Kilkenny Academy of Dance, based in the Smithlands retail centre in Kilkenny, are kicking off ballet classes for adults next week.
These are beginner classes by the way, so if you’ve never danced a step in your life and always thought about getting into it, whether it’s to show there’s “life in the old dog yet” or just to try something new, now you’ve got a chance to do it locally.
Of course, if you have danced before and you’re getting back in the swing of things, there’s improver classes on the schedule too.
C0-director of the Academy is Gemma Grant, who’s been working at Kilkenny Academy of Dance since 2007. She’s has also worked with Bray School of Dance, is principal of Bunclody Academy of Dance and has also studied at Inchicore, Deborah Capon College of Dance (UK) and through ImPulsTanz in Vienna.
The classes in Kilkenny take place on Mondays (Improvers, 8.30 to 9.30pm) and Wednesdays (Beginnings 8-9pm) and you just need to bring yourself. No leotards required here, though a pair of tracksuit pants would be preferable to a pair of jeans.
For more details, email Gemma on [email protected] or check out KilkennyDance.com.
Oh – and Gemma mentions in the chat below that if you were to Google stars and sports people who’ve taken up ballet that you’ll be surprised (or it might lift the stigma anyway).
Take up a class and you could be following in the footsteps of Jean-Claude Van Damme, Christian Bale (Batman), Arnold Schwarzenegger, Rio Ferdinand (ex Man Utd), Jamie Bell (Billy Elliot), Natalie Portman, Mila Kunis, Charlize theron.
Gemma dropped in to studio for the chats on Tuesday afternoon to chat about her own background and training, working with youngsters from the age of three upwards and of course, the beginner ballet classes for adults. Take a listen below.
Listening on your phone? Tap ‘play in browser’ to play without loading the SoundCloud app.
