At an early age, Mieke Roetman discovered her love for dance. She started with classical ballet at age 5, later followed by jazz ballet and eventually studied Classical Dance Teacher at the Amsterdam School of the Arts, specializing in jazz. Since her graduation at the age of 23, she has been associated with the Music and Dance School Amstelveen, now Platform C. She has been teaching there for 32 years with great pleasure.
Dancing with live music
What makes her lessons special is the accompaniment by a pianist. "The music tells the children what to do," Mieke explains. "And that applies to everything in the lesson." The effect is wonderful: preschoolers learn to really listen and be guided by the music. As a result, at a performance they can even perform their dance independently as a group, accompanied by the pianist. "That's fantastic to see, and super fun to be able to teach them this."
Growing through play
Ballet classes are about more than just practicing dance steps. Children develop musicality, motor skills, coordination, body awareness and a sense of space and form. Everything happens in a playful way, through playful exercises that connect with the experiential world of preschoolers. They fly like birds, open and close like flowers, jump like frogs, you name it. Thus, each exercise becomes an adventure in which children learn, play and grow at the same time.
"What I like best," says Mieke, "is seeing a 'choppy bird' slowly transform into a beautiful bird with graceful arms. You really see children grow in their movements as well as their self-confidence."
Ballet Performance
At the end of the school year in June 2026, ballet students show what they have learned in a real ballet performance. For many children, this is an unforgettable experience: dancing on a stage, in front of an auditorium full of parents, family and friends.
Why preparatory ballet?
At a young age, children learn at lightning speed. Dance classes help them develop physically, musically and creatively. Moreover, they discover how much fun it is to move together and express themselves freely. It is a wonderful foundation for everyone.
Trial lessons in ballet
At Platform C, you can currently take free trial classes in ballet. This is a great way to find out if ballet suits your child. Enrollment is possible until January. Besides the course 'Preparatory Ballet' you can also follow trial lessons in Ballet 1, 2 and 3. From Ballet 1 we work gradually towards a full-fledged classical ballet class.
