Charmaine Ristow - Ballet, Fitness, Preschool/Elementary Teaching, Nutrition Counseling Now Available on Zoom!

Virtual Ballet Classes

Ballet technique fitness classes and prepointe training for beginning and intermediate teens/adults, allow students to dance from the privacy of their own home with no expensive equipment, just a countertop or sturdy high-backed chair, and an internet connection are needed. Taught by experienced professional dancer and certified health coach, Charmaine Ristow- who maintains the philosophy that anybody and everybody can learn to dance ballet - these virtual classes have been enjoyed throughout the past year and in brick-and-mortar studios for decades.

Specifically designed for virtual learning, these ballet classes will slowly and carefully progress through exercises methodically designed for all levels of teens/adults and intermediate level youth, developing strength, flexibility, balance, coordination and more in your 6x6 foot space wearing comfortable exercise clothing while reaping the rewards of increased self confidence, better general health and fitness.

My Story

My passion for ballet began at age 3 when I danced my first steps, and has continued through decades of training, performing and teaching with prestigious master teachers and companies throughout the US and Europe as well as with my own companies and studios in Wisconsin.

Eagerly pursuing to uncover the anatomy and artistry of classical ballet through constant scientific and industry research, my teaching style has evolved toward empowering every dancer-no matter what age, skills, background or goals-to become thoroughly aware of how their own body works best.

We all have the same basic skeleton, but by gaining knowledge of the safe, maximum articulation of each joint and muscle group, every student can enjoy and master basic ballet dancing for fun, fitness, meditation or as a profession.

Specializing in teaching all levels of tees and adults and Prepointe, my focus is to challenge students at their level, encouraging them to pursue positive change and become enamored with its satisfying rewards.

What to expect

Each class will include a balanced comprehensive warmup, strengthening and stretching barre work, center combinations addressing the technical, academic and artistic expression of ballet, closing with a cool down, with all exercises performed to beautiful piano accompaniment.

Students will consistently progress at their own rate, feeling poised, confident and physically stronger with each lesson, leaving them anxiously awaiting their next opportunity to engage in their own passion for, and notable achievement in the unparalleled beauty of classical ballet. 

"Charmaine's passion, warmth and generosity as a teacher are unparalleled. It is rare to find
someone so willing and eager to encourage adult dancers to continue striving and enjoying this
demanding art form, no matter what their background or aspirations are."  Adult Student

Class Descriptions

YOUTH CLASSES

Laying a strong foundations for a rewarding future, age appropriate basic ballet exercises paired with exciting grand motor skills developed through musical movement games, children of all ages will discover their innate artistic abilities while learning anatomy,the laws of physics and more.

VERY BEGINNING TEEN/ADULT BALLET

Whether you’ve never danced before or wish to return to the fun ballet lessons of your childhood, this class is open to teens and adults of any age, size, shape, fitness level, backgrounds or personal goals. We will slowly, carefully and progressively build your skills and vocabulary to tone, firm, stretch, coordinate and balance dancers for not only ballet but for life’s daily demands. Revel in the energy and focus of this class that promises to bring increased confidence and generate clearer thinking with a positive outlook in these challenging times.

TEEN/ADULT CONTINUING BALLET

This energy producing class will summon and elaborate on your existing knowledge and vocabulary, stimulating technical and artistic growth. Through appropriately refined home-studio combinations, you will recall and master the basics while investing in increased technical prowess, stability and execution of intermediate/advanced movements.

PREPOINTE FOR TEENS AND ADULTS

If you dream of dancing en pointe some day, this class is for you!  You will be guided through straightforward ballet barre, floor, and center exercises designed to develop strong ankles, toes and a well-shaped arch, in addition to buildingcore strength, proper alignment and placement in order to allow you to strategically and safely work towards your goal of dancing en pointe. In addition you will receive valuable information on anatomical bone structure and learn how to best work to overcome your individual challenges to achieve the strength, balance, coordination and flexibility needed for safe pointe work. This class is designed to be taken in addition to your regular weekly technique classes and benefits students of all ages and levels regardless of age, background or ultimate goals.

I really enjoyed the challenge of returning to ballet after a two decade hiatus. After forgetting nearly everything from
my previous classes, it’s been a privilege to study with such an amazing and knowledgeable instructor. Charmaine is
so helpful in every class and I appreciate her making sure our technique is correct down to the smallest detail. 
Amber, Adult Ballet Student

I am so glad that I got my start in ballet with Charmaine Ristow. I have been dancing for several years now, and what
I love best about when I have Charmaine as my instructor is how encouraging she is, and especially how she
encourages every student in class to put their own safety first and encourages individual modifications according to
their personal level of fitness. Specifically, she focuses on building confidence, and nurturing a love of movement
and dance in a supportive and healthy environment. Not every student is at the same level and ability in each class,
but Charmaine does an excellent job of meeting us wherever we are at and encourages to progress at an individual
level. It has been a wonderful experience learning from Charmaine. I'm especially impressed by her ability to
customize each class to meet the needs of the students in attendance on any given day, even if it happens to be a
class that combines beginner and advanced students. She is very caring and committed in promoting her lifelong
love of the art of dance to us students. Everyone is treated with respect, regardless of body type, background or
ability, and she teaches us to love not only dance but also ourselves.

I would like to personally thank Charmaine for not only accepting me as a mid-life beginning adult male student, but
also for making the dance studio a fun, welcoming and happy place for me to express myself in a way I had never
previously considered or thought possible. Her presence is such a wonderful, beautiful and graceful inspiration to me
and my life.
Michael, Adult Ballet Student

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