This morning I took a beginning/intermediate ballet class from a new teacher here in Arizona and I wasn’t amused… at all. I hate when teachers see a stronger dancer and so they make the class harder than it actually needs to be. One, it is unfair to the other students and two, if I wanted a harder ballet class I would definitely have gone to a class labeled advanced. As a teacher, you have to teach to the median of the class. So, somewhere between tendus and degagés, I realized that the class was getting insanely hard and didn’t make any sense. Combinations were sped up just for the sake of speed, and combinations became extremely complicated. Then at center, we were doing ronverse…. which is arguably one of the hardest steps in adagio, or ballet in general. I did not like it at all…. Then after class, the teacher was asking me if the class was good, and looking for some sign of approval… Anyways, I was polite and went on my way.
My body was screaming in pain mostly because the class did not progressively warm me up or make any sense. Not to mention we did fouettés after adagio. Then, I think to myself… shame on me for not doing my research. But then, I thought no… Shame on this teacher… or shame on whoever educated or didn’t educate this teacher. I have always known that there are very many bad teachers or uneducated teachers out there but this one took the cake in my experience. Even worse, she wasn’t young… So she has been teaching like this for a while… Which makes me wonder what her injury rate is at her studio…
Anyways… I just finished doing three different covers for studio recitals and they turned out pretty great. The price for me to illustrate cover art for non-commercial use, as in you won’t be selling it is $99.00 with 1 revision. If you are interested in having me draw something please don’t hesitate to contact me: aballeteducation@gmail.com
I am also shipping a ton of posters to Maryland for the public schools- so that is fun. But important news…
I AM GOING ON VACATION! I will still be working… this book is killing me and it just keeps getting longer and longer… I guess it is good for you but exhausting for me. Like this book is literally killing me… okay, not literally but it is emotionally and mentally exhausting.
Don’t forget… digital books are on sale right now! Click below to shop!
4 responses to “Adult Ballet teachers… confusing…”
Thank you so much for your comment about adult ballet class. I am taekwondist and martial artist, used to fine asian pedagogy. I’ve been practicing ballet for 4 years now (old child dream) and i’m 54, in quite good shape. so i’ve been experimenting the misery of adult ballet teaching in France, where i live, for 4 years now. In fact there is no special pedagogy for adults, so teachers are looking for what they already know: child pedagogy, or advanced adults still practicing for health (no need for a pedagogy hhmm…) it would be such an improvment if ballet world took seriously the need for “special adult class” as more and more grown up people take a chance in their life to do whatever they dreamed of when they were child, thanks to better longer life expectancies. also thank for your blog, an enlightment is this silent world of ballet, and courage for your book!
I hate when teachers see a stronger dancer and so they make the class harder than it actually needs to be
TBH I really like it when the scary ones show up and we have to kick it up a notch. Of course there’s an argument that you shouldn’t train-to-fail, but on the other hand, challenge!
Me too-I always liked those classes where you fear for your life just a little! Maybe not all the time….
I am auditioning as a teacher this week. It will be my first time in front of a class. I’ve observed the class and have a good idea of their level and things they need to work on. Do you have any tips for giving this class? What strengths should I be trying to show? Giving a good work out class that is professional? Taking my time with the students giving corrections? Probably a nice mix of both…. any suggestions are appreciated! A side note…I tore some scar tissue in my toe last night dancing on pointe…. I’m afraid 34 might be the limit for dancing en pointe:(