Silent Ballet Epidemic- Why Humiliating Students is Unacceptable

SALE. Our DVD "The Secrets of Russian Ballet" is on sale for only 39.95. It is a 2-Disc Set featuring 3.5 hours of Corrections, Demonstrations and Explanations. The sale is available exclusively from our store at www.americancinematicballet.com

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• eric
• conrad
• arabesque
• ballet
• class
• vaganova
• russian
• bolshoi
• academy
• theater
• mariinsky
• kirov
• training
• osipova
• american
• dance
• dancer
• ballerina
• pointe
• feet
• arch
• pas
• de
• deux
• partnering
• black
• swan
• natalie
• portman
• anaheim
• tips
• body
• image
• issue

[GenkiuHinagiku]

As an adult beginner, I have found that we are pushed as far as we feel our bodies can go. I think teachers that teach adults as well as children do so not only for the passing of the art, but also for enjoyment. I am moving soon and I hope to find a teacher who is both strict, but also understanding of limitations like this teacher has been.

Great topic!

[jengirl2]

bravo on this blog!

[balletomanehk]

Eric, you really made some good points here!

I am wondering about the similar kind of attitude being used on professional dancers in some ballet companies. What do you think of the practice?

For example, you can see this condescending and humiliating behavior in BBC's "Agony & Ecstasy: A Year with English National Ballet"... Sometimes I really pity the dancers who get constantly yelled at. I see the rationale behind that--to push the envelop so the dancers can reach for the best, but still!

[balletomanehk]

It seems that the "typical" abusive attitude is very common among Chinese teachers as well. I have seen some China-trained teachers yelling and even hitting students, or forcing them into stretching positions that the students aren't ready for, causing both emotional and physical injury. All the while, they instill the idea that being "strict" is only for the good of the students. Of course, one can see that they mean well. But I doubt how effective that approach is in building up self esteem.

[Toy1976]

You are such a Sweetheart!!!!

Thank you for the insight and clear perspective.

Looking forward to more postings...

Keep on and good luck!

[ondinedancer]

I cannot thank you enough for your words. The key is what you said, if you understand things there is no need to throw chairs arround and yell to students. Thank you

[rczeese]

I think dance teachers forget how much they influence thier students lives. I cannot remember all of the names of my teachers growing up in school, but I can name every ballet teacher I studied under. As a teacher, I have found an occassional hug or a simple pat on the back at the end of the lesson, makes a dramatic difference.

[alix0657]

I'm with you on this one. My ballet-class experiences were rather benign but later, as an adult figure skater, I saw numerous kids being pushed around by their coaches and even their own parents, as if they were products instead of human beings. Since most skating rinks are fairly public, the offenders were always eventually caught and expelled. Ballet training, however, is more private. I applaud any effort to get rid of abusive behavior toward ballet students.