Inaccurate statements

[kikiswede]

If you read the first thread from Kikiswede, you will note there is nothing negative or lamblasting the responder. In truth there are only compliments about the teachers and all the benefits received from the training. The teaching is not the point...the management is very tough...and before you stop threads like this conversation which led to very thoughtful and meaningful discussions about the importance of not exploiting dancers, parents, or students, consider the tenor of the postings. There was nothing untrue stated.

 

The responder has also incorrectly assumed about things I have not been part of, but have been made aware of for over an 8-10 year period, far before my time. I believe because I have been very up front about concerns affecting the welfare of ALL dancers in the program, it again brings things back to the point, I will be the next target. I am sorry that all the parents who have been part of this very talented creative teaching program, and had the same concerns about the management style would also write here.

 

There are no complaints about parts specific here either...so does that mean a decision to do something else is a bad thing? No...it is a choice. I do hope that dancers and families continue to research thoroughly before they make a move, and to suggest that the elements of this thread that have occured in ours and other's lives across the country, leads to again a slammed door talking about the conditions that do exist in many programs. These considtions become a habit that can be improved upon with national standards and recommendations.

I look forward to reading the recommended links. Thank you. Everyone should always keep an open mind, and keep their head... about everything. Emotional reactions shouldn't shut down conversations between sane people looking for answers.

Edited March 11, 2006 by kikiswede

[Mel Johnson]

Be wary of posting materials which confront an Administrator by name. You are on very thin ice here, and while we maintain a fairly democratic system of discussion and debate, there is not a provision for an "appeal from the decision of the chair."

[kikiswede]

Be wary of posting materials which confront an Administrator by name. You are on very thin ice here, and while we maintain a fairly democratic system of discussion and debate, there is not a provision for an "appeal from the decision of the chair."

 

I did not refer to the name of any program, school, or instructors. I did observe this rule and it was the response of the person which identified himself to which I am sorry he has done. Again no complaints about the instruction of the program. I do hope many will contintue a broad discussion on finding the best residential ballet program for students. Thank you for your insight.

[Mel Johnson]

For your information, you DID post the name of the school, and Victoria Leigh removed that at a time when there were only 11 views of the topic on the board. I followed the thread all the way from the first post down to the last, when I closed it. Disingenuousness gets you nowhere. This is strike two.

[kikiswede]

For your information, you DID post the name of the school, and Victoria Leigh removed that at a time when there were only 11 views of the topic on the board. I followed the thread all the way from the first post down to the last, when I closed it. Disingenuousness gets you nowhere. This is strike two.

Sorry.

It was stated to me that the topic of discussion and name of the thread was changed to put it into another category. I didn't understand it that the name of the program had been typed in. Readers thought I should name it but I didn't it. (Or so I thouht) If the program was named...I didn't catch it...but there was no intention to break any rules and name names. I am not wanting to address a specific discussion...but a general one. Sorry if that is how it came out. I am not disingenuous, but confused by my memory of what I thought I started with...this was my first posting and I was encouraged by the on going discussions getting into a national level of improving things in the dance world.

 

I am very sorry if I offended. I am also sorry the responder used his real name. Thanks for removing it all.

[Treefrog]

I realize I am treading on very thin ice here ... but I for one am grateful for the honest and open discussion that kikiswede provoked. I would hate to see her get banished for openly confronting an issue that clearly resonates with so many members.

[chauffeur]

I would also like to add that I have found Kikiswede's posts to be very reasonable, rational and balanced. Rather, it was the director's post which convinced me that, yes, there are some significant management issues at that program. It was the worst possible advertisement for them. I applaud Kikiswede for her courage.

[Mel Johnson]

For the record, Andrei is an established member of Ballet Talk for Dancers and has been for years. He has always posted under his own name.

 

If one read the thread and found it fair and balanced, that is in the reader's realm of responsibility. I, for one, did not. I allowed it to continue for some seventy posts before closing it. So, in my military way, I'm standing by my guns.

[Treefrog]

Unfortunately, we can no longer judge for ourselves because that whole thread seems to have been removed from general viewing.

[Mel Johnson]

Yes, and it's going to stay there, unless Victoria, as Root Administrator, overrules me.

[dancetaxi]

I know that I am also treading on very thin ice here and about to go against my general "Libra" nature. However, it seems that a very thought provoking thread has been removed because a moderator has chosen to "take sides." I can see how one would choose to close the thread, but to completely remove it seems to be crossing a line of censorship that worries me. The argument ceased to be one-sided since the person whose program was being talked about DID respond and state his side of the story. Why remove the thread?

[thedriver]

I also found the discussion on the previous thread very thought provoking. I am saddened that the administration of this forum felt the need to close and remove it. Please reconsider.

[pattypirouette]

BT4D exists for the exchange of information. Kikiswede exchanged information - the other posters followed. She was fair in her thoughts and comments and brought up something that ballet administrators continue to avoid - that is that there are severe repercussions when a ballet parent challenges ballet administration. Why can we not speak out when there are injustices? Why is Kikiswede being slapped down - even on this board?

 

Andrei proved to all of us that he isn't open to comment or suggestion. This entire issue proves that it will never change. From my point of view - Andrei's comments only reinforce that Kikiswede has some valid issues. She didn't attack the teachers or instruction - just the way they do business.

 

Every parent on this board knows the sting of opening our mouths and how that effects our dancers. Excuse me Mel, but you have just proven once again that ballet parents cannot ever say what is on our minds without causing a Major problem. What's the point of this board if you remove insightful and thought provoking sharing of ideas?

[AsleepATheWheel]

How did I miss this?

[vagansmom]

Interesting comments.

She was fair in her thoughts and comments

. How can any of us know that for sure? Certainly, she is positive about the training, but how do we know she's telling the truth about the administration? We just don't know.

 

Andrei proved to all of us that he isn't open to comment or suggestion.

I don't read his post that way at all. First, the abruptness of his post is due to his English not being great. If you read his other posts from the past, you will recognize that. Second, it is unprofessional for a school to "have it out" with an individual parent on a message board. I think what Andrei proved is that he is not open to discussing one parent's complaints on an open message board; it should be dealt with privately.

 

Did kikiswede mention that in her anger, she withdrew BOTH her daughters from the upcoming production? No, she didn't. Is that a mature way to handle the situation she's been upset about? What is she modeling to her kids? Did she, in her reply to him, address this fact? No. I found that quite telling.

 

I am frequently amazed at how easily readers will accept what any other parent states as bona fide truth on a message board. I've been on dance message boards for 9 years; countless times people misrepresent the facts, particularly when they have felt hurt. We see this going on right now on other boards here on BT4D.

 

Am I saying everything's rosy within ballet schools? Absolutely not. There is great need for change. Was my 14 years worth of experience as a parent to a student who attended pre-professional schools full of happiness and delight? No, there were many times I was unhappy about circumstances, times when I wished certain things would change. That is life. When I felt it was really important, I went to the administration. I picked those times carefully, making sure they were only about really big issues, not about roles or levels or class attire. Were there times we disagreed even after a discussion? Absolutely.

 

But what do we do when people hold the power, through online words, to ruin a school's reputation when we really, truly don't know what went on? Who do we trust when we have no direct first-hand knowledge of the situation? Is it right, when someone's livelihood is at stake, to just assume everybody's speaking the truth?

 

I think that's why it's so tricky in deciding what to keep on a message board and what not to. I get upset at times too about what gets removed, but I've learned that, while there may be errors in judgment from time to time, the overall issue of never really knowing what's truth and what isn't makes it better to be conservative.