SI- letters of reccomendtion???

[Guest alliecat93]

I am starting to compile a list of SI's I want to audition for and what they require as far as photographs, application fee, etc. Many of them that I have come across ask for 1 or sometimes 2 letters of recommendation from dance teachers. Is this pretty much the norm for schools to ask for that or do only certain schools require it? Also, as a teacher, are you used to being asked for letters of recomendation and do you find it troublesome or do you not mind writing them. I'm assuming you can just send the same letters to all of the programs, right? Thanks so much for your help!

[Mel Johnson]

In my experience, letters of recommendation don't hurt, but they don't help all that much either. I use a boilerplate if I'm asked for a letter stating something along the line of "These may certify that _____ has attended my classes, and I feel that s/he is qualified to seek instruction at an intensive course." No variation, just the same for everybody. And you're right, not all programs require them.

[Victoria Leigh]

I find them to be a royal pain and totally unnecessary. Chautauqua has a form for the teacher to fill out, and ABT requires a letter. Most programs do not require either one, thank heavens. With the number of students I teach on the upper level, if every student needed a letter for every audition I would really lose it. As it is I also, like Mr. Johnson, use a form letter for ABT, however I will not give one to students who I do not feel are qualified.