Masterclass by Vanessa Fenton

VANESSA FENTON MASTERCLASS

Sunday 14th September 2025

LBC members were invited to join Vanessa Fenton as she taught a masterclass to eager dancers. None of the participants was in vocational training and spanned all age groups, but each was regularly attending ballet classes. And, for the first time, Vanessa taught both the class and the variation. It was a treat for us to see her teaching a piece that she herself danced countless times during her years at The Royal Ballet.

Class involved exercises to make sure the ankles were “ready” for the running which would make up a lot of the choreography of the Entrance of the Swans from Swan Lake. Pirouettes and arabesques would also feature in the piece. Following the class and a quick break, Vanessa lined up the dancers by height. Some wore pointe shoes, and some wore soft slippers. The need for absolute precision in keeping in line and keeping the line straight was emphasised. Vanessa also explained how to “bank” when turning a corner. The position of the head and the arms made up a large part of the teaching as it’s imperative to achieve “swan arms”. It looks easy but it isn’t. Maintaining the precision and the line is a bit like walking and chewing gum at the same time. To say the group worked hard would be an understatement. To their credit, and Vanessa’s, they managed to learn the choreography and run through the entire piece. Exhausted both physically and mentally, one could see how pleased they were with themselves. And so they should have been!

SDE