Can you please evaluate this schedule?

[lynnatbeach]

Hello,

I just joined this board and already,I am learning SO much! I wish I would have found it a few years ago.

Well, my question pertains to the class schedule at my dd's ballet school. Can someone evaluate it for us, please? We recently changed from a very small ballet school where we've been for several years, to a larger one, closer to home.

My daughter is much happier with the change.

 

The larger studio( more students), offers more classes and variety of classes and instructors. She is currently in what the Studio describes as a pre professional tract. There are 6 Divisions. Each division has a required number of classes per week that the students must attend. My child is in Division 4

Div 4's requirements are :3 ballet, 1 rep., 2 pointe, 1 pas de duex. and a choice of modern, tap, jazz and stretch. Here is her schedule:

M ballet 5-6:15 Tap 6:30-7:30

T Ballet/pointe 10:30 - 12:00, Ballet 5-6:15, Rep 6:15-7:00 Modern 7:00-8:00

W Ballet /pointe10:30- 12:00, Ballet 5:45- 7:00

Th Ballet/4:30-5:30 , Pointe 5:30-6:45 Jazz 6:45- 8:00

F Pointe 5:00-6:00 Pas de Duex 6:00- 7:00

We have several options in out city, so it is in the realm of possibility to pick up extra classes for more specific training, if need be. She would like to attend college on a dance scholarship. She'll be 13 next month.

Thank you very much for your feedback!

[Mel Johnson]

For a 12-year-old, that's plenty. Now to make sure it's good!

 

Tuesday seems a bit full, but if she's happy.... But then there's Friday, with a pointe class, but no technique before. A little problematical for me.

[vicarious]

Since ballet is my dd's primary focus, if this were her schedule I would encourage her to switch the tap or maybe the jazz for stretch class.

 

Why is a 12 yo taking Pas de Deux?

[Mel Johnson]

Age ought not to be a criterion for pas de deux class.

[Treefrog]

I'm curious (nothing more) about the ballet/pointe classes in the morning on weekdays. Is she with other kids in her level, or is this (mostly) an adult class? Also, are those technique classes taken on pointe, or a shorter technique class with pointe added at the end, or .... ? Hard to see how technique AND pointe could fit into 1.5 hours. I do see that the ballet classes in general are only 1 -1.25 hours long, which seems a bit short to me at this age.

[vicarious]

Age ought not to be a criterion for pas de deux class.

OK, but shouldn't a student be advanced or upper intermediate before beginning pas de deux?

[Mel Johnson]

Not necessarily. Remember, we can see neither the student, nor the content of the pas de deux class.

[lynnatbeach]

I'm curious (nothing more) about the ballet/pointe classes in the morning on weekdays. Is she with other kids in her level, or is this (mostly) an adult class? Also, are those technique classes taken on pointe, or a shorter technique class with pointe added at the end, or .... ? Hard to see how technique AND pointe could fit into 1.5 hours. I do see that the ballet classes in general are only 1 -1.25 hours long, which seems a bit short to me at this age.

Dear Treefrog,

 

The morning classes re adult classes. They are quite small, and many times have actually been a private lesson. She likes them because the slower pace allows her to work on the details of her technique. Coming from another school , she needed some tweaking. The corrections have helped her so much- she has fewer aches and pains specifically related to forced turn out ( See, I am learning Ballet speak).

Which is another BIG question... her previous teacher has the reputation for being the best in our area. As a parent, you want to trust the quality of instruction and training your child receives. However, now that she is with a new teacher, she is needing lots of re-training. It seems to be more than a difference of style. I don't get it!

I am not clear about the term "technique class". Does this refer to a regular ballet class, on flats? I feel so dumb, because although my daughter has been in classes for years, I am just beginning to educate myself!

I'll have lots of questions for her teacher next week .

Thanks so much for your feedback!

 

 

Not necessarily. Remember, we can see neither the student, nor the content of the pas de deux class.

Dear Mr. Johnson,

Thank you for your feedback on the schedule. I have a few questions for her teacher next week.

My daughter , along with the handfulof boys at the studio,enjoys the pas de deaux classes. It is taught by an "older" Russian gentleman who is amazing to watch.

I appreciate your responses. I have a few questions for her teacher next week.

Thank you!

[Mel Johnson]

Yes, technique class means soft shoes, or the equivalent in "shot" pointe shoes, so soft that they can no longer be used for pointe. And again, about that pas de deux class, if she's having a good time, and nobody's getting hurt, and she's strong enough, not to worry. After all, there are pas de deux, and then there's the "Moszkowsky Waltz"! (Say it mosh-KOV-sky, and ask the older Russian gentleman about it, then watch his eyes roll back into his head! )

[lynnatbeach]

Ok- I"ll ask him, but is the "sky"pronounced like sky or ski?

btw, My neighbor ,Ysobel's, brother is the late John Cranko. Did you know him?

[Mel Johnson]

Say it, "skee".

 

And yes, in my teens, I used to super for the Stuttgart Ballet, and we got The Pep Talk from Mr. Cranko. We most often dealt with a little woman named Georgette Tsingurides, who was a real martinet, very demanding, and who did not suffer fools -- gladly or any other way.

 

Then I went into the Air Force. When I got out, I started working for Joffrey. Cranko had died, but who did we have for a stager for the works we did? Georgette! I thought I would rather have had my basic training Drill Instructor back! Working with her in a different capacity, I found that she was a very disciplined person, still, but when assured that she was among professionals, totally, she was more likely to open up and display a warmth that I had not seen when I was a super.

[lynnatbeach]

Oh my! A little history goes a long way. Thanks for sharing your light.

[dancemaven]

lynn, it is not necessary to quote fully a preceding post. Simply go down to the bottom of the thread (not post) and click on the "ADD REPLY" button. That will open a blank box for you.

 

If you do want to quote some portion of another post for purposes of focusing your comments, hit the "quote" and "reply" button at the end of that post. A box with the fully quoted post will open. You then simply delete everything but the portion of the quote you wish to address.

[Dreambeliever]

It is time to register for Fall classes and I have a question about my daughter's schedule. My DD is 14. Here is her proposed schedule:

Mon.: 1.5 hr. technique

.5 hr. pointe

1.5 hr. rehearsal

Tues. 1.5 hr. technique

.5 hr. pointe

Wed. 1.5 hr. technique

.5 hr. pointe

Thurs. 1.5 hr. technique

.5 hr. pointe

Fri. 2 hr. rehearsal

Sat. 1.5 hr. technique

.5 hr. variations or pas de deux

Rehearsal Schedule varies for Sat. -- min. 2 hrs.

I have read on this board that a student who hopes to follow a professional path should have 6 tech/pointe classes per week. Would it be beneficial to add an additional ballet/point class at a lower level on Monday in order to get in 6 classes? Is it only beneficial if the classes are on different days? Our studio does not offer classes on Fridays and it is closed on Sundays. The rehearsal requirements for her pre-pro company prohibit going to another studio for classes. She could pick up additional lower level classes Mon. - Thurs. This year she will be in the highest level offered at our studio. Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Thank you very much!

[Victoria Leigh]

I find it very difficult to fit both technique and pointe into a 2 hour block. Two and a half hours would be much better, but, at least she has the point class almost every day.

 

The main thing that concerns me is rehearsal on Friday with no prior class. Do they at least give them a barre before the rehearsal?

 

As to the added technique class on Monday, I think that would be a bit much, on a school day, when followed by another technique, pointe, and rehearsal.