It was not a typical day at Alessandro Bellarmine School of Dance. The 10 year olds let in a stray dog, and Alexi's receptionist, Declan, had to call Animal Control to come pick it up so it wouldn't disturb the classes going on. Over the sound of the tinkling piano playing Chopin in the main studio, was the sound of the dog barking and whining for attention, as Alexi ran the advanced students through their paces.
"Lift up your'a head, Armina. Like you are looking at the stars! Very good!" Equal work deserved equal praise as Alexi wandered the studio gazing at the 12 girls and 4 boys that were practicing, and moving through positions. "First through fifth positions! Everyone at the barre!" Alexi called out, with a smile. Teaching students in ballet was a very complex matter, but he enjoyed it thoroughly and got a lot out of being with the children.
Soon the barking stopped, and Alexi assumed that Animal Control came to pick up the dog. "Mrs. Henriques, is going to take over, childrens, with the class. I am going to be checking on'a form, and proper positions, yes!" said the director of the school. He was clad in a leotard, black and sleeveless, scoop necked, a dance belt, black socks and his black Capezio's. Everyone was on the barre was in first position.
"First position. A rotate your hips facing out, your arms are in front of your chest, your knees should be out and straight, hip rotation is outside from the hip-sockets. I'm'a coming around to look!" he grinned, expecting this basic position to be perfect in all the dancers. Starting with the first student, down to the last, a boy named Michael who really had potential to be a great danseur, of epic proportions.
Mrs. Henriques stepped inside on willowy legs, "Students move to second position through fifth without stopping!" she called out. Alexi ran his hand over his jawline, and stepped up to the barre, as if he were a student himself. changing foot and arm positions just as the other students did. Alexi was just a big kid himself, at 21. He helped another child focus on the wall because he had a history of attention problems and his mother thought ballet would be a good outlet for him. "Look at the wall, like it was video game!" Alexi said brighly.
Nelson, lifted his head for the director, his poise and grace seen just by the mere lifting of his head. After stretching on the barre, Alexi practiced toe points with half the class, and Mrs. Henriques worked on pointe shoes with the remainder of the class which was all girls. Boys didn't do pointe. Instead they would learn the power of the hold, and supporting a ballerina during a pas de deux. The joy could be seen radiating from Alexi when Michael, was able to perform a modified lift.
He loved what he did, even if it wasn't traveling around the world dancing at the Kirov or New York City Ballet. It was great here in New Orleans, and maybe others would stop in to see about lessons. They had adult classes ongoing, mostly for those wishing to train in proper form, and learn the basics of ballet at the same time. Alessandro Bellarmine School of Dance was officially open for business, and not going anywhere, anytime soon.
-- Edited by ALESSANDRO on Friday 9th of September 2011 11:47:38 AM
Taylor had sat around the house long enough and wanted to see more of the town so he headed downtown. After popping in here and there seeing some of the shops he finally ended up at a small shop with sign saying Tours. Buying a ticket he found he still had an hour to kill before his mini adventure would begin. Walking a little further he came across Alexi dance studio. So it does exist, he laughed to himself, his new roommate talked so highly about his new studio and it looked open. Oh I bet he’s thrilled, I wonder if I can stop in see the place.
Walking over the door opened smoothly and the classical music filled his ear, it wasn’t anything Taylor had heard before. Classical rock was more his style but he could appreciate the music. Taylor stepped aside to let two gentlemen through with a rugged looking dog. He smiled as the idea of dogs in tights jumping through the air and spinning around; Dog Lake, sounds like a Disney movie for sure. Stepping up to the front desk he asked for Alexi, and explained who he was so the cops wouldn’t be called to pick up some strange man coming in off the street. (If there is a sitting area for parents or bench to sit on Taylor would move to that quietly)
He was surprised at first to see so many young kids, but if what Alexi said he was well known in this circle so of course people would flock toward his school. Watching the young man work with the kids was impressive he seemed to show such caring. Watching some of the basic moves made Taylor cringe and he knew that this was just the start. I just don’t think my feet would go that way ran through his head.
It was a crisp, fine day for the pretty red headed swan. A lot of people in New Orleans were a bit eccentric, but that wasn't half bad seeing there was much to learn from one city to another. The British lady wasn't too fat nor too skinny, for her short frame was just right, curved and petite. The curls of scarlet locks moved liked a swaying curtain, the appearance gave the idea that something about her was far too unreal to even exist and here she was born in a world of many wonders. Her television station was booming slowly, in a matter of days she'll start advertising in the newspapers and on the media. Got to switch to her networking so that when people wanted a cable box or video cassettes early for any series they purchased it online or came by to grab them. Being the manager of a TV Crew was excellent, she even had her own daytime talk show as an added bonus. It was going to be scheduled to be aired soon, very soon.
As she continued exploring the lovely houses surrounded by a luscious garden filled with elegant flowers that almost tempted her to go pluck a few but was a good girl so left them alone. Her white, vinyl slippers tapped the pavement, her clothes consisted of a white blouse covered in an orange vest, the skirt matched the vest, light make up she applied this morning made her face glow in opalescent sheen that brought her natural beauty that she was known for. Her blue-green eyes explored here and there, until moments when she saw a dancing studio of some kind she was in awe. Irises glistening, she immediately stepped towards the front doors, slipping in only to see lots of girls and boys pulling off their dancing routines. Each one of them glided in graceful steps looking like sugarplums dancing on the water.
This certainly was right up her alley, for she can take up a hobby she loved more than anything. She was great at voice too, joined a choir when she was in high school for a long time. Nikki saw a guy watching the students, the other man was the teacher. He seemed to know what he was doing as this must be his school. She didn't even bother interrupting while the music played, it made her inner fowl flutter it's wings in chorus. A locket was seen sitting around her neck, it was light blue and wore sapphire earrings that glided along her square shoulders.
At the Alessandro Bellarmine School of Dance there were three studios, one for beginners, one for intermediate and one for advanced students. Classes would be conducted simultaneously, by his teachers or himself depending on the situation. At the moment, Alexi was assisting Ms. Henriques' class, because she had four boys. Since the dance studios themselves had observation windows where the public could watch the class without actually disturbing what was going on, Alexi excused himself when Declan grabbed his attention, letting him know he had a few visitors.
He walked with graceful strides out of the classroom, still dressed in his leotard, dance belt, and bike shorts. His slippered feet made quiet strides on the carpeted floor as he appeared in the reception area, where there were chairs for parents and children to sit down and wait for the next class to begin. It was also reserved for guests who had come to inquire about classes. A huge smile spread across Alexi's face as it appeared Taylor and another woman he wasn't familiar with had shown up. "Buona sera. Good evening to you, and welcome to my 'a school. Is there'a something I can help you with, Taylor...and Ms...?" he said to Nicole, wanting to get her name.
She was willowy, and had a dancer's body. As the music played in the background, he could see that Nicole was really into the music, swaying slightly in time with it. "If you are interested in taking a class, we operate on a sliding scale a' basis for adults depending on income. The childrens, they'a are free. I am an ambassador for UNICEF, and the way we operate is through a grant," he said in a thick Italian accent. "We have'a beginners adult class, where you will learn grace and'a poise, along with the basics in classical ballet. It is where most adults start, because they've been out of dance school for many years. He was amused to see Taylor studying the class practicing, because he had a expression of 'I can't do this' on his face.
"Anyone can do ballet, but it requires discipline and'a dedication. It is good to learn'a control of your body, and'a focus. Plus ballet is good for the soul. Your self expression, no? he smiled. "I am here if you'a have any questions. Please to know, we do not allow street clothes or shoes on the dance floor. The floors are 'specially designed for dancing only. We have change rooms for putting street clothes and'a shoes." he said just in case they wanted a closer observation position in the studios themselves.
Watching Alexi stride into the room gracefully even when he didn’t really have to made him smile. This man really did love his art, it was good to see something so true.
“Hey man, this place looks amazing. I’m sorry to interrupt you from your class I was walking by and saw the place.”
The place looked comfortable to him so new, fancy, and artistic with the hint of freshly painted walls. Taylor was dressed in light blue cotton t shirt, cargo shorts and nice leather sandals. All clothes he had gotten from Alexi and Taylor adventure to Target.
The women that had arrived shortly after him he took notice of but hadn’t really approached her; she had seemed entranced by the music and didn’t want to disturb the young lady.
Watching a young boy move with grace mixed with adolescent goofiness made him bite back a laugh. Taylor had never lost that goofiness with age, at least these youngsters would escape that fate with Alexi help.
“I’d love to see more of the studio if you have some time. I have about an hour; I’m going on a tour of some of the old historical places around here. Who knows I may see a ghost. Wouldn’t that be a hoot?”
Listening to the others talking his eyes keep going back watching the kids move through the steps.
Always polite society and came from a long line of nobles, the Englishwoman smiled up at the entrance of a fine, talented artist who most definitely took his art seriously. Who better to know this cause she was one at heart, for as soon as as the man walked into the room did her heart leaped into her throat before settling at ease like a child at an amusement park. Good posture, that mama dearest taught her daughter what it means to never turn a single eye from anyone the lass should meet as she grows into a nice, sweet, specious lady someday. And here, that day has come to not let her lineage down while she was finding her dreams. Looking up, her blue-green orbs had that illuminus-like feel to them as if staring into the Danube blue lagoon. The voice belonged to an Italian man, yes, she picked up the accent the minute he opened his mouth to speak having once lost herself in the melody that strobe along the room like a subliminal wave to entangle her in it's footnotes. Oh, her gifts was announced the day she reached four years old.
They say, that natural gifts comes when you least expect them. Everyone had them, it's just that some doesn't realize what those are. Leaning her head forward that will implicate a bow, but much rather to show she respected what he cherish mosts. The music, the movements, it was magical even at a distance she had sense in his heart there was love for what he do best. "Nicole. My name is Nicole Hills, it is a pleasure kind sir." She said cordially, the tone was British and the Englishwoman was proud of her London heritage seldomly indeed. There was strength in her words, for her eyes has seen many things on her travels and there is no doubt dancing is one of her interests that started when she was five years of age.
Kids learn real early you see. Her round face, puffy cheekbones dotted in some freckles, turned to study the other man carefully when the Italian director greeted him, she was in no hurry to interrupt. Nicole nodded, upon seeing Taylor. Right now, her main focus was the fellow who was finishing describing his studio and that was enough information to help get her on the right path. Had she agreed to enroll yet? First, she would have to check to actually see if this is the place for her. Nicole was a cautious femme fe telle and it showed as she wasn't immediately oblivious to jumping into something without furtherly making sure if a school like this would be exactly what she always wanted from the minute she heard that there was a school that taught dance, mostly ballet. She loved ballet, it reminded her of Beauty and the Beast. Loved the stories of Belle as the Beast took the Princess's hand in his, enchanted by the power that inspiration can do to anyone even if there was some darkness in the most tainted hers, Nikki knew that influence does more damage depending on the person listening and lurking.
When the director noted that there was to be any street gear or streeth clothes of any kind, doubt she had any, but still she was obedient and showed much respect for especially whatever the rules are, she listened to them intentionally. It is like any teacher, the rules didn't stop at one but all who was present at the time. "I understand sir." Heeding as his every word, she smiled when he earlier mentioned being out of dance for so long, that made her look at herself as a little rusty. Simply put it, she was a bit nervous thinking what if she embarrasses herself in front of everyone then, then...she was deciding on rather if enrolling would really do her a lot of good. "I would like to take part in your school, I've got skill in music and dance you see, I haven't been out of it for much longer. I am hoping to refresh what I miss back in those days." Frankly, Nicole was a social butterfly as word has it, she was quite talkative. One has it that most ladies never run out of things to say, but how one speaks is when and where to do it. Socializing is one of her best qualities heresay.
-- Edited by NICOLE HILLS on Monday 5th of September 2011 12:58:31 AM
Alessandro smiled hearing Nicole. "You are from a'England? European. It'sa good to meet you...ah. Miss." he said to the curly-haired redhead. Then he collected her delicate looking hand, and pressed his lips to her pale knuckles. "I am Alessandro, but you may call me Alexi." He then relinquished Nicole's hand. "Grazie, Taylor. We worked a'very hard to get the studios ready for'a business." he said aloud.
"If you wish to come into the classrooms, you must'a put ballet slippers on. We have'a disposable slippers. Then you may observe the class. You'a try out a class to see if you'a like first. Then you sign'a up. Average cost of classes once a week for'a month, is $50. More classes you'a take, the fee is discount." he said in broken English, but he was striving to be understood since Italian was his main language.
"If you'a ..."he clapped his hands, and smiled broadly at the children rushing by to get to their classes. "Hurry hurry, where's fire at? Eh?" Each student greeted Alessandro with a "Hello, Mr. Bellarmine." as they passed. "Here are cubbies for coat and'a shoe." he indicated the wide hallway outside of Studio 1. "Up'a top is some slippers, if'a you could change into them, I appreciate. There were people that wanted to see the class and experience it closer than the average parent, who mostly dropped their children off, and later picked them up.
He waited for Taylor and Nicole to change. Then he would show them the studios, the changing room male and female, and observation areas. For now he listened to the sounds of the piano in Studio One that indicated the beginning of Ballet I. He of course, also paid close attention to Nicole's questions about the facility, and the fact that she danced and used her voice to sing. "You are very self-expressive, I can'a tell that about a person." Of course he didn't tell them that he was a medium, who could read auras very well.
On Taylor, against the wall, his auric energy was even more pronounced than ever. Especially as his hands moved. As far as Nicole went, her energy was not even close to being human. Her aura was golden white, with tinges of silver in the bubble around her. Very pure. Sanctified. Like virgin snow.Along with her graceful movements, which were totally unusual for a human to possess unless he/she were trained in ballet from an early age, he figured that she was a shifter of some kind. Alessandro said nothing, but he observed.
"Are we'a ready? I show you now, the art of ballet." He then strode into Studio One and clapped his hands. "All dancers to the barre. Pay close attention. You may play, Gracie."he said to the pianist. She played a slow yet simple piece from Swan Lake. "We have visitors, who come to watch you'a dance." Turning to Nicole and then Taylor, he asked them to have a seat in a chair provided. "First position. Tuck in you're bellies! I don't want to'a see puffer bellies!"Alessandro chimed humorously, as he went around the class of 12 to re-position a few children out of place.
It was apparent that he took seriously his craft, and loved what he did. The children had a quiet enthusiasm for learning, and it paid off. "Second position." Around the classroom Alessandro walked, making sure the children's feet were 12 inches apart, and aligned with each other. "Very good! I know you'a been practice at home!" There was a soft laughter from the children. The class was meant to be fun, and expose them to ballet, and it was.
-- Edited by ALESSANDRO on Tuesday 6th of September 2011 01:19:56 PM
Towards the end of the class that Taylor and Nicole were allowed to observe, the children in Ballet I had put together their basic steps, into a choreographed dance. For the sole entertainment of the director of the school, and the guests, this is what all the practice and dedication had produced.
It was Alexi's hope that they would be impressed by what they had observed and were willing to sign up for a few lessons. It did wonders for Alexi's focus, particularly with his mediumship gifts, being able to channel more efficiently, and mediate for longer without fatigue.
The children cheerfully leapt around doing perfect examples of what Alessandro had taught them. A boy, the only danseur in the class, was a dark haired sprite doing modified lifts of the star dancer, a little ballerina named Megan. He lifted her without dropping her, and formed a perfect little pas de deux.
When the performance was completed, Alexi clapped the loudest. "Bravo, bravo!" The entire class took a bow, and giggled as they made their way out of the studio to the cubbies where their belongings were gathered, because they were being picked up from ballet class, or changing in the changing rooms.
Just another day in the life of Alessandro Bellarmine, director of Alessandro Bellarmine School of Dance. That is, until tomorrow brought yet another day of practice!
