An open level ballet class for adults 17+ focusing on musicality and advanced technique.
An open level ballet class for adults 17+ focusing on musicality and advanced technique.
This Open level class extends the dancers with its musicality and technical but lighthearted approach to advanced ballet technique. It's suitable for those who have done at least 7 years of ballet training and are revisiting the form for enjoyment and fitness.
Feedback from one of Mary-Jane's students:
"When I started your classes it had been 20 years since I was last in a ballet class and much of my relationship with dance (ballet in particular) was steeped in feelings of failure and never being good enough. Since joining your intermediate class two years ago I have fallen back in love with ballet. I feel like I'm dancing the best I have in my life - I'm sure aspects of my strength, technique and flexibility were better when I was a teenager but I feel like I've never loved it as much as I do now and what a difference that makes to how you allow yourself to dance! The other dancers in your class are friendly, welcoming and fun to learn with - we laugh at our mistakes and push each other to keep trying. Age and rustiness are not an issue and your gentle encouragement and correction is super valuable. I really love your exercises and choreography and look forward to Tuesday night every week." Lara
If you are under 18, you may need to email bookings@tapac.org.nz to complete your enrolment.
For more information, contact Mary-Jane at: maryjaneoreilly@gmail.com or www.facebook.com/Balletwithmaryjane or https://www.maryjaneoreillydance.nz/
Teaching artist
Mary-Jane started learning ballet at 4 and became a professional ballet dancer in her late teens. She gained her Solo Seal at the National Ballet School in Wellington and won a highly coveted Royal Academy of Dance scholarship, so after a year with the New Zealand Ballet she attended the Royal Ballet School in the UK. After performing in Europe, Mary Jane returned to New Zealand to co-found the acclaimed Limbs Dance Company, for which she danced, choreographed and directed.
Currently, she continues to be an active producer and choreographer and recently presented a successful season of her contemporary ballet (as a love letter to Giselle Act 2) Ballet Noir - which was on at Q theatre in October 2023
The Royal Academy of Dance recently invited her to be the ambassador for their Silver Swans older learner ballet classes.
“My passion in teaching ballet is to be very specific in the technique, the aesthetic, the musicality of ballet. I also aim to celebrate the beauty of it and make it an enjoyable experience to learn or revisit this beautiful art form. ”
Contact: maryjaneoreilly@gmail.com or www.facebook.com/Balletwithmaryjane
You can view Mary-Jane's website here: maryjaneoreillydance.nz
