Ballet Black 'Take your time girl!' By Cassa Pancho
	Ballet Black website Link to: diary index,   last diary Ballet School On the 20th of April, the Ballet School finally opened. I dragged Hugo (the Ballet Black web-designer) along for moral support and we arrived in Shepherds Bush at 9:30am - with the first class due to start at 10 o'clock. At 9:45 everything was set up and ready to go, except the brand new stereo wouldn't work. Of course that was probably because both Hugo and I had missed the enormous ON/OFF switch at the back (his fault entirely - he IS the technical genius after all). Once that was sorted, and there was gorgeously sparkly music wafting around the hall, the next tiny snag was that it was 10 o'clock and there wasn't a wannabe ballerina in sight. Oh dear. I was about ready to take myself plus the brand new (working) stereo and go home and hide when the doors to the hall opened and in flew all these little kids! I know that sounds a bit Vomitville USA, but it was a lovely moment. There will be much more to write about regarding the School at a later date, but since that first Saturday, we've had new kids joining the class each week so we're gradually building up a decent number of pupils… Which is nice. Ballet Black April has been taken up with the usual rehearsals, company classes and coaching. At least it would be the usual if the dancers turned up when they were supposed to. We're trying to work around everyone's schedule, which is becoming increasingly difficult as people have other commitments. The other day, Bruce asked me how many dancers are actually in Ballet Black. So far there are nine - and trying to get all the dancers into one studio, at the same time, on the same day is bloody hard work. A typical Saturday for me is to teach at the Ballet School in the morning then go to the RAD in Battersea for BB company class, followed by rehearsals. Although I understand why dancers can't always make it, it can be bitterly disappointing when so few show up. How can I keep everyone motivated? How am I going to make all of this actually happen? These are some of the questions that keep me awake and fidgeting at night. (By the way, if YOU know, put your answers on the back of an e-card - and don't forget to include your age and address!) About a year ago, someone said, "My dear, if you must insist on starting this project, then for goodness sake, take your time girl." Aside from the irritating use of the words "girl" and "dear" I think this is probably one of the best pieces of advice I've ever been given. I need to keep reminding myself that it is okay to slow down a little (but only a little!) and to breathe and think and find the best way ahead. ANYWAY! Enough of that. The next big step for Ballet Black is to secure more funding, and after plenty of thought and advice, it seems that the best course of action is to become a registered charity. I've spoken to other people in the past who have been strongly against doing this, for various reasons, but what we need is money, and if this is the best way to get it, then that's cool with me. In addition to all the Ballet Black and Ballet School stuff, I've got two choreographic jobs on, one of which was mentioned last month - a ballet for the graduating third years from the RAD - and another is putting on a section of Coppélia for some youths in Kent…but more about that some other time…
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