Germaine Dawal’s dance adventure in London’s Rambert School
On his free time, Germaine and his mom Katherine Dawal visited attractions such as the London Eye.
Shortly after dancing as the Young Adolfo in Ballet Manila’s recent Florante at Laura performance run at Aliw Theater, company member Germaine Dawal flew to the United Kingdom for a two-week workshop at the famed Rambert School of Ballet and Contemporary Dance in Twickenham, London.
Every day for his two-week dance program, Ballet Manila apprentice Germaine Dawal would pass through this door at the Rambert School of Ballet and Contemporary Dance in Twickenham, London.
The workshop was one of Germaine’s prizes when he landed in first place in both Ballet and Contemporary in the Senior 15-17 years old category of the International Ballet Grand Prix (IBGP) Philippines 2024, scooping a host of medals and scholarships in the process.
A first-timer to the UK, the young danseur said it was exciting to participate in the program which included classes in conditioning, ballet and different kinds of contemporary dance which he took alongside regular Rambert students.
“Pinaka-nanibago po ako sa Graham contemporary. (I had to get used to Graham contemporary the most.) It’s painful po but fun at the same time,” shared Germaine. Pioneered by American modern dance pioneer Martha Graham, the technique is thought to be an important foundation for many contemporary dance forms. It is said to focus on core strength, emotional expression, and contraction and release.
Germaine said they also had TP (technique and performance) class which he already had exposure to in British choreographer Martin Lawrance’s classes at the Lisa Macuja School of Ballet. Lawrance is a guest choreographer with Ballet Manila and created the contemporary piece, Helicopter, that Germaine danced in the IBGP regionals in Manila and again in the IBGP finals in Singapore last year.
Another class involved the Gaga movement language developed by Ohad Naharin which emphasizes sensory awareness and uses imagery to move beyond familiar motor patterns. “Para po siyang improvisation class,” said Germaine, who was keen on embracing everything that he was taught.
While undergoing the program, Germaine was always mindful of what his teachers – including Ballet Manila artistic associate and principal dancer Gerardo Francisco Jr. – had told him before leaving Manila. “Nagbilin lang po sila sa akin na, learn as much as possible po, also have fun po, be careful po kasi iba ’yung technique ng classical nila sa London. And ingatan po ’yung katawan ko specially ’yung tuhod ko po.” (They reminded me to learn as much as possible, also have fun, be careful because their classical technique is different in London. And to take care of my body, specially my knees.)
The Rambert School’s history dates back to 1914 and is internationally renowned for training and education in ballet and contemporary dance. Photo from www.rambertschool.org.uk
Germaine said he had to get used to the colder weather, but he enjoyed the daily commute to Rambert. After a seven-minute bus ride from the hotel he was staying in, he would then walk from 10 to 15 minutes to the school.
He described the school as a beautiful one with five studios, three of which are in the main building and two located just across the street.
The 17-year-old danseur was accompanied to the UK by his mother, Katherine Dawal, with whom he was able to spend time at the end of classes and on weekends. On Germaine’s free time, they would take the train to explore a little more of the city, visiting such attractions as the London Eye, the Big Ben, Buckingham Palace and Tower Bridge.
The trip was an eye-opener for Germaine, to be able to see and experience a new country but more importantly, to immerse in different aspects of dance. Thankful for the opportunity, he said he will use the lessons he learned in Rambert to continue honing his skills even more as a Ballet Manila apprentice.
Germaine executes ballet moves between classes at the Rambert School.
