I have lived in Bellingham for about four months now, and I have been dancing at Opus the entire time. I would like to dance nowhere else, and I will tell you why:
I am an adult beginner ballet student. I have been dancing for about 1.5 years now, and I'm now not-so-shaky enough to sometimes attempt open classes, even though I usually end up looking like a hippo in a tutu gallumphing (spelling?) across the floor next to the uber-talented dancers who usually populate the open classes.
This place, however, has two different levels for adult students in ballet. They have a beginner ballet class, taught by the lovely and absolutely brilliant Maya, and they have an open level that currently meets on Tuesday nights and Sunday mornings. I have been to both levels, although I attend Maya's class with a regularity that borders on stalking.
I have been really impressed with this place. The open level is definitely intermediate/advanced with an optional pointe class after the regular 1.5 hours, but they are so friendly and kind! They didn't laugh at me once and they sure to introduce themselves and make me feel like part of the class.
Maya's class is amazing. If you have never danced in your life, you can fall right onto the barre and feel at home. She will make sure that you know your tendu from your degage and that you feel comfortable and not lost.
Added bonus, she met with me separately when I shyly announced that my one life ambition, besides owning my own utopian island, was to be en pointe one day. Not only did she not laugh, but she came up with theraband exercises for me to do and very seriously considered what some teachers would consider laughable: an adult with no dance experience who wants to dance en pointe one day.
AND Alan, who runs the place, is truly wonderful. You can buy a dance card at the front, or pay by session, and he always remembers your name and greets you with a smile. You feel at home almost instantly, and it's in a truly beautiful building in downtown Bellingham. Parking is typically reasonable, although you might have to walk a few blocks.
Go today! Don't wait until the ripe old age of 32 like I did! Or do wait! But go today! read more