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
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
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"
The Power of Teaching Progressions July 10, 2015 From the earliest of classes, the young ballet student is building the skills they will need to learn more advanced steps later. As a young three year-old, the students learn to stand with their feet in parallel, point their toes… Read More The Power of Teaching Progressions
Why the Wait? June 15, 2015 So, what do you do when your 7 year-olds don’t want to practice tendu, they want to saut de chat across the room like the beautiful ballerinas they saw in recital last year? I’ve had… Read More Why the Wait?
Quality in Performing June 4, 2015 Many of us teachers are in the midst of preparation for recital season. This is such a crazy, wonderful time of year for teachers, students and the school as a whole. Recital week hits and choreography is learned, pictures are… Read More Quality in Performing
Progressing into Ballet Technique May 30, 2015 Teachers sometimes spend much of the year trying to figure out what should logically come next in their teaching. How can we know what they should be learning next? Moving through the natural movement sequences and into ballet technique happens… Read More Progressing into Ballet Technique
Level 4 "Ballet Arts for Young Children" Curriculum Release May 30, 2015 We just wrapped up the finishing touches on our finest curriculum to date! Here is a sneak peek into many of the unique features of Level 4. Color illustrations Helpful Diagrams, Which Can Also… Read More Level 4 "Ballet Arts for Young Children" Curriculum Release
Improving Behavior With Consequences May 29, 2015 Just imagine: A class full of unruly 4 and 5 year olds that don’t listen, don’t mind you and have a lot of trouble staying attentive. Sound familiar? Sounds like a nightmare! In the teaching help section of… Read More Improving Behavior With Consequences
6 "Must Haves" for Teaching Ballet May 15, 2015 Not everyone can teach, and not everyone should. As I press on in my journey as a ballet instructor, I find the truths found in the “Level 1 Curriculum Book” to be so very pertinent and… Read More 6 "Must Haves" for Teaching Ballet
Games for the Ballet Classroom May 12, 2015 It’s not just a suggestion, it’s pretty much a tried and true fact that children need to have at least one short break during their 45 minute to 1 hour ballet class. Most children between the ages of 3 to… Read More Games for the Ballet Classroom
Conditioning Principles to Improve Pointe Work May 8, 2015 Is there such a thing as pushing your students too far when it comes to pointe work? I certainly believe there is, and I must admit, after reading Ruth Brinkerhoff’s “Pointe 1: An Introduction to Pointe Work”, … Read More Conditioning Principles to Improve Pointe Work
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
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