private classes

[ConstanzaElisabeth]

i was wondering if i could get anyone's opinion on private classes. my teacher doesnt seem to think they are much better than regular classes. during the summer i occasionally get private classes becaue no one comes or they all go to other classes. most improvement i have ever had is during a turns and jumps class teh day it was ballet instead of jazz, but i was the only person who went, so the teacher completely realigned my posture and we worked pirouettes and fouettes the entire time. prevoiusly, i had difficulty with singles(turns are the worst thing for me), but the next day, all of my pirouettes were clean doubles. i really like the personal attention, but i also know it can be a little excessive because i am a class demonstrator for teh A2 level (about 9-10 yrs old) ballet class, and there were two enrolled this year but half the time only one came, so when i corrected her, it was the same thing all the time and i ended up with not much to do because i wanted her to remember teh corrections for herself. after a while, norman had me just demonstrating most of the time and doing very little correcting. she did improve greatly, she is not one of those who find ballet very easy like her classmate, but she has gotten much stronger and is more focused on her technique, and she is receptive to less vocal corrections. i would like to hear opinions from teh moderators on how affective and worthwhile private classes really are, as well as students who have taken or are considering taking private classes. thank you, im sorry this post is so long and random!

[Victoria Leigh]

Constanza, your post really answered your question as you explained the improvement, both with you and your little student! However, I think private lessons are most valuable only when there is a specific problem to be corrected, or a student who, for some reason, is not keeping up with the regular classwork. If one has a sufficient number of classes, with a good teacher, then generally they are not needed.

 

But, for students who have a problem with turns, or jumps, or some kind of physical structure which makes ballet more difficult, then a few private lessons to work on that problem is a good idea. For instance, a student with scoliosis or hyperextension, or a less coordinated student, may have difficulty in maintaining proper alignment and placement, or in using rotation to her best ability. Some students have really poor port de bras, and some private work specifically on that might be a good idea.

 

Advanced level students should not generally need them, except perhaps for coaching on a variation or a role in a ballet.

[Guest Medora]

Thanks Constanza for asking that question, and thanks Ms. Leigh for answering it! My teacher wants to teach me some private classes this summer to work on my weaknesses. She has been coaching me these days outside of class on my Medora variation, and just from that I've improved a lot on my phrasing and using my feet and all the things that encompass the variation. Even though that's only a variation, the things I have learned there still translate into class, so I think I have improved from her help, esp. with musicality and port de bras. I'm excited about the classes this summer because I think it will be a good thing as far as catching me up further to where I should be. I know we are going to work on pirouettes, as they have always been a problem for me and getting the tension out of my shoulders, and all of my weaknesses, etc., you know. I'm getting better at controlling my hyperextension, but my coordination still isn't so good. So I am excited about that! I wonder how much I will be able to accomplish. My only fear is that I get nervous when she is watching me sometimes. It's like I can feel the force of her gaze upon me!

[ConstanzaElisabeth]

thank you very much. i do have three excellent teachers, but i ws asking because the classes have gotten much larger. in 2001-02, we had at most seven people in a class, and usually only 4, but this year we had 15 or so, and on saturdays, in the twenties. a related issue, since i have difficulties finding my turns and my strength, jumps, needs to be perfected, is taking a mens class. next year, the lower level men(12-14 ish) will be starting a mens class and i was wondering whether it might be good for me to take that class once a week, just to focus on turns and jumps. it would be in place of a pointe class about the same level. there will only be about two or three boys in that class, and i dont think my teacher would really have a problem with it. do you think it would help me, or is it not worth arguing with my parents over?

[Victoria Leigh]

Constanza, I really think that decision should be up to your teacher, not you or your parents. Personally, I think that turns and jumps in pointe shoes would be more important, but I suppose if you are getting a lot of pointe classes that missing one would not be crucial. However, your technique classes should also be focusing on those things, so not sure why you would need the men's class.

[ConstanzaElisabeth]

the reason why i am considering mens class is that we dont focus enough on turns in class-it seems that teh men have much better turning coordination than anyone else, especially me. most of the girls seem to have the rotational force innately in them, but i have to struggle to find it. when you watch the men, you can always see how they turn, but before they had mens classes, they were horribly uncoordinated. i think the extra hour with norman would help me find rotational force in a way that works with my body. do you think i should just talk to my teacher about it, or not bother?

the deal with my parents is that they dont think it is proper, although men have occasionally taken pointe at our studio. plus, they dont want me to have so many classes.

[Victoria Leigh]

I think it should be up to your teacher.