How many different teachers do you have?

[dancingjet]

Given most studios around here have just one class at a level I can take, I'm looking at having three different teachers. I had two before, and I was comfortable with them and their styles of teaching, class structure, etc. But now to get three classes a week I'll have to take from three different teachers.

 

What I wouldn't give for a syllabus-type course, three times a week, from the same teacher. As someone who never had the basics as a kid, that would be so great for me.

 

On a different note, what do you think about asking one of my teachers for private pre-pointe type classes, to give me an idea of what that would look like? I know it's debated on this board about why an adult would want to go on pointe or not, but it is something I'd like to work up to eventually. There are no pre-pointe classes for adults, so it's something I'd have to work out on my own with one of my teachers.

[Serendipity]

Hi DJ,

 

In ONE studio, I have four different teachers, although one is for lyrical rather than ballet.

 

I have taken pre-pointe conditioning privately since February and found it EXTREMELY valuable. It was well worth the money. They had eliminated the class I signed up for last year, and that's when I contracted with that class teacher to help me privately. I still take private lessons from her, and likely it'll continue to be conditioning because, again, the regular schedule puts that class out of my reach (work commitments - I only work to pay for ballet classes! LOL!).

 

So go for it. The beauty of the private lesson is that being that it's focused only on you, the teacher can tailor the exercises to your needs. For example, I have very tight hips, so we're working now on opening them up, at least as far as I am able at my age.

 

Also, at my age, I'm on pointe. I actually find it easier now than I did when I was a girl, because of all the newfangled shoes and accessories that make it less painful. My teacher is of the opinion that if you want to try it, try it. It's for your own enjoyment. If you decide it's not for you, nothing is lost except a few bob for shoes and lessons.

 

Hope that helps!

[olddude]

Given most studios around here have just one class at a level I can take, I'm looking at having three different teachers. I had two before, and I was comfortable with them and their styles of teaching, class structure, etc. But now to get three classes a week I'll have to take from three different teachers. ...

At the moment I have seven teachers each week. I get different things from each, and I love them all! Once I started taking more than one class per week I've always had multiple teachers. It's confusing sometimes to remember which teacher likes frappes from a wrapped foot, or who wants the rond de jambe accent at the top. But the teacher will correct you if you forget!

 

I think the real difference is you learn twice as many things, and it takes twice as long to do so. You also learn to be flexible and do what the choreographer wants no matter how you've been trained - and that's a worthwhile skill to have.

[ripresa]

Hi DancingJet,

 

Well, I've had lots and lots of dance teachers.. and I think it's a good thing!!

Right now, for Ballet there are 2 I mainly like, but there are 2 others I go to when schedule requires.

 

As for pointe, I started as an adult, and asked for private pointe classes from a teacher I have taken from years... so she knew my weaknesses and strengths. And we started from the most basic pointe steps.... though a warning: privates are painful! There's no time to rest or be lazy since your teacher's eyes are constantly on you.

[Serendipity]

Hi DancingJet,

 

though a warning: privates are painful! There's no time to rest or be lazy since your teacher's eyes are constantly on you.

 

I second that - especially if you have a teacher who shows very little mercy!

[Redbookish]

I have mostly a different teacher for each of the 4 classes I (can) do per week. But I like that -- they all have different styles, and are watchful of different things. And it makes me work harder at what I'm not good at -- picking up combinations and choreography.

[Kitri]

I have three different teachers at the moment. Two I have in the ballet studio, where I am taking ballet and jazz dance lessons. One of them teaches me ballet three times the week, the other one teaches me jazz dance twice the week.

 

Then I have one teacher, where I am taking privat lessons in ballet one time the week. But this teacher is also working with me on my musical choreographies.

 

Both ballet teachers are teaching russian style. Though there are little differences, I had no problems with this until now. I think both are wonderful and excellent teachers.

 

I do point work with both of them.

Edited August 6, 2008 by Kitri

[dancingjet]

It sounds like as adults we all have multiple teachers in order to take multiple classes.

 

I'll talk to the teacher I have in mind about pre-pointe privates. I've taken a few privates with her before and have one scheduled for a week or two from now, so that would be a good time to start. I'll see what she says.

[lavendergrl]

The only time I've had more than one teacher at a time is at SIs and college. BUT I read everything I can get my hands on regarding teaching and technique and approaches to proper execution, so I guess you could say those authors are teachers too, in a way. I definitely apply what I learn reading in my classwork, and it seems to pay off.

[Agnes1022]

I've had the same private instructor who's worked with me from basic, beginning ballet, through advanced beginning ballet, and now pre-pointe. The woman is a god-send. I wouldn't have been able to fast-track my progress (18 months total dance experience to-date) without those weekly private classes.

 

For each regular class I take, I have a different teacher. Ballet 4A/B, Ballet 4A from one school; Ballet 2/3 from a second school; Adv Beg/Int Adult Ballet from a third school....totaling to four teachers. Within the same school, it's not so bad because they operate from the same syllabus and essentially the same style (Russian). The adult class can be a challenge because it isn't taught in Russian style, so the positions differ to some extent, and the terms used for the same step can also be different.

[dancingjet]

A small update: I did have my private and discussed my desire for pre-pointe work. Our schedules don't mesh well for privates on any regular basis, but she did give me a whole slew of exercises that she feels safe in giving me to work on at home. I have access to a barre here at home (it's DD's but she's good at sharing ;)). I wrote everything down and then typed it up for myself at home. She said she'd keep an eye on me during class to make sure she's not seeing anything she shouldn't and look for improvement, too.

[Guest MasterPuppeteer]

For beginner ballet, I have two different teachers, two different studios. Teacher #1 is an older woman, a former pro, very gentle and hardly makes any corrections. Teacher #2 is a younger woman (I'd say college or early 20s) who is an absolute FIRECRACKER. She teaches at lightning speed but covers everything—technique, corrections, pointers (my favorite is the one where she says, "Clench your left butt! Pretend you just got stung by a bee right here!"), you name it. At first I was a little hesitant about taking two different classes at two different studios, but I went ahead and did it and now I can see the value of the two different styles of teaching.

[dancingjet]

Bringing up an old topic of mine...

 

Another student and I are going to start beginning pointe lessons with our teacher. This is the teacher that knows me best and has worked with me from Day 1. We're still working out the nuts and bolts of when to meet given all of our schedules but I'm pretty excited!

[Serendipity]

That's great! Ankle-willing, I'm back on pointe after Easter. Then hopefully will also have some private lessons with my teacher to bring me back up to some level of competence.

[dancingjet]

Good luck to both of us, then.