT OF THE CENTRE OF BALLET

The CENTER FOR BALLET JEAN MARTINELLI, created in Geneva by Jean Martinelli, in 1972, is a member of the Swiss Federation of Schools of Dance (FSED). Jean Martinelli was previously the president of the Dance Schools’ Association from Geneva for several years. In 1992, he founded with some fellow directors from the dance school, The Swiss Federation of the Dance Schools (FSED).

The full program of the new season (2010 / 2011), should enable all people - children from 4 years, teenagers and adults - to practice the discipline they are fond of or the one that they want to discover.

Everything can start at 4 years-old with an awakening for body and music and then there is the INITIATION 1 and 2 for 5 years-old. These first lessons approach the sensations of the body and music & dance. Taught progressively and with fun, they raise awareness of the body – instrument of the dance, of the space, of obedience, movement and rhythm. These very entertaining courses last 55 minutes and prepare the children for all kinds of dance, for the pleasure of natural movement.

From 8-9 years old, the pupils will undertake more serious dance studies, if possible by taking two classes per week, thus evolving better, and will develop an increasing interest in dance. The therapeutic benefit of practicing ballet is undeniable in building a harmonious and slender body for a pupil. They may also approach other dance styles (see program).

The will and perseverance acquired of the effort are essential qualities nowadays. Don’t forget that DANCE IS A SPORT FOR A VERY HIGH LEVEL.

The practice of balance exercises, to the right and then to the left, well-proportioned for the skeleton and body, permanently controlled by a teacher, transforms the classic BAR in one of the best gymnastics for the body there is.

It is the same for children and adolescents, because learning to dance is a progressive activity and the sensations in muscles, joints and breathing develop harmoniously, under the supervision of fully qualified teachers with several years of experience. And most of this experience has been gathered as part of a professional career.

Thereafter, the students who are competent and motivated to learn dancing more intensely, can go for an audition to our Jeune Ballet (JBM) if their artistic disposition allows it. They are well prepared to join any major foreign schools for professional training. Indeed, a private dance school cannot provide complete and sufficient training for a student dancer to expect joining a ballet company or a subsidized theater and live off his art…

It is illusory to let the students and their parents to believe that a “private” school can train a dancer in order to find a contract with a professional company. The student will have to go abroad to perfect their dancing in a big main city. Indeed, only the big cities can offer these courses that can form a complete dancer who will be able to live off their art.

However, the ballet center offers a wide range of disciplines and quality courses taught by professional teachers, to approach and practice various dance styles that can satisfy the greatest number of children and teenage students, or adults who do not wish to involve completely with ballet.

Additionally to the academic classic training we propose contemporary dance, modern/jazz, funky jazz, hip hop street dance, break dance, Capoiera, oriental dance, tap dance, Flamenco, Porto Rican Salsa and starting with September 2010 we also invite you to our new workshop of BOLLYWOOD DANCE, Saturday morning, each Saturday of the month, Tango, Ballroom or Sports dances, etc.

There are several levels in each discipline. The progression depends on the individual capabilities of each of the participants and on the frequency of courses per week.

The Ballet Center present its students each year – alternately – with various shows in Nyon, on June 25, 26 and 27, 2010 in the AULA of the COLLEGE EN MARENS and in Coppet on Friday June 4, 2010 at the THEATRE DE TERRE SAINTE.

This season the shows will take place in Nyon, Theatre de Marens on June 24, 25 and 26, 2011.

In our STUDIO DE LA FORME we also offer a wide range of opportunities for more customized fields, in small groups, for mind and body maintenance, such as yoga, Stretching, relaxation, Pilates etc.