Description
This article is from the Ballet and Modern
Dance FAQ, by Tom Parsons twp@panix.com with numerous
contributions by others.
3.15. I don't know a thing about ballet and I'm trying to select a schoolfor my child. Where should I look? And what should I look for?
Barbara Early's book, "Finding the Best Dance Instruction", listed in the
References in Part 4, is a good place to start. Some of the pointers
in the previous question also apply here. In addition, here are some
suggestions posted by people on alt.arts.ballet. (Thanks to Sheila
< LEHNERS@msn.com> , Frances Kemmish, the Collier Family, and Lobelia, from
whose posts the following points were gathered.) These pointers are in no
particular order. Note that many of them require observing a class; some
teachers don't permit this, in which case you may have to resort to a
little discreet espionage.
As for where to look, you can try the Yellow Pages, but they don't provide
any guidance. Staff at a dancewear store may be dancers, and you can try
them. If there's a professional company where you live, try calling them
and asking for suggestions. And Jeffrey Salzberg points out that many
cities have dance councils which may be able to help you.
As for evaluating a school, note first that, as Sheila points out, if
your child is very young (age 4 or 5), (s)he should start with a creative
movement class, not half tap, half ballet. From this (s)he should move on
to ballet or modern. Tap can be started at any time but is truly not as
beneficial as ballet.
Specific points:
Does (s)he have authority and assurance when teaching? Does (s)he hold
the attention of the class or are there children running about and
chattering out of control? This of course is an indication of the
teacher's ability to control the class and create a good learning
environment.
Do the students seem to be performing the movements with ease and
grace? That's right!! When proper foundations are built and students
are taught at their own level, new steps come naturally and even Miss
Klutz looks like (s)he knows what (s)he is doing!
Does (s)he have some good common sense?
Does the teacher explain what (s)he wants in terms the student can
understand?
Does (s)he demonstrate the movements carefully and take trouble over
getting them right, or does (s)he seem to think that limbering and high
kicks are all that matter?
Does (s)he carefully 'break down' (take apart) new movements?
Does (s)he generally give corrections, or does (s)he just show the
steps and let the pupils get on as best they can?
When (s)he makes corrections, does (s)he immediately follow up with
praise when the child shows an effort to improve?
Does the teacher use humor (but not sarcasm) to relax the class?
Is her criticism constructive or destructive?
Have the students been inspired to work hard and find pleasure in that
work?
What mattered to me [the mother of a three-year-old] was the attitude
of the teachers, who were kind and generous and loving to the children.
Does (s)he encourage the children to be expressive in their dancing
by describing or having them describe the mood of the music or the
movement?
Does (s)he insist on pupils being neatly dressed (and is (s)he neatly
dressed herself)?
Another poster puts it this way: Do the students appear to be well
groomed with hair neatly away from the face and dressed modestly in
leotard and tights? Some people feel that students who are dressed
uniformly work better as a group. It may also be easier for the
teacher to spot mistakes.
Does the class appear to be at a similiar age (within 3 years) and
development?
Speak to some of the other "ballet moms." They're probably biased, but
some may be able to help you.
Also do a little research on the methods of dancing (ie. Cechetti,
Royal Academy etc.) and choose which you would prefer you child to do.
Some say it makes no difference but some make quite a fuss about it.
For mothers of young girls: at what age will the teacher let girls wear
pointe (toe) shoes? Girls should not do pointe work (toe dancing)
before the age of 10 or 11, because until then the bones in their feet
are not well enough developed to support their weight. For further
information on this point, see Question 3.23.
In addition to these points, Alex Hill has provided the following list of
danger signs:
Continue to:
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