Articles

Zoom Basics for Teaching Ballet Online

March 25, 2020

We are living in unprecedented times as dance teachers, parents, and human beings on this earth. Not only is there a mostly-unknown virus spreading in our countries and the resulting fear and isolation, but we, as professionals are having to… Read More

Zoom Basics for Teaching Ballet Online

Sensory Development for Purposeful Movement

January 10, 2016

Coordination can be one of the hardest concepts for students to learn, especially when their foundation for purposeful movement may not have been laid correctly. Children progress through a natural process of coordination development that can sometimes be ignored when… Read More

Sensory Development for Purposeful Movement

Preventing Injuries

December 18, 2015

An article by BBC News has recently been circulating regarding the high risk of undetected injury in ballet students if they have been taught by an unqualified teacher. This article speaks volumes because… Read More

Preventing Injuries

Dancing with Partner Cards

December 14, 2015

Ever had issues in your pre-ballet classes with students who always choose the same partner? For many ballet students, the experience of class is a very social one that can shape who they become. Not being chosen as… Read More

Dancing with Partner Cards

Body Placement for Ballet Students

December 4, 2015

Once your students have passed through the pre-ballet program, you can begin to work with them on a classical ballet posture and body placement. Remember the importance of taking time, and not rushing on the basic principles of vocabulary and… Read More

Body Placement for Ballet Students

Ignoring Wrong Behavior—Does it Work?

December 2, 2015

Child Development experts know that this rule always applies: “Behavior that gets attention will always be repeated, even if the attention is negative!” Children want attention more than anything else. Negative is better than none at all. Students bring to… Read More

Ignoring Wrong Behavior—Does it Work?

Using Ballet Terminology and Musicality in Class

November 21, 2015

It gets to me every time. When I begin in September with a group of students who say, “I’ve been dancing all my life” and yet, at the age of 11, cannot dance to the rhythm of the… Read More

Using Ballet Terminology and Musicality in Class

Working Toward Excellence in Classical Ballet

November 9, 2015

Once your students have graduated from the early levels of ballet training and move into a more classically directed ballet education, there are many principles to begin to implement in their classes. The small things create the difference… Read More

Working Toward Excellence in Classical Ballet

Planning Your Intermediate Pointe Class

October 30, 2015

The first two years of pointe work should be very carefully limited and controlled. Too much too soon has proven to be detrimental in pointe class. As with any class, there is a simple formula teachers can use to plan… Read More

Planning Your Intermediate Pointe Class

Presentation is Key!

October 25, 2015

When teaching little ones, presentation definitely counts! A young child will often reflect the amount of enthusiasm and energy you are showing them in your teaching. How can dance teachers create an environment of exploration, creativity and fun… Read More

Presentation is Key!

Courtesy, Safety and Respect in the Classroom

October 16, 2015

Today’s culture is full of conflict, lacking in courtesy both for individuals and for humanity in general. Whether movies, TV, or video games, few of these teach or show courtesy and respect between people. Dance class has been… Read More

Courtesy, Safety and Respect in the Classroom

More Games for the Ballet Classroom

September 25, 2015

Games in the ballet classroom can be very effective teaching tools. As the students take advantage of a time of rest from their technique class, you can continue their ballet education through creative, team-building, skill-developing activities. Explained below… Read More

More Games for the Ballet Classroom

Developing Coordinated Dancers

September 20, 2015

Coordination is not one of those principles dance teachers want to overlook. If left unchecked, our students could grow up without the proper coordination skills they need to progress accordingly as dancers. Ruth Brinkerhoff devoted an entire teacher manual,… Read More

Developing Coordinated Dancers

What is Coordination?

September 19, 2015

Without a thorough understanding of the principles of coordination, it is difficult for dance teachers to know what to expect and how to encourage the proper development of natural coordination. It is definitely a vital building block, fundamental… Read More

What is Coordination?

Tips For Teaching Preschool Combo Classes

September 11, 2015

Rising in popularity over the past 10 years is the idea of the “combination class”. There are teachers and studio owners who love the idea, and others who struggle with teaching all that needs to be taught in such… Read More

Tips For Teaching Preschool Combo Classes

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

Why Warmups?

September 4, 2015

There is a pattern of traditional ballet exercises done at the barre. As a result of recent studies in the area of sports and dance, most teachers these days are also giving some “pre-barre warmup exercises” to their students. Read More

Why Warmups?

Finding the Correct Full Pointe Position

August 29, 2015

Already evaluating your students to decide who will start pointe next year? When to begin pointe work is one of those very important, special and serious decisions. Here are a couple of exercises you can use on your beginners to… Read More

Finding the Correct Full Pointe Position

Posture Checklist for Ballet Students

August 14, 2015

“The total picture of a dancer: legs, arms, head, hands, feet, expression, can be compared to a chord on the piano, with all of the correct notes striking at the same time.” — Alan Hooper, former… Read More

Posture Checklist for Ballet Students

Choosing Class Format for Beginning Pointe

August 8, 2015

A very important first step in Pointe class planning is choosing the appropriate class format for your students. Each class is different, and each teacher has her own style of structuring those first lessons. Today we dive into some of… Read More

Choosing Class Format for Beginning Pointe

Use of Feet and Turnout in Pre-Ballet

August 1, 2015

Forcing too much turnout in young children is not only unsafe, it is also unnecessary. Their bodies allow for a gradual progression with a projected 90º turnout achieved by the age of 7 or 8. As they get older, teachers… Read More

Use of Feet and Turnout in Pre-Ballet

Organizing and Running a "Happy Class"

July 27, 2015

Children need structure. This is especially true in the pre-ballet years, as they prepare for a more disciplined class. The less “free time” they have in the class period, the better. They should know exactly what they’re supposed to… Read More

Organizing and Running a "Happy Class"

Hints for a Happy Class

July 24, 2015

Would you say you teach a “happy” class? When your students leave your classroom, are they overly tired and restless, or do they feel a sense of accomplishment? Pacing your class, implementing creative rest periods, and taking your students’ ever-changing needs… Read More

Hints for a Happy Class

Challenge? Or Frustration?

July 22, 2015

My fifth year of teaching was a tough one! I had a class of 9-11 year olds that really stretched me and taught me a lot. One of my biggest challenges was that the students just weren’t… Read More

Challenge? Or Frustration?

Using Inertia to Avoid the "Dead Spot"

July 8, 2015

How frustrating it is to carefully present and explain something to a class, and then find at the next meeting that the students remember very little, if any, of what you took such careful pains… Read More

Using Inertia to Avoid the "Dead Spot"