| Ballet absolutely should be - well, fun - was not the | | | | isn't really discipline because you're doing something |
| word I ever thought of when I was a child in class. | | | | you want to do - say dedication is a better word, |
| Being in class and struggling along with the other girls | | | | dedication can be discovered. It is wonderful to find |
| was fun. A sense of accomplishment was satisfying. | | | | out that you can be consistent, work hard, with the |
| Strict teachers could be terrifying but the | | | | required concentration and I don't know what can do |
| accomplishment seemed all the more when approval | | | | that better for a student than a fine art or athletic |
| was expressed.The yearly performance was | | | | training.Education in general does not offer such a |
| important. A goal, after the dreaded exam was over | | | | rarified experience of oneself. Such hard work that is |
| for the year, a goal involving real presentation - | | | | ballet is a unique and very personal activity, the level |
| nervousness and excitement that usually seemed a | | | | of understanding and physical application that can be |
| lot more worth it to me, than the exam in the ugly | | | | achieved in the simplest of exercises is REAL |
| tunic. No covering up those technical imperfections | | | | accomplishment, that can never be taken away.It is |
| that a tutu would or some other poetic garment | | | | just wonderful to impress yourself occasionally, also, |
| poetic would upstage!Many students have a sense of | | | | with something that matters to YOU.So to recap on |
| pride and a fairly realistic feel for authentic technique | | | | some points of what you want to see clearly in |
| and elegant style, unless they have never seen good | | | | viewing classes - (or just go to my other articles on |
| ballet. Strength and control and poise are elements of | | | | How To Choose a Ballet Teacher - re posture, |
| training that build a real grasp on life experience for a | | | | turnout, and general overview,) you hopefully will see |
| child, or an adult for that matter. Training later in life | | | | a teacher who takes time at the beginning of each |
| can be a serious and | | | | exercise to check everyone's posture - who watches |
| meaningful pursuit - whether an adult is a beginner or | | | | and instructs on safe turnout (feet, knees and thighs |
| reviving former skills.A good teacher can be | | | | all turned out the same degree) and who is |
| mercilessly picky about technical basics, and still offer | | | | persistent and repetitive in teaching technical points |
| a variety of exercises, with much elegance, grace, | | | | AND is also able to combine artistry into her/his |
| and FUN.SO it MATTERS even if your child may take | | | | exercises as well. If so, you've got a keeper.Dianne |
| ballet for only a year or two or three. There may be | | | | M. Buxton is a graduate of the National Ballet School |
| a later interest in jazz, karate, tap, modern dance or | | | | of Canada. She taught there for several years, and |
| acting, all of which will benefit from a little grounding | | | | also taught at York University and George Brown |
| in safe, properly taught technique and artistic | | | | College in Toronto, and at Harvard University. |
| presentation. Discipline - actually self-discipline, which | | | | |