Choosing a method

[balleballeyeballe]

Hello all, pardon for the long post and help me with any misspellings.

I am new to this forum and (relatively) new to ballet--as a parent (I did recreational ballet and tap for about five years when I was a little kid, but while I had "perfect feet and turnout" according to my teachers...let's just say flat as a pancake was never going to describe me ;-)). Anyhoo, my DDs have shown a remarkable penchant for movement since they were little and they LOVED CM. But now we are looking for more serious study of ballet. We live in a big city in the Northwest that is home to a MAJOR company and we are considering this company's junior school and a professional training school's junior program. The two use different methods (to an extent) and the pro-training school is pure Vaganova. Both schools seem to be pretty equally successful in placements at the advanced and pro-levels (though, I could be mistaken...), so I really don't know which to choose. Could anyone enlighten me on the merits of the various methods. In my search for the "perfect" school, I have come across mention of Balanchine, Vaganova, Cecchetti, and RAD. Is classical also a method? Are there others? In my rec classes, I think we followed RAD because it sounds familiar to me, but that's about all I know. Right now we are leaning towards the Vaganova school because their schedule works better for us, but I want the BEST school for my DDs, so I want to make sure we make an informed decision. Also, I know the girls are WAY to young to be thinking about this, but SIs seem to be pretty important if a dancer continues to advanced levels. Is it common to study the same method during SI as during the regular term or no?

[Victoria Leigh]

Hello balleballeyeballe, welcome to Ballet Talk for Dancers

 

Vaganova, Cecchetti and RAD are all classical methods. They are all good, as is the International mix often used by the preprofessional company schools. But the methods are only as good as the teaching, so, the teachers are really more important than which method you choose. We cannot say that one method is any better than another, so, it is up to you to find the best teaching, atmostphere, schedule, etc. This may take some investigation, including watching classes.

 

As for SI's, it sounds like you are a ways away from that right now, but, when they reach that point it will depend on whether they are ready to benefit from other methods or not. When they are very young it is best to stay with one, but as they grow up and advance, it is good to get exposure to various methods.

[balleballeyeballe]

I just wanted to clarify that I'm NOT thinking about SIs for the girls--they're 5! (They'll be six in September for the beginning of the term, my babies are growing up!) Who knows if they'll still want to dance a week from now. (they do other activities)

 

I just saw so much about them on the forum and it really got me wondering if one method (not matter which) all the way was best or a variety.

 

Also, I'm really just curious about the merits of each method, they seem very similar in so many ways (from the little I've read), but also very different. And it seems to me that companies probably favor one over the other.

 

hmm, perhaps, it's just curiosity catching the cat, here :-D

[Victoria Leigh]

No, the companies generally do not prefer one method over another. They are generally looking for the best dancers and the ones who fit their openings. So, again, it's about the teaching, not the method.

[balleballeyeballe]

Thanks so much for the wonderful information.

 

Could anyone explain Cecchetti? I can't find much information out there.

 

And are there any links (other than to the monoliths of texts) to detailed descriptions of the Vaganova syllabus?

 

I'm confused because so many schools teach classical but seem to have very different curricula. It helps to know that there are different meanings of classical!

[vrsfanatic]

There is nothing with in depth description of the Vaganova Syllabus online, but you can buy books that are very detailed, but written for teachers. There is no syllabus for 5 year olds however. The syllabus begins at age 10 therefore, you have quite a few years still. Five year olds really are not able to do "real ballet". At this point look for a school that will not teach ballet at all, rather rhythm, age appropriate strengthening and coordination and creativity is about all that could be expected of a 5 year old. Please continue to do the research on schooling and teachers in your area. Teachers who instill discipline, work ethic and ballet basics are jewels of the ballet world. You have time to learn more.

[Blanche]

As a parent of a similarly aged child as well as one in the beginning stages of serious study, I think it's important to be informed, but it's also important to simply enjoy the ride with your children.

[housell]

Yes...I didn't even know about this forum until a couple of years ago and in my case that's probably good. I didn't get very caught up in "researching" my dd's ballet study until about Level 3. Enjoy these early years. I can't tell you how much I miss the simplicity of them.

[LauraR]

We switched schools when my youngest dd was 5 and my oldest quit dancing. There were a few schools to choose from in our area, so I chose the one with the best reputation and that was recommended to me by her former teacher. It is the only pre-pro school associated with a company in this area, although the other schools hold their own at times (in YAGP, for example). However, through the years I've found that the other schools may start their students on pointe as early as 9 or the demeanor of the teaching staff is not exactly what I want for my child.

 

As Ms. Leigh has stated, there is such a mix of influences. Our school is Vaganova, but we have teachers from NYCB, Mexico, Cuba, Paris Opera, etc. They each carry their own ideals and my dd knows that this teacher wants the head carriage a certain way in this position and that teacher prefers it to be another way. The syllabus is the same, but there are a few subtle differences in artistry. I think it might be a good idea to make a list of the things you like (and maybe dislike) about each school. Then you can compare things such as reputation, cost, schedule, performance opportunity, distance, etc. I know that you know there is no "perfect" school by the use of quotations. If you have two very good schools to choose from, the best choice for you might be what's convenient for your family. In the long run, all the various methods lead to the same road...a well-trained dancer if the instruction is sound.

 

As I'm sure it's been said, true ballet instruction won't begin for a while yet. This is the time to focus on movement, following directions, and learning class etiquette. Ballet is a marathon, not a sprint, so you'll learn as you go. This a great board for getting information as well as perspective and has been invaluable in the past couple of years since I've found it.

[balleballeyeballe]

Thanks for all the advice. I guess my penchant for research has got me in a tizzy, that and my wanting the best for my girls, whatever they choose to do. :-)

 

I think this thread might be beneficial as a general discussion of different methods for others (not necessarily moi) and why they chose one over the other. There seem to be a few others like it, so feel free to close it if necessary. But, the others I've read seem to only compare two or three methods. Thus, I give this thread over to the "gods" (moderators) to do with it what they wish.

[Victoria Leigh]

The "gods" on this board really feel strongly that it is about the teaching and not the method. Comparing the methods takes an expert in each method, and I'm not sure we have all of them covered here. But besides that, I really don't feel that it is essential to the training. If the school and the teachers are good, and they have a record of training good dancers who have gone on to perform, then check them out. Investigate different schools and watch the teaching in the lower levels, and watch the dancers in the top levels. Do they dance 6 days a week? Do they have a sufficient number of classes? Is there a good atmosphere in the school, like friendly and welcoming but also very disciplined in the classes? Do they students wear uniforms or are they at least taught proper grooming and attire for class even if there is not a set color? Just look at the school, the teachers, and the products. If they are good, which method they use is much less important.

 

Closing this thread.