Ms Stefania Sansavini, examiner of the Cecchetti Classical Ballet and director of Ateneo Danza Professional Dance School visited Malta during midterm break (31st October and 1st November 2011) to direct a workshop focusing on pointe work. 40 students from four different dance schools participated in this course, during which, Ms Sansavini introduced the students to innovative strengthening exercises which will improve the dancers pointework skill. This course was open to all female dance students following various ballet methods (Cecchetti, Imperial, RAD, etc). Three levels were covered - Intermediate/Inter foundation, Advanced 1 and Advanced 2. This was the 5th specialised course organised by The Dance Workshop in the Autumn mid-term break. For more information about future courses, contact us on info@thedanceworkshop.com.mt or by telephone on 99429233 or 21242465.

Following the success of its first three summer schools, The Dance Workshop held its fourth International Summer Intensive in the beginning of July 2011. This year two guest teachers – Lucia Pravisani and Michele di Molfetta – both ex-soloists with The Scottish National Ballet, gave exceptional classes to the seventy dance students from four different dance schools. During this successful week's course, ballet students experienced a daily ballet class, as well as alternative dance subjects. The Junior programme included Classical Ballet with Michele and Lucia, Repertoire classes from the ballet The Nutcracker, with Theresa Lungaro-Mifsud, Modern Dance classes with Michele di Molfetta, HipHop classes with Sue Vassallo, Spanish Dance classes with Estelle Sant and Drama classes with Malcolm Galea. The Seniors programme included Classical Ballet with both guest teachers as well as a daily Repertoire class where they learnt an excerpt from the ballet Giselle. Michele also gave three inspiring Contemporary dance classes, whilst Sue Vassallo and Estelle Sant gave HipHop and Spanish Dance classes. The programme ended with a Choreographic Workshop with Francesca Abela Tranter.

The Dance Workshop is proud to have brought over to Malta two visiting lecturers who have focussed on the Cecchetti Vocational Grades. This was an outstanding opportunity for all prospective exam candidates. The first guest was Mr Richard Glasstone (Fellow and Senior examiner for the Cecchetti Faculty, ex Senior teacher for boys at the Royal Ballet School - White Lodge) who was in Malta during the mid-term holidays. Our second guest teacher was Ms Stefania Sansavini (Fellow and Examiner for the Cecchetti Faculty, director Ateneo Danza School, Forlν), who came over later in November. Over 80 students and 20 teachers, from seven different schools, attended these short courses and definitely gained an in-depth knowledge of dance practice. For more information on future courses contact us on info@thedanceworkshop.com.mt or by telephone on 99429233 or 21242465.