Hello! I found this article online and thought it very relevant to our every day at ESB and Vimy. Although most of the time, most of our students really understand this, a reminder doesn't hurt!
Ballet Class Etiquette
1) Be on time. This does not mean stroll into the
class room at 7:01 with your hair down, shoes in hand, your favorite
hoodie wrapped around you, and gum in your mouth proclaiming to the
entire class that you are late because you couldn’t find one of your
shoes. This means, be waiting at the door 5 minutes prior to your start
time with your hair in a bun, shoes on, leotard and tights only, and no
gum. It’s pretty easy when you think about it. With the exception of
the first week, you know when class begins and it usually remains this
time every single week. By a certain age, you are unable to blame your
parents for your tardiness or carelessness. Every minute of ballet is
crucial.
2) Know the dress code. Whether you are at a
recreational studio, competition studio, company, college, or ballet
academy, almost all dance schools appreciate or ask girls for hair in
bun, tights, leotard, and ballet shoes. Some allow you to wear sheer
skirts. Boys are asked to wear tank tops and either male tights or
tighter fitting pants. This isn’t because your teacher has it out for
you and wants you to freeze when you walk into class. This is so she
can properly correct you and so that you may properly execute your
movements without distraction or falling.
A) When you put your hair up, make sure that it is up tightly so
that you don’t have to adjust it during class at all. Nothing irks a
teacher more than a student starting an exercise late because she had to
put her hair back up.
B) Be sure the elastic & ribbon is sewn properly on the
ballet/pointe shoes. If you have questions about where to sew it, ask
your teacher. I’m willing to bet that he or she knows the answer. In
addition to this, make sure you have proper shoes no later than the 3rd
class.
C) Be aware of your leotard and tight color. While florescent
yellow may make the best fashion statement to show that you are an
individual, ask yourself if it’s distracting to students while they
chaine’ across the floor. If the answer is yes, consider changing
leotards.
D) If the teacher asks you to remove the t-shirt or shorts that are
over your leotard, don’t get down on your knees and beg to keep them
on. Refer to the first paragraph in #2 and know that it’s for your own
good.
3) Be mindful of barre space. While you may be
attached to the middle of the barre because you’ve stood there since you
were a tot, know that class sizes change weekly and you may be asked to
move. Adjust gracefully. Again, this isn’t because a classmate or
teacher has it out for you. This is so nobody gets kicked or knocked
out during barre exercises. After all, who wants to stop a fantastic
ballet class to call 911?!
4) Respect your classmates. Ballet is not social
hour. You are there to learn and have fun. This isn’t the time to
confront ‘Sally Jo’ that she stole your boyfriend or that she stood in
your space at the barre. They are there to learn and have fun as
well. Although not every student has to be your best friend, keep in
mind that you have at least one thing in common- and that is dance. In
addition to this, if ‘Sally Jo’ wants to ask the teacher what a plie’ is
because she forgot, remind yourself that there are no stupid
questions. If it doesn’t concern you, don’t acknowledge it.
5) Body Language. One thing a teacher looks for
in students when they are evaluating them is attentiveness. Whether or
not you know it, you are being watched. Know the preparation for both
barre exercises as well as across the floor exercises and stand in them-
whether it’s first position, tendu, B+, etc. I guarantee your
preparation doesn’t involve one popped knee with one hand on your hip
with the other twirling your hair. However, many students seem to think
that all ballet exercises begin like this. Be aware of your legs and
arms at all times. Keep your chin up and your ears open. Just because a
teacher isn’t correcting you at that exact moment does not mean that
the correction doesn’t pertain to you. Which brings me to my next
thought…
6) Take corrections. When a teacher corrects you,
it isn’t because she is dying to hear herself speak. The teacher is
there to make you a better dancer. An incorrect response to a
correction would be “No, I wasn’t” or “’Sally Jo” moved so I couldn’t
spot her.” Take responsibility for your own actions. Say “Thank you.”
Or “I wasn’t aware I was doing that and I will fix it for next time.”
Or, if time permits, show the teacher that you can do it correctly.
Teachers appreciate that.
7) Respect the teacher. Most dance instructors
are so because, like you, they love to dance. 99% of them have the
qualifications and/or the equivalent of qualified experience and want to
share their knowledge with you. What many students and dance parents
do not realize is that dance instructors work many many off hours unpaid
to better the student. This often involves making lesson plans and
syllabi, editing music, choreographing, picking out costumes, recital
planning, etc. They work hard and expect you to work hard as well.
This means that while you are in class, you are listening, focusing, and
pushing yourself. While you are out of class, it is up to you to
practice and maybe even study your ballet terminology.
8) Have fun and remember why you dance in the first place.
Everyone dances for different reasons. Some dance for exercise and
flexibility. Some dance to learn to be less clumsy and more graceful.
Some dance just for fun. Some dance for the trophies. Some dance to
clear their minds. Some dance to learn new moves. Some (but very few)
dance because they are forced to. Whatever the reason is, make the best
of it. Have fun. Be grateful. Thank your parents and your teachers,
and then give yourself a pat on the back for taking class.
Dancingly Yours,
Miss Jaime
Posted 3rd May 2011 by Jaime Popard
