We are thrilled to welcome this year’s Sugar Plum Cavalier, Jon Drake, back to Wichita! Jon will be teaching a wide array of master classes January 18th – 21st. Be sure to sign-up quickly as we can only accommodate a certain number in each class. The schedule and class descriptions are listed below and all classes will be held at the Ballet Wichita Studio.
NOTE! the Thursday ADULT CLASS is RESCHEDULED due to flight cancellations; see new time below.
Thursday, January 18th
Adult Class | 5:15-6:15pm
Saturday, January 20th
Music Theatre Class | 4:00-5:00pm
Sunday, January 21st
Beginner Ballet Class | 1:00-2:00pm
Intermediate Ballet Class | 2:15-3:15pm
Advanced/Pre Pro Ballet Class | 3:30-4:45pm
Choreography Class | 5:00-5:45pm
Class Descriptions
Beginner Ballet Class ($25; free to Ballet Wichita Company Members)
Don’t be fooled by the name. This class ranges from those that have little to no experience to those with a solid single pirouette. We begin with roughly a 45 minute barre and followed by 15 minutes of center work. Focusing on the foundation of the ballet principles and terminology needed to command the dancer body. For those who participated in the New Nutcracker, this class would encompass our party kids and cookies.
Intermediate Ballet Class ($25; free to Ballet Wichita Company Members)
A solid understanding of ballet basics is needed. Generally several years of training have been completed at this point. The class will be a standard barre exploring specialized exercises and techniques more in depth. This is for those working fully developed combinations with multiple turns and learning how to apply the basic techniques on the open floor. For those who participated in the New Nutcracker, this class would generally encompass our mice and soldiers.
Advanced/Pre Pro Ballet Class ($25; free to Ballet Wichita Company Members)
A class for those with years of study behind them and an advanced knowledge of the ballet dance style. This class focuses on higher difficulty and moves at a swift pace. We look at finishing touches and how to approach specific situations from a technical and artistic standpoint. Advanced students and those considering a career in dance will find this the best fit. For those who participated in the New Nutcracker, this class would generally encompass our snowflakes and Act II Variation dancers.
Adult Class ($15)
Always wanted to dance? Used to Dance? Just want to not spend a boring night at the gym? This is your class. All levels welcome. We focus on the therapeutic benefits of dance. Flexibility, Core Strength, Stamina are the focus of this class. Do as little or as much as you need, no judgment here. Get back in shape or just get moving again.
Musical Theater Class ($35)
A class built more in the New York audition style. Very brief warm up before jumping right into choreography. In this class we will tackle 2-3 combinations integrating some of the old standards and the new stuff coming from both coasts. A fast moving class with basic dance experience needed.
Choreography Session ($25)
This is where we put it together, break the rules and experiment with how far we can push the artistic envelope. Several excerpts from some of Jon Drake’s choreographies and a few new ideas have been selected. The class will explore style, timing and artistry. Working to help each dancer bring out the best and most interesting version of what they learn, the class is only 45mins of very fast paced work. Jon Drake pulls from classical, contemporary, and several other techniques and stage craft to make this one of a kind class. This is an excellent chance for dancers to learn and interpret new material.
About Jon
Native of Mississippi, Jon began as a gymnast, competing at national and international levels. Jon trained with the Vienna Opera House and the Stuttgart Company School (John Cranko Academy). He has been principal dancer or guest to many companies including Dusseldorf Ballet, Ballet Met, and Oregon Ballet Theater. He has worked with Twyla Tharp, William Forsythe, Rasta Thomas and also been a part of several national musical tours (Dirty Dancing, West Side Story). Jon has won awards for choreography, dancing and coaching including international dance competitions and IBC.
If you have any questions, or need help with filling out this form, please call us at (316) 687-5880.
