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and learning not to compare oneself to others but only to one’s own best previous efforts in order to improve. Mr Botting was adamant that a good night’s sleep is essential for learning and retaining information. The blue light from computer, mobiles and other screens can have stimulating effects on human circadian rhythms through promoting the body’s production of melatonin. So avoiding screen viewing for at least 30–45 minutes before bedtime will help enable a good night’s sleep! Along with these psychological insights, pupils have also benefited this year from a specialist nutritionist and a physiotherapist who have been able to discuss topics of interest and concern with participants in the Master Dance Programme.

the Scottish Institute of Sport. Mr Botting helps his clients to achieve their optimum performances through deepening self-awareness of how to regulate their emotional balance, controlling anxieties and building resilience. He spoke to Master Dance Programme pupils and parents about the impact on pupils’ lives of the two long periods of lockdown in 2020 caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, and the opportunities as well as the challenges of studying dance via Zoom. He was also able to offer participants advice on coping strategies for stress and anxiety. For example, they were asked to practise breathing techniques to calm both body and mind. Other approaches included visualising challenging situations being overcome, motivating oneself by thinking positively, And whenever Ashley demonstrated aspects of the lessons she taught, she showed such fluid and coordinated movement that we were all left inspired and impressed. While the Junior group learnt an attractive creative drama and dance scene from Edward Scissorhands , the Middle and Senior groups studied the neo-classical/contemporary repertoire of Sleeping Beauty . After the lessons, the young dancers were delighted that Ashley agreed to do a Q&A session. They were joined by several IPS Silver Swans (our adult ballet dancers), and our young guest dancers from Catarina, Brazil, who have been able to join and share our Saturday Masterclasses. Ashley spoke about “professional

SURVIVING ZOOM

We have welcomed and learned so much from many gifted guest teachers, directors and professional dancers from world renowned dance schools and companies during the past year. They have kindly offered lectures and practical dance sessions which our pupils have been able to attend online and we are most grateful to them all.

Misha Botting, is a Bolshoi-trained former dancer with Scottish Ballet who is now a Dance and Sport Psychologist leading a team at

Mr Misha Botting

‘RED SHOES’ BALLERINA ASHLEY SHAW TEACHES AT IPS

Over successive weekends, Ashley Shaw, gifted ballerina and a former pupil of Miss Goodhew, featured as a guest on the IPS Master Dance Programme via Zoom. Many of you will have seen her on television at Christmas time as the girl who wore ‘The Red Shoes’. This was a role created on Ashley by the ballet’s choreographer, Sir Matthew Bourne. Pupils thoroughly enjoyed having their lessons and learning choreography adapted from Sir Matthew’s repertoire.

integrity” and having to “dig-deep” in prolonged lockdown. She thought that the discipline required of dancers was to work hard even without the incentives of theatre performances, or imminent examinations. She spoke to the pupils about presenting their work as if to an audience even if they were working in kitchens, hallways or living rooms to ensure they did not lose their projection skills. Besides advising the young dancers to work towards their examinations, she told them to see as many shows as possible at this stage in their development. “Above all, you must never stop learning and working hard”. We hope that Ashley will soon be able to join us for future dance courses at IPS, either live, or as second best, via Zoom.

Ashley Shaw dances Cinderella in Matthew Bourne’s 2018 production

© Natalia Gerasimova