Sad but it happens

[Daedalus]

The studio changed management during the second month of my attendance. The ballet teacher is no longer the owner. Instead the manager is one of the students. Although the new manager is highly qualified to run a business, it seems to me that the ballet studio is now more of a fitness studio. They also changed the name to cater to the health conscious demographic. The teacher had a long and successful career. She deserves at least to have retained the name which was to her so important and so true to her reputation.

Edited December 6, 2011 by Daedalus

[Daedalus]

As the hero the usurper has many faces. I came to class today and everything was turned pink. The reception would remind one of a little girls room. The manager is only 18! Uriah Heap in a black leotard with fine lines and multiple pirouettes!

[Hans]

An 18 year old who is "highly qualified to run a business"? That is certainly an unusual situation!

[diane]

(my thoughts exactly, Hans!)

[Daedalus]

It is unusual especially when I consider my teacher's successful career. My concern, as a male ballet student, is all the pink decoration. I believe that more guys should be getting into dance. And the new arrangements seem to me exclusive. For a guy it is really intimidating. Had it been my first day and walked in there with all that pink stuff I would have ran for my life. Wouldn't it be better for their business if they were a bit more professional and neutral? I think that it would be.

[Hans]

Daedalus, I completely agree. Many schools make the same mistake. Even the school where I teach (I am not the owner/director) although in most ways it is neutral, has one studio decorated with glittery pictures of Tinkerbell, and in the bathrooms, there are pictures of the "pink & fluffy" sort. It certainly sends a different message, especially when I consider the one picture in the school where I grew up dancing: a tight 5th position, shown from the knees down, with somewhat ratty legwarmers and much-repaired shoes. That message was clear: WORK!

[kylara7]

Ugh...I'm female and I would be turned off/turned away by a Pepto-Bismol pink studio. Yuck. It will be interesting to see how this business does with the "new management" and new look.

[Daedalus]

I am hoping all will be well with the studio. The new management promised more new ballet students. Apparently the studio is struggling to compete with two other dance studios in the area that focused on hip hop.

Of course adults seek a different type of inspiration than kids. But I think the whole class will appreciate the type of poster Hans has described.

[kylara7]

...especially when I consider the one picture in the school where I grew up dancing: a tight 5th position, shown from the knees down, with somewhat ratty legwarmers and much-repaired shoes. That message was clear: WORK!

 

I think that poster is on the wall in one of the studios where I take classes! And it IS very striking and inspiring

[LaFilleSylphide]

I'd be curious to enter one of these glittery pink fairy studios. I've only been in studios that were either utilitarian whites walls, grey marley, black pipe barres or wood barres - very bare looking, or studios that look warehouse repurposed fall out shelters with death-trap pillars to dance around (Europe)! Haha! In any case, I sympathize you - I hope that the instruction quality will still be cared for (outside of the fitness program). If not, it might be time to find a dance studio that suits your needs for technique.