Master Classes
Diablo Ballet School will offer a variety of classes in technique and necessary subjects throughout the school year and Summer Intensives. These master classes are designed to enrich ballet training and help foster a well-rounded and versatile student. Master Classes are only open to registered students of the Diablo Ballet School.
Upcoming Master Classes:
Diablo Ballet Clinicians Panel Master Class
January 22, Wednesday, 6:30pm-7:30pm
Level 4 and Level 5 students and parents (Level 4 students please plan on staying until 7:30 pm.)
Diablo Ballet School clinicians:
Selina Shah, MD – Sports Medicine Physician
Denise Hilliard, MD – Primary Care Physician
Shih Hao Ho, LAc – Acupuncturist
James Huang DC, Applied Kinesiologist
Meet the clinicians who keep Diablo Ballet dancers in top form so they can perform at their best! Students and parents are invited to this panel discussion with Diablo Ballet’s Company clinicians to learn about each of their practices, how they work with dancers, preventive care and more. The panel will then open up the discussion to questions. This master class is free for all Levels 4 & 5 students and parents.
Upcoming Master Classes (dates to be determined):
Joanna Berman – Winter 2019
A Master class in Technique offered by former principal dancer at San Francisco Ballet, Joanna Berman
Joanna Berman was one of the most celebrated members of San Francisco Ballet and a principal dancer from 1984-2002 dancing the leading roles in Giselle, Swan Lake, The Sleeping Beauty and Romeo & Juliet in addition to numerous contemporary and classical works. She is in demand as a teacher, guest teacher and repeteur for a number of ballet companies across the world. Ms. Berman has been staging and coaching ballets for Diablo Ballet since 1996. “Excellent training is essential for a professional career in ballet. I’m thrilled that Diablo Ballet School will be providing such training to young dancers in the East Bay.” – Joanna Berman.
Julia Adam – Spring 2020
A Master class in Choreography offered by master choreographer and former principal dancer at San Francisco Ballet, Julia Adam
Julia Adam was a member of San Francisco Ballet and principal dancer from 1988-2002. She has created over 70 works for numerous companies including San Francisco Ballet, The National Ballet of Canada, Houston Ballet, The Joffrey Ballet, ABT 2, Alberta Ballet, Oregon Ballet Theater, Atlanta Ballet, Nashville Ballet. Ms. Adam has created two world premieres for Diablo Ballet and will be creating a brand new holiday ballet, The Nutcracker Suite, this November.
Sandra Jennings – Spring 2020
A Master class in Balanchine Technique offered by Balanchine Repeteur, Sandra Jennings.
At the age of thirteen, Sandra Jennings, received a Ford Foundation scholarship to the School of American Ballet in New York. In 1974, she was asked by Balanchine to join New York City Ballet where she worked with him for the next nine years and danced an enormous repertoire that included principal and solo roles in many Balanchine and Jerome Robbins ballets. In 1985, Ms. Jennings began staging ballets by Balanchine and since then has worked for various companies in the United States as well as abroad in her capacity as ballet-mistress and coach.
A Master class in Nutrition offered by Registered Dietitian, Beth-Elle Schussler – Quarterly class (Open to Ballet Level 4 – 5 students)
Beth-Elle Schussler is a Registered Dietitian native to the California Bay Area that joined the OFC family in August 2018. She studied and practiced at Syracuse University, Cornell University, and University of Rochester Medical Center. As a lover of all foods, Beth-Elle’s nutrition philosophy understands the importance of treating oneself metabolically, physiologically, emotionally, and mentally. She believes that healthful dietary patterns are sustainable and satisfying to both the body and soul. This philosophy fuels Beth-Elle’s professional initiative to help her clients reach their health goals while maintaining or building a healthy relationship with food and their bodies.
Plus additional classes on:
Injury Prevention – Presented by Diablo Ballet’s Physician, Dr. Selina Shah
Pas de Deux – Learn the art of Pas de Deux with Diablo Ballet’s male dancers who have partnered some of the most prolific ballerinas of our time.
Anatomy for Dancers – Presented by Diablo Ballet’s Physical Therapist, Meghann Oakes Rust
Like a musician has their instrument and a painter has their brushes and canvas, a dancer has their body as their primary tool for expression. This class is a lecture-lab series designed to help the dancer understand their body and how to safely and effectively activate their muscles to achieve proper ballet technique. By the end of the class, the dancer will be able to identify the correct muscles to be used for turnout, pointing the foot, and port de bras. The dancer will not only learn strengthening exercises to target these muscles but, more importantly, how to apply their new strength in a ballet class.
Other classes that may be offered throughout the year:
Variations
Young Men’s Class
Character Dance
Contemporary
Jazz
Creative Dance
Pilates
Please note that master classes are additional classroom hours and therefore may carry an additional cost.