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Silver Swans

Start your Silver Swans journey

Silver Swans® classes are specifically designed for over 55s and delivered exclusively by Silver Swans® Licensees, who have trained to safely adapt ballet techniques for older adults. These are real ballet steps, giving you the chance to express yourself through music, learn something new and socialise. All ages and abilities are welcome -whether you are a complete novice or an experienced dancer.

More than a Ballet Class

We believe the social side is just as important as the actual dancing itself, so we make sure there’s time in every one of our Silver Swans® classes for people to chat and catch up with each other. Our friendly classes help reduce loneliness and enable people to make new friends. We organise lots of opportunities to socialise away from the dance studio -anything from a cuppa after class to specially organised events and trips away.

So join us for the Complete Ballet experience and begin to improve your dance-life balance!

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Gilly Hope - Think you're past a pirouette? Meet the Silver Swans

Do you have questions?

Click the button below to read our frequently asked questions.

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We use an independent website called My Fitness Class to list all of our current classes and events and to take bookings and payments for them. When you’ve found something you’d like to join, just sign up to create an account. You can then manage any future bookings in seconds through My Fitness Class online.

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FAQs

Silver Swans

How much are the classes?

Silver Swans classes are £8 per hour pay as you go. We offer block bookings of 5 classes for £35 or 10 classes for £70 -which gives you a discount. If you pay in advance and cancel with notice, you won’t lose your class pass or payment and we’ll transfer it over to another session. You get a free class when you first sign up.

Yes aboslutely! Silver Swans classes are aimed at over 55s because the exercises are gentle and low impact which make them ideal for that age group in particular but adults of any age or ability can join. At Complete Ballet CIC, we have a complete mix from people in their late 30s to 80s! Classes are open to men and women.
Yes. Silver Swans classes are suitable for people with absolutely no dance experience at all, as well as those who have been dancing for years! Teachers are skilled in explaining steps and routines so that the lessons are both fun and challenging.

Yes, its very likely that you can take part. Silver Swans classes are designed to be inclusive and accessible and the carefully planned exercises mean that adults and older people managing a range of health/medical conditions or disabilities, can take part. During the lesson, the teacher will suggest alternative movements to some of the steps. If you feel like to need to sit down, many of the exercises can be done from a chair too, so you can still take part in the class. The classes are very relaxed and people work in the way that is right for their own bodies. We ask you to tell us about any relevant health conditions when you join so that our teachers are aware and can ensure you have a safe lesson. 

We use an online booking system called My Fitness Class https://completeballet.myfitnessclass.com/ Once you sign up, you can manage your bookings and class passes all in the one place. If you can’t use an online system, you can arrange another way to book lessons with the teacher. You can attend classes whenever and wherever you like, as long as there’s a space you can book onto -you don’t have to attend every week. If you can’t attend, you’ll need to cancel your class on your My Fitness Class account to free up the space for someone else. If you don’t turn up to class, and haven’t given any notice to cancel, then you’ll need to pay for that missed class. We understand that life happens so we keep things as flexible as possible.

You’ll be learning real ballet steps -just like you’d see at The Royal Ballet. The class starts off with a gentle warm up, then moves to the barre (sometimes its a ballet barre, sometimes chairs -depending on the venue). The teacher will ‘mark out’ the exercise first to tell you what the steps are, then you’ll all dance it together to music. Exercises start off slow -lots of bending, stretching and balancing, and the movements get bigger towards the end. After barre work, the class moves to the centre of the room -known as ‘centre practice’ and here we do combinations of the steps from the barre and some group work. There are always options to walk the steps, or do them at slower speeds. We finish with a cool down and stretch. There is no requirement to jump or turn (unless you want to!). Each exercise is marked/explained every lesson by the teacher so it doesn’t matter if you don’t remember them from the previous week. It also helps anyone with memory problems and allows people to drop in to join any class, any venue. We change the exercises and the music every month or so, so you get some fresh steps to work on and enjoy.

The social side of our ballet classes is just as important to us as the actual dancing. We regularly meet up for cuppa’s after lessons and there are opportunities to go to theatre and attend other dance events together. The classes are very friendly and relaxed so you’ll find you will quickly make new friends if that’s what you’d like to do. We have a private chat group where people can keep in touch with each other outside of classes and share ballet inspiration and stories. 

Wear comfortable clothing that allows you to move freely. Some people come in workout clothes, some go for loose, casual clothing. We also have a few in ballet tights and leotards. It’s a complete mix in class which helps keep the lessons feelings relaxed. You can order branded clothing if you want to and we have an in-house seamstress who makes dance skirts. Make sure you bring water to stay hydrated as you exercise. We also recommend an extra layer, like a hoodie or cardigan, to keep you warm at the start and end of the class. We recommend ballet shoes to help protect your feet and to enable you to dance your best! Many people also wear jazz shoes which have a slight heel and more support. Dance shoes can be ordered from your teacher at a discounted price. If you don’t have dance shoes yet, you can do the class in socks with grips, or thin soled trainers/shoes, but we wouldn’t advise those options long-term.