Helena Froehlich has been teaching at Boston Ballet School since 2005, and is now one of our regular faculty for the adult programs. A former professional dancer and currently teacher of ballet, modern and Pilates, she has an affinity with adult dance students. “What inspires me to teach the adults is that I see them developing such happiness through class.” says Froehlich. “Their joy at accomplishing a new step or concept is such a motivation for me to help them achieve more and more. I know that they will leave class with a posture and energy that stays with them through the rest of their day.”
Froehlich began her dancing days in Strasbourg, in her native France. “I was first inspired by seeing a painting of a dancer on a horse in a picture book when I was 3 years old, and asked my parents if I could learn to dance.” says Froehlich, “My parents didn’t think being an artist was a very appropriate career, so it took another 5 years for them to allow me to take ballet, and then only for a month!”
"Performing taught me to appreciate the arts"
Fortunately her parents allowed her to continue, and Froehlich moved through the levels of the Ecole Municipale de Danse Classique in Strasbourg. “We were so lucky as students because from the age of 12, we performed with the professional Opera du Rhin company in several Operas and Operettas productions every year. It really enabled me to experience working with live singers and an orchestra, and taught me to appreciate the arts.”
Froehlich has always enjoyed learning new forms of dance, even after she became a professional dancer. “After dancing with the Dance Companies ACTES in Strasbourg, Janssens in Germany and Fusion in Paris, I was lucky enough to be one of the 15 accepted by the Centre National de Danse Contemporaine in Angers; the only institution in France to offer a full-time paid modern dance professional training. I was then one of only 4 dancers to be chosen for a scholarship from the French Ministry of Foreign Exchange, giving me the opportunity to study dance in New York for 3 years.”
Teaching has been a passion for Froehlich. “I started teaching when I was still dancing, as I love to share what I have learned with others. I worked with adults right from the beginning. I enjoy the fact that you can talk on the same level with them, and you can explain many details and core principles. They listen and can integrate what you say, even if it takes sometimes a bit longer than children to achieve it with their bodies. I also set myself individual goals for each student and help them work their way to reach those goals.”
“Working with adult students is a unique joy!”
Boston Ballet School holds its annual Adult Summer Dance Program during the month of August. Froehlich has been part of the faculty for that program for the last 3 years. “It’s a wonderful opportunity to have a program solely for adults. We are one of the only schools that offer an intensive 2 week course, every evening, catering for adults of all levels, from beginners through former professional dancers.”
“The program takes place every evening from 5:30pm to 9pm, so it builds a great dynamic and community among the adults. The program is especially tailored to their needs and there are a lot of choices – they can begin with a Pilates, stretch/strengthening or yoga class and then take one of four different levels of ballet. After the technique class, there will be modern, ballroom and jazz or the choice to learn repertoire from one of the ballets – such a fun part of the learning experience and something adults don’t often get to do.”
Last year the program was filled to capacity, so we expanded it for this year and hope to have over 100 students attend. One of the reasons they attend is the tremendous quality of the faculty who are specialized in teaching adults as well as having our talented accompanists. Froehlich has a very holistic approach “For me, the most important thing is to ensure the health of the students, moving towards their optimal alignment while building core strength to allow the movement to happen. Dance is a wonderful way for adults to connect on a deep level with their body, release tension that can accumulate in their everyday life and experience the joy of moving into space.”
“This program is a true inspiration to our whole community and I’m so glad to be a part of it.”
“Of course the highlight of the two weeks is the informal showing of the work they have done which comes on the last night. They invite their partners, friends and family, who can share in the experiences they have gained during the program. And we all love the party at the end, where we all let our hair down, literally and metaphorically! This program is a true inspiration to our whole community and I’m so glad to be a part of it.”
By Christopher Hird
Helena Froelich by Elizabeth Akerstein
