New class

[Rio]

Hi folks,

 

I started a new class yesterday. It was great, but I have a couple of questions.

 

My Saturday class (which I have been taking for 2 months now), is the RAD Grade 6 syllabus. I'm really enjoying it now that things are starting to come together.

 

My new class is "the Imperial method" (or so the teach told me). It's very challenging, and I believe it will be great for my technique.

 

I'm just concerned that the two methods could eventually clash with one another. I'm only taking one class of each at the moment, so I don't believe either class will be impacted one way or another right now. I'd like to take more RAD classes, hopefully soon. Would I then have to give up the Imperial class?

 

Secondly: I know about Cecchetti, RAD, Vaganova, and now, Imperial. What are the differences between them (I'm sure there are many, but if you could just give it to me in a nutshell ;) ).

 

Would taking classes in different methods be a bad thing?

 

Thanks

Rio

[Guest Rosalin]

I'm also interested what these answers would be.

 

I've been studying Vaganova method but my instructor says there are no exams for it in the United States. She studied in Russia.

 

How does one become certified to teach? Do you need to take exams in one of the other more common methods here and then go somewhere to get certified? I know most of the ballet teachers I've had, have studied several types, but any advice on the best way to go about it? I'd like to stay with the style I'm training in to eventually teach in the future, but from what I've heard its far more difficult.

 

My area has Vaganova, Cecchetti, and RAD, but I've never heard of Imperial. I'll wait till someone sums up the differences.

 

Rosalin

[Mel Johnson]

Imperial curriculum in the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (ISTD) ought not to conflict at all with the RAD curriculum. It's just the Russo/Franco/Italian patois that most of the ballet world "speaks". The only way in which you may find contrariness is in nomenclature. RAD and ISTD sometimes call steps by different names.

 

The schools question is extremely broad. Cecchetti is a graded method derived from the teachings of Italian ballet master Enrico Cecchetti, assembled and edited by his former students.

 

RAD was developed in Britain, with Cecchetti as a base, but influenced by other strains beside.

 

Vaganova was developed in the former Soviet Union by Agrippina Vaganova out of reforms she made in the former Imperial Schools curriculum of old Russia.

 

Imperial syllabus is a graded system developed in Britain by the above-mentioned society, and accompanies the society's Cecchetti curriculum work, but is quite different from it, containing multiple sources from Russia, Italy, France, and sometimes Denmark.

[Rio]

Thanks Mjr Mel,

 

I was a bit worried for a while. Finding classes that are at convenient times (ie, I can make them after work!) is more difficult than finding hens teeth, so I was relieved to find this class.

 

The teacher is also very appealing. My first class was last night, and it was corrections all the way thru, which is great! She also lamented the fact that most of her adult students are "erratic".

The class itself is very technique oriented, which is a big bonus for me.

 

Thanks for answers!

Rio

[Mel Johnson]

That's a great plus, Rio!

 

To answer another question you posed, RAD and ISTD have teacher certification programs in their curricula, RAD being...well, RAD, and Imperial being the Imperial and the Cecchetti syllabus. RAD has representation all over the place, and ISTD has centers in many commonwealth countries, but not, alas, in the US, at least that I can find.

 

There is no certification program in the Vaganova method, at least one that is accredited by the Vaganova Institute in St. Petersburg. Individual teachers sometimes make up their own curricula and syllabi from the extant course materials as they exist from Vaganova and various other practitioners in her method.

[Guest beckster]

There was a girl in my RAD class who had come from ISTD, and she didn't seem to have any trouble picking up the RAD stuff. It seems to me that one of the benefits of ISTD is that free enchainements are given in the exams, which means that the student has to be prepared to learn combinations on the spot. This is of course expected in all non-syllabus classes but many RAD students find it hard because they aren't used to it. I think this feature is sadly lacking in RAD, particularly in the grades.

[Rio]

'Scuse the ignorance, but what is an enchainement?

 

Rio

[Xena]

Rio, an enchainement is a series of 'linked' steps or a combination or free work. You might have used the other two terms.

 

I also wouldn't worry about the different methods clashing at all. IF you were a 12 year old about to launch into a pre-professional program, then it might caus a few problems.

So you might as well enjoy both methods and discover which parts you prefer of each.