NEWS
2010
2009
December 2011
Well done to the whole school for dancing so beautifully in Cinderella, our third Christmas production. It was a huge success, with possibly the star of the show being our reluctant pumpkin, who finally joined in her dance with a little coaxing, well done Coco!
The children all behaved so professionally and a special well done to my seniors, who carried off the main parts superbly. DVDs of the production are available from Myra at Dingestow Village Stores, and photos from Dragonfly Imaging, including ones of the day itself.
OCTOBER 2011
Holly visits from Elmhurst
Holly visited Miss Salmon in a weekend off from her full time training, to say how much she loves her new school and dancing every day! We look forward to hearing exciting news from Holly in the future.
Sponsorship awarded to Emma
Melin Homes, a local business, has kindly provided funding for Emma to further her ballet training. Melin Homes read about Emma getting onto the waiting list for the Royal Ballet Associate classes and stepped in to give encouragement and financial assistance. Emma is thrilled, as she will be receiving three private lessons with an ex-Royal Ballet principal. Emma only started ballet 18 months ago and has already achieved a Distinction at Grade 2, and danced a beautiful pas de deux in The Sleeping Beauty, our Christmas production last year.
september 2011
Summer exam success
Congratulations to all Monnow Ballet's pupils who took an exam in July. Everyone passed and we have a record number of Distinctions with some very high Merits as well. Medals and certificates were handed out to happy faces all round!
Another pupil accepted into vocational ballet school
Liam, a previous long-standing pupil of Miss Salmon, has been accepted into Elmhurst School for Dance in Birmingham. We wish him every success as he starts his full time training. Liam was introduced to ballet by Miss Salmon, after spotting his talent in a creative dance session, held at the Grange School, Monmouth, at the age of 10. He has since worked hard to catch up with other dancers, so his vocational place is a real achievement.
JUNE 2o11
ROYAL BALLET JUNIOR ASSOCIATE PROGRAMME
Congratulations to Ferne and Joshua for being accepted onto the Royal Ballet Junior Associate programme and also to Emma for being shortlisted – she will know if a space comes available next term. It is very exciting for such a small school to have so many promising young students. The hard work now begins though as Royal Ballet yearly assessments can be ruthless!
EXAMS
Exams - all exam children must attend their mock exam on Saturday 2 July or Sunday 3 July - times on the noticeboard at class. Please have full uniform and be on time.
march 2o11
SCHOLARSHIP AWARDED
Huge congratulations to Holly who has been awarded a scholarship to attend the prestigious Elmhurst School for Dance, which is affiliated with the Birmingham Royal Ballet. Holly has had weeks of grueling auditions and has really risen to the challenge. She has worked so hard these past few years and we wish her all the very best with her full time vocational training.
She hopes to be chosen for Birmingham Royal Ballet's professional production of The Nutcracker next year, and fingers crossed that we will all be there watching her on stage!
DECEMBER 2010
THE SLEEPING BEAUTY
Congratulations on a fantastic Christmas show! Nearly 80 pupils were dancing this year and many people have commented on the students' professionalism. A huge thank you to all the parent helpers who made the day go so brilliantly, and to everyone who supported it.
DVDs are now available from Dingestow Stores for £10 each. There are few spare for those who did not manage to pre-order, and more can easily be ordered.
SPRING TERM
Term begins on Sunday, 9 January. Invoices/end of term comments have now all been sent out. Please let Miss Salmon know if you have not received yours, as there is a £5 late payment fee for accounts not settled by the week commencing 9 January (first week of ballet term). Remember you can always pay electronically if that is more convenient, details can be found on your invoice.
PILATES
For those wanting pilates, strongly recommended for children considering auditions/vocational training, please note that Maja Baraskiewicz's details have changed to:
W: www.maja-fitness.co.uk
E: majab.fitness@gmail.com
M: 07852 676 333
NOVEMBER 2010
CONGRATULATIONS
Congratulations to Monnow Ballet's first ever vocational exam entries, Annabelle and Liam passed Intermediate Foundation with Merits and Alice a fantastic Distinction. Miss Salmon is thrilled with all their hard work and dedication which is needed to pass this difficult and high profile exam.
CHRISTMAS SHOW
The Sleeping Beauty is now on Sunday 5 December. Please see notices at class for any further changes/information.
Royal Ballet success
Liam has been accepted into the Mid Associate classes in London at the Royal Ballet School. He has worked very hard and we wish him the very best working at such a high level.
Liam is Monnow Ballet's second pupil to be accepted into the Royal Ballet associate programme, Holly, being the first, is now enjoying her third year, working diligently for the upcoming national auditions.
October 2010
October half term : Boys only!
Elias, Josh and Liam had a fantastic weekend at Cardiff Millennium Centre where they danced with just boys and were taught by renowned male choreographers and teachers. Miss Salmon saw their performance at the end of the course and thought it was fantastic, well done boys! Nice to be away from the girls for a change!
CHRISTMAS BALLET
The Christmas school performance of The Sleeping Beauty will be on Saturday, 4 December, at the Blake Theatre, Monmouth. All children Pre-primary up are welcome to take part. Letters will be handed out shortly with further details.
SEPTEMBER 2010
UNIFORMS
Ballet uniforms are now being sold at Dingestow Village Stores, next door to Dingestow Hall. There is a uniform list for each class in the shop and Myra Bowen is happy to answer any questions. If something is not in stock please pay for the item and it should be ready for collection the following week. Click here for details on opening hours or call 01600 740 664.
PIlates
New pilates classes with Maja Baraskiewicz on Wednesdays and Thursdays to further improve core strength and posture. For more details, please email Maja Baraskiewicz or call her on 07852 676333. The classes are suitable for 7+ years upwards.
AUGUST 2010
EXAMS RESULTS
Congratulations! All Monnow Ballet pupils passed their exams, with 24 Pre-primary and Primary medals and all Grade 1-5s gaining a Merit or Distinction.
A special mention to Emma, Josh, Tuesday-Rose, Liam, Holly and Alice for gaining the highest marks of the school.
JULY 2010
SUCCESSFUL AUDITIONS
Lucinda and Ferne have been accepted onto the Primo Balletto Associate course in Abergavenny.
Holly has been accepted for her third year at the Royal Ballet Associate classes in Bristol.
Liam has also been accepted onto the London Senior Ballet programme with specialist boys' virtuosity classes.
JUNE 2010
EXAMS
Exam dates and times have been set for everyone, in Pre-Primary upwards, who has not recently moved into a new class or grade. Please note the mock exam is compulsory for all children. Exam times are on the noticeboard in the waiting area. Please check names and dates of birth for any mistakes (also on the noticeboard).
MAY 2010
CARLOS ACOSTA AT THE WMC!
Miss Salmon's senior students and boys were invited to see Magia de la Danza with the Ballet Nacional de Cuba. There was a guest appearance by the phenomenal Carlos Acosta and for most this was the first time they saw him dance. The show consisted of excerpts from classical ballets, all of them adapted, to a greater or lesser extent, by Alicia Alonso. It was quite a special evening. The students were mesmerised by the technique of all the dancers, especially how many turns the men did in one go (we counted seven), and how long the female dancers balanced on one foot on pointe whilst smiling beautifully! We lost count! After the show, a talk was given by Alicia Alonso, founder and principal choreographer of Ballet Nacional de Cuba.
vocational level ballet course
Liam and Alice travelled to Exeter with Miss Salmon to attend their first vocational level ballet course with other RAD students from the South West area. They found it challenging and fun and are determined to work hard for their exam next term.
FEBRUARY 2010
Monmouthshire Youth Ballet
Several of Monnow Ballet's pupils performed in the professional production of Les Sylphides with Monmouthshire Youth Ballet. Miss Salmon was so impressed with her students, that she saw all three performances. The dancing was technically very difficult and the students were pushed very hard to keep up with older students from around the county. It was a wonderful production and congratulations to them all!
royal ballet school
Holly was invited to attend a workshop at the Royal Ballet School, Covent Garden at half term, to learn the importance of court style dancing in ballet. Miss Salmon was also invited and they both thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
First pointe shoes
Alice has been fitted with her first pair of pointe shoes. Miss Salmon and Alice's family had an exciting trip to Bristol where Alice was told there are over 27 different styles of pointe shoes and was fitted with the ones that best suited her feet. It was a fun morning and Miss Salmon still doesn't know who was more excited!
JANUARY 2010
Christmas Show
Over 50 students from Monnow Ballet performed brilliantly in The Nutcracker in December.
The children worked very hard and looked fabulous in their costumes. The Nutcracker Prince was lent his costume from the Scottish Ballet's wardrobe (thank you Angela from MYB) and our youngest mouse, aged two, kept her ears on when helping to steal the cake!
The children managed to have a tech run, dress rehearsal and perform the show all in a Sunday afternoon! It was a fabulous day for everyone and Miss Salmon was very proud of all the children.
DECEMBER 2009
Monmouthshire Youth Ballet
Amelia has been accepted into this new project as one of their youngest dancers and Alice has been awarded a scholarship after she was seen practising for our Nutcracker production. Well done Amelia and Alice! They are very excited about performing Les Sylphides in February.
Christmas display information
This year's display will be The Nutcracker at The Blake Theatre, Almshouse Street, Monmouth NP25 3XP on Sunday, 6 December at 3.30pm.
For parents of students in the show, please see latest newsletter for more information on how the day will run.
November 2009
Awarded Scholarships
Holly and Liam were awarded scholarships to attend the new Monmouthshire Youth Ballet project in February. Holly and Liam attended an audition with ballet students from the whole Monmouthshire area. This is an exciting opportunity for both of them.
OCTOBER 2009
An Opportunity with THE European Ballet
The European Ballet come to Monmouth and students from Monnow Ballet were invited to be a part of their professional production of Sergei Prokofiev’s Cinderella at the Blake Theatre.
Eight girls were in full costume playing roles such as pages and lady guests. The fun part was being able to watch the professionals dance right in front of them!
July 2009
Congratulations to Holly who has been accepted for another year at the Royal Ballet Junior Associates classes in Bristol. The standard is extremely high and Holly is working very hard.
Holiday events
Trellech Dance
Every summer Miss Salmon runs Trellech Dance with Vicky Evans (BA Dance and PGCE). The week course consists of modern style dance and choreography to create a fun performance for family and friends. Children are encouraged to be as creative as possible and to help with costumes and props. Suitable for Reception to Year 6 students (5-11 years), who are divided into junior and senior groups.
The next summer's creative dance week will run from 9-14 August.
INTENSIVE BALLET COURSES
Intensive ballet courses are run for older students studying vocational grades and also for younger students who wish to continue their ballet in the holidays, all taught by Miss Salmon. These are usually two full days and cover syllabus work as well as conditioning exercises. Please enquire for further details.