Most ballet teachers are.
1. Strong Use of Correct Posture: As soon as a dancer becomes aware of how to properly engage the core muscles- closing the rib-cage, pulling up the lower abdominal muscles and lengthening through the obliques the ability to move forward with the learning and execution of ballet steps increases exponentially. Posture is everything in Ballet but is also 100% necessary and Jazz, Contemporary and Lyrical. Understanding how to use your posture correctly will open many doorways in dance.
2. Dynamic Variation: Not all balletic movement should look the same. Learning how to show the different qualities of movement (slow and smooth versus sharp and quick) will ultimately improve your ability to connect with your audience but also show your teacher that you are developing more maturity as a dancer.
3. Expression of Music: Dance is an art form. Expression is the goal and tool of artistry. If you can express something to your audience (aka your ballet teacher) you show them something interesting that catches their eye and speaks to them. Expression means sharing a piece of yourself with your viewers, it means telling your audience something, not just executing the movement correctly.
4. Application of Technique: A dancer in Grade 3 Ballet, Grade 8 Ballet and Advanced Ballet can all show application of technique appropriate to their level. Applying your technique means using the tools the that you have learned throughout everything you do in class. Eg. going through the floor to execute a tendu shouldn't begin and end with Tendus at the barre, it should be carried forth through Battement Jete/Glisse, Grand Battements and Sautes etc.
5. Positive Attitude: Come to class with a willingness to learn, the energy to work hard, and a readiness to take corrections. It is always so unfortunate when a student chooses to give up on something because they feel their teacher is picking on them, or not giving them enough attention. Ballet (and all dance) is a very personal art form and the student must be willing to dedicate and apply themselves at each class. There will be no improvement or lavish praise without a LOT of hard work. Bringing a positive attitude to class shows the teacher you want to learn and improve.
As I work in a "non professional" dance school I'm not expecting every student to be a prima ballerina. But I still want my students to show me that they want to be in class and that they are working hard, not for me but for their own personal success. One student may be able to pursue a career as a professional dancer while another may just develop a love for the art- but both students are valuable and important. The areas of work that have been suggested can be applied to a variety of levels and dance abilities as well as to recreational, competitive and pre-professional students. If you focus on trying to show your teachers even one of these 5 things you will see improvement in yourself and probably find more joy in your weekly classroom experience too!
Miss Jordan
~Live to Dance. Dance to Live.~
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