Entrechat Quarte

Dear Grade 6 girls,

Here is a video I found on batterie. It features an entrechat six (beating 2 times on every jump). What we did in class was a entrechat quarte (beat 1 time and close without change of feet). Look at the height that he gets into the air and the landing of every jump.



~Ms Lovell

Release of CSTD November 2008 Batch Examination Results

Dear all,

A total of 74 students of various grades attempted this examination. Overall, they did extremely well. The examiners had very good comments and were very pleased with the girls. Congratulations to all of you girls. Your hard work has paid off.
The examination is marked out of 100%. The passing mark is 65%.

Pre-Ballet
Honours plus (above 95) => 40%
Honours (85-94) => 30%
Highly commended (80-84) => 20%
Commended (75-79) => 10%
Pass Plus (70-74) => -----
Pass (65-70) => -----

Grade 1
Honours plus (above 95) => 25%
Honours (85-94) => 46%
Highly commended (80-84) => 29%
Commended (75-79) => -----
Pass Plus (70-74) => -----
Pass (65-70) => -----

Grade 2
Honours plus (above 95) => -----
Honours (85-94) => 85%
Highly commended (80-84) => 15%
Commended (75-79) => -----
Pass Plus (70-74) => -----
Pass (65-70) => -----

Grade 3
Honours plus (above 95) => -----
Honours (85-94) => 62%
Highly commended (80-84) => 31%
Commended (75-79) => 7%
Pass Plus (70-74) => -----
Pass (65-70) => -----

Grade 5
Honours plus (above 95) => -----
Honours (85-94) => 30%
Highly commended (80-84) => 30%
Commended (75-79) => 20%
Pass Plus (70-74) => -----
Pass (65-70) => 10%

Announcement!

Dear Parents and Girls,

There will be no classes from 8 Dec to 17 Dec 08 as I will away for holiday. Lessons will resume from 18 Dec 08 (Thurs) onwards.

~Ms Lovell

Lunch and pictures!

Dear Senior Girls,

Hope everyone had a good time as I did during lunch time today! As promised I posted the photos in facebook already. You can have a look. I thought this jump picture was quite cute, haha. So I posted it here to share with everyone.



~Ms Lovell

CSTD Exam Pictures

Dear Parents and Girls,

I have most of your pictures posted under the "pictures" section. Enjoy them and I hope everyone enjoyed their examinations very much! You can write to me in the "talking station" about how you felt about this exam if you like. :) If you need the higher resolution pictures please free feel to email me. I will send them to you as quick as possible.

Also be reminded that classes will be as usual, and I will see all of you back in class to learn new exciting stuff for the next grade!

~Ms Lovell

All the best for your examinations next week!

Dear Girls (Nov 08 examination batch),

I just wanted to wish everyone good luck for your ballet examinations next week! I know you have been working very hard and all of you should be looking forward to your examination day where you can show all you have learnt to the examiner.

All the scolding in class is for your own good and I believe everyone is the best they can be already! Do your best and most important show your lovely smile to the examiner.

All the best and see you all on your examination day! :)

~Ms Lovell

Class Schedule 2009 - Loyang Point Crestar

Updated as at 14 Aug 2009

Saturdays
9:15am - 10:00am > Pre Ballet
10:00am - 11:00am > Grade 1
11:00am - 12:00pm > Grade 3
12:30pm - 1:30pm > Grade 2
1:30pm - 2:45pm > Grade 6
2:45pm - 3:45pm > Grade 1
3:45pm - 4:30pm > Pre Ballet

Mondays
6:15pm - 7:30pm > Grade 6
7:45pm - 8:30pm > Pre Ballet (Coaching)

Note: All classes except NEW/On going classes are available through audition only. To arrange for an auditon, please email me @ lovellchia@gmail.com

Class Schedule 2009 - Jurong East Crestar

Updated: effective from Nov 2009

Sundays
9:00am - 9:45am > Primary
9:45am - 10:45am > Grade 2
10:45am - 11:30am > Bebe Ballet (started effective Oct 09)

12:30pm - 1:30pm > Grade 5
1:30pm - 2:30pm > Grade 3
2:30pm - 3:30pm > Grade 4
3:30pm - 4:30pm > Grade 2
4:30pm - 5:15pm > Grade 1
5:15pm - 6:00pm > Primary

Tuesdays
7:15pm - 8:00pm > Primary (Coaching)
8:00pm - 9:00pm > Grade 2 (Coaching)

Note: All classes except NEW classes are available through audition only. To arrange for an auditon, please email me @ lovellchia@gmail.com

Class Schedule 2009 - Hougang Crestar

Fridays

7:15pm - 8:00pm > Primary
8:00pm - 9:00pm > Grade 2
9:00pm - 10:00pm > Grade 2 (Coaching)

Note: All classes except on-going classes are available through audition only. To arrange for an auditon, please email me @ lovellchia@gmail.com

Open House for all Jurong East Nov 08 Exam Classes

Dear Parents and Girls,

Open house this sunday (9th Nov) at the following class times.
1045am - 1145am : Grade 1
1230pm - 130pm : Grade 3
130pm - 230pm : Grade 1
230pm - 330pm : Grade 2
430pm - 515pm : Pre Ballet

Cameras/Video cameras are allowed. Kindly ensure your daughter has a neat hair. See you!

~Ms Lovell

Does my child have a talent for ballet?

Dear Parents,

I have been asked this question at countless occasions throughout my teaching career. The moment I get this question from an anxious parent, I knew that they do not fully understand the meaning of dance education.

So what exactly is dance education? What does it instil in the students? Well, teaching dance does not only involve teaching the students dance steps. If it is really the case, everyone of my students above grade 5 can be dance teachers, since they already know the bulk of the ballet syllabus. In my dance class, teaching dance is teaching of confidence, concentration, discipline, grace and creativity to each of the students. If the student can achieve these qualities during their learning years, they have already mastered the essence of ballet. Even though their steps are not perfect, they are considered talented and good students in my eyes.

I have many students who are so called "perfect" dancers. They can dance all the steps taught to near perfection, but they do not move me. If they are dancing without expression and life, they will be considered dance students forever. They will never become dancers. Can you consider them talented in this case?

Yearly examinations are a good gauge of the student's dancer quality. They however are not a perfect gauge either as there is some form of subjectivity to it. However, they are the best available benchmark for a student to judge where they actually stand.

I adopt an "open-door" teaching style whenever I can. This is a very good way to build the student's confidence. However, I do get many overly anxious parents who stand at the door every week and correct their daughter by shouting across the room. They often forget that there is a ballet teacher standing in the room. They do not realise that their actions come across as disrespect and rude. What are they telling their daughters? They are telling them its okie to be rude! So please stop that if you are guilty of that.

Having said that, I certainly do not mind parents standing outside and taking notes to correct their daughter at home. In fact, this is what I want to encourage all parents to do!

Parents of young students in pre-ballet and primary must take note that your daughter will be easily distracted if you stand outside the door. I fully understand your anxiety to make sure your daughter is coping well. Do not set high expectations for your daughter, let her develop freely and most important stay very humble and be always ready to learn. Certainly DO NOT tell her things like "you are the best dancer in the whole class!", "your friends are not dancing as well as you!". Remember over-confident students lose the attitude and willingless to learn as they think they are the best already. These are the students who would ultimately fail. Of course, small words of encouragement "well done, girl!", "you did well today" are fine.

You are welcomed to check on her progress but do so discretely. Stand at a location where she cannot see you. Do avoid filming or taking photographs as this instils the wrong idea in your daughter that ballet is all about being pretty, posing and taking photos.

So parents, please avoid over-pressurising your daughter and let her develop freely. Over-pressurising will cause her to ultimately lose interest in dancing! Remember learning to dance is not all about learning the steps!

~Ms Lovell

2008 Asia Pacific Dance Compeition - Under 8 (1st Prize)

Dear Girls & Parents,

This was one of my entries in the recent asia pacific dance compeition. Vera had put in tremendous effort and hours of practice to achieve this. Well done, Vera!

Enjoy the video! Mindy's video will be up next! :)

~Ms Lovell

New Classes in Jurong East Crestar

Dear Parents,

I will be opening new classes at the following timings. Do help pass the news around to your friends or relatives. Many thanks for your support all these years!

Tuesday 515pm to 6pm Classical Ballet (4 yrs and above)
Wednesday 515pm to 6pm Classical Ballet (4 yrs and above)
Sunday 1045am to 1130am Classical Ballet (only starting in Sept 2009)

Tuesday and Wednesday classes will start as soon as we have enough students.

Sunday class will be for those turning/turned 4 years old in Sept 2009. Do keep this timing in mind!

For enquires, you can drop me an email or call 6665 7521 / 6560 8100. Be sure to tell the staff that you are enquiring about Ms Lovell's classes.

~Ms Lovell

Lessons as usual on 28th Oct to 2nd Nov

Dear Girls and parents,

All my lessons will be as usual on the above dates. Please come to class as usual. There will not be any breaks till December as we are now in the ballet examination season! Work hard everyone! See you all in classes!

CSTD November 2008 Examinations

Dear Parents & Girls,

Please note the following examination dates that has just been released by CSTD.

Date - Center - Examiner
18th November 2008 (Tuesday) - Hougang Grade 1 - Mrs Tilley
19th November 2008 (Wednesday) - Jurong East Grade 2 & 3 - Mrs Richards
20th November 2008 (Thursday) - Jurong East Pre Ballet & Grade 1 - Mrs Tilley
21st November 2008 (Friday) - Loyang Grade 5 - Mrs Tilley

I will be giving out an important letter which states the reporting time of the candidate. Please look out for that.

~ Ms Lovell

6 Year Old Ballerina Solo!

Dear Girls,

Please look at this video which shows a 6 year old ballerina dancing so beautifully and confidently on stage. Hope this will inspire all my little ballerinas to dance well!



~Ms Lovell

The search is now on!

2 girls from every grade will be choosen to do a video on the exam dances!! I will be observing every single one of you exam girls. Neatness of steps and expression is extremely important! Keep working hard and practising your dances!

Exam dates will be released very soon. Do look out for news on the exam dates and name of examiner on the website!

Replacement class for 23 Sept 08

Dear Jurong East Grade 2 & 3 girls,

The replacement class for 23 Sept 08 will be on 28 October 2008 (Tues) same coaching time. Please inform your mummies as we will not be giving you any letters.

~Ms Lovell

Do not miss any lessons from now till November exams!

Dear all november exam girls,

This is a crucial period as I will be teaching all the dances for the exam. Please do not miss any lessons from now till november examinations unless you are sick.

Remember to revise all the dance steps that we have learnt so far! Try to remember them well before coming to class again.

For all Jurong East girls: Please be reminded to submit your order forms for examination attire and examination hairdo by this sunday!

~ Ms Lovell

Where are my pictures dated before 2004?

Dear Girls,

Many of you are asking me where are your pictures earlier than 2004. Sorry to say that I have lost all of them as my old computer went out of order. So I only have pictures that are 2004 and after. If any of you have the older pictures, please share them with me. :) Many thanks.

~ Ms Lovell

Technique - Grand Plie

Dear Grade 3, 4 & 5 girls,

Please take a look at this video and pay special attention on how a grand plie is done. Remember is not about how high is my demi pointe. The demi pointe comes naturally as you plie.

Focus on
1) Opening your inner thigh muscles.
2) Pushing your knees to the side as much as possible
3) Keeping your hips down and in line with heels so that from the side, I should see a nice flat back line, not a sloping line.
4) Knees ALWAYS over/inline with your toes!!!



~ Ms Lovell

Welcome back!

Dear Girls and Parents,

Hope you enjoyed your september holidays! Just a little note to inform everyone that classes begins tomorrow. Starting 9 Sept, classes will resume at your usual class time! See you all!

~ Ms Lovell

Triple Pirouettes

Dear Grade 5 Girls,

Let's try this with single pirouette when we are back in class! This set looks interesting.



~ Ms Lovell

Everyone can dance!

Dear Girls,

Tears fell down my eyes while I was watching this video clip. It shows a dance performance by a man with only one leg and a lady with only one arm. They are physically handicapped but yet they can dance! If they can do it successfully, you all can too! This video tells us not to give up easily! It is no excuse to say that you are tired.

Enjoy!



~Ms Lovell

Why are we going splits and other stretches in class?

Dear girls,

I just want to clarify again the reason for doing stretches in class. The main reason is to make your little bodies more flexible. The key thing is not about whether you CAN do the split or other stretches or not. The key thing is to try your best and aim to go a little bit more every week. In doing so, you are increasing your flexibility. Before you know it, you can do all the stretches without any difficulty. Remember we are not having a competition with other girls, so do not make fun of girls that are not doing it well yet. Always stay humble!

Many girls give up due to the pain factor. As I always said in class, try your best. I will only come and "help" (push you down) if I see that you are not trying your best.

So, as long as you are trying your best, I will be very happy with you even though you cannot do the stretch very well! Keep stretching girls!

~ Ms Lovell

Thank you girls for all your well wishes and presents!

Dear girls,

Thank you very much for all the little presents. Also to all those girls who had come up to me to wish me a happy teacher's day and to those girls who had wished me happy teacher's day online or in their hearts, I have received them. Thank you! :)



Sorry if some of the presents were blocked or covered by another present. :p

~Ms Lovell

A Modern Ballet Video

Dear Girls,

I've got a lovely ballet video to share with all of you! Look and see which are the steps you have learnt in your ballet class. :)



~Ms Lovell

How to tie a ballet bun

Dear girls and mums,

Now you do not have any excuses that you don't know how to tie a bun! Please watch the video and practise at home. Use a hair net if necessary.



~ Ms Lovell

Examination Attire for Pre Ballet Girls

Dear Parents,

I understand that this is your little girl's first ballet examination. Do not be stressed or unduly worried. They will all do well if they work hard! Examiners are very nice people and are especially nice to little girls. So don't worry!

Just wanted to clarify regarding the required attire for their examinations. It will be pink leotard, pink skirt, long pink tights and leather ballet shoes. See picture below.

Credits: Little Yee Lei, Ystelle & Amanda from Crestar Jurong East

You may place orders for those items that you do not have with me. See "Online Ballet Shop".

~Lovell

Online Ballet Shop

How to order:

1) Please email your orders (stating the item, size and quantity) to lovellchia@gmail.com
2) I will reply with the total order cost (including postage) and the details for payment.
3) In stock items will be posted to you with 1 week.

Items are as follows:
1) Bloch Ballet Tights

Price: $15.00
Sizes available:
8 (for height up to 1.43m)
10 (for height 1.44m and above)


2) Bloch Ballet Shoes

Price: $26.00
All sizes available. Please quote your daughter's old shoe size when ordering.

3) Ballet Belt (pink)
Price: $3.00

4) Pink short sleeve ballet leotard
Price: $25.00

5) Pink ballet skirt
Price: $18.00

Please place your orders with me in class or through lovellchia@gmail.com

~Lovell Chia

5 Basic Position of Arms

Here's a video for the little ones to introduce them to the 5 most basic position of the arms.


Special thanks to my little model: Glenda Tan of Crestar Jurong East

2 Most Common Posture Mistakes in Class

Dear girls,

I have seen so many of these 2 mistakes happening in class. Take a close look at yourself in the mirror and see whether you have such a problem. Also, I would most likely have told you in class about it and the correction method.

Correct these mistake (if you have them) is vital for you future training and will benefit you greatly in future grades if you do not have such body posture. These mistake CAN be corrected with consistant effort and constant reminder.

In this post, I will teach you how to correct them. This is especially for girls who have not been paying attention in my classes.

Mistake #1 - Knocked Knees

Knocked knees is a condition whereby the inner legs are relatively longer than the outer legs. If you have knocked knees you will find it extremely difficult to stand in 1st position with your heels touching. So in order to stand with fully stretched knees you will end up standing with one knee in front of the other. (see picture "knocked knees).

This is WRONG and will cause more serious damage to your growing legs. Therefore you will need to correct yourself by standing with the knees touching side by side. In doing so, you will notice a little gap in between your heels. This is acceptable. Do not worry about that. (see picture "corrected")

Mistake #2 - Swayed / ached back

Swayed back is a condition whereby you will find your tummy protuding out from you waist and your hips "sticking" out. I always call that position a "Donald Duck" position in class.




Credits: Yeo Rei of Crestar Hougang

Look at the picture "swayed/arched back". When you stand like this in class, you are not strengthening your tummy muscles and hence will not improve in your ballet. This posture will hinder you in future grades will you learn turns and when you start wearing your pointe shoes.

You have to correct it by pushing the tummy backwards, thinking of your belly-button touching your spine. Drop your hips down so that they are in line with you legs and not protuding out.

After you think about all these, you will be able to stand just like the girl in the "corrected" picture. Remember: tummys IN, chest slightly forward and in line with your toes, shoulders down and hips in line with the legs.


~ Ms Lovell

Progression of the CSTD syllabus

Here's the progression and estimated age of the CSTD syllabus. Age will greatly depend on the age that you started your ballet and also your ability and hardwork.

CSTD syllabus focus on development of enjoyment of dance and is a performance based dance syllabus with a lot of emphasis on the solid knowledge of ballet vocabulary. Ballet vocabulary will be tested in the examinations from grade 1 onwards.

With a strong knowledge of ballet vocabulary and excellent footwork, you will be strongly equiped to further your dance career as a dancer or teacher. Even if you do not wish to be a dancer or teacher, you will have gained in depth knowledge of ballet, poised and displicine.

Children's Syllabus
Pre Grades
- Pre Ballet (4-6 years)
- Primary (5-7 years)

Lower Grades
- Grade 1 (7-8 years)
- Grade 2 (8-9 years)
- Grade 3 (9-10 years)

Upper grades
- Grade 4 (10-11 years)
- Grade 5 (11-12 years)
- Grade 6 (11- 13 years)

Majors Syllabus (must have grade 6 to proceed to this level)
- Sub Elementary
- Elementary (can go for teacher's certificate exam after you have passed elementary)
- Intermediate (can go for teacher's diploma exam after you have passed intermediate)

The correct way to hold your skirts

Dear girls and parents,

Many times I realise that little ones hold their skirts wrongly. This can affect the posture as well as the aesthetic line of the little dancer.

The correct way to hold the skirt is as above.
- The skirts forms a semi - circle from right waist to left waist.
- Arms are fully stretched.
- Wrists are relaxed.

~ Lovell