Guess who was outnumbered in pas de deux

[BarreTalk]

Last night, at my studio's weekly partnering class the men outnumbered the ladies 5 to 4! We must have the only school on earth that attracts more men than women.

 

I've been wondering when this was going to happen. We've been averaging 4 men and 5 - 8 women, so the ratios have been close. When the two best teenage girls decided to duck pas de deux in favor of a jazz class at another school, we finally went over the top.

 

It's a new experience waiting around pas de deux for someone to partner. You expect an assembly line of women waiting for their turn with you, not the other way around.

 

The school's rules to attend pas classes have always been:

-girls must be en pointe

-guys must have a heartbeat

Maybe now they'll have to create a tougher men's standard. In the meantime, send us any excess females you have handy who need a new "lift" in their dancing.

[Guest mic31]

I've had a couple of classes when the guys were the only ones to make it there. It sure is a wierd feeling to be in the majority when it does happen

[MJ]

Less lifting. The alternative is worse. I've taken class with 30+ girls with myself and the teacher, guess who got the big girls.

 

mj

[BarreTalk]

I've taken class with 30+ girls with myself and the teacher, guess who got the big girls.

uh, don't tell me...let me guess...I know! THE TEACHER

 

Since I'm an adult hobby-level dancer, I get to "just say no" when some ballerina whale wants a lift. Shoulder sits are reserved for those who weigh substantially less than I do.

[MJ]

Partnering class can be very difficult for girls, they may have excellent dnacing skills and flawless pointwork, but may be too tall or too robust to be easily partnered.

Only the most petite should attempt a lift, other partnering is OK.

 

One PDD class I took the teacher did all lifts, and no waltzing! Pure torture!

 

MJ

[Mel Johnson]

I've told this story on other threads, but here it comes again. We had a dancer who was just a bit on the high side of the weight curve, and all the men were intimidated to try to partner her. It turned out that she had impeccable timing and was strong as a horse. There were lifts when I felt as though I were keeping her connected to the earth, that she might fly straight away. Don't disparage the larger women. You never know!

[Hans]

I must agree with Mel--girls don't have to be waifs to be lifted. In fact, some of the most difficult girls to lift are the waifs because they aren't strong enough to jump/hold themselves properly!

[Guest Agrajah]

My studio is home to a pre-professional dance company. Pas de deux is required for all Company I dancers, non-company men permitted. We are currently at a 3 to 1 ratio. I would love 1-to-1!

[TurningTimmy]

Im currently at Virginia School of the Arts for the year. The other day in tech class the guys out numbered the girls 7 to 6. Some times it is dead even. In pas we sometimes get just one partner. Then we have our normal days when the guys are highly outnumbered 1 guy for every 3 girls. Thats dance for ya.

 

I can agree with Mel too. There is one girl here at VSA who is tall and bigger than the other girls (not fat but muscle), she is great to partner. She jumps so much higher than the other girls.

[Dick]

I must agree with Mel--girls don't have to be waifs to be lifted.  In fact, some of the most difficult girls to lift are the waifs because they aren't strong enough to jump/hold themselves properly!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

I find these girls not only difficult to lift but to partner in general. Holding them in arabesque or in promenade is also difficult if they cannot hold their position...

 

Dick

[Guest Turnout Burnout]

Actually, this happens a lot. I've been in a LOT of classes with more guys than girls, but it is usually because of where I dance.

[Dance_Scholar_London]

I had the same experience in a couple of PDD classes last term. At least it gives you a break and you can watch/correct/help others which can be a useful tool of learning PDD

[Dick]

Lucky you, guys. The only time where guys outnumber girls in my school is when my partner does not show up to class. It's then Guys: 1 Girls: 0

 

Dick

[Henrik]

We (the guys) actually outnumbered the girls yesterday in my class, seven guys and 5 girls. Thats the strangest class I have ever had - waiting in line is a really new expirience

[jsan379]

Yeah. The same thing happened in one of my classes. It was interesting to see what it was like to be on the other side of things. It wasn't a pas class but still.