Elesia offers private and group lessons for all ages, including adults. Lessons are tailored to meet the needs of individual students: one student might want to focus on classical ballet at an absolute-beginning level while another might wish to work at either an intermediate-beginning or an advanced-beginning level. Other students might wish to focus on dance in general, exploring and refining alignment and movement outside of the classical approach and curriculum.
Check below for detailed descriptions of private and group lessons.
To schedule a lesson, contact Elesia Ashkenazy by calling or texting (718) 208-3435, or by emailing: PointeSkates@gmail.com
Check below for detailed descriptions of private and group lessons.
To schedule a lesson, contact Elesia Ashkenazy by calling or texting (718) 208-3435, or by emailing: PointeSkates@gmail.com
Private Lessons
Private lessons are the best option for students who wish to make notable progress as quickly as possible, for students who have a particular area they would like to focus on (for example, their skate programs and/or flexibility, etc.), and for students who prefer one-on-one instruction.
Students who take weekly lessons tend to make the quickest strides, as they develop faster muscle memory and receive more frequent homework/bodywork to supplement their development at home and on ice.
Elesia will assess how the student moves and responds to music and develop a plan to help the student deepen their musicality and connection to music. Student preferences will be noted to ensure a skater-specific training that is creative, educational, and inspiring.
Student flexibility and goals will be assessed as Elesia targets areas the student needs to work on in order to improve. For example, one student might be flexible and have solid musicality, yet need to work on confidence, alignment, strength, and emoting. Another student might need specific help with slowing down or speeding up their movements to match a selected piece of music (timing), in addition to help with specific hand and finger positions to create better lines.
For students who wish to commit to the study of classical ballet, Elesia will custom-tailor sessions to include all aspects of the student’s training plan.
Skate program review and refinement is also available (with skate coach/choreographer permission only). Elesia breaks down the program into its finest details, covering the nuances and details of the program, while guiding the skater through alignment, connection, and basic acting and emoting skills to arrive at a more polished, professional look.
Homework/bodywork exercises are assigned. For example, one student might be shown core and arm strengthening exercises in addition to ankle strengethening techniques. Another student might be asked to play their program music at least twice a day and emote to it in front of a mirror so that they can become more familiar with how they move and respond to music. All students will be encouraged to think through and physically translate bright, as well as lethargic tempos, or Latin/jazz/classical inspired music for example.
Students are advised to obtain a journal to keep track of important highlights, corrections, and exercises practiced during their lessons, and will be strongly encouraged to read through their journal before each lesson. This will provide consistent reminders of goals, as well as what needs attention and practice.
Elesia maintains regular contact with individual skate coaches so that she can obtain feedback, track progress, make changes, as well as add goals based on coach input.
Private lessons are the best option for students who wish to make notable progress as quickly as possible, for students who have a particular area they would like to focus on (for example, their skate programs and/or flexibility, etc.), and for students who prefer one-on-one instruction.
Students who take weekly lessons tend to make the quickest strides, as they develop faster muscle memory and receive more frequent homework/bodywork to supplement their development at home and on ice.
Elesia will assess how the student moves and responds to music and develop a plan to help the student deepen their musicality and connection to music. Student preferences will be noted to ensure a skater-specific training that is creative, educational, and inspiring.
Student flexibility and goals will be assessed as Elesia targets areas the student needs to work on in order to improve. For example, one student might be flexible and have solid musicality, yet need to work on confidence, alignment, strength, and emoting. Another student might need specific help with slowing down or speeding up their movements to match a selected piece of music (timing), in addition to help with specific hand and finger positions to create better lines.
For students who wish to commit to the study of classical ballet, Elesia will custom-tailor sessions to include all aspects of the student’s training plan.
Skate program review and refinement is also available (with skate coach/choreographer permission only). Elesia breaks down the program into its finest details, covering the nuances and details of the program, while guiding the skater through alignment, connection, and basic acting and emoting skills to arrive at a more polished, professional look.
Homework/bodywork exercises are assigned. For example, one student might be shown core and arm strengthening exercises in addition to ankle strengethening techniques. Another student might be asked to play their program music at least twice a day and emote to it in front of a mirror so that they can become more familiar with how they move and respond to music. All students will be encouraged to think through and physically translate bright, as well as lethargic tempos, or Latin/jazz/classical inspired music for example.
Students are advised to obtain a journal to keep track of important highlights, corrections, and exercises practiced during their lessons, and will be strongly encouraged to read through their journal before each lesson. This will provide consistent reminders of goals, as well as what needs attention and practice.
Elesia maintains regular contact with individual skate coaches so that she can obtain feedback, track progress, make changes, as well as add goals based on coach input.
Group Lessons
Groups consists of two or more students (and up to 20+ for skate clubs or teams). Group lessons are the best option for students who either want to supplement their private lessons, or for students who prefer to work in a group environment. Several Skaterina students alternate between private and group lessons in order to foster healthy competition and confidence in skill. Watching how other students learn and work is an excellent way to increase technique and skill, plus it teaches skaters how to place focus outside of their specific training while adding to their personal competence and dexterity.
Please see the information under Private Lessons above, as group work will be similar, yet adapted for a larger class size and format.
Groups consists of two or more students (and up to 20+ for skate clubs or teams). Group lessons are the best option for students who either want to supplement their private lessons, or for students who prefer to work in a group environment. Several Skaterina students alternate between private and group lessons in order to foster healthy competition and confidence in skill. Watching how other students learn and work is an excellent way to increase technique and skill, plus it teaches skaters how to place focus outside of their specific training while adding to their personal competence and dexterity.
Please see the information under Private Lessons above, as group work will be similar, yet adapted for a larger class size and format.
Rates & Location
$30/30 minutes
$45/45 minutes
$60/60 minutes
$90/90 minutes
$120/120 minutes
Most Skaterina students train in studios rented from Sherwood Dance Academy, located upstairs in the Sherwood Ice Arena building: 20407 SW Borchers Dr., Sherwood, OR 97140
Elesia also sees students at Elevate Dance Academy in West Slope, located on the second floor of PDX Sports Center:
8785 SW Beaverton Hillsdale Hwy, Portland, Oregon 97225
Weekday and weekend time slots are available—Elesia’s hours can also be viewed on the Skaterina Facebook page. Elesia is able to travel to alternate studios or ice arenas within the greater Portland area upon arrangement. She is also available to travel in and out of state to facilitate clinics and workshops.
$30/30 minutes
$45/45 minutes
$60/60 minutes
$90/90 minutes
$120/120 minutes
Most Skaterina students train in studios rented from Sherwood Dance Academy, located upstairs in the Sherwood Ice Arena building: 20407 SW Borchers Dr., Sherwood, OR 97140
Elesia also sees students at Elevate Dance Academy in West Slope, located on the second floor of PDX Sports Center:
8785 SW Beaverton Hillsdale Hwy, Portland, Oregon 97225
Weekday and weekend time slots are available—Elesia’s hours can also be viewed on the Skaterina Facebook page. Elesia is able to travel to alternate studios or ice arenas within the greater Portland area upon arrangement. She is also available to travel in and out of state to facilitate clinics and workshops.
