good teacher in New York

[Odille]

Hello,

 

where do y'all go to learn ballet in NYcity?

 

I went to the Joffrey School last night and it seemed a bit outrageous since every combination at the bar was asked to be done about 6 times a side and there was no focus on placement or technique whatsoever, only speed. Even grandbattements were done so fast that there was no time to kick the leg!

 

Steps is good, but does anyone know of a smaller place where real dance is seriously taught to adults?

 

I was spoiled by an old world ballerina teacher from Argentina who demaned discipline and technique in her class. I need an old miestra in NY. Help.

[ashatNYU]

Hi Odille!

 

I see that you took Andre's class last night at Joffrey. This is the more advanced class. If you are looking for a slower class that is MUCH more focused on technique, try Dena Moss's class on Tuesday and Thursday nights (7-8:30pm) and Sunday 1-2:30pm. Andre expects his students to come into class already having the technique and will just correct problem areas. If you are looking for more advanced classes, check out Ballet Academy East (Patrelle is especially well liked by a few friends of mine who are more advanced) or Peridance (Bil Badolato is a favorite of mine there).

 

HTH!

 

Edited to add -- Most of the barre combinations at Joffrey are done multiple times, unlike in many schools I have been to. Basically the idea is that you do it until you do it right Being an adult beginner, I also appreciate the multiple "tries" to get the movement from my brain to my feet!

[Sulan]

If you give us some idea of your experience, your current level and what time of day you'd like to take class, we can probably give you much more useful advice... there are plenty of wonderful adult classes in the city, but plenty of so-so or even downright bad classes as well. In general, though, most people tend to find the class that suits them best just by trying out lots of classes at lots of studios. I took a number of classes at Broadway Dance and Ballet Academy East before settling down to a particular class at Steps. I'd add, as well, that just because you have a bad experience at one particular studio, I wouldn't cross it off my list... for adults, at least, there doesn't seem to be much consistency in style or manner of teaching across the various teachers, even at the same studio.

[ashatNYU]

Well said Sulan!

[lampwick]

Everything Sulan said is so true.

 

Also, some people really enjoy a fast class, and really want to learn how to transition quickly. It's still "real dance", as you put it. Very necessary if you have any desire to ever perform a Balanchine ballet. I've seen a lot of really well-placed, well-trained, technically beautiful dancers who can't seem to move or do anything difficult. They do wonderful slow-motion pirouettes and have "nice" port de bras. Great...if this was the 18th century.

 

OK, off my soapbox.

[ashatNYU]

I've seen a lot of really well-placed, well-trained, technically beautiful dancers who can't seem to move or do anything difficult. They do wonderful slow-motion pirouettes and have "nice" port de bras. Great...if this was the 18th century.

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Haha. Apparently I should have lived back then! I think for me it is so necessary to have classes that address both of these types of training - the technical and the artistry. I love my classes at Joffrey because I get a great dose of technicality, but when I go to classes that are more "dancy" I find myself lost (coordination is a big issue for me). I would like to increase my competency in this area, but I always feel so uncomfortable in classes where everyone makes it seem to effortless.

[lampwick]

I always feel so uncomfortable in classes where everyone makes it seem to effortless.

 

I feel like that in certain classes too, when I'm seeing people whip out 5 or 6 revolution pirouettes and developpees up to the moon somewhere. It looks so simple

[Odille]

I've been taking ballet 5x week for about 2 years now. That makes me a beginner longing to go to an intermediate class once in a while. The problem is that without good training I feel I will not be able to advance to the next level.

 

I do agree that one has to be able to move and I'd love to develop fast feet, but not at the expense of doing the steps fast with poor technique - i.e. with flexed feet.

 

I am looking for a teacher who gives corrections - lots of 'em and truly believes in the beauty of all dancers. In return the teacher's students give her the utmost respect by working very hard. I am not looking for a class that's mostly for fun, recreational or where the students are too advanced to focus on technique.

 

Whose classes do you take at steps? I am trying out certain classes in the city, but there just seem to be so many that any leads would be terrific.

[Guest sarabesque]

Emilietta Ettlin teaches an anatomy based ballet floor barre and intermediate ballet calsses at Steps. She has a mostly adult following- but very loyal group that takes all her floor barre and ballet classes.

It is a different approach, and she clasims it accelarates beginners very fast as well as helps professionals- it is addicting!

The atmosphere of the ballet class was very relaxed and comfortable since most poeple were recreational dancers. A few professionals, a nd prepro students do take and study privately with her as well.

[lampwick]

Emilietta Ettlin is my teacher. She only cares about making you better. It doesn't matter if you've only taken two months of ballet or if you're a principal dancer at ABT. She works with everyone from professionals to adult beginners and demands the same attention to alignment from everyone. I've seen her produce professional dancers out of bodies you'd never believe could dance so well. She's very good with knowing exactly what to do to help your individual body issues and will correct you a LOT if you want it. Her class is a fast style, however. Her training was Vagonova based, but she's very fond of Balanchine. The classes are like sarabesque described...there's a small number of people who are nearly professional level, most Intermediate, some who are dancers in other forms who want to build strength, some beginners... The floor barre can change your body entirely. It's a very "strong" technique.