Pico & La Cienega Adult Beginning Ballet Align 1 Starting Sat Jan 11 to Feb 15 @ 9:00 AM with Michael
$160.00
LEVELS
Our original adult beginner course, training thousands since 2011. Ideal for absolute beginners or those returning to ballet, this course covers classical training essentials like exercises, terminology, body placement, positions, and musicality, all streamlined for adults. By the end of 6 classes, students can complete a basic barre and simple center work. Suitable for all ages and body types. 1 hour per week, same location, instructor, and classmates. 1 makeup class per series. SIGN UP for aworkshop near you.
Align 2 continues from where Align 1 ends, with the same instructor, location, and schedule. Students develop their barre technique and begin basic center traveling steps, preparing them for open basic classes. 1 hour per week. ! make up class per series. SIGN UP for a workhop near you.
For students with prior training or who’ve completed our Align 1 & 2 workshop series or those with a basic ballet technique. These closed basic workshops generally run 2-3 months and build small adult ballet communities at our local dance studio partners. The material is easy to follow and intuitive. Students should be prepared to execute a simple barre a nd center. Purchased in blocks and attended over 2-4 months. Many of our students prefer these closed workshops where the same group meets over a long period of time. We have discovered strong bonds form between students and instructors are able to deeply coach each individual. SIGN UP for a basic workshop near you.
Our open basic classes found our main location open drop in class schedules. This studio is conveniently located between Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, and Culver City. Classes may be purchased individually or through our membership program.
Weekday Open Classes
Weekend Open Classes
Students should be able to complete a simple ballet barre and center prior to attending. We focus on easy to accomplish choreography as a way to develop your dance technique.
Use promo code “firstclass” at checkout for a complimentary trial first visit.
Our open intermediate classes found our main location open drop in class schedules. This studio is conveniently located between Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, and Culver City. The classes may be purchased individually or through our membership program.
Weekday Open Classes
Weekend Open Classes
Students should be able to complete mulitple lart combinations at the ballet barre and center prior to attending. It is best to have the ability to perform pirouettes, petite allegro, and grand allegro prior to joining our intermediate levels.
Use promo code “firstclass” at checkout for a complimentary trial first visit.
Our pointe classes and workshops require a strong basic technical foundation. It is best to attend our basic technique classes first and discuss with your local instructor if you are ready for pointe work.
Register for a closed studio workshop or seach for drop in options from our our main location open classes schedules.
Weekday Open Classes
Weekend Open Classes
INSTRUCTORS
Michael Cornell
Michael is the founder and CEO of the ALIGN Ballet Method. He studied classical ballet at the National Academy of the Arts, renowned for its illustrious community of students and faculty from all over the world. Upon graduation, he embarked on a 10-year long career with BalletMet, where he danced leading roles (including pieces designed for him by elite contemporary choreographers). After retiring from the stage, Michael relocated to Los Angeles and began a career as a certified fitness trainer, which became the early lab for for ALIGN. He has taught on-camera segments for celebrities such as Pauly D (MTV’s Jersey Shore), the women of WWE (E!’s Total Divas), and YouTube sensation/actress, Liza Koshy.
Ishaun Jackson-Moaney
Ishaun Jackson-Moaney (Baltimore, MD) is a 2023 graduate of Fordham University/ The Ailey School, holding a BFA in Dance. While growing up in Los Angeles, she began her dance training at The Lula Washington Dance Theatre. During high school, she trained at Align Ballet Method while attending the LA County High School for the Arts. Ishaun has been awarded scholarships for intensives at The Debbie Allen Dance Academy, Dance Theatre of Harlem, Alonzo King’s Lines Ballet, Jacob Jonas The Company, and Complexions Contemporary Ballet. During her senior year at The Ailey School, Ishaun guested with The Dance Theatre of Harlem to perform Geoffrey Holder’s “Dougla” for their New York City Center Vision Gala.
Gabrielle La Mura
Born and raised in New York City, Gabrielle trained at the American Ballet Theatre’s JKO School. She showcased her talents performing with ABT in nine distinct ballets at The Met, Lincoln Center, Guggenheim, and the Saks Fifth Avenue Window Unveiling. She marked her presence in the Broadway scene, making her debut in two world premieres: “Whipped Cream” and Alexei Ratmansky’s rendition of “Romeo and Juliet.” She has additionally trained at the Royal Ballet Summer Intensive in London & Ibstage in Spain. Transitioning to Los Angeles, Gabrielle graduated Cum Laude from USC and launched her own handbag line, W 78 ST. Her innovative creations gained recognition, being featured in esteemed publications like Vogue and made available for purchase on platforms such as Revolve.
Bryne Graham McRee
Bryne Graham McRee is proud to be an inaugural member of Hollywood Ballet under the leadership of Petra Conti and Eris Nezha after performing with New Ballet in the Bay Area since 2019. In her career thus far she has performed soloist roles in ballets such as Paquita, Serenade, La Boutique Fantasque, Swan Lake, and a variety of new works. In addition to serving as Outreach Coordinator and ABT Affiliate Faculty at New Ballet, Bryn has been teaching adult ballet since the early days of the pandemic when she taught her first Zoom class. She has loved working with adults ever since as she finds their passion, work ethic, and love of the process to be inspiring. Bryn received her early training in her home town of Lawrence, Kansas from former Joffrey dancers Jerel and Krystyna Hilding before attending Kansas City Ballet School, Canada’s National Ballet School, and The Portland Ballet. She was a regular Align Ballet open class student while in college and in 2017 she earned her BA in Theatre from the USC School of Dramatic Arts.
Bryne Graham McRee
Bryne Graham McRee is proud to be an inaugural member of Hollywood Ballet under the leadership of Petra Conti and Eris Nezha after performing with New Ballet in the Bay Area since 2019. In her career thus far she has performed soloist roles in ballets such as Paquita, Serenade, La Boutique Fantasque, Swan Lake, and a variety of new works. In addition to serving as Outreach Coordinator and ABT Affiliate Faculty at New Ballet, Bryn has been teaching adult ballet since the early days of the pandemic when she taught her first Zoom class. She has loved working with adults ever since as she finds their passion, work ethic, and love of the process to be inspiring. Bryn received her early training in her home town of Lawrence, Kansas from former Joffrey dancers Jerel and Krystyna Hilding before attending Kansas City Ballet School, Canada’s National Ballet School, and The Portland Ballet. She was a regular Align Ballet open class student while in college and in 2017 she earned her BA in Theatre from the USC School of Dramatic Arts.
Bryne is an amazing and enthusiastic teacher! She never fails to make each class enjoyable. I admire how excited she is to teach class!”
“Bryne has positively changed my relationship with ballet. From ages 5-13 I never experienced such an encouraging, kind, warm, professional, and affirming instructor. Her spirit and love for ballet is evident in how she interacts with every student in the class. Now that I’m returning to ballet, she has made me enjoy ballet more than I thought I ever could again. Love her! “
“Bryn has such an easy going personality. I enjoy walking into class, feeling warmly welcomed and given thorough instructions. I first thought her pace was quite fast, in terms of position sequences, yet I was delighted to find myself on her rhythm and able to keep up and stretch myself, physically and mentally. Highly recommend!”
“Bryn is truly invested in our progress. Sometimes in adult ballet classes I feel very much like a “dancer” but in Bryn’s class I’m just a dancer—no quotation marks. She treats everybody as if they’ll go all the way with ballet! She doesn’t skimp on the details or dumb anything down—you WILL learn something new that WILL make your dancing better every class you take with her. “
“Such a wonderful teacher! I’ve been doing adult ballet for over 10 years now and learned new things from Bryn and improved how I hold my arms and fingers!”
Brittany Bennington
“Brittney is helping me to make my aunt lora’s dream a reality because my aunt lora took ballet many years ago and she became a ballet dancer for her family because her dream is to be a ballet dancer when she is a little girl many years ago and fallowed her dream and before she knew it she made her dream come reality that she wanted to be and I am going to fallow her dream and I’m going to make her dream a reality just like she did many of years ago so that’s why Brittney is helping me to be a ballet dancer just like my aunt”
“She is wonderful!!!”
“I feel like I am learning so much from Brittany! She’s an outstanding teacher and great at making suggestions in an incredibly encouraging way.”
“Brittany is extremely patient, helpful and teaches in a manner that is tailored to all dance levels :)”
“I’m delighted that my daughter discovered the Align Ballet Method in Orange County and recommended that we enroll together. We’ve completed Align 1 and are now participating in Align 2. Initially, I felt apprehensive about our first class, but Brittany’s warm and kind demeanor quickly alleviated my concerns, creating a non-judgmental class environment. Brittany is an exceptional dance instructor—her teaching style is clear and accessible, and she exhibits patience and tremendous support.”
Gabrielle La Mura
Born and raised in New York City, Gabrielle trained at the American Ballet Theatre’s JKO School. She showcased her talents performing with ABT in nine distinct ballets at The Met, Lincoln Center, Guggenheim, and the Saks Fifth Avenue Window Unveiling. She marked her presence in the Broadway scene, making her debut in two world premieres: “Whipped Cream” and Alexei Ratmansky’s rendition of “Romeo and Juliet.” She has additionally trained at the Royal Ballet Summer Intensive in London & Ibstage in Spain. Transitioning to Los Angeles, Gabrielle graduated Cum Laude from USC and launched her own handbag line, W 78 ST. Her innovative creations gained recognition, being featured in esteemed publications like Vogue and made available for purchase on platforms such as Revolve.
“Lovely 🥰 “
“Great class and great instruction!!”
“She is so energetic and encouraging. She makes me look forward to class! She is clearly very experienced and knowledgeable, and always giving us tangible metaphors to help us better understand our body movements.”
“She’s amazing! I love her classes because you can tell how much she loves ballet. Please give her a raise”
“Gabrielle has been so encouraging, which has made all the difference in my experience. Trying something brand new and physical at a middle point in life can be extremely intimidating, and her joyful disposition and encouraging words have made me excited to continue my journey. I’m very grateful for her patience and positive energy. “
“She was great! So knowledgeable kind. But the class was much harder than Michael’s basic class. “
Ishaun Jackson-Moaney
Ishaun Jackson-Moaney (Baltimore, MD) is a 2023 graduate of Fordham University/ The Ailey School, holding a BFA in Dance. While growing up in Los Angeles, she began her dance training at The Lula Washington Dance Theatre. During high school, she trained at Align Ballet Method while attending the LA County High School for the Arts. Ishaun has been awarded scholarships for intensives at The Debbie Allen Dance Academy, Dance Theatre of Harlem, Alonzo King’s Lines Ballet, Jacob Jonas The Company, and Complexions Contemporary Ballet. During her senior year at The Ailey School, Ishaun guested with The Dance Theatre of Harlem to perform Geoffrey Holder’s “Dougla” for their New York City Center Vision Gala.
“Ishaun is warm, positive, encouraging yet rigorous and technique-focused. She is the BEST dance teacher I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with. Can’t wait to begin the Basic semester with her!”
“She is a wonderful instructor. Very patient and encouraging. Also great at breaking it down to learn technique. I wish she had more classes. “
“amazing !”
“Ishaun is very charismatic, knowledgeable and detail oriented. I’m very content to have another young teacher that is upbeat and kind. She gives lots of informative corrections and advice. In addition to her wonderful skills, I also enjoy the variety of music she plays for us, in class. I believe she is an absolutely great addition to the align family and I hope she stays with us for a looooooong time. “
“Very knowledgeable, patient, and encouraging”
Isabella Hoy
Isabella Hoy began dancing at the age of two at Alexandra Ballet where she received a lifetime scholarship. At the age of seven Isabella moved to Southern California and began training in the Vaganova method and Contemporary dance at Southland Ballet Academy. She then became a company member of Festival Ballet Theater where she performed in corps de ballet and lead roles. She has had the privilege of training with world renowned directors and choreographers from Royal Ballet, Bolshoi Ballet, Houston Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, American Ballet Theater, New York City Ballet, and Joffrey Ballet. In the last few years Isabella has begun a career in acting and teaching ballet.
“Isabella is a kind, exceptionally patient and positive instructor. She created a safe, inclusive space conducive to learning. I really struggle with movement and learning in group settings so I’m grateful for all the care and consideration she provided. She made class fun and I never felt embarrassed or uncomfortable when I fell behind. I have a lot of reverence for dance/dancers and always wanted to learn but never thought it was an option for me — thank you to Isabella for making this experience accessible to me! “
“Isabella is the ABSOLUTE best! She is truly passionate about ballet and teaching. “
“Isabella is simply the best dance teacher I’ve ever had. She brings joy to every class. Her ballet classes are challenging and she teaches with precision but she does such a wonderful job of breaking down, explaining, and demonstrating steps and combinations that I never feel lost or frustrated. She knows students’ names and gives feedback frequently throughout each class in a positive, encouraging way. She makes every class both fun and inspiring. I wish she taught every day!”
“Bella is really engaging and supportive. I like that her teaching style focuses on full body control and strength, and that her warm-ups and exercises reflect this. She also pays very close attention to all her students and gives feedback to to everyone at least once per class. I also like that she points out specifically which muscles to engage for every position that we do. I really want her to teach the semester class on the weekends!!”
“I’m assuming y’all are referring to Isabella at your OC location. She is honestly a godsend, particularly for her patience, empathy, and kindness for people who have never done this sort of activity before. Ballet is a bit out of my element my background is in weightlifting and boxing but I needed it to help my acting (bocking), footwork in boxing, and overall body movement. It’s definitely challenging and I understand technique takes time but it’s really nice to have an instructor who takes the time to help you even if you make the same mistakes… continuously (sorry Isabella lol). A little bit of kindness goes a long way and she eased my anxiety, and reservations I had about being in a ballet class. I’m definitely not your typical student, and I almost didn’t show up to the first class I was so terrified but Isabella helps me feel comfortable, safe, and secure when I am in her classroom. P.S. Thank you for having weekend morning classes, it’s the only time I have off and ballet class feels more like therapy, I’m gonna so sad when it’s over. Thank you again! This has been fun! “
Linda Malik
Linda Malik, a writer and former professional ballet dancer based in Los Angeles, brings a rich artistic background to her teaching. Originally from Denmark, her training includes Vaganova and Bournonville, as well as Horton and Limón modern dance techniques. During her 12-year professional career, Linda performed with the Pantomime Theatre (Tivoli Ballet) in Copenhagen before joining the Danish Dance Theater, Denmark’s national contemporary dance company. Linda has pursued her passion for storytelling in the U.S., earning both a B.A. and M.A. in Writing for the Screen. Her projects range from children’s picture books to screenplays and animations, all influenced by her visual storytelling approach. Combining her love of dance and writing, Linda is living her dream by teaching ballet and creating stories, including a children’s book series inspired by her rescue cat, Willow.
Michael Cornell
Michael is the founder and CEO of the ALIGN Ballet Method. He studied classical ballet at the National Academy of the Arts, renowned for its illustrious community of students and faculty from all over the world. Upon graduation, he embarked on a 10-year long career with BalletMet, where he danced leading roles (including pieces designed for him by elite contemporary choreographers). After retiring from the stage, Michael relocated to Los Angeles and began a career as a certified fitness trainer, which became the early lab for for ALIGN. He has taught on-camera segments for celebrities such as Pauly D (MTV’s Jersey Shore), the women of WWE (E!’s Total Divas), and YouTube sensation/actress, Liza Koshy.
“Michael is a wonderful teacher he inspires anyone who takes his class he has the gift to uplift the spirit of all dancers with his magic 🪄 “
“Michael is the very best person and teacher The classes are challenging and enjoyable.”
“Michael’s teaching style has really resonated for me. The way he is able to explain the alignment and give corrections is so easy for anyone to follow. This means I’m learning so much on every single barre exercise. As a result, I’ve learned 100 new things in only two classes. I also really appreciate that Michael’s passion for dance comes through in his teaching. He’s passionate about the technique – but also passionate about the music, the ballet norms (you’re not done until the piano stops!), and creating a ballet community. The classes at Align are incredible and I feel so lucky to be a new student there!”
“I love working with Michael! His feedback helps me improve and he motivates me to do better! :)”
“Being able to be taught by an amazing instructor like Michael for such a low price is such a hidden gem in LA. He’s detailed and relatable. He is excellent at explaining and relating ballet to grander concepts. He works at a steady pace, creates a safe environment, is respectful, knowledgeable, and deeply inspiring.”
Zoe Keijser
Following her early dance training in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Zoe studied extensively in the Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet’s pre-professional program while simultaneously completing her high school education.
Zoe continued training and began her professional career in Vancouver BC where she danced for the Vancouver Opera and went on tour with the Goh Ballet. Zoe proceeded to dance as a member of the Connecticut Ballet Company. Having then moved to New York City, she completed multiple Fellowships with the Merce Cunningham Trust performing reconstructions of the Cunningham Company’s original works at City Center in New York. Upon relocation to California, Zoe danced with Pasadena Dance Theatre and ArtistsPlus Productions. In addition to her classes with Align Ballet, Zoe is currently an adjunct professor teaching ballet courses at Hussian College.
“Zoe provides excellent instruction, constructive and astute corrections, accessible and challenging combinations. She is a fantastic teacher! “
“Zoe is the best! She challenges students while making sure that everyone is comfortable (and moving safely). She brings a wonderful, supportive attitude to class, setting the stage to build a positive environment for all!”
“Zoe was very patient in Align1, she always answered everyone’s questions. She was always demonstrating the combinations and would show us from both the front and back of the class. I felt safe, excited and inspired taking classes with her! She’s very strong and I aspire to be as strong as her “
“Zoe is excellent, thorough, patient, and sure of her teaching methods. I appreciate how she builds on skills throughout the course. “
“Zoe is an amazing instructor and a beautiful dancer! Made ballet easier to comprehend. Once a week is not enough! “
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