bad training=good dancers?

[balletboyrhys]

I recently started taking classes at a very well reputed pre-pro school in my area (as well as my university dance major classes! I'm so sore!). This studio has produced many professional dancers (in companies like NYCB, ABT, Joffrey, Ballet West, etc.,) and all of the dancers there look amazing. The things that I'm hearing from the teachers just seem wrong though. Every other teacher I've had has told me not to do these things. They use very strange arms (I wish I could show you!) in preperations for pirouettes and tours. I know that they way theyre teaching is not the technical way of doing things but the dancers end up looking amazing and getting into good companies and summer intensives. I guess I'm just a little confused as to how this is possible. Anyone encountered this before?

[vrsfanatic]

Without specifics about the technical aspects of port de bras or examples of differences it is hard to say! As the saying goes, there is more than one way to skin the cat! Without seeing what you are talking about maybe it will be helpful if you talk with your teacher about the differences in what you are seeing so that maybe things could be explained a bit to you?

[Victoria Leigh]

The style or method of technique you are learning now might just be different, not wrong. I would find out what technique the teacher is using, and what you had before. That would help us to know more about how to advise you.

[balletboyrhys]

In the past I have had cechetti, vaganova, and some RAD. A lot of my classes have been what one would refer to as "balanchine" though i know there is some debate on whether or not there is a balanchine technique or if it is simply a style. this school doesn't claim to follow any one syllabus but are heavily balanchine influenced. the instructors say that they teach to allow the maximum possible of turns, highest extension, fastest footwork highest jumps etc. A lot of the arm postions are very bent and the arms hug the stomach (overlapping) during pirouettes. they also enourage the dancer to twist as much as possible in preperation for any turn. when teaching tours, they told me that the arms should bend at a right angle to the body and pull in to the hugged stomache (1st?) position. hope this helps....

[Victoria Leigh]

Not much liking the sound of this, balletboyrhys. Have you looked for other schools?

[balletboyrhys]

I have but my options are somewhat limited. I'm a dance major at SMU and the studio in question is conveniently across the street from school. Because of my school schedule it's very difficult for me to get to any classes that appropriate to my level in time. I think i've decided to stay there and do what they ask me when im there and do things the correct way in my technique classes at school. It never hurts to be exposed to a new way of thinking i suppose and as long as i dont form bad habits or do anything that could sustain injuries it cant be too bad. Right?

[Victoria Leigh]

I hope not. But, it depends on how much you go there, and how forceful they are about doing it 'their way'. Bad habits are not hard to develop at all.

[balletgirl22sk]

To balletboyrhys- I know the school you are talking about- I taught there many years ago. I quit before the year was finished since I would not teach some of the things they wanted. They do get a lot of students into professional companies and SIs but I never understood how with their strange ways. It was not a terribly pleasant atmosphere.