Sizzling Summer Classes at San Francisco Ballet School

SF Ballet School’s Summer Adult Drop-In Classes Are Heating Up

Summertime in the San Francisco Ballet School studios is usually one of the busiest seasons of the year. And this summer, despite empty studios, the School is as lively as ever. A digital reimagining of adult, youth, and pre-ballet classes has kept both students and faculty on their toes.

Since June, the School has held nearly 130 classes each week via Zoom for students ages 4 and up. Faculty members teach ballet technique, world dance, pantomime, and more from their homes, and their reach has been highly expansive. Dancers from all over the world have tuned in, totaling 346 students ages 4-18 from all over the US, Iceland, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, UK, Portugal, and Philippines.

Offerings for adults are more robust than ever. SF Ballet School’s adult ballet classes have always been a hit with local dancers, but this summer, virtual classes are allowing far more students to join in the movement through drop-in classes offered each week. Ballet technique classes are held every weekday, in addition to dedicated classes for ballet mat, ballet for active seniors, and dance for people with Parkinson’s Disease.

Faculty member Anne-Sophie Rodriguez is teaching adult ballet technique and ballet mat classes this summer. About connecting virtually with her students, she says, “I have quite a few regulars I’ve never met in person but feel I have connected with nicely regardless, through our unofficial Q&As at the end of each class as well as giving personal corrections when possible. They also get a glimpse of my home life as I get one of theirs (and their adorable pets, playful kittens and fluffy dogs included!) which I think helps everyone feel as if we know one another without actually meeting.”

230 adults from all over the US, UK, Chile, Mexico, Canada, Croatia, France, Japan, South Korea, Peru, and more have joined SF Ballet School’s drop-in classes so far. Even with the drastic change in summer plans, SF Ballet School continues to bring the organization’s mission to life: to share the joy of dance to with the widest possible audience. Hundreds of people from across the world are dancing with the School this summer, and summer classes will run through August 29—will you join in on the fun?

Header Image: SF Ballet School Faculty member Pascal Molat and Lisa Giannone teach the upper levels a conditioning class on Zoom // © San Francisco Ballet