Articles

The Ultimate Survival Guide for Teaching Pre-Ballet

February 19, 2016

I can still vividly remember being interviewed for my first job as a ballet teacher. My director asked if I would be willing to teach “the little ones”. One side of me—the arrogant, naive, “I’m too good to teach little… Read More

The Ultimate Survival Guide for Teaching Pre-Ballet

Music and Memory in Pre-Ballet

February 12, 2016

Choreography for our youngest students can sometimes feel like the hardest choreography we do! The skills of moving in time to music, and of being able to remember the order of steps in a dance develop… Read More

Music and Memory in Pre-Ballet

What Can I Do To Change Their Behavior?

February 5, 2016

Psychologists tell us that behaviors do not continue unless they are reinforced. Reinforcement is a constant reality—if the teacher smiles, nods, even looks at a student during an exercise, that is positive reinforcement. We can direct the reinforcement, plan it when… Read More

What Can I Do To Change Their Behavior?

Why is it so Hard to Keep the Circle the Same Size?

January 29, 2016

Choreography for recital season has begun, and teachers all over the world are beginning to plan the specific steps, formations, costumes and music. I’d like to share this tidbit from Ruth Brinkerhoff‘s curriculum books concerning… Read More

Why is it so Hard to Keep the Circle the Same Size?

Correcting Errors in Muscle Use

January 22, 2016

The careful, attentive ballet teacher should always pick up on the students who do not have correct alignment or do not have correct muscle use. The errors found should be addressed with the student for as… Read More

Correcting Errors in Muscle Use

Avoiding Injury with Correct Muscle Use

January 16, 2016

Ballet teachers all over the world would agree that one of the biggest, most serious problems dancers face is injury from incorrect placement, sometimes due to the lack of knowledge of proper alignment and muscle use in ballet. While some… Read More

Avoiding Injury with Correct Muscle Use

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 dance… 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

How Teachers Help Their Students Improve Coordination

November 2, 2015

Dance teachers have been on track more than any other group in providing for coordination to happen. Our deep understanding of movement and development encourages the correct progression of coordination at the proper stages of growth. Ballet teachers have been… Read More

How Teachers Help Their Students Improve Coordination

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

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

The Pyramid of Coordination

October 9, 2015

There is a wonderful, intricate and observable progression of coordination grafted into every human being. At the earliest age, only a few months old, we can see how the brain begins to connect with the other members of… Read More

The Pyramid of Coordination

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

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?

Expecting Good Behavior From Preschoolers

September 2, 2015

Three, four and five year olds are the most complex, delicate and fascinating students to teach! Not everyone walks into their ballet classroom and feels fully prepared for what is to come. These great points from the Level 2… Read More

Expecting Good Behavior From Preschoolers

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

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"