Switching Studios?

[Guest rolikerri]

Hello Everyone. I'm new to this board, and I would like some advice. I am fourteen years old and have danced (ballet, tap, jazz) for six years, Pointe for less than a year. I love ballet and would like to get more serious. I have just started taking a Ballet 1 class at my high school. Most of the people are beginners but I have found that I am behind in the basic steps and arm movements for ballet, considering my length of study. The problem is, the two studios that I have danced with do not really focus on classical ballet, they are more about learning and having fun with the performances. I am signed up at my studio for 2 classes a week, one 2 hour and one 2 1/2 hour, they start this coming Monday. Like I said, I am hoping to get more serious with dance and ballet, and I'm thinking about switching studios. I don't really want to completely leave my regular studio though, maybe just take one class there and classes somewhere else too, but Im not sure if that would interfere terribly. I have one studio in mind, The High Point Ballet, they are more serious and offer better training. The question I have is, how many classes should I be taking a week? and What other things can I do to bring myself up to 'par' in ballet? Thank you so much for you responses, and if I've been unclear in any way let me know and I'll fix it.

 

Oh, and does anyone live around Greensboro, North Carolina and know about the different studios and opportunities around here? Thanks for your help.

[Guest rolikerri]

any ideas would be appreciated! And, im not sure how this got posted twice, I apologize. I'm not sure how to delete the extra.

[Victoria Leigh]

I just did that for you, rolikerri, and welcome to the Young Dancers' forum here on Ballet Talk for Dancers!

 

Sounds to me like you really need to get out of the studio where you have been all these years, if there are basics that you have never learned. That is not unusual for a competition type studio, and I'm assuming that is what it is? Anyway, check out all the studios in your city, and find the one that is focused on ballet.

 

How many classes a week you can take will depend on the studio and where you are placed in their levels. It might be possible to take additional classes in different levels in order to try and catch up a bit to the point where you could be in daily classes. It will take a lot of hard work and patience, as your previous training is most likely not the best. But let the teachers at the new school advice you as to what is best for right now.

[Guest Alive2Dance]

I know exactly what you're going through! I danced at the same type of studio for 10 years, even worse than yours it sounds. I got extremely discouraged when I switched studios when I was 12 and ended up quitting ballet altogether. Now 2 years later I started again at a wonderful studio. Where I take at least 5 classes of ballet a week or more because I need to catch up. But because of my determination I am improving quickly and it is the greatest feeling. If you want to become a serious dancer and get the proper training completely switch studios now. It was so hard to leave my original studio because my teacher taught me the love of dance, but I knew it was the right thing to do. Your teacher will understand and support you with your decision. I hope that everything works out for you. Just keep working hard and remember you only get what you give!

[manageitall]

I don't really know much about them, but the Greensboro Ballet has a classical ballet school. Their website is greensboroballet.com.

[Guest rolikerri]

Thanks for your advice. There is a girl in my ballet class at school who goes to the High Point Ballet, she said that I should go there too. I plan to ask her more about it on Monday, but that doesnt really give me time to cancel my monday class. I'll just have to see where this goes, my dance studio is very good for competition and performances, it just doesnt focus on technique really. One reason I decided to take the Ballet 1 class at school is to see what a new teacher would be like and how other teachers ran class. I'm so glad that I got to see this before it was too late. Thanks again for your help, I'll try to keep you updated on how this works out!