As Atlanta Ballet Centre for Dance Education's new dance classes for the over 55s - Silver Swans® and Dance for Life - take flight, Atlanta Ballet speaks with Royal Academy of Dance Silver Swans® Licensed Instructor, Marlena Abaza. Learn about the benefits of ballet for this age group, teaching with accessibility and inclusivity in mind, and how she brings her passion for teaching to Atlanta Ballet.

Tell us more about Silver Swans® dance classes.

Dance for older adults, especially those over the age of forty-five, is becoming increasingly popular. At a basic level, we all feel better when we exercise. While the physical benefits of exercise are well-known, Silver Swans® takes it a step further by prioritizing accessibility for our mature students and offering a variety of options, such as standing and seated variations. I also want to encourage students to lean into their creativity as dancers. By learning simple choreography set to familiar music from iconic ballets such as Swan Lake and Coppélia, participants not only enhance their physical well-being but also cultivate their creative and artistic expression.

What are the physical benefits of classes for this age group?

My students enjoy improved flexibility, endurance, and posture in class. I teach barre exercises that strengthen legs and feet, and floor work that focuses on cardio and stretching. All exercises are done in a gentle impact format and are easy to follow.

What is the difference between Silver Swans® and Dance for Life classes?

Both classes are designed for dancers ages 55 and up. Dance for Life is a slightly longer class with exercises in the center, with more focus on technique than choreography. Silver Swans® features slower movements, with options to move in a seated position or standing. Many students come to both to enjoy the balance of a low impact technique class in Dance for Life and a slower paced, choreography-focused class in Silver Swans®.

What does it take to become a Royal Academy of Dance Silver Swans® Licensed Instructor?

I've been a Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) teacher for a long time, decades in fact. It took three years of training to earn my RAD certification. Only dance teachers who have met the rigorous standards set by the Royal Academy of Dance are qualified to teach its curriculum. Additionally, to qualify for the Silver Swans® certification, I had to possess substantial dance teaching experience. I have taught ballet now for many years, and specialize in classes for older students and those looking for guidance on injury prevention.

You have also been nominated for a Royal Academy of Dance Award!

Yes, I was extremely honored to have been nominated for the Community Engagement Dance Teacher Award 2024. The Royal Academy of Dance grants a variety of awards in recognition of lifelong service, both to dance and to the RAD. I'm delighted to be able to pass on my experience to students here at the Atlanta Ballet Centre for Dance Education.

How do you create a positive and enjoyable learning environment for adult dance students?

Amidst our busy lives, my classes offer a peaceful escape from the world. My classes are a place with no distractions, where students can center themselves, connect with their peers, and immerse themselves in a beautiful classical art form. Our environment at Atlanta Ballet is a warm and welcoming one.

Is there anything else you would like students to know about these dance programs?

Classes will be structured for your level. My advice is to try not to look at a professional ballerina on stage or on the television and feel intimidated. Even if you've had a lot of dance experience, your dance journey at this stage in your life may be different. We're very aware of that, and the class is designed with our students in mind.

Abaza's Silver Swans® and Dance for Life classes are generating quite a following, and her impact is already being felt by the students at the Centre for Dance Education. Alane Marco, one of her students, shares, "I took ballet for the first time back in college, and only just recently started taking class again after 40 years. Abaza’s Dance for Life classes are just right for me. She always demonstrates and does each exercise with us so we can follow along. It’s easy on my knees, a good workout, and the camaraderie makes it fun."

Kate Gaul, another regular in Abaza's class, adds her own experience as well. "Silver Swans® is a marvelous way to experience the joy of dance. The class format makes ballet accessible to all ages and stages. Abaza is a fabulous and experienced teacher, whose warmth and kindness are evident from the moment you enter the studio. She crafts each class to challenge, uplift and inspire. Through her teaching you feel her love and passion for the art of ballet and a deep desire to enrich her students. With beautiful music and easy to follow exercises that are adapted for all levels of ability, you just feel like moving! A great way to exercise your body and your brain!"

Atlanta Ballet offers classes for students at every stage of life, and if you're over 55 wanting to try something new, come dance with us at the Atlanta Ballet Centre for Dance Education. With Silver Swans® and Dance for Life, you can directly experience the transformative power of ballet in a welcoming and inclusive environment designed with you in mind. No matter which class you choose, Marlena Abaza will bring her expertise and enthusiasm to create an enjoyable and uplifting experience.

To learn more or sign up for classes, visit the link below.