Contemporary class with Didy Veldman
A contemporary class using transference of weight, momentum and breath to fuel movement.
£12.00
- 1 Class
- Suitable for 14+
In this contemporary class, the focus will lie on connecting movements, relaxation of the spine, relationship to the floor, travelling through space, working with your momentum and the use of breath.
Duration: 1 hour 15 minutes
This lesson is also included in the Intensive course for 14+: Series 1 package.
What you will learn
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How to work from a parallel position
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Understanding how to transfer and drop your weight
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Create awareness of the pelvis in relation to the spine
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Incorporating breath into movement.
Your Tutors
Didy Veldman
Contemporary Teacher and Contemporary Programme Manager
Didy Veldman was a professional dancer from 1986 until 2000 with Scapino Ballet in The Netherlands, Geneva Ballet, Alias Company in Switzerland (co-founder) and Rambert Dance Company as well as an international choreographer since 2000 with 22 years of freelance experience.
She has created over 49 new works for 30 international companies such as Rambert, Cedarlake, Northern Ballet Theatre, Goteborg Ballet, Iceland Dance Company, Les Grands Ballets Canadiens de Montreal, Lithuanian National Ballet, New Zealand Ballet, Cullberg Ballet, Komische Oper Berlin and Geneva Ballet, creating full evening story-telling works with symphony orchestras to smaller works as part of a triple bill. Most recently she created a new Carmen for Natalia Osipova, Isaac Hernandez and 3 contemporary dancers which is touring nationally and internationally. In 2016, she started her own dance company Humanoove, as well as choreographing for international companies.
Didy has been invited to teach and choreograph for many schools including The Royal Ballet School, Prix de Lausanne, Paris Opera School, Jacobs Pillow, Rosella Hightower, Cannes, English National Ballet School and the Palucca University of Dance Dresden, to name but a few.
Didy became the Contemporary Programme Manager at The Royal Ballet School in 2021.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can participate?
This class is recommended for students aged 14+ and reflects the training given to students aged 14-15 studying at The Royal Ballet School. The class is not suitable for beginner students, students with limited experience or students under 11 years old.
For this class, we recommend that:
- Students are studying a syllabus delivered by a recognised classical dance awarding body, or if attending full-time vocational training, are studying at Intermediate vocational level or above
- Students have a good to excellent knowledge and understanding of ballet vocabulary
- Students can execute a secure double pirouette and maintain extensions in adage at 90 degrees and above
- Feet and ankles are strong, secure and able to stretch well
- Students have good flexibility
- Allegro can be executed with a clear understanding of how to link a sequence of steps together in a choreographed exercise
- Students undertaking pointe work should be confident in executing basic pointe exercises.
What do I need to participate?
This class is designed so that it can be executed in a smaller space than a ballet studio. We ask that students/parents ensure that:
- The student meets the technical standards required for the class
- Any apparatus used for a barre is stable and safe
- The floor is not slippery, uneven or hazardous
- The area used for dancing is cleared of any items which could hinder the student’s ability to fully extend their arms and legs. There should be enough space for reasonable movement. If a student cannot fully execute an exercise, they should either adapt appropriately or not participate
- The student is able to clearly hear the teacher’s verbal instruction, see the teacher’s practical delivery and hear the music
- The student is appropriately dressed to safely execute a ballet lesson. Soft ballet shoes should be worn, not pointe shoes
- The student’s hair is suitably tied back
- The student is fit and well in order to take part.
