Joffrey Masterclass Inspires

Guiding students through a challenging two-hour masterclass on Monday morning at the University of Akron’s Center for Dance and Theatre at Guzzetta Hall, Ashley Wheater, the artistic director of Chicago’s Joffrey Ballet, got a big laugh when he finally commiserated with the students, noting, “Dancing is hard!”

That may be true, but Erica Piper, an advanced student at the University of Akron Dance Institute, said afterward that she’d love to take class every day with Wheater, a former Joffrey company member who was mentored by the great dancer Rudolf Nureyev.

“It’s amazing to work with someone of his background with The Royal Ballet. I’m a fan of Rudolf Nureyev and the Joffrey Ballet, the best company in the world,” the dancer said.

Matthew Roberts, a former Dance Institute student who now studies at Marymount Manhattan College in New York, said, “I really liked his terminology and explanations. He was very specific with his explanations. I’m definitely glad I took this class.”

Working with 19 students from the University of Akron, University of Akron Dance Institute, Canton Ballet, and other studios, Wheater gave the students and audience at the public masterclass a taste of his own background and the style of the Joffrey Ballet, which performs with The Cleveland Orchestra at the Blossom Festival for two nights over Labor Day weekend.

An audience watched the class, which was also streamed live over the internet from UA’s Albrecht Studio, capturing Wheater as he took the students through barre work and combinations. He made specific corrections and general comments like, “Dancing is transferring your weight in beautiful ways.”

Dancers need to imagine they have a band of steel around their abdominal area, Wheater said. And to make the best impression on the audience, he told them, “Let your eyes help you—all of your limbs need to belong to you, and you make that apparent by focusing your eyes.”

Wheater encouraged the students along with way with “Good, you guys—really good.”

Then there was a nugget of advice any dancer can use, reflecting Wheater’s English upbringing: “Engage your bum!”

Click here to read more about the Joffrey Ballet and its upcoming performances with The Cleveland Orchestra at the Blossom Festival.

Did you participate in the masterclass? Are you a fan of the Joffrey Ballet? Comment here!