You love BALLET, right? Or you wouldn't be here. Maybe you're even obsessed with it like I am. It' s in your bones, your blood. Maybe, like me, you get a little teary just standing on a stage or in a studio, because it's like home. It calls you, you can't walk away.
You go to class to find the grace, the control, the style, that makes you feel strong, or beautiful, or free. But it isn't quite enough - you feel like you're never good enough.
Imagine what it would be like to dance TOTALLY FREE - free of worry, free of that inner self-criticism, free of technical limitations!
Technique is elusive. Musicality is hard. Line? How do you achieve something as nebulous as 'line'? I myself struggle with a million things. I feel you. The mirror is a tyrant that spotlights all of our inadequacies. We wish it wasn't there sometimes.
So think.... when was the last time you felt SEEN in a ballet class? Seen for what you're good at? Told what your strengths are, what makes you, unique? Told why you SHOULD keep dancing, rather than why you're not good enough?
Listen, chasing after perfection, like most of the ballet world does, is not going to make you happy, because perfection does not exist and most of us cannot achieve it (I'm pretty damn sure even Sylvie Guillem would agree with me here, so.... yeah, that would prove it conclusively).
I could tell you that I'm a kick-ass ballet technique teacher with x-ray vision, which is true. But really, what I think most people really NEED, is to believe in themselves.
How? By understanding your uniqueness because you've been SEEN, HEARD, and UNDERSTOOD. By looking in the mirror and being able to say "I am GOOD at XYZ" and to ENJOY YOURSELF because of that.
So here's the deal. You learn from me, and you're going to get ALL of that. Kick-ass technique, but also, SEEN as a person. As a personality. As a dancer. As a heart and soul with needs and desires. That's what happens here, at Ballet Alchemy, in my one-on-one programmes, and in my communities.
Imagine staying stuck. Imagine never being sure if it's worth continuing with ballet. Imagine never being sure what you're REALLY capable of. Imagine the pain of staying invisible.
IMAGINE being seen, heard, and understood.
SO THAT YOU CAN:
- be free of the tyranny of the mirror's critique
- be freed up in your TECHNIQUE with a whole new EPIC level of body awareness and understanding.
- be free of the crushing weight of comparing yourself to others
- be free TO DANCE BETTER and WITH YOUR WHOLE HEART
HOW TO GET STARTED
Ballet is my tool. I can show you how it will give you, the strength, knowhow, grace, and flexibility, to be free. To move freely, to have emotional freedom. (Whaaaat? Yes.)
I've always been a free spirit and I don't fit naturally into the ballet box. A bit quirky, bit of a rebel in the ballet world. But that free-thinking way has meant I am tirelessly finding new pathways of becoming better, freer, and more joyful.
Many people think they can't dance. I disagree. You just need to find your groove, your confidence, your ability to relax and release.
More joy, more freedom, more dancing. That's what life is all about if you ask me.
Belief #2
Ballet is Magic
There are many types of dance and I love pretty much all of them. But Ballet is the thing that saved me.
It has an endless history and an endless learning curve; it's always an adventure. It is life-giving. Hm. I wonder who the goddess of ballet would be? Drop me a line if you know.
Belief #3
You can be a ballet dancer.
You can learn strength, technique, flexibility, grace, and style, no matter who you are.
Absolutely. Fight me. ;)
I will die on this mountain, all 5'2" of me, hahahaha.
I'm here for you!
I'm more excited than anything
About the Ballet Alchemy Mentoring programme. It's the richest, most potent offering I can give you, to input all my best work, into your life, over the course of 6 months. I know what it's like to be passionately in love with ballet, yet frustrated and wanting more. Let me come alongside you. Let me download 45 years of dancing wisdom into you.
More Kind Words...
Maria
"Miss Nicola, you'd better not leave, because now that we've had you, we just wouldn't cope with anyone else"
Ava
"Best ballet teacher in the world."
Cherry
"I always check the timetable for your classes so I can be sure not to miss them."
Professional Life
Technical Background
I was trained as a child in RAD classical ballet up to Advanced. I also trained in commercial jazz, neoclassical dance, & drama.
In tertiary studies, I had a thorough grounding in Martha Graham technique, Rambert technique with Leigh Warren, Release technique, Flamenco, yoga, & Pilates.
I trained further with teachers from Rambert Ballet, the Royal Ballet, London Festival Ballet, & American Ballet Theatre.
Teaching Career
I began teaching ballet at age 14, & never stopped.
I have taught classical ballet, Cunningham, Graham, & Release contemporary dance, movement meditation, preschool dance & Senior's classes.
I have taught in London, Scotland, Sydney, Adelaide and Singapore.
Directed Oasis Dance and Drama School, 2009-2019.
Tertiary Qualifications
BA in Dance at Adelaide University with David and Simi Roche, Leigh Warren & Dancers, & Terry Simpson.
Diploma: London Contemporary Dance School
studying choreography under Robert Cohan, founder of London Contemporary Dance Theatre.
Other Qualifications:
Diploma -Exercise to Music
Teacher's & Examiner's Certificate - Living Dance International Ballet Syllabus
Progressing Ballet Technique Teaching Certificate
Professional Experience
Toured to Wellington, NZ with Adelaide Uni graduation co.
UK: Dancer & Choreographer for Revolution & Evolution dance seasons, The Place Theatre, London's Institute of Contemporary Art, Queen Elizabeth Hall, & music festivals by The Big Chill.
Dancer at the Chelsea Ballet, and my favourite - Rowton Castle.
Contemporary dancer & Choreographer in Sydney, Australia, with Stretch Mk1, Ask Dance Theatre, Charisma Dance, Emotive Arts, Mystique productions.
Director of Mercury Dance Theatre 1997-2000, Charisma Dance 2001-2004, Sydney Ballet Theatre 2013-15.
Writer for "Leaping" dance magazine & the London Arts Board. Self-published "Vesa Nova" Movement Meditation Manual. Co-wrote the diploma of dance course offered by Queensland TAFE colleges.
