Progressing Ballet Technique at SunDance with Lindsay Storms
Lindsay Storms
L.I.S.T.D., RAD RTS, PBT CERT.
Lindsay Storms is a highly regarded dance educator who, after many years of study, received her Licentiate status in the Modern Theatre branch of the I.S.T.D. and was awarded the Royal Academy of Dance’s Certificate in Ballet Teaching Studies. She has spent well over a decade educating dancers in studios, and in elementary and secondary schools across Southern Ontario, specializing in a wide range of dance styles including Modern/ Contemporary, Jazz, Ballet, and Hip Hop. She has been entering candidates for I.S.T.D. Modern and Jazz exams for over a decade, and more recently R.A.D. Graded and Vocational exams, all of whom have been successful. Most recently, Lindsay has received certification to teach the revolutionary Progressing Ballet Technique Program.
Progressing Ballet Technique is an innovative program developed by Marie Walton Mahon which experiments with the use of muscle memory to improve students’ classical ballet technique by understanding core stability, weight placement and alignment. Utilizing a fit ball, continually mobile under the student's body, it gives the students a sense of posture and weight-placement in order to feel which muscles initiate the correct alignment in ballet training. Each exercise has been developed with care and guidance with a team of physiotherapists.
Program C dancers in PBT class with Lindsay Storms, SunDance 2018. Photo by Francesca Chudnoff.
We are thrilled to welcome back Lindsay for her third summer teaching Progressing Ballet Technique at SunDance. Below, Lindsay shares some thoughts about SunDance and advice for young dancers.
What is your favourite part about teaching at SunDance?
LS: My favourite part about teaching at SunDance is getting to meet with work with such gifted students and faculty from all over the globe, and watching the physical, emotional and artistic growth that happens in such a short amount of time.
What do you find different from teaching at SunDance (or a Summer intensive) that is different from the regular dance season?
LS: Generally speaking, I find there is more effort and enthusiasm from the students due to the shortened learning time.
Best piece of advice you could give to new summer students?
LS: Take it all in and challenge yourself in new ways. Take risks in class where you normally wouldn't, and above all, enjoy yourself!
Anything else you want to share about SunDance?
LS: SunDance is a beautiful balanced intensive, paring the Limon style modern with RAD ballet. It combines art and expression, with technique and strength, and gives the students the opportunity to try something new every week with the surprise classes.
