In a program called iDance: 100% Virtual, The Lisa Macuja School of Ballet completed its first-ever online ballet recital last August 22 with students from the Philippines to as far as Qatar and Portugal participating.

In the school’s long history, there has never been a recital like this one.

Instead of a traditional stage, living rooms temporarily cleared of furniture, bedrooms and other areas in the home with sufficient spaces served as performance venues. But even then, the students were fully committed as they showed off their dancing form remotely and hurdling a few technical glitches. 

The students had enrolled in eight-week courses of different ballet levels, with classes held thrice a week, and had successfully passed exams given to them by faculty members led by school directress Lisa Macuja-Elizalde.

The iDance recital consisted of three one-hour segments with each one featuring students in individual numbers and a final group number in their respective levels.

Macuja-Elizalde introduced each segment, thankful and tearful that her ballet school had reached a significant milestone under the “new normal” brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Just a few months ago, the school’s Summer Intensive had to be cancelled as the government imposed quarantines that kept people – particularly students – at home.

Macuja-Elizalde said they had to reinvent given the prevailing situation. Even though conducting ballet classes online may have initially seemed unthinkable, the Lisa Macuja School of Ballet hosted a trial run that proved there was sufficient interest.

Aside from her and Ballet Manila co-artistic director Osias Barroso, the ballet faculty is composed of current and former BM dancers including Eileen Lopez, Sofia Sangco-Peralta, Robert Peralta, Abigail Oliveiro, Joan Emery Sia, Gerardo Francisco, Romeo Peralta, and Mark Sumaylo.

“We have created a structure that works,” Lisa said of the online classes. “We have a main teacher, a co-teacher and a demonstrator for all our classes online – except for company class where the company is already considered experienced and mature enough to be able to take class with just one teacher.”

Conducting the classes online meant adjustment for everyone involved. “Facing this new normal in this time of pandemic has been a bit a struggle at first not only for the students but for the teachers as well,” said Eileen Lopez.

Mark Sumaylo noted how it was a challenging but fun experience, especially in “figuring out technology and how to teach, through the cell phone screen or laptop screen.”

Abigail Oliveiro concurred, saying how she is more used to giving corrections on students personally. “I like to be more hands on usually but this is the next best thing and it’s definitely kept me on my toes,” said the dancer. 

Sumaylo and Oliveiro, as well as fellow principal dancers Joan Emery Sia and Elpidio Magat, were featured as guest performers in different segments of iDance: 100% Virtual in numbers that Oliveiro and Magat also choreographed. Soloist Joshua Enciso and company artist Shaira Comeros also had a number while other BM dancers such as principal artist Jasmine Pia Dames were tapped to choreograph recital pieces.

Macuja-Elizalde said online instruction imposes certain limitations in teaching ballet. “Basically, you need to be a lot more verbal. Directions have to be very clear. Demonstrations become secondary as verbal explanations become more important.”

Parents and students who were seen in the school’s AVP shown during the recital expressed satisfaction over the classes. Grace Tan, a parent of a Level 3 student in Malaysia, marveled how teachers Macuja-Elizalde and Barroso managed to point out her child’s weakness and correct it. “We really wish the online classes will continue for good to benefit many, many ballerinas across the world,” she said.

Myfanwy Xyasza Naldoza, a Level 1A student, said she liked “learning new ballet terms, techniques and dances while in the comfort of my own home.”

Qatar-based Pam Ruivivar, who finished the Level 2B certificate course, said on her Facebook page how proud she was of “an achievement in the midst of pandemic.” She also enrolled in modern ballet and ballet fitness.

“Posting this 2-minute solo classical recital to remind myself and everyone that in darkness, there is still a glimmer of light,” Ruivivar wrote.

Macuja-Elizalde thanked students and parents for their choice of her school for their ballet education amid the many choices available and reiterated her commitment to do even better.

With its first online recital now done, the school is moving on to Phase 3 of its ballet offerings slated to start on September 8. Full details on short courses, certificate programs and lifestyle classes are available on The Lisa Macuja School of Ballet’s Facebook page. Those who wish to enroll may also follow this link: www.bit.ly/bmonlineenrollment

“We hope to be able to continue to improve our online platform for giving ballet classes and to continue guiding you through your dance journey,” said Macuja-Elizalde who underscored that at her school, “The learning will never stop, and the dancing will never stop.”