[Perform-Talk] Fwd: Dark Room Ballet Introductory Classes for Blind and Visually Impaired Students — New Cycle

[Andre Zelvin]

Hi all, I'm forwarding  the below announcement because I participate in these classes and think they are something unique and wonderful. I remember a little conversation on this list about ballet and this class has something to offer for blind and low vision people, from those with prior ballet experience to those with no dance experience at all, who may never have thought about ballet. Krishna, the instructor, is a blind dancer herself, but also a skilled educator. She's passionate about teaching dance to other blind people, in a way that's different from what we get joining classes with sighted people. She feels we benefit from  learning  differently than people who learn to dance watching themselves in mirrors. She's also committed to making these classes free as she feels it's a piece of education we haven't been able to receive and should be entitled to. Something like that. Even though I've had some experience with  ballet and was already taking her  open level class, I've taken this beginner class three times because I learn something new each time, about my own relation to balance, orientation,  and such. 
Andre

Begin forwarded message:

From: Alejandra at Dark Room Ballet <aleja at darkroomballet.com>
Date: January 12, 2022 at 9:18:22 PM EST
To: Dark Room Ballet Info <info at darkroomballet.com>
Subject: Dark Room Ballet Introductory Classes for Blind and Visually Impaired Students — New Cycle Begins Saturday, January 22! (and other classes available)
Reply-To: Dark Room Ballet Info <info at darkroomballet.com>


Beginning Saturday, January 22 from 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM (Eastern / New York Time)   


NOTE: This class is designed specifically for the educational needs of blind and visually impaired people.

This is a FREE class!

Hosted by Movement Research, Dark Room Ballet classes are designed specifically for the educational needs of blind and visually impaired people.


About Saturday Introductory Level Class:


This class is suitable for people with no prior knowledge of ballet. This repeating series of eight classes introduces students to the most common ballet vocabulary that they would need to know in order to participate in Open Level Dark Room Ballet Class. The class introduces students to necessary anatomical concepts like turnout, torso stability, foot sensitivity and mobility, sightless balancing, and the use of a taped floor for orientation.

Classes take place each Saturday online via the Zoom platform; there is also the option to call in via phone.

Register:
To register, email: info at darkroomballet.com
(or reply to this message)
You can also reach Dark Room Ballet by phone at (929) 367-0025



If you are a blind or visually impaired individual interested in learning ballet remotely, please get in touch before January 22, so you can be registered for this class. If you have some ballet experience, you may also qualify to join the ongoing Dark Room Ballet: Open Level Class on Monday nights; please contact us if you are interested.
Returning students are welcome to re-join intro level classes, as well as encouraged to join Dark Room Ballet: Open Level Class. Please let us know if you would like to re-join intro class as a returning student.
If you work with an organization that serves blind or visually impaired people, please share this information with people who may be interested in registering for this class.
If you are NOT a blind or visually impaired student, you may qualify to join the ongoing Dark Room Ballet: Open Level Class on Monday nights on a select basis; please get in touch with us to explain your interest.

Other Classes in the Dark Room!


This Saturday, January 15, 2022, Krishna will be offering a structured improvisation class designed specifically to help students cultivate a self-audio description practice called Experimentation in the Dark Room: Self-Audio Description and Chemosynthesis from 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM (Eastern / New York Time). Both new and returning students are welcome to join! 

Saturday, March 19, 2022 and Saturday, March 26, 2022 are the make-up dates for No Diagram Anatomy for Dancers in the Dark Room, an interactive dancers' anatomy course that de-centers sight, and will cover the complete lower body and complete upper body, respectively.


We look forward to hearing from you soon!



Best,

Alejandra Ospina, Program Coordinator

on behalf of

Krishna Washburn, Artistic Director


Dark Room Ballet with Krishna Washburn



Care about audio description and supporting dance art for blind and visually impaired people? Check out Telephone and Telephone Ko-Fi.