Teachers' Tools
Up Close with Lisa Lockwood
New York City dancers know where to go when they’re looking for a technically sound class. "What I teach is placement––don’t make your body do something it isn’t capable of," says Lisa Lockwood, former dancer with American Ballet Theatre and original cast member of Phantom of the Opera who trained under Maggie Black. "It’s not about muscling it," she says. “Line up the bones and let gravity do half the work." Because of her healthy approach to ballet, dancers in her intermediate classes vary, from professionals recovering from injury to students striving for cleaner technique.
Lockwood, who teaches at Steps on Broadway and Kaatsbaan International Dance Center summer intensives, gets inspiration from music she listens to on her commute to the city and builds classes around her students’ needs. She plans class by starting in the middle––creating centerwork focusing on a specific step and working backward to the barre, with exercises that prepare them for the second half of class.
"If you want a class that’s just fun, don’t come to mine," says Lockwood. "It’s simple in steps, but muscularly challenging. Personally, simplicity is what makes ballet so difficult, and the challenge is what makes ballet fun."
(1) Sansha canvas “Pro” ballet slippers “I’ve worn these slippers for years.”
(2) Legwarmers by Leo’s Dancewear “Summer, winter, it doesn’t matter. I always have legwarmers on because of my terrible circulation.”
(3) Coffee mug “I talk a lot during class and my mouth gets dry. I keep a cup for tea in my locker.”
(4) Pilates mat “Pilates is very singular in the muscles it targets, which are similar to ballet. And I can get through the routine without becoming bored.”
(5) Yogurt “You can have it and immediately start moving because it’s not heavy. I have to eat two because one is too small.”
(6) iCal “My schedule at Steps is consistent, but I also teach private lessons, so I organize myself on my computer.”
(7) Briggs & Riley wheeled bag “It gets tiring to carry a change of clothes on your shoulder. And I always have extra cloth bags inside so I can shop without wasting paper.”
(8) Gus “I’ve gotten all my pets at The Humane Society.”
