Student Feedback
“Chantraine can truly open up new worlds for everyone, in an expanding vision of dance in life”
“Chantraine believes that everyone can bring something to dance, whatever their age and experience. You don’t have to be young or fit, although if you dance with Chantraine you will be fit and flexible fairly soon! ... One of the things that Francoise espouses is joy. Joy in dance, joy in life. We, as dancers, contribute to the creativity and stretch physical and mental boundaries. It’s a very artistic and bonding process as well as a good way to make new friends.”
“Its uniqueness lies in its wholeness, in its recognition that dance is a basic human need, by its drawing on all traditions, by its respect for each individual student, no matter what age or stage by its committed professionalism and its gentle fostering care.”
“From being delirious with the sheer joy of dancing again, I began to discover the infinite treasures in Chantraine - in all senses it is a voyage of discovery, always offering more, beckoning onwards. Knowing I had lost the technique I once had, I found that I could, after all, still move! while learning to come to terms with my physical limitations”.
“For me, above all else Chantraine means acceptance of one’s body (the real body, not an impossibly idealised one) of one’s place in the world, and of other people. This acceptance is at the root of Chantraine movement, and nourishes it at every level”
“Having studied ballet as a child, I never dreamt that there could be a chance to express myself through dance for as long as my body would allow. Each class is a new journey and a fresh experience. What luck to have the privilege of such an excellent teacher, a huge variety of choreographies created by Françoise Chantraine, and dancing to some of the most wonderful and diverse music the world has produced”
“I attended a one-day course on a grey and rainy day and entered the dance studio feeling exhausted, lethargic and stressed about work. Five minutes into the course, all my worries had trickled away and I felt completely at peace with myself. ...One of the best aspects of the day was that everybody was able to join in with all elements of the course, whatever their age or level of ability. I left the course feeling uplifted and completely exhilarated”.
“’Just dancing’. That’s what you may think. You’re wrong. Chantraine is expressive, beautiful and fun. It’s lovely just to let go and feel free to dance. Nothing is in your way. If you can do Chantraine, you are gifted in many ways...love, peace and happiness come from everyon
e in my class and my teacher. I love Chantraine”
(An 11 year-old)
“I am thrilled and moved by watching, and dancing with, people of all ages and variable experience, I am constantly amazed by their imagination, their readiness to be daring, to accept that anything and everything is possible – and I am humbled as I realise how far there is to go.”
“I’m spending more time now in non-Chantraine dance classes than in Chantraine, but it is the Chantraine approach and your teaching of it that most helps me to stay in contact with all I value most in dance.”