Silver Swans at Gayna Brown School of Dancing offers adult ballet at Holy Trinity Church Hall in Kingsthorpe, Northampton. The Silver Swans programme is designed specifically for older learners, taught here by Gayna. It is aimed at adults returning to ballet after years away, as well as complete novices coming to it for the first time.
Dancers describe the classes as informal yet properly structured, taught at a pace that suits the older learner, with Gayna's warm personality and clear explanations singled out for praise. It suits mature adults whether or not they have danced before, and there is no pressure to keep up with younger dancers.
The focus is adult ballet through the Silver Swans approach, covering the positions, posture and steps of classical technique at a considerate pace. Within the broader range of adult dance classes in Northampton and local ballet classes, this is a class built around the needs of older bodies. A typical session includes gentle barre work, centre practice and simple sequences, with Gayna explaining each position clearly. Beginners and the ballet-trained are both catered for, so you can start wherever you are.
Newcomers are warmly welcomed and there is no expectation of previous experience or flexibility. Comfortable clothing you can move in and soft ballet shoes or even socks are usually fine to start, and it is worth arriving early to meet Gayna and settle in.
Classes are held in Kingsthorpe, a district of Northampton, easily reached from across the town and surrounding area by the usual local roads and transport.
After leaving my last dance class at the age of 16, nearly 40 years ago, I found my local Silver Swans, a Ballet class for the complete novice and those with some dance experience, catering for the older learner.
The classes are informal yet structured and taught at a pace I can manage.
Joining Silver Swans has been a great way to meet new people of my age and has definitely helped with my mobility, as an arthritis sufferer, along with building up my stamina levels.
I can totally recommend Gayna Brown, a respected and qualified dance teacher with over 30 years plus experience. Come and join us— Melanie Draper
I had been looking for an adult ballet class for sometime, and Gayna's Silver Swans class is exactly what I was looking for. It's been many years since my last ballet class but this class is suitable for all, whether ballet trained or not. Gayna explains the positions and steps in a way, and at a pace, that's easy to follow and I can thoroughly recommend becoming a Silver Swan!— Cary Cheney
Gaynas warm personality, excellent communication skills and knowledge of dance make the Silver Swan ballet classes a joy to attend..— Valerie Crouch
Yes, and this class is designed precisely for that. The Silver Swans programme welcomes adults taking up ballet for the first time as well as those returning after many years.
It is never too late; Silver Swans is aimed squarely at older learners, with some starting decades after their last class or with no experience at all.
Common line dance basics include the grapevine, step-touch, kick-ball-change, pivot turn and shuffle. Ballet uses a different vocabulary, but both build from a set of core movements.
Short, repetitive dances such as the Cupid Shuffle are among the easiest to pick up. If ballet is your interest instead, this class starts beginners gently on the fundamentals.
Yes. Ballet is danced solo, so no partner is needed to take part in these classes.
For adult ballet, comfortable fitted clothing that lets you move, plus soft ballet shoes or grippy socks, is ideal. The teacher can advise if you are unsure before your first class.