dancergirl39 Posted March 19, 2005 Report Share Posted March 19, 2005 Ok, I really dislike the training I'm receiving. Our teacher doesn't know what style she teaches (she says a mix of cechetti and vaganova), we never spend time on things, we never work hard (I do!), she has favorites, she won't watch anyone but her favorite, we talk the whole class away, she doesn't cast the shows fairly, I'm not getting any better, I'm not getting stronger, she won't pay attention to me,. The biggest things are that we talk the whole class goodbye and I'm not getting any better and she doesn't give corrections. I want to go to another school, but I don't want to go to a boarding school because I'll miss my parents. Quote Link to comment
Mel Johnson Posted March 19, 2005 Report Share Posted March 19, 2005 Well, Minnesota isn't that large a place when it comes to ballet. Have you looked around? I have a hard time coming up with boarding schools for ballet in that state! Quote Link to comment
Administrators Victoria Leigh Posted March 19, 2005 Administrators Report Share Posted March 19, 2005 It sounds like the school is not a serious enough school to train a dancer, not because of the mix of styles as much as the part about the dancers talking in class and not getting corrections and not getting stronger. Are you just having a particularly bad week, or is this kind of the thing the norm for this school? Have you searched out all of the schools in your area? What is the nearest large city? Quote Link to comment
marshmallow Posted March 19, 2005 Report Share Posted March 19, 2005 If you look at my post about not being happy about my dance studio, you will see that I am in almost the same situation!!!! It is so interesting how almost everything you have said is exactly the same as at my studio. Have you gone away in the summer to notice that you weren't getting the best training??? When did you realize that your studio was not good??? Quote Link to comment
dancergirl39 Posted March 20, 2005 Author Report Share Posted March 20, 2005 This has been going on for basically 2 years. I'm not going to research boarding schools in MN because I'd still be away from home, and if I decided on doing that I'd probaby apply to Walnut Hill, NCSA, Harid, Nutmeg, that type of thing. My parents wouldn't mind me going to a boarding school, I'm just not sure if I'm ready but I know for sure I NEED better training if I'm serious about my goals as a dancer (which I am). I really love my modern teacher and we're hiring a new jazz and tap teacher this year, but I'm afraid there will be no new ballet teacher coming in anytime soon. I know lots of other dancers that are displeased as well, but not enough to bring it to someone's attention. My mom and I have tried to talk to her about the corrections thing and it worked.....but for 1 day, that's all. I just think my teacher is immature. She's too close to us as students, she tells us everything about her personal life. I just want better instruction. Another thing is my parents might actually want to move in the near future (after next year). I know this is a really open ended question that really can't be answered but where are some good schools that prepare dancers for every type of ballet thrown at them, but also makes the difference clear? but is not a boarding school, like where you just go and take classes. Do you know of any near Tucson, AZ because that's where my parents are most interested in. Also, is Ballet Pacifica near Laguna Beach, CA?? I'm looking there too. Please help me. Quote Link to comment
dancergirl39 Posted March 20, 2005 Author Report Share Posted March 20, 2005 Marshmallow: Yes, it was when I came back from the summer (at Burklyn by the way!!!!!) I noticed we never get serious about things. We always talk. I hate it. I noticed at Burklyn that I couldn't get my leg as high, couldn't hold it as long, but when I came home I whipped into shape and really tapped into some talent I didn't know I possessed, only to find that my teacher had 2 SOOOOO obvious favorites, one of which is one of my best friends and it's pulling us apart. She's letting it get to her head. and the other is mean and arrogant in the first place. sry off subject. but I'm glad I have someone to relate to. What are you going to do about it? Quote Link to comment
Administrators Victoria Leigh Posted March 20, 2005 Administrators Report Share Posted March 20, 2005 dancergirl, for the moment I think you just need to research better schools somewhere that you can get to. Are you in or near Minneapolis, for instance? If not, what is the nearest large city? Perhaps we can help to find something for you if we have a better idea of where you are, or at least what cities you could travel to for classes. Quote Link to comment
spaghetti Posted March 20, 2005 Report Share Posted March 20, 2005 Do you HAVE to talk during class? I understand that you do not feel like you are getting good training but for the mean time until you find a different school, maybe you could try to make the best out of it. It may be hard in that kind of loose environment, but try hard to concentrate and show your teacher how serious you are about dance and how much you really want to improve. This is a hard thing to do. Remember that it's just temporary until you find a more accomadating school. Best wishes! Quote Link to comment
dancergirl39 Posted March 20, 2005 Author Report Share Posted March 20, 2005 I don't live near Minneapolis, 3 and a half hours away actually. I live in Grand Rapids, 1 and half hours away from Duluth. My mom has showed interest in driving to Duluth, but I'm afraid that my teacher might get kinda mad and the kids might dislike me for it (we're at that bratty, cliquey age ya know.) and I don't know if I could handle that with homework and all my other dance classes, so maybe I'll just tough this out for one more year, but I feel I'm at the age where I need to work really hard to get where I want to be! It's just so frustrating. Quote Link to comment
Administrators Victoria Leigh Posted March 20, 2005 Administrators Report Share Posted March 20, 2005 If there is a better school in Duluth, and your Mom is willing to drive, then GO! If you want to be a dancer, the best training is FAR more important than how your current teacher feels about it. You are not happy there, so what does it matter if she is "mad" at you? Leave. Make new friends who are serious about dance. Many students drive that far every day, and they manage to get their homework done. It's called prioritization. You learn how to organize your day to get the maximum benefit from your time. If you have to do your homework in the car, so be it. The question here is not whether to go or not, it's how fast can you get there! Quote Link to comment
LauraT Posted March 20, 2005 Report Share Posted March 20, 2005 I live in Tucson, AZ, and I love the place where I'm at, Ballet Arts. It's a pre-professional school, but it's also good for recreational students (like me). There is a company attached, Ballet Tucson, and it's Tucson's only professional ballet company. The teachers do not allow any talking in their classes, and give tons of corrections. PM if you have any more questions. Quote Link to comment
e'smom Posted March 23, 2005 Report Share Posted March 23, 2005 Isn't there a professional company in Grand Rapids? And does it have a school attached? Quote Link to comment
dancergirl39 Posted March 23, 2005 Author Report Share Posted March 23, 2005 Grand Rapids Michigan there is, not Grand Rapids Minnesota. Quote Link to comment
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