Course Information

June 15 - June 27, 2009

Michael Vernon, director, IU Ballet Theater

All participants in the workshop must be over 18 years of age.

The Indiana University Jacobs School of Music strictly prohibits all forms of video or audio recording, or the taking of any photographs in this workshop

This course is intended to give both ballet dancers and choreographers a chance to study with a world class faculty, and also develop new ideas for choreography in both a studio setting and on stage.  By working in the professional ballet facilities at the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University, complete with ballet studios and performance venues, the two weeks will be devoted to working on the development of the dancers’ ballet technique and the choreographers’ vision and creative range of movement. 

After a morning of technique classes, with additional pointe, men’s and variations classes being offered, the afternoon will be devoted to classes, lectures and practical choreography sessions.  During these sessions, the choreographers will work on various, fully mentored, choreographic assignments, which will be executed by the dancers.  Finally the workshop will come to a conclusion with performances of the works created during the week.

Daily Schedule for Session I, June 15 - June 20:

9:30 – 11:00        Ballet technique

11:15 – 12:15      Pointe class/Men’s class

12:15 – 1:30        Lunch

1:30 - 2:.30         Partnering/Variations

2:30 – 3:30         Music appreciation 

                           This class will be devoted to listening to music and developing

                           ideas for the best association between music, dancing and

                           choreography.

3:30 – 5:30*        Choreography

                            These classes will comprise of exercises which will explore the various

                            aspects of building phrases using classical ballet steps.  These classes

                            will benefit the novice as well as the more experienced choreographer.

                            The ‘dancers’ will be used by the ‘choreographers’ to show their ideas.

                           *On Wednesday, these classes will be combined and offered by Bruce

                           Simpson.

There will be a public studio performance at the end of this session (Saturday, 11:00am - 12:00pm) to showcase the week’s variations and choreography classes.

Session I will end at noon on Saturday, June 20th.  An optional reception will follow from 12:00-1:00 p.m.

Daily Schedule for Session II, June 22 - June 27:

9:30 – 11:00        Ballet technique

11:15 – 12:15      Pointe class/Men’s class

12:15 – 1:30        Lunch

1:30 - 2:30           Partnering/Variations/Special Coaching

2:30 – 5:00*        Choreography 

                            This week these classes will comprise of assignments which the

                            'choreographers' will execute with a view to creating small sections of

                             choreography which will then be viewed, discussed and critiqued by

                             this week’s faculty, including guest choreographers.  Dancers will be

                             assigned to each choreographer so that all dancers are used in this

                             class.  Towards the end of the week, the sections choreographed will

                             be as long as 5/6 minutes and will comprise the main work to be

                             shown at the Saturday afternoon performance.

                             *On Wednesday these classes will be combined and offered

                              by guest faculty (faculty to be announced later).

5:00 – 5:30          Break

5:30 – 7:00          Presentation and discussion of the day’s choreographic assignments.

There will be a public theater performance at the end of this session (Saturday, 11:00 - 12:00pm) to showcase the week’s variations and choreography classes

Session II will end at noon on Saturday, June 27th.  An optional reception will follow from 12:00-1:00 p.m.

For questions related to course content please contact the workshop Director, Michael Vernon: vernonm@indiana.edu