Beginner Ballet

Beginner Ballet classes at Peridance have several instructor options. Please see instructor methods & styles below and choose an instructor that best aligns with your needs and wants:

1) Martha Chapman has performed with NYC Opera Ballet, NJ Ballet, Eugene Ballet in Oregon, Ontario Ballet Theater, in the Edinburgh Festival, with Cork City Ballet in Ireland and at Lincoln Center Out-of-Doors with a repertory spanning classics like The Sugar Plum Fairy to “Shakers” by American modern-dance pioneer Doris Humphrey and works by Graham and Hawkins company members. She is a Co-Director for Omega Dance Company where she has performed and choreographed for almost 20 years and has choreographed and set works for the National Cathedral in Washington DC, Cathedral of St. John the Divine, St. Ignatius of Loyola and other settings. She directs Dance Ministries at The Church of the Village whose famous annual Christmas Pageant features tap-dancing sheep, and where Omega is now an Artist-in-Residence. In addition, Martha is also a faculty member of Dancewave in Brooklyn.

Class Description: Her classes provide a supportive environment where dancers receive detailed instruction on placement and alignment tailored to their individual body structures, fostering the visualization of energy lines and precise initiation of movement forces. From foundational exercises to advanced levels, students benefit from clear breakdowns of vocabulary, repetition for strength-building, and progression towards more intricate steps and faster tempos, encouraging growth and mastery in their practice.

Schedules: Mondays 11:30AM-1:00PM; Wednesdays 11:30AM-1:00PM; Thursdays 11:30AM-1:00PM

2) Yuka Kawazu was born in Kanagawa, Japan. She has performed throughout the United States and Japan as corps, soloist and principal dancer with many distinguished ballet and theater companies. In the past, Yuka has served as ballet mistress for the Staten Island Ballet Company among others. Yuka is a regular faculty member at several New York City studios, including Ballet Arts, Peridance Capezio Center and Broadway Dance Center. She was also a faculty member of New Dance Group and the 92nd Street Y Harkness Dance Center. She has choreographed performances at several theaters including the Alvin Ailey Theater, Symphony Space, The Sylvia & Danny Kaye Playhouse and others. Yuka is the Artistic Director of Yuka Kawazu’s Danse En L'Air, a young, vibrant, and exciting dance company. Her choreographic vision uses the traditional ballet form combined with the expressiveness and immediacy of theater dance to make the company accessible to all audiences.

Class Description: This class aims to solidify classical ballet fundamentals, emphasizing clean lines, core strength, and precise placement to enhance students' centering and readiness for advanced training. Students will hone their technique, focusing on proper placement, rhythm, and musicality, while also developing dynamic movement and refining their understanding of muscle engagement and body alignment to improve turns, placement, and overall line.

Schedules: Tuesdays 11:30AM-1:00PM; Fridays 11:30AM-1:00PM

3) Julia K. Gleich, a prominent figure in contemporary ballet, has extensive experience as a choreographer and educator, including teaching at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance and serving as Head of Choreography at London Studio Centre. As the Artistic Director of Gleich Dances and Co-Founder of Norte Maar, she has made significant contributions to the arts scene, garnering recognition such as the University of Utah Fine Arts Distinguished Alumni Award in 2014. Her innovative approach to teaching, rooted in her "Vector Theory" of movement generation and analysis, coupled with kinesiological principles and mental imagery, fosters a holistic and joyful learning environment, reflected in the success of her students who have pursued diverse professional dance careers internationally. Gleich believes that a broad and inclusive approach to dance yields the best results in art and life.

Class Description: Discover the perfect beginner's ballet class in NYC, welcoming individuals from all backgrounds, including athletes, actors, and artists. With a focus on building movement confidence and increasing physical awareness, the class provides access to 21st-century ballet techniques, aiming to inspire and motivate while delivering a fulfilling workout infused with the joy of ballet.

Schedules: Tuesdays 5:30PM-7:00PM; Saturdays 3:00PM-4:30PM