News archive
-On Sunday, 17 September Pallas will be offering free 'mini-workshops' for children and adults at The International Community Fair in The Hague. For more information please visit: www.thehagueonline.com/feelathomeinthehague
To read articles about Pallas's Ballet Workout and Dance and Ballet Classes for Children, please scroll down:
- DECEMBER, 2009: PALLAS AND TRISTAN PERFORMED IN DeDDDD's NUTCRACKER BALLET IN DE GROTE KERK IN DEN HAAG !
- Article from "TheHagueOnline.com"April 24 2008
- Article from "The Hague Times" Feb 10 2006
- Article from "TheHagueOnline.com" Jan 16 2006
- Article from "TheHagueOnline.com" Dec 15 2005
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DECEMBER, 2009: PALLAS AND TRISTAN PERFORMED IN DeDDDD's NUTCRACKER BALLET IN DE GROTE KERK IN DEN HAAG !
From 27 December,2009 until 1 January,2010 Pallas and her 8 year old son and student, Tristan van der Kroft, performed in 6 of the 12 performances in the 4th edition of De Dutch Don't Dance Division's spectacular production of 'De Notenkraker' in de Grote Kerk in Den Haag, under the direction of Thom Stuart and Rinus Sprong. This marked a comeback performance for Pallas after a long hiatus from the stage. She danced the comedic role of the drunken 'Tante Francoise' (Aunt Francoise') - who performed both a solo dance and a duet (with 'the butler') in the 1st act, eliciting big laughs from the audience. This production marked Tristan's debut on the big stage. He had a triple role: First as a young Israeli boy at the party, secondly as a 'mouse' in the battle scene between the mice and soldiers, and finally in the second act as a breakdancing 'falafel'- in which he had a solo dance doing the 'robot' and the'moonwalk'. Both mother and son enjoyed performing tremendously and were very proud of each other! This production of the Nutcracker is unique in the Netherlands in terms of bringing together dancers from many backgrounds: guest stars from the American Ballet Theater in New York,freelance professional dancers from the Netherlands and abroad, amateur dancers, 'recreational' dancers, serious dance students, and children. It is comparable with community theater in America and DeDDDD modelled their concept for this production after Nutcracker productions in which they danced in America. To view a complete photo album of The Nutcacker go to www.notenkraker.nu click on 'foto's voorstelling 2009' The first photos that come up in the album are of the cast we performed in the 'blue' ('blauwe') cast.
Tante Francoise 'boozing it up' with the Butler
Tristan as 'mouse' (far right)
Tristan dancing his 'robot' solo
(photos of the Nutracker -Hans Oostrum Fotografie)
Article from "TheHagueOnline.com"April 24 2008
Pallas Dance
24 April 2008 : Article from TheHagueOnline
Imagine my excitement when my wife called out that I had an email about going to Paris, France. I rushed over to the computer and discovered that it actually said 'Pallas Dance'. I expect Pallas herself would forgive my disappointment. But I found that my trip to Pallas Dance was quite an enjoyable experience. [more]
Pallas Dance is a dance class run by the enthusiastic Pallas van der Kroft-Sluyter. Originally from LA, her training resume and CV in the professional show world are extensive. She's worked in musical theatre, movies and even MTV videos.
I got to the Theatre aan de Haven in time to see the last ten minutes of the children’s ballet class, during which they did classical barre work. As I sat with the waiting parents, I watched the children concentrate on their positioning and grace with touching determination and earnestness.
After the barre, they had some free dance time and a warm down, and then the lesson finished. There were a few very sad faces. I soon discovered the reason for this sadness: this was the last lesson of the course and there would be no more dancing for a while. They gave Pallas a bouquet of flowers as a thank you gesture, which was sweet to see.
Then followed the adult class. Though I planned to stay for only ten minutes, I ended up sitting through the whole class. All the students were ladies, which apparently is often the case, as Pallas complained, 'We never get males here?'
The class began with some yoga-based stretching, followed by ballet barre exercises. Pallas is a very encouraging teacher, watching closely for the smallest misplacement of the feet or arms. Though it is all taken quite seriously, the atmosphere remained friendly. Despite the hard work, everyone was smiling.
I was asked to join in and experience the class for real, but as I have two left feet and the coordination of a brick, I felt it better to decline. The final part of the evening was a funky jazz routine. The group had been learning a routine each week, and adding to it. I was at the last lesson, and was lucky to see the end result. It was fun, bouncy and athletic: a very entertaining show. To finish, the class had a bit of fun with an improvised dance game. All the participants were friendly with each other, and clearly enjoyed themselves.
So what are my conclusions about this class? It has something for everyone, even you men! It's a great source of 'stress relief at the end of a working day,' as Pallas put it to me. I was not really that keen to go along, but I ended up sitting there quite happily listening to the great music and tapping my feet, enjoying the class vicariously.
The next classes are planned to start around the second or third week of May. Watch the website or contact Pallas for more current details. The children’s classes are for children 6 and up. Both adult and child classes are over a ten-week period, one session per week.
So if you have some energy to burn off, want to learn ballet and modern dance techniques in a fun atmosphere in a professional dance studio, go along, I guarantee you will enjoy it. And remember, guys, you ought to go along as well - they'll be happy to see you!
For details go to: www.pallas-dance.com or e-mail: info@pallas-dance.com
by Neal McClimon
www.ITPPhotography.com
English photographer in The Hague
Performance!
On Wednesday, 19 December, 2007 a group of students from Pallas-Dance performed at the Christmas celebration of The Nutsschool M.M. Boldingh in The Hague.
Three children (students from the Boldinghschool); Jade, Sanne, and Tristan and four adults (mothers from the school) Sandra, 'Sandy', Nieske and Pallas performed before an enthusiastic audience in the Marathonkerk. The dance program (which was interspersed between a musical program) began with a short classical piece with the adults and children sharing the stage.
Next on the program was a 'pas de trois' (trio) performed by the children incorporating the girls' classical skills and peppered with Tristan's breakdance stunts set to Rosemary Clooney's rendition of 'Jingle Bells'. The final selection on the dance program offered the adults performing a fun and funky jazz dance piece set to two very special versions of 'Santa Claus is Coming to Town' and 'Jingle Bells' both from the CD 'Jungle Bells' from Brent Lewis (www.brentlewis.com).
It was especially nice to bring the children and adults together on stage and to perform together. It was an exciting and joyous experience to perform for friends, family, teachers, peers and colleagues at this beautiful Christmas celebration.
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Article from "The Hague Times" Feb 10 2006
Article #1 from "TheHagueOnline.com" Jan 16 2006
Stress Reducing Ballet Workout for Non-Dancers
16 January 2006If you dare to do something different, why not come along to try a free introductory ballet workout with Pallas van der Kroft-Sluyter at the ABC Treehut on Thursday 2 February at 12 noon. Today TheHagueOnline is talking with Ms. van der Kroft-Sluyter, dance teacher and creator of Pallas's Ballet Workout. (cont.)
A native of Los Angeles, Pallas has had an extensive and varied career touring the world as a professional dancer, teacher and choreographer. Her most recent project is the creation of Pallas's Ballet Workout, designed for men and women with little or no previous training in dance.
Q - TheHagueOnline: Can you tell us something about your workout? Does it require previous experience in ballet? Is it just for women?
A - Pallas: My Ballet Workout is a hybrid of techniques that I've developed for men and women with little or no prior training in dance. The only requirement is a desire to learn.
I would like to emphasize that men are welcome as well as women and encourage men to give it a try. Typically, women are more prone to attend dance classes or yoga classes or to participate in activities that aim at nurturing them.
Men need this, too! My workout is a great way to build strength, stamina and coordination while gently but progressively increasing flexibility. The workout is designed to develop one's musicality and artistry while training one to become skilled in a form of self-expression. As a bonus, there's a marked reduction in tension and stress.
The workout consists of three primary elements:
The first element is classical ballet barre work and stretching techniques, taught in a supportive, "body friendly" style.
Second is correct "placement," or body alignment, which supports a return to organic posture. (If you observe babies from the time they can sit up on their own, you'll notice their posture, which is naturally erect, gorgeous, yet relaxed.)
The third element is consciously directed use of the breath, which creates a state of relaxed invigoration and produces a myriad of benefits too numerous to mention here.
I have great respect for anyone who is willing to show up and give the Ballet Workout a try. I understand that starting to learn classical ballet (or any new skill, for that matter) in one's adult years really takes guts. So I do my best as a teacher to be supportive and encouraging while pushing students to levels they might not know they're capable of. One of the pitfalls of adult education is that students tend to expect too much of themselves. Intellectually they understand the exercises perfectly, but the body needs time to practice and train to catch up with the mind . . . so I'm here to encourage any willing subject to DARE TO DANCE!
Q - TheHagueOnline: How is it that your Ballet Workout is effective in reducing stress?
A - Pallas: That's a good question. All the elements of the workout combined produce a stress-reducing experience. Simply put, the pleasurable experience of dancing, the finely tuned balance of intense training and the deeply relaxing stretching exercises are all supported by the continuous, deliberate, consciously directed use of the breath.
One of my students volunteers her own experience with Pallas's Ballet Workout:
"Having just moved to The Hague, and having had all the stress of settling in with two young children on my own, without my previous networks and support systems, I didn't know how I was going to manage. My daughter started attending Pallas's ballet classes for children, and I started attending her Ballet Workout for adults. In just a few weeks I felt my whole attitude change. Not only did the effect of one and a half hours per week show almost at once in my posture, my muscle tone and my physical fitness, but I also felt more focus, more balance and more enjoyment in life. Going to classes with Pallas has been a remarkable tonic for me at a time of high stress at work and at home. It has helped me to cope, to see myself differently and to remember how it felt to be young and fit, with muscles in all the right places. The classes are enjoyable: relaxed and hard work at the same time. I really recommend them. Better than any amount of more abstract 'self-development' activities, retreats and that kind of thing."
- Helen H.
Q - TheHagueOnline: Does your Ballet Workout help one to become more adept in other forms of dance?
A - Pallas: Yes, absolutely, yes! It's well known that ballet is the basis for becoming skilled in all forms of dance. Anyone interested in learning ballroom or salsa dancing could truly benefit from the Ballet Workout.
All of the best ballroom dancers have trained extensively in ballet. Training in ballet is really the best supplement for improving one's performance quality in all dance styles.
Dance . . . if you dare!
Free introductory Ballet Workout (and birthday celebration...please join Pallas for soft drinks and cake) Thursday 2 February at 12 noon at the ABC Treehut; Lange Poten 23 in The Hague.
Ten-week class series at the ABC Treehut; a lunch hour Ballet Workout Thursdays from 12 noon to 1 p.m., starting on 9 February.
Eight-week class series at the AWC of The Hague in Scheveningen on Friday mornings starting on 3 February.
Workouts can be scheduled by appointment for groups, businesses or privately.
Ballet classes for children are held on Tuesday afternoons in the Statenkwartier.
For detailed information about class times, locations and registration, email: info@pallas-dance.com or call 070-363 39 10. website www.pallas-dance.com
Please R.S.V.P. (via the contact numbers above) if you will be attending the Ballet Workout/ birthday celebration on 2 February.
If you wish to comment or express an opinion about this article please e-mail the editor@TheHagueOnLine.com.
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Article #2 from "TheHagueOnline.com" Dec 15 2005
"New Dance Teacher on the Block"
15 December 2005Today Pallas van der Kroft-Sluyter, dance teacher and creator of Pallas's Ballet Workout is talking to TheHagueOnLine.
Born and raised in Los Angles, Pallas has had an extensive and varied career touring the world as a professional dancer, choreographer and teacher. Her most recent project is the creation of Pallas’s Ballet Workout, designed for adults with little or no formal dance training. (cont.)
TheHagueOnLine: What exactly is Pallas’s Ballet Workout? Does one have to have some experience in ballet to practice this? How is it different from, say, conventional fitness or aerobic dance classes?
Pallas Van der Kroft-Sluyter: My ballet workout is a hybrid of techniques developed for adults with little or no formal training in dance. The only requirement is a desire to learn! The workout is designed to build strength and flexibility, develop proper body alignment and promote conscious and efficient use of the breath, thereby reducing stress and increasing vitality. Inherent in the workout is the possibility to develop one’s musicality, artistry and self expression, which is certainly quite different from aerobics or fitness training. Aerobic dance tends to build slightly bulkier muscles, whereas ballet workout builds longer, leaner muscles.
My ballet workout consists of three primary elements. The first element is classical ballet barre work and stretching techniques taught in a ‘body friendly’ and supportive style.The second element is correct ‘placement’ or in layman’s terms, body alignment, which supports the body in returning it to its organic posture (if you observe babies from the time they are able to sit up on their own, you should notice their posture which is naturally perfectly erect, gorgeous and yet relaxed). So I do not teach the old school style of classical ballet placement, which is very ‘pulled up’ and, in my opinion, tends to minimize rather than maximize the full benefits of conscious breathing.
The third important element of the workout is the consciously directed use of the breath, which creates a state of relaxed invigoration and produces a myriad of benefits too numerous mention in this forum!
The fitness and aerobic aspects of the workout are built right in to the barre work.
TheHagueOnLine: Pallas, you have a lot of experience in teaching ballet to kids. How can you tell if a child is gifted? At what age can children be introduced to ballet classes?
Pallas Van der Kroft-Sluyter: I can usually spot a gifted child from the very first plié. It’s truly amazing. It’s as though they already know it before they’ve been taught it. Their little hands and feet go into the perfect aesthetic positions. It’s so beautiful, and exciting for me as a teacher to work with such children. Children can be introduced to ballet or ‘pre-ballet’ at around the age of four.
TheHagueOnLine: Ballet has a traditional image of being a "girlie" kind of exercise. Can ballet be fun for boys, too?
Pallas Van der Kroft-Sluyter: Ballet can most certainly be fun for boys! I’ve had several little boys (including my own two) in my dance classes for children, and they participated with great pleasure. However, somewhere between the ages of six and seven, peer pressure and the sense of gender roles which the kids are bombarded with from society and the media, sadly, seem to have great influence. Breakdancing and ‘street jazz’ seem to hold more appeal for little boys. The irony is that although ballet appears to be ethereal, it is as tough as any top sport, if not more so. Actually, a ballet class is a great way for a boy to be surrounded by a flock of pretty girls, so perhaps when they get bigger… In fact, my husband and I met dancing together in a small dance company here in The Hague and the rest is history.
TheHagueOnLine: What ballet and dance schools in The Hague would you recommend? Are there ballet classes taught in English in The Hague?
Pallas Van der Kroft-Sluyter: There are a number of very good ballet schools and dance studios scattered throughout The Hague and the surrounding areas. Most of the classes are taught in Dutch and I believe there are also a couple of classes offered in English and in French. My dance classes for children are taught in English and in Dutch.Pallas’s dance classes for children are held on Tuesday afternoons in the Statenkwartier.
Pallas’s ballet workout for adults can be scheduled by appointment for groups and companies, and a new class series of eight weeks will start in February at the AWC of The Hague on Friday mornings in Scheveningen.For detailed information about the classes you can contact Pallas directly at info@pallas-dance.com or call 070-363 39 10.
If you wish to comment or express an opinion about this article please e-mail the editor@TheHagueOnLine.com.
foto:
Danielle Vermeij