Classical Guitar with John W.

John W. is the Founding Artistic Director and Ballet Master of The JohnC Art Ballet. Under the direction of Maria Lewis, he was a soloist at the Pacific Ballet Theatre (Vancouver, BC). He was accepted to the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, sight unseen, due to RAD and ISTD standing, recommendations from John Marshall and Yvonne Cusack. Also accepted to the Saskatchewan Dance Theatre under the direction of Lucia Pavlychenko and the Alberta Ballet under the direction of Arnold Sphor, Director. John was an Associate Professor on the Dance Faculty of Scripps College in Claremont, California, where he, along with Gary Bates, established the degree program in dance and developed a technique for Beginning Ballet through Level IV. While at the university he also taught Pedagogy and choreography. From 1980-1982, John was Director of the Dancer’s Mind School of Dance Arts in Santa Barbara, CA. He conducted private coaching with soloists from the Valerie Houston Dance Company and the Santa Barbara Ballet Company. Also, he worked with body alignment and awareness on patients referred by local medical doctors, with athletes and weight trainers to prevent injuries, and conducted choreography for body builders. John is a Member (Advanced Standing) of the Royal Academy of Dancing (RAD) where he studied with Peggy Carr, Lucia Pavlychenko, Zena Urman, Yvonne Cusack, Elizabeth Thompson, and others. Also he is a Member of the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dance (ISTD) where he studied with John Marshall, Georgina McManus, Joan Hardy and Peggy Carr. He studied at the National Ballet of Canada, San Francisco Ballet School, South Coast Repertory Summer Program, UCLA Extension Theatre Arts Program, Saskatchewan Dance Theatre (Lucia Pavlychenko), and the Alberta Ballet (Arnold Sphor). John is self taught on the classical guitar. When a professor at Scripps, he collaborated with the music department, including with the pianist Alice Shapiro, and also Marsha Genensky, who is a founding member of Anonymous Four. He received private coaching on the violin by Elena Grimes. *** Lesson Details *** Ballet/Dance Lessons I have over twenty years of experience as a Ballet Master, private coach, and choreographer. I provide a innovative, unprejudiced approach that you won’t find anywhere else. I believe that anyone can learn to be a great dancer, regardless of body type or “natural talent.” I welcome students and professionals of all levels who have a serious attitude toward the art. I specialize in working with injured dancers, so if you have been told you should stop dancing, or if you have chronic pain, give yourself another chance and contact me. My methods challenge the boundaries of traditional teaching by providing an intense, holistic approach to training. My approach reveals untapped potential and removes mental blocks that can keep the serious dancer from progressing. You will learn skills to take with you for the rest of your dancing life, no matter the style. Through classwork and body awareness exercises, you will learn how to work easily within your own body structure for prolonged life as a dancer, as well as increased joy and fluidity in movement. My approach works organically within each dancer’s body type and promotes a longer career dancing to your full potential. Guitar Lessons My teaching style makes learning a difficult instrument accessible to anyone who wants to learn. I give you simple comprehensive lessons on understanding the fretboard, tone production, right and left hand techniques. You will be put through a serious of progressive studies that lead to learning actual compositions. *** Studio Equipment *** The Box Dance Studio location is equipped with 30' by 40' of professional Harlequin dance flooring, as well as one wall of mirrors, ballet barres, and a Bose sound system. The Home Studio location includes a workout area with a Total Gym, inversion table, and space for stretching, strengthening, conditioning, as well as posture and body awareness work. Either location is suitable for Guitar Lessons. *** Specialties *** I have extensive experience working with injured dancers. I have returned hundreds of dancers back to the dance floor, even if doctors and therapists have told them they would never dance again. If you are a beginner and have never danced before, I offer a highly effective method that teaches you faster and keeps you injury free. Working naturally reduces the potential for injury or deterioration from overwork to a dancer’s body. I use self-imagery and awareness combined with classical vocabulary and innovative technique. Dancers are guided into their own bodies, so they become acutely aware of their skeletal alignment and bone structure.