Ballet Schools in Texas - Southern area

[dazedandconfused]

Hi. I'm wondering if I can get some advice on the best ballet schools/teachers in South Texas (San Antonio area) since there are no professional ballet companies in the area. I'm at a crossroads. My dd has decided (as have they all, right? ) that she wants to pursue a career in ballet and, since I'm absolutely ignorant about where she should be in her technique and skill level right now for that goal to be even remotely realistic for her, I am wondering if where she is currently is where she should be. All comments from current teachers say it is most definitely possible for her, if she maintains her focus. Should I get a second opinion? (Is it ok to ask advice on whom to get that 2nd from?) Thanks to all.

[Victoria Leigh]

Dazed, we had a lovely child, very beautifully trained at about 11 or so, come to our program from that area. Her teacher is a woman named Mayra Wortham, or something close to that. I have forgotten the spelling. Don't know the name of the school, but I would try to find her if you can.

[Guest abcfordance]

Not a parent -

 

I've judged Mayra Worthen's students in dance competitions and they have always been lovely dancers and very nice people (when I've interacted with them). She is located in San Antonio and her website is http://www.mayraworthenballet.com/. It would be my strongest suggestion also. If you are not happy with her school for whatever reason I would contact Ballet Austin and see if they have any suggestions for you.

[Victoria Leigh]

Thank you, abc! I'm glad to hear that, although the part about competitions does bother me a bit. Worthen not Wortham. Okay, I was close

[Guest abcfordance]

It was generally soloists. They entered true variations, not just a generic "pointe piece". It was the general feeling that they were using it as way of getting practice in the adjudication process and for the critique of the work --- not about the trophy. It was quite nice to see them win overall awards from the more typical "competition fare".

 

I know several strong but smaller ballet schools that use local competions to prepare for things like YAGP, etc. Competitions can be just another tool for building experience in the dancers. When used as a tool, or learning aid, towards a further end competition is actually not a bad thing. I personally think that when the competition is the be all and end all that it is less than ideal.

Edited April 18, 2004 by abcfordance

[mini cooper]

There is a ballet company in SA named San Antonio Metropolitan Ballet (I think). It is an RDA (Regional Dance America) school. I don't know the name of the school with which it is associated. But, their work at our recent regional Festival was really neat. They performed quite a variety of works, all of which were well-executed, wonderfully creative, and lots of fun to watch.

 

I would check out the RDA website for the Southwest Region. It may be the same school mentioned above by others.

 

mc

[dmcclure]

My neighbor is moving to San Antonio this summer and had asked our AD for school recommendations. We were also just at the RDA and saw the San Antonio Met. Ballet and were very impressed. She had a brochure for their summer program and loaned it to me yesterday. I think my DD may do one of the sessions there after her big SI.

 

Some of the faculty are Mark Borchelt, from Interlochen, Michele Gifford, former NYCB, Anthony Jackson, for modern/jazz, and Robert Stewart. The AD for San Antonio Met is Susan Beil Connally, and the Assoc. AD is Judith Clement Gani.

 

the phone number for information on the brochure is 210-344-9428.

 

My neighbor's dd is going to do the summer workshops to check out the studio and the other girls. The cost is very reasonable for day students.

 

i can't belive how informative I am today!

[dazedandconfused]

Wow. This website is such a treasure trove and a comfort. I forgot to thank everyone who advised us on what to do while we were in New York recently. We did see Movin' Out and it was wonderful! I even managed a private lesson with Emilietta Ettlin at Steps for my daughter -- got it by inadvertantly swiping the poor woman's coat and having to deliver it to her personally where I shamelessly begged a lesson for my daughter (thanks to all the good advice from you guys!) since we wouldn't be in town long enough to catch her next class. It was the best $$ I ever spent. I guess watching her work with my dd made me seriously wonder if her training is up to snuff. I came away from that lesson with many concerns. She did compliment my dd's ability but there seemed to be a lot she needed to work on as well -- she kept saying "This is Ballet One stuff." My dd is in advanced ballet where we are.

 

So, after that long ramble, I just wanted to repeat how grateful I am for all this priceless information and advice as my dd (and I) prepare for her future.

 

Boy -- are you New Yorkers lucky! How many, many wonderful opportunities exist there.

[Victoria Leigh]

Sounds to me like it is probably a good thing you are moving, dazed, depending on how old the child is, which I have forgotten but I think she is still quite young, like 12 or so?

[dazedandconfused]

Yes, she's 12 but will be 13 in a few weeks. I'm very nervous about moving. She and I both are very fond of the folks at her studio but I feel like if she seriously wants to dance professionally, I need more opinions before I either encourage of discourage her in this endeavor. She seemed to impress the judges (?) at Ballet Austin for their SI and will be going this summer (which is severely frowned upon by current school), so I'll be interested to hear their comments about her ability. Is it too early to tell whether if she's just (hate to use that word) a good recreational dancer or if she's "company material' stuff?

 

I never, ever thought I'd be going down a road like this. I have two left feet and so does my husband. We watch her dance usually with our mouths hanging open in puzzled amazement.

[Victoria Leigh]

No, it's not at all too early to tell if the potential is there. But it IS too early for her to be in "Advanced" ballet if that is the top level at her school. Very glad to hear you are moving and it sounds like there are better options in San Antonio.

[mini cooper]

dazedandconfused,

 

I must share with you that we did change schools this year. We, too were fond of the folks at the old school. But, dd felt very strongly that she needed to be in a more technical environment where people were really watching out for the details. She felt that in the months preceeding the change she has not improved, and perhaps was sliding backwards.

 

Quite by accident (or divine intervention) we found a school that was larger, and putting out some really good dancers. As with your daughter, my daughter was in the "advanced" group (all 3 0f them). In our new school she is nowhere near in the advanced group, and has a great group of peers, and older, more advanced dancers to follow.

 

She is good, but it is hard to know how good at 13. She did get into nearly every SI she auditioned for - all really good programs. For us the decision to change schools really boiled down to her need for top notch technical instruction, and her need for mentors and peers. The environment she is in now is excellent. It is very positive, and her experiences there have been nothing but fulfilling. As parents, this is what we would hope for her.

 

The decision to move was not without a tremendous amount of emotion. We knew that it would be hard for the owners of her old school. As it turns out they took it very personally, very badly, and are horribly mad at us. However, that in no way diminishes the benefits gained by moving. Daily we have validation of this. We have just been through a MAJOR fundraiser for the Company, and our first major performance (Swan Lake). Again, it was an extremely positive experience. The rehearsal schedule was very manageable even with the 45-minute one way drive thrown in. And, above all the performance was wonderful.

 

So, all that to say, many of us have been through this kind of decision before. You are well-supported here. Ultimately, you must do what you think is best for your child.

 

mc

[Guest momma]

We have some experience with ballet in the San Antonio area. Definitely, Mayra Worthen Ballet. By far the most professional environment and instruction in the area. When my daughter was younger she attended summer workshops and picked up Saturday classes with Mayra Worthen when we were in San Antonio visiting relatives off and on for about 3 years. My daughter is now almost 17 and at a residential ballet program. Hope that helps!

[dazedandconfused]

I'm in touch with the teachers at Mayra Worthen and I'm going to arrange for some private lessons/coaching and see what they have to say about where she is in her skill level vis a vis her ballet plans for the future. I do wish that school changes could be done around here without the feeling of completely burning one's bridges.

[Balletmartyr]

After reading through this thread, I can't offer advice for Texas, but the moving school thing has me intrigued. I feel the same way about moving...without burning bridges. It seems that dance schools take things so personally and have true ownership of their dancers. I wish it could be easier, like everyone wants what is best for the dancer. Perfect world, am I right? I find myself on the same page as mini cooper. I think my DD current school has caught wind of her sniffing out other programs and now offers for next year peices have come her way. I hate this type of thing because my daughter is still driven by receiving recognition from her teacher. I never knew moving from school to school could be so hard. Right now we will finish out the year and see what happens after her SI.

Sorry for getting off the subject...