The benefits of training in two methods/schedule evaluation?

[Pistachionut]

I'm a soon-to-be 20 year old dancer who re-started ballet after a 5 year break in February of 2008. I've been taking lessons twice a week for the past few years at a studio that teaches the RAD method. I love it there and I would never leave, but it is not a 'ballet' school. The timetable has recently changed, meaning that I'll only be offered class once a week. Also, the environment is not as disciplined and focused as I would like it to be.

 

I've recently resumed contact with an old teacher of mine who teaches the Russian Vaganova style of ballet. I took a class with her to test the waters, and I found her style of teaching and the atmosphere of her school to be just lovely. If I choose to take lessons with her also, my schedule will look like this:

 

Monday:

Yoga -9:30am to 11:00am

Ballet (Russian) - 5:45pm to 7:00pm

 

Tuesday

Pointe- 4:00pm to 5:00pm

RAD Advanced Foundation- 5:00pm to 6:30pm

RAD Grade 8- 6:30pm to 7:30pm

 

Wednesday

One hour private lesson every second week (RAD).

 

Friday

Contemporary- 5:30pm to 6:30pm

Ballet (Russian)- 6:45pm to 8:00pm

 

Saturday

Ballet (Russian)- 8:30am to 9:45am

Pointe- 9:45am to 10:15am

 

I was just wondering whether anyone could confirm/ enlighten me of the benefits of training in two styles? Also, some feedback on this schedule would be wonderful. Keeping in mind that I'm also studying, is it too much, or do I need to add more? I also have the option of a 75 min ballet class + 30 minute pointe class on a Wednesday come mid-October. I'm looking to improve in all areas-- flexibility, performance, strength, as I'm interested in undertaking further, full-time training in dance.

Edited July 25, 2011 by Pistachionut

[Mel Johnson]

You're an adult, so the chance of your becoming confused about things like nomenclature is far less than that for a pre-teen beginner. What you're doing with that schedule is fine, and the Academy even acknowledges that non-syllabus material is important for study with its provision for incorporation of "free" material into classes, and even entire classes. You have exams to prepare for, so the private class is a good idea. Continue in good health, and enjoy your dancing. Listen to your body; it will tell you if a course of action is too much far better than we can.

[Miss Persistent]

As an adult, there are no problem with studying as many methods as you want! Your biggest problem will probably just be which corner is corner 8 in which studio, and what 3rd arabesque is in each class

[Pistachionut]

Miss Persistent, I have already encountered that problem (that problem being the corner problem). Also, the position of the foot in battement frappé. RAD requires the foot to be in a somewhat loose flexed position and Vaganova appears to prefer the foot to be wrapped around the ankle, at least when executing the frappé devant and to the side. It's so interesting to experience the differences between methods!

 

Thank you for the advice, Mr Johnson. After so many years of almost straight syllabus work, it is very liberating to dance unset exercises.