A Ballet Weekend with Jonette Swider

The Dance Hub is thrilled to present an inspiring two-day
weekend workshop with master teacher Jonette Swider!

Jonette welcomes ballet students at any level to join her.

About the Workshop

Take this opportunity to study with Jonette and gain experience into the roots of the Cecchetti technique and how it applies to ballet today. Among many other teachers, Jonette studied extensively with Cecchetti’s disciple Vincenzo Celli and continues the legacy of the original Cecchetti method. As well as running her own studio for eighteen years, she has taught for the Joffrey Ballet, Complexions, and for Joe Tremaine’s Dance Conventions.

On day one, suitable for dancers of all levels, Jonette will teach a Cecchetti technique class and will clearly break down the steps and movements for you. Then, she will give an hour-long Floor Barre, supporting greater strength, mobility, healthy alignment, and injury prevention for dancers.

On day two, suitable for dancers of all levels, Jonette will teach a technique class that applies the Cecchetti method to contemporary ballet training, followed by a ballet variation class. (wear ballet slippers or pointe shoes) Modifications for different experience levels will be given for both her technique class and variations class.

Saturday, January 25 (all levels)

  • 11:00-12:30 Ballet technique class. Jonette will break down basic Cecchetti work.
  • Short Break
  • 12:45-1:45 Floor Barre

Sunday, January 26 (all levels)

  • 11:00-12:30 “Dancey” ballet technique class
  • Short Break
  • 12:45-1:45 Ballet variation TBD

Jonette Swider, Master teacher

Jonette Swider, Master teacher

Jonette Swider is an acclaimed Dancer, Choreographer, and Teacher. She trained in New Orleans, Cannes, France, under Rosella Hightower, and New York City, under Vincenzo Celli. She is anonymously known to millions worldwide as the ballerina-model in the Harvey Edwards Dance Posters. Jonette has performed worldwide as a Principal Ballerina with many classical ballet productions. She toured with Tremaine Conventions for 7 years teaching ballet and continues to judge various competitions. Jonette dedicated 20 years to the Jonette Swider Ballet Center in Los Angeles, choreographing and producing several full-length children’s ballets. She has produced, directed, and performed in numerous dance educational videos. Jonette taught as an adjunct lecturer at a AMDA College of the Performing Arts in Los Angeles for 5 years. She continues to teach master classes and enjoys handing down the ballet tradition with an artistic and pure emphasis on strong technique, and inspiration for the love of dance.

The Cecchetti Method

A precise formula, establishing perfect balance as applied to the human body, is the starting point of Cecchetti’s theory. The Method establishes a purity of classical line, an exquisite elegance in the arm movements and incomparable agility without apparent effort. From this balance and equilibrium comes the coordination of both upper and lower body that enables the Dancer to execute
any technical feat desired, with fluidity and ease.

The program of this Method varies daily from Monday through Saturday, but the weekly regimen is constant. The adagio and allegro movements likewise vary so that different types of steps are practiced on different days. Each exercise must be performed to the left as well as right. Thus, by varying the types of steps, no one set of muscles is ever overstrained or forced. The development is gradual but positive. The pupil becomes the Master of a complete vocabulary.

Vincenzo Celli’s Memoirs

Vincenzo Celli and Jonette Swider

FLOOR BARRE CLASS with JONETTE SWIDER

  • Attain body alignment and correct muscular movement with a series of non-stressful exercises.
  • Lengthening, Strengthening, and Centering.
  • Release tension for ALL FORMS OF MOVEMENT.
  • Beneficial for injuries and preventing injuries.

We would like to thank Best Western Plus Santa Barbara, 2220 Bath St, for providing accommodations for our guest teachers.

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