Product Details

• Format: Classical, Color, NTSC
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Kultur Video
• VHS Release Date: May 28, 1996
• Run Time: 40 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6302817676
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #37,045 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Ballet instructor Rosemary Boross combines imagination and ballet in this innovative dance program for preschoolers. Boross and a class of preschoolers warm up, perform stretching and strengthening exercises, progress to center work, and end with révérence. Boross does not give specific instruction or attempt to include viewers in her class. She does associate many fundamental ballet steps like plié, tendu, and bourreé with garden flowers and animals by utilizing original compositions by Bruce Foster. While the video's cover art suggests animated segments, there is no animation in the presentation, just crayon drawings and studio dancing set to music with clever lyrics. Convincing young students dance with Boross throughout the video, then improvise with scarves in a brief creative-movement segment. The instruction is minimal in this 38-minute video, but young viewers will learn many ballet fundamentals by imitating Boross and may even remember some ballet terms thanks to the garden imagery. (Ages 3 to 5) --Tami Horiuchi

From the Back Cover

This unique ballet class has been created especially for pre-schoolers. It associates each of the basic ballet steps with flowers and garden animals as characters that help children remember ballet terminology easily. The beautiful melodies and memorable lyrics make this ballet class a fun experience for the young child! The class includes a warm-up, stretching and strengthening exercises as well as fundamentals like basic motor skills, rhythmics, and elementary ballet steps. The center floor and across the floor exercises will also teach young children the format of a dance class, spatial directions, and working together in groups. Each warm-up is repeated four times - two verses with lyrics and two verses of instrumental. Program creator Rosemary Boross' dance career includes performances with the Metropolitan Opera Ballet, the Radio City Ballet, the American Dance Machine as well as giving classes at the Alvin Ailey American Dance Center.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars get this tape for your aspiring ballerina!!!, October 1, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: A Fantasy Garden Ballet Class [VHS] (VHS Tape)

This is an incredible, fun class for young children. We've rented this video from our library more than 20 times and still want to own it. This teacher is every parent and child's dream.

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ballerina Alert!, May 31, 2000

By 

"spencerz" - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Fantasy Garden Ballet Class [VHS] (VHS Tape)

I must admit that at first I wasn't overly impressed with this video. It is a dance class video, no real "frills." My 5 year old daughter on the other hand takes it very seriously. Today she even asked me, "Mommy next year when I take dance, can I have this teacher if she's available?" I have even found myself on more than one occasion reliving my ballerina dreams with my daughter, focusing on the instructor, trying desperately to get my 30 something old feet to do the moves! At least twice a week we push back the coffee table and roll up the rug. This one is a winner in our home.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Most excellent for a budding ballet dancer!, March 11, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: A Fantasy Garden Ballet Class [VHS] (VHS Tape)

The instruction? Excellent! Technique? Perfect level for a young child!

To an experienced professional it may appear to be lacking, however it is important to remember what the audience is for this tape. It's fun and educational without being overwhelming... helping to prepare young children for formal dance lessons in the future years.

As for the person who reviewed Ms. Boross' teaching to be "turned in," it makes me wonder what they were watching because it certainly was not this video. I'm glad I did not let the opinion of that particular view disuade my purchase.

My children love the video, and to echo someone else, my daughters all want "Miss Rosemary" to teach them in real life!