Online Silver Swans® ballet classes

ballet classes, specially designed for the over 55s, hosted on Zoom

We have been featured on

BBC Two's Darcey Bussell: Dancing to Happiness,
​BBC North West Tonight, ITV Tonight: How To Age Well?, Woman's Weekly,
The i Newspaper, Breathe Magazine, ​BBC Radio Manchester,
​That's Manchester TV, World Ballet Day, The Times,
​The Telegraph, Daily Express, Caters News and the Radio Times
​Silver Swans® classes have been specially designed for the over-55s, but whatever your age, if you are looking for a new way to keep fit and active, our ballet classes will put a spring in your step. Whether you've never danced before or want to get back into the swing of it, our classes have something for everyone.

The RAD developed this programme based on research into dance practice for older learners – classes are only taught by Silver Swans licensees

Our online Silver Swans® classes, as seen on 
​ITV Tonight
​How To Age Well?
presented by Martin Kemp

About our online Silver Swans® classes

Silver Swans® ballet classes are specially designed for the over 55s, and are an initiative of the Royal Academy of Dance. Silver Swans® classes can help to improve posture, mobility, co-ordination and energy levels, and you can now access our Silver Swans® ballet classes from anywhere! Our online international Silver Swans® classes suit everyone from complete beginners through to advanced/ex-professional dancers and are accessed by people from across the world.

Since the launch of our online international Silver Swans® classes, they have increased in popularity and are a permanent feature of our timetable.
​
In our live Zoom classes, everyone is able to interact with each other, meaning that classes have real-time feedback from our Silver Swans® licensee. Our Zoom classes are not impersonal online group exercise classes – we get to know all our Silver Swans and our Silver Swans all get to know each other.

We have a vibrant online community for our dancers with a large social aspect to our online classes – our Silver Swans love to chat and make ballet friends all across the world! We also arrange ballet workshops, social events and in-person meet ups throughout the year.

Our online Silver Swans® ballet classes as seen:

  • ITV Tonight: How to Age Well
  • Woman's Weekly
  • Breathe Magazine
  • RAD@Home
  • Royal Voluntary Service's Virtual Village Hall
  • Dancewear Central lockdown videos
  • Local newspapers
"Oh my, what a wonderful time I am having. I don’t care if I weigh a ton, hunched over and wobbly on my feet. I am transformed every class into something beautiful, the music touches my soul again, my legs are stronger, my arms do beautiful movements, I stand proud and every day I go outside to walk now (can't let my teacher down).
I am slowly living again and I feel so pretty – I even put lipstick on for my classes.
Thank you for giving me myself back"

– Chris, age 73 – online Silver Swan®

Silver Swans classes - now accessible from anywhere!
We have participants joining our online Silver Swans® classes from across England, Scotland Wales, Isle of Man, Republic of Ireland, Latvia, Canada, Spain, France, Portugal, USA, Northern Mariana Islands, Sweden, Germany... and on board a narrowboat!

Want to be a Silver Swan?

Times & Prices

Online Silver Swans® ballet class

via Zoom

​​Mondays 2.00-3.00pm BST

6.00am Pacific Time (PT)
​ 7.00am Mountain Time (MT)
8.00am Central Time (ST)
9.00am Eastern Time (ET)
3.00pm Central Europe Time (CEST)
4.00pm Eastern Europe Time (EEST)

Wednesdays 2.00-3.00pm BST

6.00am Pacific Time (PT)
​ 7.00am Mountain Time (MT)
8.00am Central Time (ST)
9.00am Eastern Time (ET)
3.00pm Central Europe Time (CEST)
4.00pm Eastern Europe Time (EEST)

Tuesdays 10.30-11.30am BST

11.30am Central Europe Time (CEST)
12.30pm Eastern Europe Time (EEST)
6.30pm Australia Western Standard Time (AWST)
6.30pm Philippine Standard Time (PST)
​7.30pm Japan Standard Time (JST)
9.00pm Australian Central Standard Time (ACST)

Saturdays 11.15-12.15pm BST

12.15pm Central Europe Time (CEST)
1.15pm Eastern Europe Time (EEST)
7.15pm Australia Western Standard Time (AWST)
7.15pm Philippine Standard Time (PST)
8.15pm Japan Standard Time (JST)
9.45pm Australian Central Standard Time (ACST)
£7.00 per class (when paid as a half-term block – 6 weeks)
£6.50 per class (when paid as a full-term block – 12 weeks)

Online Seated Swans ballet class

via Zoom

Tuesdays 11.45am-12.15pm BST

12.45pm Central Europe Time (CEST)
1.45pm Eastern Europe Time (EEST)
7.45pm Australia Western Standard Time (AWST)
7.45pm Philippine Standard Time (PST)
​8.45pm Japan Standard Time (JST)
6.45am Eastern Standard Time (EST)
£5.00 per class (when paid as a half-term block – 6 weeks)
£4.50 per class (when paid as a full-term block – 12 weeks)

Meet our online Silver Swans
We created the above video specially for the Royal Academy of Dance's Silver Swans Celebration Day 2024, showing the dancers in our online classes from across the world. The dancers featured are aged in their 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s
​and range from complete beginners to advanced dancers.

FAQs

When are your online Silver Swans classes?

We run online Silver Swans® ballet classes on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays. 

What will I need for online Silver Swans® classes?
  • A desktop computer, laptop, phone or tablet that has an internet connection and connected camera.
  • A ballet barre or sturdy chair
  • Suitable footwear (dance shoes recommended)
  • Water

Seated Swans classes require a sturdy chair, preferably without arms.

Before joining any session, please check that you have lots of space, and that it is clear of any obstacles  (it is recommended that you have a space of 2x2 metres). Please also check that your flooring is suitable and not slippy.

Classes are hosted using Zoom – upon enrolling for our online classes, we email over instructions to help you get set up, and talk you through if you have any difficulties.

Can I join in if I'm in another country?
Our international classes are open to anyone from anywhere, so please don't hesitate to get in touch with us. Classes are taught in English.

Are your online classes hybrid classes (i.e. a face-to-face class that is being live streamed)?
No. Our online classes are taught as a purely online classes. This means that all the participants in the online class have the full attention of the Silver Swans Licensee.
​
I have a few health problems – does this mean I can't join?
The Royal Academy of Dance have carefully designed the Silver Swans® classes in order to make it accessible for all. It must be emphasised that Silver Swans® classes are gentle ballet classes and so are run at a very slow and easy pace. You can take the class according to how you feel on the day and only do what you know it is safe for you to do – and should you feel the need for a short break or to sit down and watch, we won't mind!

However, it is always recommended that you speak with your GP or healthcare professional before starting any exercise programme.
Are classes only for the over 55s?
Although Silver Swans® classes have been specifically designed for the over-55s, if you feel that this is the right class for you then please get in touch, whatever your age. There is no upper age limit and classes are open to both men and women.

What should I wear? 
For classes, you can wear anything that you will feel comfortable and can easily move around in, whether that's trousers and a top or ballet leotard and skirt (please note: no denim). We do recommend that you wear ballet shoes for classes but, should you feel that you need to wear a small heel with your shoes, ballet teaching shoes or jazz shoes are recommended. Long hair should be tied back securely, please, and we advise no loose jewellery.

Are you offering official Silver Swans® classes?
Our Silver Swans® classes are run and taught by a Silver Swans® Licensee. Silver Swans® Licensees have undergone specialist training through the Royal Academy of Dance in order to receive their license. As a mark of an official Silver Swans® Licensee, always look out for the logo.
"Adult ballet is fantastic  for strength, flexibility, and balance. And Johanna's Silver Swans classes are such a joy! Johanna is a wonderful teacher, and I love that we learn a variation each term. In addition, she makes a real effort to build community. I take online classes from the USA, and enjoy having a chance to chat with everyone.  Johanna also shares interesting ballet news with us, and she does a great job of bringing us into the ballet world."

Jayne, age 58 - online Silver Swan®

Want to join our Silver Swans® online classes? 

We also host regular online social events for our Silver Swans®
In conversation with Brandon Lawrence – Birmingham Royal Ballet Principal dancer
"Johanna's Silver Swans' Zoom sessions are a brilliant addition to her range of ballet classes!  In my own space at home, I receive individual attention whilst in a Zoom group, expert teaching and demonstration in a more personal and one-to-one context."

​– Jenni Saunders – Silver Swan®