Australian Competitions Club

http://www.danceaustralia.com.au/news/my-beginner-pointe-giveaway

My Beginner Pointe giveaway!

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Vicki Attard and Lisa Howell share a philosophy about training for pointe work. Attard is a former principal dancer of the Australian Ballet who is now head of the Semi-Professional Program at Academy Ballet school in Sydney, while Howell is a dance physiotherapist. They have collaborated on this 4 DVD set, My Beginner Pointe, to bridge “the gap between your first pair of shoes and pre-professional training”.

So careful and thorough is this program that the first DVD begins with no pointe work at all. Instead Howell details some basic strengthening exercises for the feet and the body which, as she says, are useful as warm-up at any stage of a dancer’s career. Turn out, knee and core abdominal muscles are identified and isolated, as are muscles of the feet.

On Disk 2 the correct fitting of shoes is explained, as are the mysteries of “breaking them in” and tying ribbons. From here on Attard takes over. The class work she has designed develops from barre work (facing and holding on), with great attention to working through the demi and three quarter pointe, through to centre work, which finishes at its most advanced with pique turns en dedans and dehors.

The the fourth and final disc is an audio CD of the musical accompaniment (familiar ballet music beautifully played and arranged by Franz Weindl).

My Beginner Pointe is designed as a “prequel” to Attard’s earlier DVD My Pointe DVD, in which the exercises are more advanced. Howell has previously published The Perfect Pointe Book.

The exercises are demonstrated by the beautifully groomed pupils Millie Garrick, Imogen Hoile, Francesca Guerrera and Emily McDougall.

This DVD set is highly recommended for pupils, teachers and parents.

-- KAREN VAN ULZEN

 
Dance Australia has SIX copies of this beautiful four DVD set to give away, courtesy of Vicki Attard and Lisa Howell! Each set is valued at  $150 but can be yours for absolutely FREE just by entering our give-away.

All you have to do is email nina@danceaustralia.com.au with your name, phone number and postal address!

THIS OFFER IS OPEN TILL JANUARY 31.

Limit of one entry per person.

BUT WAIT – THERE’S MORE! Dance Australia readers who want to buy My Beginner Pointe will receive an exclusive 10 per cent discount! Simply go to www.mybeginnerpointe.com and key in the code DANCEAUS14 (case sensitive). Offer is open till January 31. The offer is available ALSO for the complete set (including My Pointe DVD).

So whatever you do, you can’t lose! Buy at a discount AND/OR enter our giveaway!