Articles

The Rut War

August 7, 2017

It is no news flash that ballet class is at high risk of falling into a rut. We speak about creating a structure that develops discipline and focus, but we all know that very structure can be the demise of… Read More

The Rut War

Helping Teacher Assistants Be Successful

August 1, 2017

Like most teachers, I began my career in teaching as an assistant to the lead instructor. It was an aggravating time for me. More than anything, I knew I wanted to teach ballet, but I felt held back in a… Read More

Helping Teacher Assistants Be Successful

Lessons in Ballet History

July 20, 2017

I am thoroughly convinced there is never enough time in ballet class to teach everything we wish to teach. One year, I taught a three hour ballet class once a week to advanced dancers who were already taking many other… Read More

Lessons in Ballet History

The Beginnings of Frappé

July 14, 2017

Frappé is, and always has been, one of my favorite steps to do. The sharp attack and speed of the step drew me in from the start. Teaching frappé has not, however, been my favorite. It felt a bit on… Read More

The Beginnings of Frappé

Teaching Waltz Turn

July 3, 2017

When I was 11 years old, I had my first encounter with waltz turns. I can look back at the situation and laugh now, but in the moment it was terrifying and slightly traumatizing. I won’t go into the story… Read More

Teaching Waltz Turn

Choosing Which Correction To Give

June 29, 2017

I had a teacher oh so many years ago who was helping me learn how to teach. She observed me giving class one day and afterwards we had a little chat: “So, Robyn. Well done. However, I noticed you didn’t… Read More

Choosing Which Correction To Give

The Order of Learning Ballet

June 21, 2017

Order is beautiful to me. While I tend to live rather chaotically, I do ache for order. I believe this is one reason I was so drawn to ballet. The structure provided a solid framework for my creativity, and the… Read More

The Order of Learning Ballet

Screaming About Demi Pointe

June 5, 2017

Pull your heels up, dancers!” “More! Give me more with your feet!” “Where is your demi pointe? I can’t see it!” If there was ever a thing that makes me sound like a broken record it would… Read More

Screaming About Demi Pointe

Teaching the 8 Body Positions

May 25, 2017

No build up necessary. We all know how vital it is that our students grasp the concepts of croisé, écarté, effacé, and en face. The aesthetic of ballet is based in large part on these positions. Regardless of the labels… Read More

Teaching the 8 Body Positions

Knobby Knees and Hyperextension

May 19, 2017

(Note: This article is written with the young dancer, beginning around age 5, in mind.) “Let’s all stand in First Position.” All students begin to move into position. “Wonderful!  Be sure your heels are touching.” All students move their… Read More

Knobby Knees and Hyperextension

Golden Rules for Barre Work

May 12, 2017

It is common knowledge that barre work is the foundation for ballet.  Inevitably, where a dancer shows weakness at the barre, it will be magnified tenfold when they move to the centre. The essentials put in place through barre work… Read More

Golden Rules for Barre Work

Take It To The Floor

May 9, 2017

I had a teacher who would say to my class, “Dears, you look simply awful. Take it to the floor.” She would deliver this line to us after we had finished an exercise or a combination that was not… Read More

Take It To The Floor

Exposing Students to Excellent Ballet

April 24, 2017

My dance training began when I was nine years old. A year later I saw a professional ballet dancer for the first time. It changed everything for me. In my eyes, this ballerina was perfection. I had no idea such… Read More

Exposing Students to Excellent Ballet

My Approach to Tricks

April 18, 2017

The thirty-two fouettés. The manège of turns. The continuous entrechat six. These are but a few of the spectacular feats dancers are always trying to attain. And once they reach their goal, the bar is pushed that much higher. Thirty-two… Read More

My Approach to Tricks

Building Smart Dancers

April 9, 2017

What good is knowing how to do 17 pirouettes if you don’t know when to do 17 pirouettes? What good is being able to extend your leg far behind your head if you don’t understand the nuances behind lovely extension?… Read More

Building Smart Dancers

Turning Recitals Into Education

March 30, 2017

Ballet recitals aren’t going away. I get that. I know when I was a young dancer I looked forward to recital with all kinds of anticipation. It was perfectly exciting. And without that experience I would not have known the… Read More

Turning Recitals Into Education

Working with Early Intermediate Students

March 18, 2017

We all have the ages and levels we adore teaching. It fits. We are synced in. Our flow is easy, organic, organized—it’s just all lovely. And then… We all have the ages and levels we struggle to teach. It feels… Read More

Working with Early Intermediate Students

Ballet's Treacherous Terrains

March 10, 2017

Ballet is harsh. Unforgiving. Brutal. We love it all the same. Likely many of us love it directly because of these trying qualities. The beauty to be discovered within the challenge of ballet draws us in. Once there, we are… Read More

Ballet's Treacherous Terrains

Dealing With Attitudes

February 25, 2017

We have all been there. Every single one of us. The arch enemy of the ballet teacher excludes no one. When this imposter rears its head in the studio we are immediately entrenched in a battle. A battle we will… Read More

Dealing With Attitudes

To Demonstrate or Not to Demonstrate?

January 27, 2017

Before I jump into this topic, I would first like to say that everything I write concerning teaching is based on my own personal experience in the field. I write what I know. Obviously. I can’t write what you know. Read More

To Demonstrate or Not to Demonstrate?

Balancing Discipline and Artistry

January 20, 2017

Two dancers. One possesses all the creativity that could exist in a human being. Put her in a story ballet and she will cause the earth to quake with profound emotion. But look for the briefest moment at her footwork… Read More

Balancing Discipline and Artistry

Teaching the Full Spectrum in the Same Class

January 6, 2017

Stepping into your ballet studio, you allow your gaze to fall over the group of 11 year olds lined up beautifully at the barre. After you give the first exercise, your dancers begin on cue with the music; each one… Read More

Teaching the Full Spectrum in the Same Class

Teaching Ballet Really Isn't About Ballet At All

December 23, 2016

When I was five years old I decided I wanted to be a teacher. My kindergarten teacher was my hero and if I could do what she did then I figured I could possibly be a hero to… Read More

Teaching Ballet Really Isn't About Ballet At All

Away With The Lesson Plan!

November 29, 2016

Twenty something years of teaching ballet has taught me plenty of things. As educators in the arts we speak often about how life lessons are learned so well through the arts. What a beautiful thing. I could probably… Read More

Away With The Lesson Plan!

Are Today's Kids Different?

November 11, 2016

You may hear dance teachers say, “Today’s children are different, especially ages five to seven.” Every generation is different in some way, but the basic principles of child development are the same. Kids’ physical, emotional, social, and… Read More

Are Today's Kids Different?