Le Centre International de Danse Jazz
54 rue de Clichy
Paris 9eme
+33 1 0153327500
First, the recommendation of a teenaged, English-speaking girl who is living in Paris. Here's what she says: "One of the most amazing things about this studio is that the people, instructors and students come from everywhere. My favourite ballet teacher is from Greece, and understands completely the difficulties of moving to a new language, becasue she moved here speaking no French. The studio offers a huge variety in their classes, they have about seven types of jazz, a large category of ballet, and many random classes from Capaoera to African. I stick mainly to ballet classes and have tried many teachers. They are all very different, so I think there is kind of one to fit everyone. The people who come here seem to be mostly adult beginners, some come every night and take classes. Occasionally a child will show up in one of the classes, and there are many elderly people: There is a huge mix. People wear whatever they want and come at all levels, all is accepted. It is fabulous."
Now an update and elaboration of the info above, this time from a different correspondent: "I would also like to join your previous contributor in the praise of Dimitra Karagiannopoulou, the teacher from Greece. She gives beginner classes twice a week on Wednesday and Saturday evenings, an elementary/advanced class on Fridays, and advanced ones four times a week which include repertoire pieces. I have been taking the beginners class for over six months now and am extremely happy to have found such a kind, patient and supportive teacher. Her classes are in French, but she will willingly offer help in English, Russian (she trained with the Bolshoi) or Greek for that matter to visiting students since the center (located close to the Opéra) operates on an open class policy. Her class is 1.5 hours, with 50 to 55 minutes devoted to the barre, the rest to the milieu. Emphasis is on proper placement, technique and musicality. She is terribly attentive to all and has an amazing ability to scan every single corner of the studio for corrections. She is encouraging, happy to hand out compliments on progress or seek out questions after class. Classes are well attended but tend to be smaller on Saturdays which is quite a treat as they are held in a 330-square-meter studio. Dimitra also gives a floor barre twice a week, a class which complements her ballet teaching. Practically all the exercises are done on the floor this time with yet again particular focus on alignment and working with correct turnout. A large part is allotted to breathing exercises (based on yoga) and their synchronization/coordination to movement."
Centre de Danse du Marais
41, rue du Temple (4e)
Metro Hotel de Ville
Paris
01.42.72.15.42
The following recommendations come from Greg Shenaut who, with his family, recent spent seven weeks in Paris studying at this school. First, his comments about the school itself: "The Centre de Danse du Marais is an wonderful place to take class--they have over 100 teachers and teach a wide variety of styles of dance and dance-related subjects. If you want to take dance class in Paris, you should definitely check it out." Following are his family's favorite teachers there.
Frederic Lazzarelli teaches one or two very active, very enjoyable adult classes per day at several levels. Taking his classes added a wonderful dimension to our stay in Paris. Teaches in French, but will use some English and Spanish if necessary. Highest recommendation.
Huguette Massin teaches about one class for adults each day. Her classes focus on very careful technical explanations and corrections, and are very worthwhile, especially if you are able to take several classes. (You should probably know some French if you want to take
her class.)
My daughters also took one class with Wayne Byars and had good things to say about him, but he was on vacation during most of our visit so we have little direct information about him. His classes are very popular. (He is American, but teaches in French.)
Also at Centre du Danse, another correspondent recommends teacher Daniella Rajchman. Here's what her student writes: "Daniella teaches two beginning adult ballet classes (Wednesday nights and Saturday afternoons) that are high energy and loads of fun. She is a dynamic and humorous teacher and her hour and half classes fly by. Daniella also teaches a barre a sol class that works on strength and flexibility which compliment her ballet classes. I have been dancing since I was two, but I am in the best shape now because of her classes. She is able to meet the needs of all her students which allows every dancer to meet new challenges in the class, no matter what your level. Above all, I consider Daniella a friend in addition to being an exemplary instructor." 6/04
Institut International de danse Jeanine Stanlowa
252 rue du Faubourg Saint Honoré
Paris
01 45 62 88 99
My correspondent writes: "The Stanlowa school is a well-known pre-professional school in Paris, and it also offers daily adult classes. Advanced classes are given by Paris Opera ballet teachers or former dancers (Attilio Labis, Michael Denard, Bertrand Barena). I've been into many different schols as kids and as an adult, and classes by Antonio Alvarado are the best I ever got! He's a very good teacher, but also very nice and quite funny. But be careful, don't try his beginners class if you are a complete adult beginner: It's a basic class but for people who already have a basic knowledge of ballet! As an advanced student, I for example, take every week his Monday beginners class!" 5/03
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