Seniors or anyone wanting to focus on balance, stability, range of motion, and coordination can stay at home – and even stay in their chairs – and participate in Smuin Contemporary Ballet’s Easy Movin' with Smuin, a low-intensity class featuring full body exercises that help with strength and mobility. Designed for participants either seated or standing, attendees can also add light resistance work using household items such as a towel or belt, and simple weights like handy soup cans, milk containers, or hardcover books. Taught by former Smuin dancer/current company teacher Valerie Harmon, the classes offer up easy-to- follow exercises, plus a short phrase of movement set to music.

Since launching last April, Smuin Contemporary Ballet has led virtual Zoom-based drop-in classes for hundreds of aspiring and professional dancers, as well as those just looking to stay in shape, limber up, or learn some new moves. Styles offered include ballet (from beginning to advanced), plus tap, jazz, hip hop, Pilates, fitness, character, Broadway show dancing, and more. Smuin Artistic Director Celia Fushille asked Smuin Ballet Master Amy London to launch the program, which has expanded to include a wide array of dance styles and fitness classes for all levels. London has been Smuin’s Ballet Master for 12 years, and with more than two decades of experience as a dance educator and program director she was ideally suited to create Smuin’s program. Taught by company dancers and alumni, Smuin’s virtual classes are currently scheduled through February.

For more than 25 years Smuin has pushed the boundaries of contemporary ballet by presenting works that engage and delight audiences with their uncommon physicality and expression. Founded in San Francisco in 1994 by Tony and Emmy award-winning choreographer Michael Smuin, the company is committed to creating work that merges the diverse vocabularies of classical ballet and contemporary dance. Since 2007, Artistic Director Celia Fushille has built on Michael Smuin's legacy by creating her own vision and expanding the company’s repertoire. Fushille has invited numerous choreographers to create works that highlight the Smuin artists’ extraordinary versatility, presenting pieces that are unique, joyful, athletic, and inventive.