Ballet Positions Giveaway September 9, 2015 As we launch into the 2016-2017 year of classes, The Ballet Source would like to provide teachers with a few FREE resources. The first four levels of the Ballet Arts for Young Children Curriculum use these feet… Read More Ballet Positions Giveaway
Teaching Pre-Ballet Arm Positions May 2, 2015 It’s not easy to create the proper lines and shapes required in classical ballet, but there are many concepts we can impart in class that they can grasp and accomplish even at a very young age. Ruth Brinkerhoff’s Article… Read More Teaching Pre-Ballet Arm Positions
Understand Your Students' Growth Process April 17, 2015 The little bodies of children between the ages of 7 and 10 are going through a lot of physical changes. As teachers, we need to understand and respect the body’s need for certain parameters when it comes to teaching ballet… Read More Understand Your Students' Growth Process
The 7 Basic Principles of Classical Ballet April 10, 2015 The Rules of Classical Dance were first set down definitively by John Weaver in 1723. Each generation has had its great teachers of ballet who have added insights and details to these rules and principles. These principles are essential for… Read More The 7 Basic Principles of Classical Ballet
Their First Pair of Pointe Shoes April 7, 2015 Ballet requires that the dancer spend many years building and shaping the instrument of their art, which is their own physical body. The “Dancer’s Body” comes as a result of long hours of careful training of the muscles. Read More Their First Pair of Pointe Shoes
How To Talk Effectively With Children March 14, 2015 Young children, especially children ages 3 to 5, do not understand the spoken word as well as we think they do! They have a large vocabulary of words and phrases, but the exact meanings are not always clear to them. In… Read More How To Talk Effectively With Children
The Twelve Week Rule February 21, 2015 One of the hardest things a pointe teacher faces is the fear that their students may injure themselves. This, of course, is the last thing we want for our students. Too often the students are pushed too hard too soon, and… Read More The Twelve Week Rule
The 3 Stages of Coordination February 13, 2015 Ballet skills are built upon the base of natural skills that has been developed within the person. This is why extensive experience with fundamental movement skills is important for a ballet class of young children. It is surprising… Read More The 3 Stages of Coordination
Pacing of Ballet Classwork January 31, 2015 I remember the very first time I taught a pre-ballet class by myself. It was a group of crazy, beautiful, energetic 5 and 6 year-olds. They looked at me with expectation and excitement and I looked right back with sheer… Read More Pacing of Ballet Classwork
Choreographic Advice for Teachers January 23, 2015 “Never let an opportunity go without adding your enlightening [movement] to further the cause of the loftiest, oldest, most profound of the arts and, in so doing, I sincerely believe that you will be… Read More Choreographic Advice for Teachers
Is My Student Ready for Pointe? January 13, 2015 This is such a big and important question. It is one of hardest questions ballet teachers face. We don’t want to put them on pointe too early because they can really injure themselves. So, when is the right time to start with… Read More Is My Student Ready for Pointe?
5 Principles of Classical Ballet for Young Children December 19, 2014 Even at the earliest age, ballet students are absorbing the classical principles we instill in them. From as early as age 3, there are fundamental movement and artistic elements that can be cultivated in order to shape how that student learns and… Read More 5 Principles of Classical Ballet for Young Children
No-Stress Performance Prep November 10, 2014 In my last blog post, (The Dance Teacher’s Secret Weapon) I gave out the secret that every dance teacher should grab a hold of and use the moment any students begin to show signs of burnout or boredom. Having… Read More No-Stress Performance Prep
Point Your Toes vs. Point Your Foot September 20, 2014 It may not be such a good idea to use the phrase “point your toes” in pre-ballet class. How many of us have encouraged our little ones to “point your toes”, and we still don’t see the results we desire?… Read More Point Your Toes vs. Point Your Foot
The Triangle of the Foot September 19, 2014 “Don’t roll your feet! Keep your arches lifted!” I’ve received the correction myself, but I’ve not been able to find a good way to explain it to my younger, beginner/intermediate students. Ruth Brinkerhoff’s “Pointe 1: An Introduction to… Read More The Triangle of the Foot