In "Creating Ballet Fun", talented ballerina, Rochelle Marks, introduces young children to the world of dance. Young Rochelle is a homeschooler who began dancing at two and, at the age of eight, was chosen to dance her own choreography in an eight minute solo with the Phoenix symphony. Rochelle desires to share her passion for dance and share the art and joy of ballet with other children.

"Creating Ballet Fun" is ideal for young children, ages 3-9. It is not an instructional or how-to video, but rather a pleasant introduction into the world of music and dance. Rochelle encourages children to use their imaginations as they watch her dance in various costumes to varying music styles.

Rochelle discusses emotions and then asks viewers to guess which emotion is being portrayed as she dances out happy, sad, mad, afraid and love. She even shows how ballet can be funny by dancing as a doll.

Mime is introduced as "talking without words" as Rochelle teaches her viewers some mimes they can imitate. Rochelle ends by reading the viewers a story that is then acted out in dance.

"Creating Ballet Fun" is a wonderful introduction in helping children to understand the nuances of ballet, to realize that there is story and emotion, rather than simply dance steps. The video is geared toward younger children, but my five year old son enjoyed it immensely, so I would not limit it to girls only. I can see "Creating Ballet Fun" used successfully as an introduction to Classical music as well, as it teaches children how to look for and understand emotions and themes in music as well as use their imaginations.

-Product Review by Dena Wood, The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine, LLC, October, 2006

Another Review...

If you have a little one who enjoys ballet, or just likes to pretend to be a ballerina, then this DVD is for you! Creating Ballet Fun with Rochelle by Ballet Ovations, Inc. is a delightful resource starring a charming and accomplished young ballerina who shares her love of storytelling and dance in a most creative way. Rochelle began dancing at the age of two, and recently at the age of nine she was accepted into Ballet Etudes, a pre-professional ballet company in Mesa, Arizona. Her sunny personality and love of dance definitely shine through!

In this 35-minute video, Rochelle demonstrates how exciting it can be to create "ballet fun." Different segments include showing feelings with music, making use of mime, and telling stories through dance. The costumes, presentation, and videography are extremely well done. My 6-year-old daughter loved this DVD--especially the "princess dance." She has since begged me to turn our living room into a dance set--just like Rochelle's! I must admit that I really enjoyed this enchanting video too. My favorite segment was the amusing "doll dance."

This video does not teach dance steps, nor does it address theory or method. Instead it is designed to encourage children to express themselves through the joy of ballet and the world of storytelling and make-believe. As stated on the back cover of the DVD case, "Rochelle shows how ballet is a magical world of whatever you want it to be."

If you would like to encourage your child to have fun, be creative, and explore the world of ballet, then this video would make a wonderful and inspirational addition to your collection. Be sure to check out the Ballet Ovations website for more information about Rochelle, her accomplishments, and upcoming performances. Plus, you can read more about the newest video release, Creating Ballet Dreams with Rochelle. The cost of each video is $19.95, and Ballet Ovations also has plans to introduce a new Ballet Product Line in the near future.

Product review by Amy O'Quinn, The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine, LLC, November 2006