There’s more to dance classes than classical pirouettes and jazz hands. Now you can try circus dancing.
STORY: NICOLA CECCATO. PHOTOGRAPHY: MEGAN FISHER.
Total Ballet is off and running this year with classes for all ages and skills, while shaking it up with a new dance style.
It is the first dance school in Shepparton to offer dance cirque after receiving training from Dance Cirque Australia, and is currently in the second year of running it.
Total Ballet principal Megan Lloyd said she was always looking for ways to accommodate the various needs and personalities of the school’s dancers, which was why she started dance cirque classes.
“It’s a popular class. We decided to offer the kids in the area something different,” Megan said.
“We found that a lot of kids enjoyed jazz classes and we wanted to do something fun and upbeat for them.”
The class teaches students circus dancing, which incorporates a variety of talents including aerial skills like silks and lyra hoops, juggling, hula hoops and basic tumbling skills.
No matter what the class, Megan drives the dance school with a passion for children having fun and doing their best.
“We like to run our classes on the emphasis of fun instead of being perfect,” she said.
“It’s about letting the kids gain confidence and feel comfortable. As much as I love learning the skills and getting things right, I want the kids to enjoy it first.
“Our doors are open to students all the time. They are more than welcome to try a class and see if it suits them.
“We are very welcoming and we just want kids to learn dance skills and have fun.”
Total Ballet offers a range of classes, including kinder dance, classical ballet, contemporary, tap, jazz/hip hop, pre-school aerobatics and flexibility classes.
For more information or to enrol your child in a Total Ballet class, go online to www.totalballet.com.au or email totalballet@bigpond.com or phone 0407 221 106.