Beijing

2010. Ok, i searched and searched: in Beijing i found J-Ballet Studio http://www.j-ballet.com in the Chaoyang District. They were really nice and the classes were open though few and far between. (only one or two a week). Sorry to say that the class i took was not very satisfying. So i kept searching and found the official Beijing Dance Academy which has an adult curriculum by the semester. It is located north of the National Library, in the northwest of the city. It is an exciting place to visit, just to see the building pulsing with music, and the classrooms packed with the best students in China. I shuffled around from office to office for a few hours until they agreed ( for a generous fee) to allow me into the adult course as a visitor for a period of one week. The class was absolutely incredible. The adults benefit from the same lessons as the full time students. Adult students take two classes a day of classical ballet, character and history of dance. It is a worthwhile course if you are staying in Beijing for more than three months. I also think that they will work out short term stays for one month or more. They were very welcoming though it is not cheap! I interacted with Xu Lei in the Foreign Affairs Office, Beijing Dance Academy. Tel: 86-10-689-53859 Their website does not yet have an English translation. However Xu Lei, does have an email address: Sherryxu1012@sohu.com .

In Shanghai i heard about a wonderful teacher, but was unable to get the details. I am working on it. Shanghai being the giant international city that it is i do not doubt the presence of great dance classes!