Inspire
Our Inspire seminars are six one-day seminars that explore the foundations of classical ballet technique, more advanced elements of technique and artistry, and good teaching practice.
Engage with fellow passionate dance professionals to reflect on your practice, enhance your skills, and expand your knowledge of dance teaching. Your seminar leader will guide you through the theory behind each topic, you’ll gain an understanding of the concepts and be supported to apply them to enhance your teaching practice.
Each seminar can be attended individually or as an Intensive comprising all six seminars. The seminars can be taken in any order. However, we recommend teachers start with ‘The foundations of classical ballet,’ and take ‘Good teaching practice’ after completing the first four seminars for a comprehensive learning experience.
Feedback from Inspire students
I thoroughly enjoyed the seminar and have taken away a huge breadth of knowledge on the key components of classical ballet. I’ve noticed a real shift in my current personal practice of class also, which in turn will inform my future teaching greatly.
The knowledge and feedback I received were shared in a humble and enthusiastic manner, creating the perfect environment for learning. I have attended many seminars and workshops over the years, but this has been the most impactful by far. I signed up to be inspired but didn’t expect to feel as motivated and excited as I do now.
The seminar was informative and has given me some further strategies for teaching. The tutor was excellent, very knowledgeable and approachable. As someone who has taught for forty years, the Inspire seminars have, so far, refreshed and renewed my desire to teach the wonderful art of classical ballet.
Topics covered
Aims:
- A practical workshop for teachers that explores the basic concepts of classical ballet technique
- To highlight the importance of the foundations of classical ballet technique, including posture, placement, use of turn-out and weight placement
- To explore the mechanics and aesthetics of port de bras
- To introduce the concept of good teaching, leading towards developing a personal teaching philosophy.
Outline:
- Overview of the foundations of technique
- Practical application of the foundations of technique
- Port de bras: line and coordination
- What makes a good teacher?
Aims:
- To explore how we learn to dance through motor learning
- To analyse the vocabulary of classical ballet that is taught at the barre
- To develop skills in teaching barre work.
Outline:
- Motor learning: how do we learn to dance?
- Barre work: practical application, observation and analysis.
Aims:
- To explore how students learn and effective teaching practice
- To analyse the vocabulary of classical ballet that is taught in centre practice
- To highlight how classical ballet vocabulary progresses from the barre to the centre
- To develop skills in teaching centre practice
- To explore effective communication
- To develop skills in the demonstration of enchaînement and the use of voice in delivering a lesson.
Outline:
- How do we learn? How should we teach? An introduction to learning and teaching
- Centre work: practical application, observation and analysis
- Demonstration, the use of voice and communication.
Aims:
- To analyse the allegro section of classical ballet vocabulary
- To highlight how allegro is developed at the barre and in the centre
- To develop skills in teaching allegro
- To develop skills in lesson planning and time management.
Outline:
- Allegro: practical application, observation and analysis
- Lesson planning and time management.
Aims:
- To analyse pointe work for students at different levels of training
- To develop skills in teaching pointe work
- To develop skills in enchaînement construction
- To explore the concepts of motivation and effective feedback.
Outline:
- Pointe work: pre-pointe training, initial pointe training, developing strength and control on pointe, and introduction to advanced vocabulary
- Enchaînement construction
- Motivation and effective feedback.
Aims:
- To gain practical experience in setting, demonstrating and correcting enchaînements
- To develop effective teaching skills
- To highlight the importance of developing artistry in tandem with technique.
Outline:
- Developing and delivering an enchaînement
- Épaulement, style and artistry.
Booking
Booking for academic year 2024/25 is now open
Want to be the first to hear about our teacher training?
Course fees
See upcoming seminars for individual course fees.
Student teacher discount:
We offer three discounted places per seminar/intensive for student teachers attending an Inspire seminar in the UK. Use the required discount code to book (available to view on the booking form).
Please note a form of student ID must be shown when you attend the seminar.
ATAP teachers and members of the Teacher Training Fellowship: 10% discount per seminar
Current or former professional dancers can access funding for Inspire from Dancer’s Career Development. Check your eligibility here.
Upcoming seminars 2024/25 – Open for booking
August
Date
17-22 August 2025
Inspire Intensive, Hong Kong
Six Inspire seminars over six consecutive days.
All seminars include theoretical and practical study, class discussion and reflection.
Length of day: 6.5 hours (typically 10.00-16.30 with breaks)
Location
Hong Kong
Hong Kong Ballet studios
6/F, S22, 22 Heung Yip Road,
Wong Chuk Hang,
Hong Kong
Eligibility
Teachers from all backgrounds, from student to experienced teachers, aged 18+ years old
Fees
Six seminars: £1260 (includes digital resource)
Inspire resource: £150 (including postage and handling)
Booking
Booking closes 31 July 2025
Places are offered on a first-come, first-served basis, book early to avoid disappointment.
Events closed for booking
October 2024
Date
29 and 30 September, 1 and 2 October 2024
Day 5: 3 October 2024
Inspire Intensive, Australia and online via Zoom
Join The Royal Ballet School in Melbourne for a five-day Inspire Intensive.
Teachers who can’t attend the seminars in person may participate online via Zoom.
Days 1 – 4 will cover the Inspire seminars, and Day 5 will offer participants the opportunity to participate in a bespoke collaboration event with The Royal Ballet School and The Australian Ballet School, including roundtable discussions, presentations, and a health and wellbeing workshop.
All seminars include theoretical and practical study, class discussion and reflection.
Days 1-4: 10.00-17.45 (including 1.5 hour break)
Day 5: 9.00-11.00 (roundtable) and 12.15-14.30 (health and wellbeing workshop)
Course overview
- Overview and application of the foundations of classical ballet technique
- Practical and observational analysis of how to teach barre work and port de bras
- Exploration of the concept of good teaching practice, leading towards the development of a personal teaching philosophy.
- Overview of motor development and learning in relation to the teaching of dance
- Practical and observational analysis of the skills involved in teaching centre practice and pirouettes
- Strategies to develop effective communication to optimise student learning
- Analysis and discussion of students’ learning needs and styles and their implications for teaching.
- Overview of the development of allegro and artistry
- Practical and observational analysis of the effective performance of allegro
- Exploration of aspects of style and artistry through practice
- Introduction to the ingredients of effective lesson planning and developing an understanding of motivation and effective feedback.
- Overview of the teaching of pointe work from pre-pointe training to initial training and beyond
- Strategies to develop students’ strength and control on pointe
- Enchaînement construction and delivery with opportunities for feedback.
Roundtable discussion: Communication in the dance studio – the key to effective learning with The Australian Ballet School and The Royal Ballet School (9.00 – 11.00)
Chaired by Sally Basser, with panel members, Megan Connelly, Lynette Wills, Andrew Murphy, Teagan Lowe, Mark Annear and Karen Berry.
- Discuss key factors contributing to effective learning and the impact of traditional pedagogy on studio culture, feedback and mindset
- Contribute to recommendations for effective communication to be shared across the industry, with the goal of developing a directive.
The Australian Ballet School health and wellbeing workshop (12.15 – 14.30)
Presented by Artistic Director and Head of School Megan Connelly, Head of Teaching & Learning Lynette Wills and Physiotherapist Gabrielle Davidson.
Pointe shoe fitting and pointe strengthening exercises
- How to correctly fit pointe shoes and demonstrate strength and conditioning exercises to provide ongoing support to dancers in their pointe work
- Explore how the size, shape and strength of a shoe contribute to the best fit and function
- Strategies for intrinsic muscles of the feet to develop stronger articulation and gluteal muscles to support the whole lower limb, along with enhancing proprioception for optimal balance and alignment on pointe.
Calf rise presentation and active workshop
- Tips to achieve the most effective technique, as well as why we do them and how many we do across different age ranges
- Participate in and be guided through a typical Australian Ballet School calf assessment.
Eligibility
Teachers from all backgrounds, from student to experienced teachers, aged 18+ years old
Fees
Inspire Intensive in-person (all 5 days): £1050 (£50 discount for booking all five days)
Inspire Intensive on Zoom (all 5 days): £630 (£30 discount for booking all five days)
Individual days in-person: £220
Individual days on Zoom: £132
A digital resource is included in the seminar fees.
Additional purchase:
Printed resource: £20
Bag and folder: £25
Bag only: £20
Booking
Booking is now closed.
Location
Australia or online via Zoom
The Australian Ballet School
2 Kavanagh Street
South Bank
Victoria, 3006
Local hotel Quest Southbank is offering a 25% discount for Inspire attendees. Please contact [email protected] for more information.
February
Date
17-20 February 2025
(four half days)
Inspire: Barre work and Allegro, Singapore
Inspire seminars Barre work and Allegro delivered over four half days.
All seminars include theoretical and practical study, class discussion and reflection.
Length of day: 3 hours (approximately 10.00 -13.00)
Location
Singapore
Singapore Ballet Limited
201 Victoria Street, Bugis+
07-02/03
Singapore 188067
Eligibility
Teachers from all backgrounds, from student to experienced teachers, aged 18+ years old
Fees
Singapore (two seminars): £450
A digital resource is included in the seminar fees.
Booking
Booking closes 12 February 2025
Places are offered on a first-come, first-served basis, book early to avoid disappointment.
April
Date
6-11 April 2025
Inspire Intensive, UK and online via Zoom
This Course is offered as six Inspire seminars over six consecutive days at The Royal Ballet School Upper School in London or online via Zoom.
All seminars include theoretical and practical study, class discussion and reflection.
Course overview
Day 1 (6 April) – The foundations of classical ballet
Day 2 (7 April) – Barrework
Day 3 (8 April) – Centre work
Day 4 (9 April) – Allegro
Day 5 (10 April) – Pointe work
Day 6 (11 April) – Good teaching practice
Length of day: 6.5 hours (typically 10.00-16.30 with breaks)
Location
London
The Royal Ballet School
46 Floral Street
Covent Garden
London
WC2E 9DA
Eligibility
Teachers from all backgrounds, from student to experienced teachers, aged 18+ years old
Fees
In-person Inspire
All six seminars: £960
Individual seminar: £170
Student teacher rate (three places available per intensive/seminar)
All six seminars: £625
Individual seminar: £110
A digital resource is included in the seminar fees.
Participants can choose to purchase additional souvenir merchandise:
Printed resource: £20
Bag and folder: £25
Bag only: £20
Inspire via Zoom
All six seminars: £576
Individual seminar: £102
Student teacher rate (three places available per intensive/seminar)
All six seminars: £375
Individual seminar: £66
Booking
Booking is now closed.
Date
22-23 April 2025
Inspire Thailand
Course overview
Day 1 (22 April) – The foundations of classical ballet
Day 2 (23 April) – Barrework
Location
Thailand
Mind+Move Space Studio
48/1 Punnawithi 29 Sukhumvit 101 Bangchak
Phrakanong, Bangkok
Eligibility
Teachers from all backgrounds, from student to experienced teachers, aged 18+ years old
Fees
Inspire Seminars 1+2: £450
Booking
Booking is now closed.
Any questions?
If you have any questions about our Inspire series, get in touch at [email protected].