The Muscly Ballerina

Dyumna ChhabraBallet, ballet methods, insights Leave a Comment

Article by Ahana Ayyapparaj and design by Mythili A. P. for En Avant Summer 2025 Feature image: Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in Alvin Ailey’s “Revel-ations.” (Photo: Gert Krautbauer) When most people think of ballet, they may not immediately consider the intense muscular effort behind each movement. Yet behind every lift, leap, and position en pointe lies a network of ...

Learning Ballet through Online Platforms

Dyumna ChhabraBallet, ballet class, ballet methods, children, insights Leave a Comment

Article by: Shayna Sunu Cover image: A shot during rehearsals for Recital 2023, a show by TLFCB post the pandemic. Classical Ballet is an art form that demands extensive training, irrespective of a dancer’s age or expertise. Everything from establishing the right alignment, developing the rhythm, learning the positions to instilling patience and discipline requires structured instruction and rigorous practice. ...

The Magic of Make-Believe: Imagination in Early Ballet Classes

Dyumna ChhabraBallet, ballet class, ballet methods, children, insights Leave a Comment

By Shayna Sunu  A sense of awe struck me as I watched a bunch of tiny tots dressed in pink leotards and skirts, chattering in pairs and small groups just before their class began. Parents stood at the side, offering small words of encouragement, while the children shared giggles and carefully arranged their shoes in a neat line. All of ...

Ballet and the Joy of the Present Moment

Dyumna Chhabraadult ballet, Ballet, inspiration Leave a Comment

By Pournami Dheeshjith (far right in the banner image) When I first joined the Adult Beginners' Ballet class at The Lewis Foundation of Classical Ballet taught by Ms. Sushmitha Margad, I was so excited and nervous at the same time. Ballet demands years of training simply because of the strength, stamina and muscle memory that a dancer must achieve to ...
Copyright: Disney

Why you must watch Madu

Dyumna Chhabraartist, Ballet, ballet boys, ballet on big screen, boys ballet Leave a Comment

“So, it’s only dance that takes him there? Only dance.” Art doesn’t create distinctions, people do. Madu is a testament to how access to learning and performing an artform can be a life-turner, and how passion can drive one beyond the walls they’ve known and persevered within all their life. This documentary follows the journey of a young Nigerian boy ...

Your attendance is not just a number!

Dyumna Chhabraballerina, Ballet, ballet class Leave a Comment

In the office, we've heard anecdotes of students and parents rushing to their teachers and administrators to know their attendance. While being aware of your progress is crucial, regular attendance extends beyond mere record-keeping; it instills a sense of regularity, punctuality, and discipline. After all, missing one class can mean losing a valuable skill! Becoming a dancer requires consistent practice ...
Alice

Alice beyond the Victorian Era

Dyumna ChhabraBallet 2 Comments

Over the years of reading English literature, if there’s one genre I tend to run away from, it is the classics, and I try to gravitate towards literatures that seek to be "Windows on the World" (Damrosch, 2003). “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland”  is the epitome of classics from the Victorian era and probably a book I would not have picked ...