Ballet Basics (17+ Years)

This class teaches basic ballet techniques in a social and supportive environment. Students with limited knowledge of ballet can practice ballet techniques together and build an appreciation for the dance form...

"Mary-Jane’s patience and skill at sharing her knowledge as well as her tremendous enthusiasm for this beautiful dance form, has made every class so enjoyable. As an added bonus, I feel longer and leaner and, possibly for the first time in my life, am learning how to stand up straight! I would highly recommend Mary-Jane’s class."

"The best ever class! It's great to learn from someone who knows what they're doing ... it's taught me a love of dance."

What to wear:
Please wear stretchy, close-fitting tights/leggings and t-shirts/tops.
Women, please wear your hair tied back off your face and neck (so you can dance without it falling in your face).

Men, please wear a dance belt (they can be purchased at Pure Dance on New North Road).
Footwear - you can wear sports socks at first (preferably cotton, tight-fitting) and once you understand how the feet need to work you can purchase ballet shoes.

Teaching artist Mary Jane O'Reilly QSM ARAD started learning ballet at 4 and became a professional ballet dancer in her late teens. She gained her Solo Seal at the National Ballet School in Wellington and won a highly coveted Royal Academy of Dance scholarship, so after a year with the New Zealand Ballet she attended the Royal Ballet School in the UK. After performing in Europe, Mary Jane returned to New Zealand to co-found the acclaimed Limbs Dance Company, for which she danced, choreographed and directed. Currently, she continues to be an active producer and choreographer and recently presented - to great acclaim - a preview of her contemporary ballet version of 'Giselle, what becomes of the broken-hearted' at the Auckland Art Gallery, which will be performed in full in 2021. The Royal Academy of Dance recently invited her to be the ambassador for their Silver Swans older learner ballet classes.

“My passion in teaching ballet is to teach and share the technique, the aesthetic, the musicality of ballet. I aim to celebrate the beauty of it and make it an enjoyable experience to learn or revisit this beautiful art form.”