"Emotional intelligence" as a training tool in ballet

[seeker]

Are there pre pro ballet training programs in the United States that make use of the research about "emotional intelligence"? If so, what is the impact on training and morale?

[Mel Johnson]

May I recommend this thread about one of our members' new book about this very topic. He has done research on both sides of the Atlantic, and knows a lot more about the topic than the average bear!

 

http://dancers.invisionzone.com/index.php?...topic=37785&hl=

[seeker]

Thank you.

[Dance_Scholar_London]

Hi seeker,

 

I just saw this thread :-) Feel free to post your questions here or send me a private message once you have PM privileges (you will need 30 posts).

[lsu]

Actually, I would love to have seeker post here as this is a great question that I would love to see answered.

[Dance_Scholar_London]

I will update my website over the Christmas period. Just click on the link below. Some articles are for download (PDF format). Happy reading

[Mel Johnson]

Thanks, Thom.

[seeker]

Thank you very much! I've downloaded the fascinating articles, and look forward to reading the responses to my question.

[Hollywood Ballet]

If there is "emotionally intelligent" ballet training, does it then follow logically that there is "emotionally stupid" ballet training? I think I know of some places which follow that system. Even took classes at one of them, long ago.

[Dance_Scholar_London]

If there is "emotionally intelligent" ballet training, does it then follow logically that there is "emotionally stupid" ballet training?

 

I probably would not call it "emotionally stupid" but say that this school has not yet discovered the benefits of social and emotional learning programs. There is a large pool of research on emotional intelligence in educational settings, though as yet, there is limited research on applied emotional intelligence in applied (performing) arts settings. It is important to note that emotional intelligence does not provide a "quick fix effect", rather it's success is in its continous application.

[Hollywood Ballet]

Well, I'm all for anything that makes the learning of dance a more positive and productive experience.

 

And just wondering, is there a specific segment dealing with being the only male student in a class full of catty girls? Some of those psychic scratches still haven't healed after all these years, lol!

[Dance_Scholar_London]

And just wondering, is there a specific segment dealing with being the only male student in a class full of catty girls? Some of those psychic scratches still haven't healed after all these years, lol!

 

There are studies on EI that deal with gender, but I am not aware of any ballet/dance specific study that includes gender. It is certainly worth investigating. It just needs time and funding

 

It is also essential to acknowledge that EI is not a therapeutic program, but rather engages with learning and application of emotional and social competences in educational settings and the workplace.

[Mel Johnson]

EI is such a very new field of inquiry (first published in 1990, Daniel Goleman wrote a best-seller in 1995), that this work could easily become one of the defining works in a rapidly-developing field of inquiry. Me, I'm going to wait for it in English, my German (and a little Polish) came from my great-grandfather and what he'd say when he hit his thumb with a mallet (he was a cabinetmaker). My grandmother insisted that I never say those words ever again. My French is limited to Army Ordnance Manuals, cookbooks, and ballet terminology, so if I want to go to a restaurant and order "a machine gun with tiny little leg beats", I'm all set.

[Dance_Scholar_London]

Me, I'm going to wait for it in English

 

To what book are you referring to? Most of the literature is in English....

[Mel Johnson]

OK, your book is in English? The links I had suggested it was in German. I'll move right away to order!