146 replies to this topic

[3DancersMom]

Oh, nuts! Thought of something else to tell you about !!! MCeeJay, not sure what ballet style your son is doing - but this tidbit may be helpful to you. If I do something you dont feel is appropriate, Moderators, pls feel free to delete this post. Apologising in advance , as this is a very difficult subject for me , and still hard to talk about.

So, DS was dancing at a big (for us rural ppl) pre-pro place I'll call FB, who use ABT curriculum. DS loved his teacher(s) there. DS was told NOT to go away, that his teq. wasnt strong enough, he was too young, etc. Hubby and I still thought he should go (esp since he wanted to quit due to bullying at school) and have an adventure. So he went, and loved it as earlier stated. When he returned, his teacher was very displeased with us. She said his teq was all messed up now, his turnout was too much (think 180 instead of 90 deg) and that it would take months to correct.

Now, I'm no dancer, and don't pretend to be one or know a lot. However, I think there are different styles - like Balenchine (sp?) , Russian, etc. He was taught a different style. His body responded to that. He did that upon returning, because that's what he spent hours and hours doing in CT. I thought it looked beautiful. I was proud. He was proud. He was happy. His teacher , who - to be fair - devoted her whole life to dance - was NOT HAPPY...

The Bolshoi teachers are amazing, and hands-on ... They will put your body where they want it. Here, the teachers tell my son or demo how they want him to stand, etc. The Bolshoi style got results, and my DS was good with their teaching style/methods as his father and I explained it would be quite different fm his regular studio.

After Nut, I had a meeting w/ DS's teacher/head of FB to clear some things up concerning YAGP, SI auditions, privates, etc. Well, it didnt go well. I was told that in order for him to continue his training there - he would need to NOT go to any other SI's until his jr or sr yr of high school. That is when she felt it was a good time to go. I re-stated my opinion that I felt it was a good thing to go and see other places/dancers/teachers/etc. She calmly restated her view that a child needs to be secure in their training style before they go anywhere else. I happen to see her point of view, I just don't agree with it for our son. I was asked to sign a contract. I couldn't do it in good faith , because I knew that if he had the chance to go to Joffrey or Bolshoi or Ballet West or Orlando, he was going to go if at all possible. So we left. It broke my heart to leave, but we did. So no YAGP for my DS this yr.

DS is now at a small, local (4 mins away as opposed to 1 hr away) studio. The owner is knowledgeable, kind, and seems open to parental input. DS has brought up his grades, and can fish and swim and have more of a life now. However, the training isn't what he was getting. It's good , a good 2nd, but ...

All of this is to say - Make sure your DS's teacher is cool with the SI picks, or it may come back to bite you. Also, make sure the style is compatible. AND - be secure/good enough with your decision that you can walk away if need be. It was hard for us, but I wouldn't change a thing. He LOVED the Bolshoi SI. And hopefully he can go again this year. Those 3 weeks were great for him.

[mceejay]

Oh my, i'm sorry you had to go thru all that, how horrible. My DS takes piano and i go thru something similar with his piano teacher concerning her disapproval of 'too much' ballet, and that it's bad for fine motor skills blah blah blah. I had a talk with her and made her realize how serious my DS is abt ballet so she is disappointed but resigned. As for my son's AD, she does think he could wait another yearbefore going to an SI, but is supportive of our decision. She was the one who recommended Bolshoi for my DS's first SI, thank goodness for our understanding AD! I feel so bad for you.

[Clara 76]

It's too bad 3DancersMom, that his home school couldn't figure out a way to work with him on this. Since it was so obvious that the Bolshoi Intensive worked well for him, it would seem to the benefit of all if the year-round teacher could have encouraged him.

You were right to follow your gut instinct. It may be necessary at some point to find a residency for him, though, since the current year-round training doesn't sound quite up to snuff.

[Moxie]

I have to say I'm really surprised about them wanting to limit his experiences. We've been at 3 studios and all of them encourage outside experience and different teachers. One of them was an ABT curriculum as well.
Keep on being an advocate for your son!

[3DancersMom]

Thanks, all. It was a tough decision, but it will be ok. DS has the Bolshoi audition this weekend and is nervous (has a sore throat, stuffy nose, worried abt not enough studio time). I figure he's only 11, and who knows - he may find something between now and grownup that captures his intrests like dance has. I try to be the steady, even keel (but its hard, as I always wanted to dance as a kid). He's already talking about SI's he wants to go to when he's "big" ...

[3DancersMom]

MCeeJay - got a phone call! DS made it !!!! We will have to talk more abt CT. Roomate possibilities ??? Just wanted to share the good news. It will be great to have someone you know already!

[mceejay]

That's great, Congratulations! Can you choose roommates or does BBASI do the assigning?

[dancemaven]

Perhaps it would help others to share your questions on the dedicated SI threads?

[mceejay]

Oh yes, sorry! :-)

[bluemountain]

mceejay, my son will be 12 this summer, he will be attending the first three weeks of BBASI.

[mceejay]

that is great, bluemountain! My DS will be glad that another boy his age will be attending! Hope to meet you there, and/or on the facebook page that BBASI might be creating for this summer's attendees!

[ColinsMom]

My son is 14, hopefully he will be attending Walnut Hill this summer (he is fundraising to cover the tuition not covered by his scholarship - not quite there yet).