Danceworks in London started their dance masterclass series during lockdown, first with Alejandro Parente and Marianela Nuñez, and then with Vadim Muntagirov. Following on from that success were others, and now the new series is both online and in the studio.
After the return of Muntagirov and a masterclass with Birmingham Royal Ballet’s Brandon Lawrence, comes Alejandro Parente and Marianela Nuñez on 25 July, The Royal Ballet’s Alexander Campbell on 8 August, former Royal Ballet First Artist Nathalie Harrison on 22 August, Royal Ballet First Soloist Clare Calvert on 5 September, Ballet Black‘s Senior Artist José Alves on 12 September, and Vadim Muntagirov returns on 26 September – all classes start at 14.30 BST.
Following the masterclasses online costs a very modest £9, while prices in the studio are just £15 or £18.
Alejandro Parente is currently teaching twice a week at Danceworks – with Marianela Nuñez taking the class and demonstrating! – on Wednesdays between 14.30-16.00 and Thursdays from 13.00-14.30. Classes are bookable from one week ahead.
These classes are oriented to intermediate and advanced students that are interested in improving their arm movements and coordination, also the upper body placement and posture.
Graham Spicer, aka ‘Gramilano’, is a writer, director and photographer based in Milan. He was a regular columnist for Opera Now magazine and wrote for the BBC until transferring to Italy. His articles have appeared in various publications from Woman’s Weekly to Gay Times, and he wrote the Danza in Italia column for Dancing Times magazine. Graham was the historical advisor on Codice Carla, the 2023 documentary on Carla Fracci.
Graham also works as a dance photographer, and his photos have appeared in many books, theatre programmes, and magazines, including Dancing Times, Dance Spirit and Ballet2000, as well as all the major Italian newspapers.
He is a member of the Dance Section of The Critics’ Circle.