Wanted Future Ballerinas: Ballet Manila Opens in Fisher Mall

Heads up ballet fans!

As part of its continuing effort to bring ballet closer to the people and the people closer to ballet, The Lisa Macuja School of Ballet Manila opens yet another branch—this time in Quezon City.

Located at Fisher Mall’s fourth floor, The Lisa Macuja School of Ballet Manila is the latest addition to the mall’s dynamic mix of food and retail destinations. It brings the signature discipline and technique that Ballet Manila has come to be known for closer to aspiring ballerinas and danseurs residing north of Metro Manila.

“There is such a big clamor for the school in this area and we are so grateful that we are finally able to give in to that,” shares Prima Ballerina Lisa Macuja-Elizalde, the school’s Director. “Our school is known for producing some of the most successful classical dancers in the country, and for that, most people who wish to learn ballet would want to learn it from us. We have students who live in Quezon City, Marikina, and other nearby areas who travel all the way to Pasay every day just to rehearse and learn. And we’ve always wanted to make it easier for them, which is why we are so thankful for this opportunity to finally open a school in this area.”

The Lisa Macuja School of Ballet Manila is the only ballet school in the Philippines with direct links to the Russian Ballet Academy of St. Petersburg, Russia. Ballet enthusiasts often praise the school for staying true to the principles of the art form and for teaching the rigorous Vaganova Academy method of dancing, which is widely accepted as the highest standard of style when it comes to classical ballet.

The school’s faculty is made up of accomplished Vaganova style-trained classical dancers who are highly considered as some of the best in the country, including Jonathan Janolo, Sofia Sangco-Peralta, Gerardo Francisco, Eileen Lopez, Czarina Villegas, and of course, Lisa Macuja-Elizalde and Osias Barroso, who is the school’s Co-Director.

Courses include: Creative Movement for Toddlers (for ages 2-3), Baby Ballerinas (for ages 3-5), Twinkle Toes (for ages 5-6), Level 1B-Beginner and Level 1A-Advanced (for ages 6-9), Level 2B-Beginner and Level 2B-Advanced (for 10-12 years old), Level 3B-Intermediate (for boys and girls aged 12-16 with previous ballet training and intermediate pointe work), Level 3-A Advanced (for 14 years old and above), and Refresher Class (for those with aged 16 and up with substantial past training and want to be reintroduced to the art’s basic concepts). There’s also a Ballet for Fitness class and Yoga and Conditioning classes. Both are perfect for those with zero background in ballet and wish to learn it for fitness’ sake.

In addition, the school will also have specialty classes, which include Modern Ballet, Zumba, Street Dance and Ballroom.

The new The Lisa Macuja School of Ballet Manila opens to the public starting on August 6, when the school will start offering free trial classes for all children’s courses and Ballet for Fitness from 2:00-5:00PM. Free trial classes for other select courses will be held from August 7-14. For a complete list of the schedules and courses, you may visit Ballet Manila’s website (www.balletmanila.com.ph) or call their office at telephone numbers 400-0292 and 525-5967. You may also send an email to info@balletmanila.com.ph or follow Ballet Manila on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Check their full schedule and rates here:

*Photos from Ballet Manila

PS. I missed the initial ballet class (held during the branch opening) but I still go t my pointe (ballet) shoes. Thank you Ballet Manila and ARC PR! Thinking if I should pursue this since I also got a one month Ballet Manila GC, haha!

About Ballet Manila

Founded in 1995 by Prima Ballerina Lisa Macuja-Elizalde and Osias Barroso, Ballet Manila is the country’s premier classical dance company. With the mission of connecting both ballet and the people, the company, which puts education at the forefront of its priorities, is well-known as the only Philippine dance company to adopt and strictly adhere to the Vaganova Academy of Russian Ballet style of dancing, which is well-regarded the world over as the most disciplined and technically-superior style. The company currently has 65 artists under its wing, all of whom have been trained in the Vaganova Academy style of dancing. Each artist boasts of a solid repertoire that consists of some of the most technically challenging and timeless ballet favorites.