Advanced Intermediate The Jackson Method Ballet

About This Class

Immerse yourself in professional level exercises and improve your technique, musicality, and performance quality in this advanced intermediate ballet class with Aaron Jackson. Students will explore more intricate choreography while polishing their technical skills and learn to pick up combinations quickly and with confidence. Comprehensive understanding and proficiency in discipline and general dance terminology recommended.

This class also features live musical accompaniment by Dr. Erh-Jen Lee.

The new session consists of 6 weeks – Saturday, February 1, 2025 through Saturday, March 22, 2025.

Classes will not be held on the following days:

• Saturday, March 1, 2025
• Saturday, March 8, 2025

The current session runs through Saturday, January 25, 2025.

Registration Information

Mid Winter Session: $135 / 6 weeks

Advanced Intermediate The Jackson Method Ballet 6 Week Session: 2/1-3/22

Drop-In: $25

Advanced Intermediate The Jackson Method Ballet Drop-In: 1/25

Advanced Intermediate The Jackson Method Ballet Drop-In: 2/1 

Location

This is an in-person class at CityDance @ Friendship Heights, 5207 Wisconsin Ave NW Washington DC 20015.

About The Jackson Method

Aaron Jackson teaches and coaches adult students in Washington, D.C., New York City, and internationally. His ballet classes are meticulously structured and focus on technique. They are designed for adult students and professional artists who aspire to reach their full potential through individualized guidance and corrective action during class. Jackson’s curriculum is informed significantly by his training at The School of American Ballet (SAB) and his subsequent professional experiences. Much of the content delivered in class draws from his personal syllabus and training methodology specifically tailored for adult learners.

The Jackson Method for Adult Ballet emphasizes the development of the complete dancer by targeting and enhancing the fundamental “Strength and Stability” required to navigate advanced ballet classes. This method seeks to elucidate the intricacies of various elements, including balletic posture, focus—épaulement, the maximization of plié, balance, turnout—external rotation, transitional steps, extension, and the proper alignment necessary for executing pirouettes, turns, jumps, and more.

Jackson’s Method invites adult students and professional artists at varying proficiency levels to engage with the material in a more intelligent and efficient manner. Through structured barre and center work, the classes are tailored for individuals who are eager to adapt to their surroundings. Jackson’s instructional approach fosters an environment that supports individuals committed to achieving excellence in clean and consistent ballet technique. The atmosphere he cultivates in the classroom is dynamic, engaging, and infused with passion.

About Dr. Erh-Jen Lee

Dr. Erh-Jen Lee enjoys her versatile music journey as a pianist, oboist, accompanist, chamber musician, and a music educator. She started piano lesson at age 5 and won the Kawai Piano Competition Taiwan at age 10. As an oboist; she won 3 times the first prize in National Oboe Competition in Taiwan at age 13. After winning the International Chopin Piano Competition of Taipei, Erh-Jen was offered scholarship to study with Constance Keene at the Manhattan School of Music. Ms. Lee has won both national and international competitions and was honored as the winner of “The National Outstanding Artist Achievement Award” from the Chi-Mei Cultural Arts Foundation for 3 consecutive years.

At age 19, Ms. Lee made her New York debut with Manhattan School of Music Philharmonia, playing Chopin’s Concerto no.1 in E minor, as the result of winning the Dora Zaslavsky Koch Concerto Competition. Her winning of the 3rd National Taiwan Concerto Competition in 1999 brought her to tour with the National Taiwan Symphony Orchestra in Taiwan. In 2000, she was chosen to be one of just eight “most promising pianists in America” for the Toradze Concerto Institute.

During her graduate studies at the Juilliard School under the tutelage of Oxana Yablonskaya, Erh-Jen has had the pleasure to participate and work in sessions with internationally renowned musicians such as Lazar Berman, Yefim Bronfman, Jaques Rouvier, Brigitte Engerer, and Alexander Toradze.

Ms. Lee earned her doctoral degree from the Catholic University of America as a full scholarship recipient. She was chosen by La Gesse Foundation to perform Aaron Copland’s Appalachian Spring with Chamber Orchestra at Carnegie Hall. Erh-Jen has performed with the MOVEIUS Contemporary Ballet Company at Atlas INTERSECTIONS Festival and worked with the Washington Ballet Company, New York City Ballet and the Australian Ballet. Currently she is a staff accompanist for The Washington School of Ballet and has a private piano studio in Washington DC.

Cancellation/Reschedule Policy

If a class has low attendance, it may be subject to cancellation. Cancellation decisions for morning classes will be made by 9pm the night before and for evening classes by 3pm that day.

In the event you cannot attend your purchased/scheduled drop-in class, please email adults@citydance.net by 9pm the day before to receive a full credit and/or reschedule your drop-in class. Cancellation emails received after 9pm the night before will receive a 50% class credit. If a cancellation email has not been sent before the start of class, our No Show policy takes effect and you will forfeit the full class credit.