Just a little worried.

[LilMissBallerina]

I'm not planning to be professional in ballet, but I do want to continue with and be the best that I can be at it. I feel like I'm receiving a good education in ballet currently in one of my classes (pointe technique), but not so much in my usual ballet class.

 

I've been considering switching ballet schools to a ballet only academy nearby, but I'm worried that if I went there I would find that I wasn't good at ballet compared to the others.

 

So, what do you think? Should I leave my comfort zone, my friendly dance school, and go to a more intense ballet only academy, or stay where I am now? It sounds silly but I'd really like opinions as this is something I'm very worried about.

 

Thank you so much!

 

~LilMissBallerina

[Mel Johnson]

Of course it would be easier to advise you if we could see everybody in action - you, your present school, the other school - but that's not going to happen, so here comes the advice, easy or not! The building block of ballet is the technique class, so getting the very best ones is a primary mission. Even though you may be satisfied with your pointe class, you may not be getting all you think you're getting at your present school. If you can truly say to yourself that you're going to change schools based on technical expertmanship, then you should do so. There are also social realities to face here. If you change, will you still be welcome at pointe class in your present school? Teachers, students, parents - all can react to what could be perceived as rejection. Things might get a bit unfriendly.

[vrsfanatic]

It is difficult to give you an honest accessment of your options without having more information. Many schools call themselves professional however that does not make the "marketing" hype factual. I am not asking you to divulge more information that might pinpoint your location however perhaps if you might provide information on the faculty in both organizations such as professional background (company A or B ), teaching education and experience, numbers of years the school has been open, we may be better able to advise you.

[LilMissBallerina]

Of course it would be easier to advise you if we could see everybody in action - you, your present school, the other school - but that's not going to happen, so here comes the advice, easy or not! The building block of ballet is the technique class, so getting the very best ones is a primary mission. Even though you may be satisfied with your pointe class, you may not be getting all you think you're getting at your present school. If you can truly say to yourself that you're going to change schools based on technical expertmanship, then you should do so. There are also social realities to face here. If you change, will you still be welcome at pointe class in your present school? Teachers, students, parents - all can react to what could be perceived as rejection. Things might get a bit unfriendly.

 

That would definitely be easier Thank you for your quick reply and advice. I really appreciate it and you've given me something to think about for sure. That's definitely true about the reaction - I don't quite know what would happen. That's what I'm nervous about, I guess - if things were to not work out at the new ballet school and when I went back to my present school, they weren't happy to have me there.

 

I will think about what you've said, and thanks again. Hopefully I will choose the right thing to do.

 

~LilMissBallerina

[LilMissBallerina]

It is difficult to give you an honest accessment of your options without having more information. Many schools call themselves professional however that does not make the "marketing" hype factual. I am not asking you to divulge more information that might pinpoint your location however perhaps if you might provide information on the faculty in both organizations such as professional background (company A or B ), teaching education and experience, numbers of years the school has been open, we may be better able to advise you.

 

I do understand what you mean. My present dance school has been open for twenty five years. I am aware that it is not a professional school - some of the teachers have been professional dancers, but it is not a professional school. However, it is friendly there and I feel safe. While it is not professional I have learned a lot since when I started. The other dance school has been open about twice my dance school's time, and there are many professional teachers. Another dance school (not ballet only, but a very good school nevertheless) has also been open for quite a while and has good teachers as well.

 

The issue is not seeing if my dance school is professional because I do know that it is not. I'm just deciding what to do, is all. I'm very torn and quite nervous about my lack of experience if this school is not preparing me for what it should be. Thank you for your help!

 

~LilMissBallerina

Edited December 1, 2010 by LilMissBallerina

[Mel Johnson]

So far, so good! Sometimes, just writing out your thoughts can be helpful in a decision-making process. In part, that's what we can do for you - give you a place to express your thoughts, and maybe you'll come up with an answer mostly on your own!

[LilMissBallerina]

This certainly has helped me! I'm now considering not going to the very intense ballet only academy but going to the academy with several classes to choose from which would still be very good for me but perhaps not as nervewracking. A friend goes to the second school and says that everybody is friendly, but dance is taken seriously.

 

Again, thank you so much! I had no idea that I would feel this much better after letting this out on here

 

~LilMissBallerina