Example of a typical Adult Ballet Class

I'm resuming to teach my adult ballet classes in September 2012. Really looking forward.

Direct e-mail me if you are interested to start private adult ballet lesson from me: smunwl@gmail.com

Book your place early!
Love, Staphanie Mun

My favourite things to do during spare time

Recently, i attended a 'Me Time' mini workshop by Cindy Lensen.
During the workshop, i was asked to list down 3 things that i absolutely enjoy doing during my free time.

Here are what i wrote down:-
1) Listening to classical music and thinking/choreographing ballet steps in my head.

2) Writing down positive thoughts for myself.

3) Reading a book in my garden, looking at clouds, listening to birds and sounds of water running (our pond water feature)

HEAVENLY!

Here i want to share with you a video that inspire my teaching plan for my Adult Ballet classes..=)

A Day in the Life of a Ballerina

I love to share video of Ballerina's life. Here is Principal dancer at the National Ballet of Canada, Jillian Vanstone.

First Position Official Trailer #2 - Ballet Movie (2012) HD

Looking forward to go and watch this ballet documentary!=)
Love, Staphanie Mun

Ballet Illuminations by Singapore Dance Theatre performing in KLPAC 6-7 April 2012

Ballet Illuminations by Singapore Dance Theatre

Singapore Dance Theatre & The Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre present Ballet Illuminations.

SDT will perform on 6 and 7 April at the Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre (klpac), and are supported by YTL Corporation Berhad and the National Arts Council, Singapore.

Featuring Maninyas by Stanton Welch,Nutcracker, Pas De Deux by Janek Schergen, The Winds of Zephyrus by Edwaard Liang and Serenade by George Balanchine, Ballet Illuminations is a perfect display of verve and vitality that is synonymous with SDT’s unique identity as a company that is equally adept at these challenging and varied genres of dance.

6 & 7 April: 8.30 pm (Evening) / 7 April: 3pm (Matinee)
Pentas 1, The Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre (klpac)

Tickets: Evening performance: RM43, RM18 (students, disabled, senior citizens & TAS card members)
Matinee Performance: RM33, RM18 (students, disabled, senior citizens & TAS card members)
Tickets for 4 people: Standard tickets for 4 at RM150 (usual RM172), Not applicable for concession tickets
YTL Platinum members: 20% off standard price tickets, Not applicable for concession tickets
TAS members: Standard price tickets at RM18, Not applicable for concession tickets
School Booking: With every booking of 10 tickets, 1 complimentary ticket will be provided for the chaperone teacher. Please contact Joanna at 603- 40479000 or email joanna@klpac.org .

Maninyas by Stanton Welch

Originally created for San Francisco Ballet in 1996, Maninyas was Mr. Welch’s first commission outside his home company, The Australian Ballet – his first American exposure, which led to commissions with other companies. The piece consists of a series of pas de deux and pas de trios which depicts the process of “unveiling” that takes place when individuals get to know each other better. As people become familiar with one another, they “take off their veils”. Maninyas is set to Australian composer Ross Edward’s Maninyas – Concerto for Violin and Orchestra.

Nutcracker Act 2, Grand Pas De Deux by Janek Schergen

The Nutcracker Ballet is based on the story “The Nutcracker and the King of Mice” written by E.T.A. Hoffman. Although what is seen on the stage today is different in detail from the original story, the basic plot remains the same; the story of a young German girl who dreams of a Nutcracker Prince and a fierce battle against a Mouse King with seven heads. In Act 2, The Prince escorts Clara to the Land of Sweets where they are greeted by the Sugar Plum Fairy. The Prince tells her about their daring battle with the army of mice and she rewards them with a celebration of dances. As a finale, the Sugar Plum Fairy and the Cavalier dance a beautiful Pas De Deux / French for “step for two” (Dance for two performers).

The Winds of Zephyrus by Edwaard Liang

Created especially for Singapore Dance Theatre by Edwaard Liang – The Winds of Zephyrus brings contemporary dance to stratospheric heights with dancers portraying the wind in all its forms. Winner of the Prince Prize Grant for Choreography and the Choo San Goh Award for Choreography, Edwaard Liang’s pieces have been performed all around the world by companies such as New York City Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, Shanghai Ballet and most recently the Joffrey Ballet. This is his second work for SDT, following the piece titled As Above, So Below which was featured during Da:ns Festival 2010.

Serenade by George Balanchine

Serenade is a milestone to Balanchine, so as it is in the dance history. It was the first ballet George Balanchine choreographed in America. Serenade has come to be considered the signature piece of the New York City Ballet and is one of Balanchine’s most widely performed works. The intention of the work was to show the ballet students how dancing on stage differs from class work. Balanchine embraced the conditions and incidents in the class into the choreography. Balanchine was never content for ballets to stay in the past and kept revising Serenade to keep it modern throughout his whole choreographic career.

The Singapore Dance Theatre (SDT) was founded in 1988 with seven dancers by Goh Soo Khim and the late Anthony Then. Since then, SDT has developed into Singapore’s premier professional dance company comprising 34 dancers. In the course of each year, the Company performs five to six seasons, including the widely popular Ballet Under The Stars at the Fort Canning Park.

The Company’s repertoire ranges from classical to contemporary ballet, from renowned choreographers like Goh Choo San, George Balanchine, Nacho Duato, Jiri Kylian, Stanton Welch, Marie-Claude Pietragalla, Xing Liang, Mauricio Wainrot, Val Caniparoli, Graham Lustig, David Dawson, Jorma Elo, Edmund Stripe, Adrian Burnett, Edwaard Liang and Nils Christe. In 2009, Janek Schergen took over the post of Artistic Director of SDT. Under his leadership, the Company has made new achievements in the international and Singapore dance arena.

For more information, see http://www.klpac.org/?p=5707

Amazing 5th Year Vaganova Student Beyond Anyone's Imagination

The opening pirouette from a grand plie is beyond anyone's understanding. She makes a complete pirouette, which is nothing special, but she finishes on balance and maintains that balance for a long period, with a perfect passe to a develop front, all on balance,until the exercise forces her raised leg to pass through first position, which forces her to lower her heel that has been balancing from the beginning of her pirouette. She never takes that heel down, until the exercise forces her to pass through first position.

Amazing!

Special Tasting Menu @ Sage Restaurant

I enjoy good food, beauty of mother nature, small wonderful things in life.
Life is beautiful.




Vichyssoise of Cream Artichoke with Cognac Abalone and Avruga Caviar. Simply heavenly, creamy yum!


Roasted Duck Foie Gras with Flambe Martell Cognac berries.


Granny Smith Apple Granite with Martell Cognac Jelly




Two way preparation of Wagyu Beef with Mushroom Flambe Martell Cognac




Baked Apple in Phyllo Pastry serves with Home Made Cognac ice-cream.

Such a blessing to dine in Sage again, always a joy to taste Chef Daniel's new menu.

Ballet for the Body: Barre Classes

All women envy the dancer. Yes, they are coordinated, artistic and trained athletes. But mainly, we envy them because of their perfectly sculpted, toned physiques. As someone who has endeavored practically every mainstream sport, I can proudly say that when I trained in ballet and jazz, my body was the leanest and lightest it has ever been.

So what is it about this gentle training system that keeps the body so thin without adding bulky muscles? If you haven’t noticed, ballet has similar characteristics and benefits as that of yoga and pilates, except it works to turn your hip and legs outward. It focuses on flexibility, while also strengthening your muscles with certain held positions. The constant stretching also works to elongate your muscles, which keeps everything longer and thinner. Since ballet never requires you (the female dancer) to use any outside resistance, except the weight of your own body parts, the muscles remain lean.

Ballet is a very disciplined, highly technical activity that does not put an abundance of strain on the body, like other rigorous sports. It also works to train the body to dance in perfect symmetry, which after years of training can be extremely rewarding.

Recap on the benefits:

-Constant stretching elongates the muscles
-Held poses tone muscles, especially the core
-Constant movement burns calories
-Never uses more than own body weight for resistance

Barre Classes at AT THE BARRE with Founder & Creator Staphanie Mun Chen

Yes, putting on a leotard and tights can be a little intimidating and downright scary for some of us. But don’t worry, adult classes are geared for those who would simply like to enjoy the many benefits of beautiful ballet dancing.

Book your slot now.
whatsapp / Call 012-385-1501
E-mail smunwl@gmail.com
http://www.atthebarrelifestyle.com/

American Ballet Theater Spring 2011, New York City

Finally, I get to watch my favourite ballet big names perform live at the Metropolitan Opera House, NYC.

I watched Julie Kent in Cinderella, Alina Cojocaru in Coppelia and Gillian Murphy in Swan Lake! I absolutely love watching them!

Check out ABT's official website: http://www.abt.org/

A week at the Prix de Lausanne 2010

Found an interesting video about contestants of Prix de Lausanne. Sneak peak into a week of rehearsal and competitions of this prestige classical ballet competition.

Darcey Bussell Documental #2

Darcey Bussell Documental #1

Darcey Bussell Self Portrait

Really like this!

Here is a piece of art, i would like to own and decorate my house.=)
Do you like it, too?

Giselle pdd 1 Alina Cojocaru-Manuel Legris (Tokyo)

Facinating! Alina's technique is perfect!
See how she master the port de bras forward over the leg and she starts lifting her leg at same time as the body...i almost stop breathing... she is divine!
And music is soooo beautiful!

Little Ballerina went sailing in Manhattan

It was a lovely sunny day!

Little Ballerina meet Alexandra McQueen

Tonight is Museum Mile festival (14 June 2011)

I was totally blown away by Alexandra McQueen's: Savage beauty special exhibition at the MET!


Arrived at the Metropolitan Museum of Art (MET) at 5.45pm, we plan to arrive early to beat the anticipated crowd of over 50000 festival attendees every year!
By 6pm, we can see crowd start sauntering along the traffic-free, music- and art-filled fiesta from 105th Street down to 82nd Street.
http://www.metmuseum.org/



Good thing we headed straight to Alexandra McQueen's: Savage beauty special exhibition. There was an hour long wait to get in, with a line threading through the 19th century galleries. We were the 1st few in the line. The audience was diverse in age and nationality, thought there was a predictable tendency to euro-chic-ness. I don’t think one person in 100 looked at the rodins or anything else in the galleries the line passed through. All have only one thing in mind to see, of course! No photos are allowed in the exhibition.


It was a dark and stormy exhibition, with generous representations of sadomasochism, leather, chains, particularly at the beginning, and very very low light levels. Dramatic music emanating from hidden speakers.

I was immediately mesmerised by the 1st piece of McQueen's red avant-garde that greet my eyes. Simply beautiful, bold.

As i step further into the exhibition, I found myself immersed in the strange beauty of McQueen’s designs. His materials are completely distinctive ranging from tight leather bodices shaped to the form of the wearer like armor; to beautiful razor clam shells and abalone; to delicately carved wood; feathers (including an amazing dress of pheasant feathers with thousands of “eyes;”) all kinds of lacy, light, frothy, swirly stuff that I couldn’t begin to identify.


Source:http://blog.metmuseum.org/alexandermcqueen/about/
Romantic Primitivism
“I try to push the silhouette. To change the silhouette is to change the thinking of how we look. What I do is look at ancient African tribes, and the way they dress. The rituals of how they dress. . . . There’s a lot of tribalism in the collections.” —Alexander McQueen


The exhibition design was dramatic and in some ways quite intrusive, in a good way. The design heightened the drama and focus on the objects. The designers used pretty much every non-digital trick in the book. Gorgeous projections lent a very potent atmosphere to the exhibition, videos of some of McQueen’s runway shows were discreetly placed around the opening galleries.

My favourite was his Romantic Gothic creations and Cabinet of Curiosities, where he display hats and heels of the weirdest shape.

Source:http://blog.metmuseum.org/alexandermcqueen/about/

“People find my things sometimes aggressive. But I don’t see it as aggressive. I see it as romantic, dealing with a dark side of personality.”—Alexander McQueen

“You’ve got to know the rules to break them. That’s what I’m here for, to demolish the rules but to keep the tradition.” —Alexander McQueen

I walk out of the exhibition thinking and marveled at his ability to create so freely and pushing of the boundaries at everything he create. The fact that it exists in the commercial context, in this case of fashion, puts it in the good company of much of what is shown in an encyclopedic museum like the Met.

I find myself thinking of the dresses in this exhibition and wanting to now more about McQueen. Did some reading of who is this genius, and indeed the world miss him....There is a good website video that walk thru the whole exhibition exactly like i did, http://blog.metmuseum.org/alexandermcqueen/video/, under exhibition video.

What makes me happy? Scent of Fresh Flowers, DANCE, writing, ...most of all LOVE=)

Starting my own ballet blog was very exciting for me, also come with challenges as well, besides my busy work schedules, i constantly look for refreshing inspirations, and stay true to myself, write and share my dance thoughts to my readers. Hoping that my blog will bring joy to someone.

Life is wonderful. My hubby love to shower me with flowers, gets me nice colourful stationaries for my writing. I thank God for such an encouraging hubby, supporting and cheering me on, in whatever i set my heart to do.

So, today's post, i want to dedicate to my loving hubby.=)
"Thank you, darling, for everything."



There was one day, i came back from a long day, he surprise me with flowers in our living room, dining table, even our kitchen. Really sweet!


Here is a fruit platter he prepared for me, while i work on my baby project, MyLilBallerina.





Today, i want to share a few new exercises that i plan to do in my next Adult ballet class:-

Single and double Ronds de Jambe en l'air en dehors and en dedans
T13ADV1
Sideway to barre.
Intro music, arm 1st to seconde.

1 Extend straight leg to a la seconde at 45 degree.
2 Single ronde de jambe en l'air en dehors.
3 Double ronde de jambe en l'air en dehors.
4 Close 3rd derriere.
5 Lift straight leg to a la seconde at 45 degree.
6 Single ronde de jambe en l'air en dedans.
7 Double ronde de jambe en l'air en dedans.
8 Close 3rd devant.

1 Lift straight leg to a la seconde at 45 degree with rise (supporting leg)
2 Single ronde de jambe en l'air en dehors.(Stay rise)
3 Double ronde de jambe en l'air en dehors. (Stay rise)
4 Close 3rd derriere. (lower down heel)
5 Lift straight leg to a la seconde at 45 degree with rise (supporting leg)
6 Single ronde de jambe en l'air en dedans. (Stay rise)
7 Double ronde de jambe en l'air en dedans. (Stay rise)
8 Close 3rd devant.

Chasse en avant.
Full port de bras forward
Draw in 5th position on rise
Coupe, step forward in 5th rise, arm 5th position.
turn to the other side.

Repeat (whole exercise.)

Centre exercise

Last week, i introduced Fouette of Adage to my students. Train them balance and mastering the arabesque position.

Fouette of Adage
T17g3&4
Commencing 5th position, enface.

1-2 Developpe devant, arms 1st position.
3-4 Extend leg to 2nd position, arms to a la seconde.
5&6 3 pivots to face left side, arabesque leg derriere en l'air, arms in arabesque.
7-8 lift to 90 degree.

1-2 Lower to fondue, arms 3rd arabesque.
3-4 Draw in 5th position, coupe devant in fondue, arm reverse demi bras.
5-8 Soutenus turn to other side. Arms in 5th position.

Repeat other side.

Petite Allegro

Sissone change
Commencing right foot devant, en face.

1-2 2x Soubresaut
3 Sissone change
4 Petite assemble derriere

5-8 Repeat

1-8 Echappe saute en croix


HOPE YOU HAVE A FRUITFUL AND WONDERFUL WEEK AHEAD.

Love, Staphanie Mun

Ballet lessons for Children

From time to time, I'll meet my former students (the little ones) and their parents at my workplace or in church. (I stop teaching so many classes now, only teaching Adult ballet) Boy, I'm glad, they always greet me warmly and one of the parents even told me, her daughter misses me and stop dancing because the new teacher was so fierce...

I feel sad hearing that... Yes, teaching young kids requires discipline, but i also believe that teachers should make the class enjoyable and create a positive learning environment for young children to learn. This will also create precious childhood memories for those young children.

I want to leave teachers with these questions, think about it... it will be nice to give me your opinions, interesting ideas to share.=)

1) In what way, you are creating a fun, loving learning environment for your young students? Creating fun stories to tell when teaching new steps, make class more interesting? By giving out cute stickers at the end of class to encourage them? By choosing to use words that builds up confidence & affirming your students, i.e. Well done. That was wonderful work! etc?

2) Why is that important to you, as a teacher?

3) How will your choice of teaching method, attitude, affect your students?

Double class for Adult Ballet!!!

Excellent news!!

I'm so please and excited to announce that i'm teaching, not one but two classes a week of ballet!

So, for you who are longing to join a adult ballet workout class, SIGN UP NOW!

Every Wednesday and Friday 7.00pm- 8.00pm
Where? Jalan Gasing PJ Home studio

Oh.... I'm so excited to more classes!!
Love, Staphanie Mun

Little Ballerina Lazy Sunday

I enjoy flipping thru fashion magazines all the time. I think all girls do. For me especially, i needed to be inspired to look beautiful. Don't know about you, but i find myself too complacent sometimes... Haha...=> You know what i mean? Minimal blusher, lip gloss, hair tied-up in pony tail. Voila, I'm out the door.

So, as i was saying, looking at models and celebrities in their best look, inspire me to buck up and look good too!=)



I always manage to find ballet pictures in fashion magazine.=)
Another gorgeous ad campaign by Repetto:-



Visit: www.repetto.com

BLESSED EASTER, EVERYONE!
MAY THE RISEN CHRIST GIVE US HOPE AND STRENGTH TO WALK HIS WAYS ALWAYS!

Adult ballet Teaching Dairy Jalan Gasing PJ Home studio

My Adult ballet Teaching Dairy
Share some simple free exercise choreographed by myself:-

1) Plie (Revision) (Free work)
(T1G5&6)
Commencing 1st position. Side way to barre.
Intro (Arm demi bras)
1-4 2x Demi Plie
5-8 Forward Port de Bras
1-4 Grand Plie
5-6 Rise & lower
7-8 Degage to a la seconde

(Repeat) 2x 8's with Side bend (in a la seconde)
(Repeat) 2x 8's with Back bend (in 3rd position)
(Repeat) 2x 8's with Circular Port De Bras (4th position)
Rise. Arms open 5th position.

2) Battement Tendue (Revision, add new moves)
(T4Inter)
Commencing 3rd position left foot devant. Side way to barre.
Intro (Arm 1st to 2nd)
Battement tendue with straight legs en croix
Battenment tendue with fondue en croix
Glisse encloche passing thru cou-de-pied

3) Battement glisse (Revision, add some difficulty and speed)
(T5inter)
Commencing 3rd position left foot devant. Side way to barre.
Intro (Arm 1st to 2nd)
1-2 1x Battement glisse in 2 count (devant)
3-4 2x Battement glisse in 1 count (devant)
5-6 1x Battement glisse in 2 count (a la seconde) close derriere
7-8 2x Battement glisse in 1 count (a la seconde) close devant & derriere
(Repeat) en croix

4) Rond de Jambe a terre
(T6pg1&2)
Commencing 3rd position left foot devant. Side way to barre.
Intro (Arm 1st to 2nd)
Rond de Jambe a terre en dehor with straight leg, en croix
Rond de Jambe a terre en dedans with straight leg, en croix
Rond de Jambe a terre en dehor with bend leg, en criox
Rise & turn other side.

5) Releve
(T11G3&4)
Facing barre. Commencing 1st position.
3x Releve in 1st
Degage to a la seconde
3x Releve in 2nd
Degage to 3rd devant
3x Releve in 3rd
Degage to 3rd derriere
3x Releve in 3rd
Degage close 1st position

6) Releve & Retire passe
(T12PG1&2)
Facing barre. Commencing 3rd position.
1x Releve
1x Retire devant
1x Retire passe
1x Releve
(Repeat)

7) Training of Grand Battement with attitude (bend leg) & straight leg
(T12interF)
Commencing 3rd position left foot devant. Side way to barre.
Intro (Arm 1st to 2nd)
Degage devant, lift grand battement devant with bend leg
en croix
Repeat with straight leg


8) Centre exercise
Adage
(T16Inter)
Commencing croise, left foot devant.
2x Classical walk (Arm 1st to a la seconde)
Chasse passe into 1st arabesque
1st arabesque en l'air
Fondue, pas de bourree
(Repeat other side)

9)Emboite
(T47G5&6)
Emboite 3x
Soutenu en tournant

10) Training exercise for turn
(1/4 turn)
(T44G5&6)

11) Petite Allegro
(T42G5&6)
Pas jete & Temp leve

Hope you enjoy today's post!

Remember, you can do ballet at any age. It is an excellent fitness workout!

Are you looking for a fitness class, a workout session that train both physical strength and cultivate poise? Join my adult ballet lessons.

Wear a baby t-shirt, singlet & black legging.

Fees:-
RM480 (for 12 sessions) (valid for 3 months)
RM50 (Walk in)/per class
RM50 (Trial class)/per class

I'm sure you will love the lesson and have fun!

Love,
Staphanie Mun (012- 385- 1501)
www.mylilballerina.blogspot.com

Look what i found... while i was spring cleaning today.

Can you guess what this is?
My mood page for Little Ballerina, before the birth of my blog...
I was thinking about this project, this concept, will people read it? Should i start a blog?

I have so much passion for ballet. Creative juice is oozing out from my brain, i have to write, i have to start this ballet blog.=)

So, as you can see, i was already thinking about merchandising, back then... hehe...
drawing & designing my first Little Ballerina T-shirts for fans.

Looking back, it is kinda cool.
I'm having a lot of fun, i get to meet interesting, like minded (ballet crazy) friends from around the world.

Voila! MyLilBallerina is born.



I'll update you all when my Little Ballerina T-shirt is available!

Love, Staphanie Mun