Once again, the class was taught by David Howard and was quite well-attended. 'Famous names' included Alina Cojocaru (behind the piano again), Jonathan Cope, Tamara Rojo, Leanne Benjamin, Marianela Nunez and Jamie Tapper.

In his previous class for the public, David Howard had set lots of fascinating and intricate combinations of steps; well, today they were fascinating, intricate...and jumpy. It looked, in fact, a pretty exhausting class and there did seem to be a fair number of dancers quietly slipping away before the end. (I can only hope they were going to lie down for a few minutes!)

The standard of dancing was (as always) very high, although in one VERY intricate combination of fast steps and small jumps, Jonathan Cope showed everyone how it should be done. (They're still in adagio mode, David Howard commented.)(NB Not an exact quotation!)

A lot more jumping followed and the class ended with each of the men doing a manege; the ladies (their numbers much reduced by this time) did fouettes. (Did they want a fast tempo or a slow one, they were asked. Medium, said Tamara.)

Earlier, David Howard had reminded us that the dancers present had all VOLUNTEERED to be there. So I'd like to take this opportunity to say a BIG thank you to them all for giving us such a brilliant morning.

Thanks also to the super pianist Robert Clarke. And further thanks to the noble souls who wrote down all the names AND printed them off for us to take home.

A list of the dancers attending is given below in the order in which they were standing at the barre. An acquaintance of mine managed to ask the name of the 'Guest' and he said he was Jarad Matthews from ABT. (Hope that's right; just looked him up on the ABT web site and someone of that name is listed under 'Studio Company'.)

When the class had finished I went across London to look at ANOTHER set of fabulous jewels at the V. and A. (The tiaras are gorgeous....but they can't jump!)

Dancers attending the class:
Richard Ramsey, Leanne Benjamin, Laura Morera, James Wilkie, Ryoichi Mirano, Laura McCulloch, Emma Maguire, Marianela Nunez, Victoria Hewitt, Joshua Tuifua, Tamara Rojo, Brian Maloney, 'Guest', Jamie Tapper, Martin Harvey, Jonathan Cope, Marie Doutrepont, Jamie Bond, Tara Bhavani, Vanessa Palmer, Johannes Stepanek, Alina Cojocaru and (hanging onto the piano) Natasha Oughtred.

I managed to speak to the young lady who types out the class lists and thanked her for her efforts - as it does make such a difference.

Does anyone know anything about David Howard and the companies he has worked with before coming to London? At the last class he mentioned working in New York.

I think she must be hiding from us!

>Does anyone know anything about David
>Howard and the companies he
>has worked with before coming
>to London? At the
>last class he mentioned working
>in New York.

Only what I've read in Gelsey Kirkland's books - she praises him to the skies. He had his own studio in New York and I think dancers went to him. I think it closed down later. No idea where else he's worked.