Where to take class?

[Guest devion101]

I just got back from my SI last week (had an awesome time and improved sooo much), and have been having a mini-crisis about where to dance this fall/winter/spring. I took a class at my home stuido on Monday, and nearly died! All the girls in my 'advanced' class had taken the summer off, and were completely non-aware of placement, balance, etc. I was by far the best placed one there, and it bothered me . Hmmm... The class was taught by this guy Michael Falatico (ex Joffrey apparently) and he was terrible. He actually mocked me for having achilles tendonitis! He didn't demonstrate anthing in class, and just rambled on in French about what he wanted us to do. And he didn't even pronounce the French right! He pronounced 'fouette' as 'fee-tah'! I was just informed by our AD that he will be the one teaching all the advanced classes this year! I do not want to dance there anymore. I am far beyond it technique wise and artistically, not to mention age (I'm the oldest one there at 16). My mom is not understanding, and merely thinks that I should stop ballet training altogether and pursue musical theater, one of my major loves. But I still want to puruse ballet. It's tough convincing her... . I am thinking that perhaps I could get by in ballet by going to daily PNB open classes? I'm going to audition for their year round program as soon as possible, but if that doesn't work, will open classes suffice for good training? Any advice would be highly appreciated. Thanks for listening to my long winded rant! hahaha . Sorry it was so long...

[Mel Johnson]

Sounds like at least one good plan to me. And Michael Falatico doesn't ring any bells with me as a Joffreyite. Even after I left the company, I kept tab on who was who as best I could.

[Victoria Leigh]

Devion, it would be far better to be in the regular program at PNB than in open classes. These are generally not geared for really training the pre-professional level dancer. If you don't get into PNB, surely there must be another studio in Seattle? However, before you run off after one class with a new teacher, I would suggest giving it at least one more chance. It's very difficult to really know in one class, although the part about the other girls in the class is somewhat disconcerting, since they are considered "advanced" and did not dance all summer.

[Guest devion101]

Thanks for the replies! Yes, getting into PNB would be great - I'm planning on auditioning later this fall, possibly in September, that would give time for my ankles to get better (tendonitis). It's actually quite hard to find serious ballet schools in Seattle! Plus the commute from BI isn't that great... Though my family has talked about moving to Seattle recently... . In the mean time I think I'll try one more class with Mr. Falatico , but I'm going to be going to PNB' open classes the rest of the summer.

[thedriver]

devion101, My DD was told by friends that PNB does not have open classes. Is there a web-site that list the days and times of PNB's open classes? Have you found other studios in the Seattle area that offer good quality open classes? Thanks for you help.

[Guest devion101]

If you go to pnb.org and click on 'PNB School', there's a link to the open class schedule. I haven't checked out other schools' open classes, but I have been to PNB's, and they're excellent.

[thedriver]

devion101 Thank You, Have you taken classes at both the Seattle and Bellevue locations? The web-site currently has a schedule for the summer - with classes being offered everyday. Was that the case last fall and spring?

[Guest devion101]

I've never taken class at the Bellevue location, only Seattle. Yes, last spring and fall open classes were everyday, usually twice - 10-11:30 am and usually 6-7:30 pm I believe... .