Ever since you saw that first pair of sleek, satin pointe shoes, the world of ballet has fascinated you. Watching your first ballet performance was magical. Floating dancers twirled across the stage on their toes.
Have you thought about teaching ballet? Are you wondering how to start?
Ballet teachers come from a variety of backgrounds. Most have a strong foundation in ballet technique and performance.
Maybe you’re a professional dancer looking to transition to teaching after a rewarding performing career.
Or maybe you’ve had formal training with a degree or certificate in dance education.
Many former ballet students with a deep love for the art form and a desire to share their knowledge choose to become teachers.
Regardless of your background, ballet teachers should have a passion for dance. You should have excellent communication skills. A commitment to helping your students achieve their goals is essential.
In this article, we’ll review the history of ballet and the significance of its noble origins. We’ll cover the fundamentals and the importance of building a strong foundation. We’ll give you solid tips on addressing the challenges of teaching ballet.
Understanding the Fundamentals of Ballet
Background
Ballet originated in Renaissance Italy in the 15th century. The word “ballet” is derived from the Italian word “ballare,” which means “to dance.” It began as a form of court entertainment, often performed by members of the royal family.
After the Italian aristocrat Catherine de’ Medici married King Henry II in the 16th century, she made France a leading center of the art form. To this day, the language of ballet is French.
As ballet evolved, the word “ballet” came to refer to a specific genre of dance known for its grace, precision, and technical skills.
But it wasn’t until 1823 that the Italian dancer Amalia Brugnoli introduced pointework to the ballet audience. During a performance, she rose to the tips of her toes wearing square-toed satin slippers and awed the spectators.
Key Principles of Ballet
Ballet is a classical dance form that differs from other dance styles in several fundamental ways.
- Technique: Ballet emphasizes strong technique. Five basic positions must be mastered. Proper alignment and posture are essential. Execution of movements is precise.
- Vocabulary: Ballet uses specific words to define different moves. Because of the origins of ballet, most terms are in the French language.
- Music: Ballet often uses classical music. There is an emphasis on rhythm and tempo.
- Costumes: When performing, ballerinas traditionally wear tutus and pointe shoes. Male dancers wear tights and leotards.
The Importance of a Strong Foundation
A solid foundation is crucial for ballet dancers of all levels. It is the basis for understanding the technique, vocabulary, and style of the distinct dance form. Laying the groundwork also helps prevent injuries. It allows dancers to progress with ease.
Ballet requires perseverance and motivation. It’s best to start pre-ballet training young, around age 4 or 5, to discover if a child has the passion to continue.
Because of the physical demands of pointe work, students should be at least 11 years of age before getting on their toes. The bones of young feet need time to develop before tying the ribbons on those satin shoes.
Other key components to building a strong foundation in ballet are:
- Posture: Standing straight with correct body alignment helps avoid injury.
- Flexibility: Bending and stretching with grace is important for performance.
- Strength: Ballet dancers need strength in the legs, core, and back.
- Balance: The ability to balance on one leg is a fundamental skill in ballet.
- Coordination: It’s necessary to be able to execute complex movements with confidence.
Preparing for Your Ballet Class
Preparing for your ballet class can be both exciting and daunting. Creating a warm, welcoming space is important so your students feel comfortable and safe.
Whether you teach in someone else’s studio or invest in your own space, you should consider certain elements so your students can enter your domain relaxed and eager to learn.
- Mirrors: Mirrors let students watch their movements and make immediate adjustments to their technique. The visual feedback lets them master complex ballet movements and align their bodies with the correct posture.
- Floors: The right dance flooring is important to prevent injuries and allow dancers to perform at their best. There are several options to consider, such as vinyl, hardwood, or sprung floors. Each has different advantages when it comes to slip resistance and durability.
- Ballet barre: A barre is a crucial tool in the ballet world. It’s a horizontal bar made of wood or metal that can be mounted to the wall or supported by a freestanding frame. The barre gives dancers balance and support. With proper use, students develop strength and improve flexibility.
- Music: You’ll need a decent sound system and a playlist. Choose music that fits the skill level of your students.
- Attire: A leotard is the quintessential ballet attire. It provides support and lets you see your students’ movements. Tights should fit well and not be too loose. Ballet slippers should be snug and flexible and provide good grip.
- Lesson plan: Even with all the right equipment, a well-structured lesson plan is essential for a successful ballet class. It helps you organize your thoughts and focus on the specific needs of your students. First, identify your goals. What do you want your students to achieve by the end of the class? It could be learning a new step or improving a technique. Be sure to include a warm-up, core exercises, and a cool-down, including stretching exercises.
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6 Top Tips on How to Teach Ballet
Teaching ballet is more than just technical skills. It’s about nurturing a love for the art form and inspiring a new generation of dancers. By using creative teaching methods, you can create a dynamic learning environment.
- Know the moves: A deep understanding of technique is crucial for teaching ballet students. Stay sharp. Practice like a pro. You need to demonstrate movements and correct your students’ efforts with patience and precision.
- Speak the language: As you introduce new ballet movements, take a moment to share the French term and its meaning. You could say, “Today, we’ll be working on plié. In French, plié means ‘folded.’”
- Break it down: Reduce complex movements into smaller steps.
- Tailor your teaching: Every student learns at their own pace. Pay attention to each dancer’s individual needs.
- Safety first: Teach students to listen to their bodies and stop dancing if they feel discomfort. Encourage students to rest and recover if they need to.
- Create community: Celebrate your students’ progress with creative awards like stickers. Inspire students to support and cheer each other on. Invite parents and neighbors to a dance recital so your students can showcase their talent in front of an audience.
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Addressing Challenges in Teaching Ballet
Teaching ballet can be a rewarding career path, but it also comes with a set of challenges. Here are some common obstacles faced by ballet teachers and tips on how to overcome them:
- Challenge: Striking the right balance between teaching the strict technique needed to perform and encouraging creativity can be tricky.
- Tip: Offer personalized instruction to address each student’s needs.
- Challenge: Teaching multiple classes a day comes with physical demands. Demonstrating ballet movements can take a toll on your body.
- Tip: Be sure you’re getting enough rest and nutrition to maintain your health. Don’t be shy about consulting a healthcare professional.
- Challenge: Dealing with frustrated students who are struggling to learn new skills can be draining. The expectations of parents can be challenging.
- Tip: Develop strong relationships with your students. Be transparent. Keep parents informed about their child’s progress. Create a welcoming space where parents feel comfortable asking questions. Set clear expectations for student behavior, attendance, and participation.
- Challenge: The administrative burden can be time-consuming. Scheduling, attendance, and communication can be overwhelming.
- Tip: Delegate tasks to assistants or volunteers. Use technology tools to streamline the administrative process.
- Challenge: Ballet teachers often work in isolation, without the support of a team or department. You can feel undervalued or overlooked.
- Tip: Network with other teachers. Join professional organizations like the National Dance Organization of America (NDCA).
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How You Can Get Started Teaching Ballet Right Now
Now that you have a good understanding of how to teach ballet, here are some ways you can get started right now:
- Join the American Ballet Theatre (ABT) National Training Curriculum. For less than $50, ballet teachers can access exclusive online Teacher Training and Raising the Barre footage commercial-free.
- Create a playlist. Streaming services like SoundCloud, Spotify, and Apple Music all offer music suggestions for ballet classes.
- Enroll in a ballet class or volunteer at a ballet studio. The best way to learn how to teach ballet is to be a skilled ballet dancer yourself. Brush up your technique. Improve your knowledge of the art form.
- Go to the library. Books by renowned ballet teachers like Cecchetti, Vaganova, and Bournonville provide comprehensive guides to ballet technique and instruction.
- Polish your lesson plan. Use your imagination. Incorporate the dance form’s history into how you teach ballet. Imagine a prince and princess dancing together at a royal ball. Incorporate props like crowns and scepters to set the stage.
- Do you have at least two years of teaching experience? Get accreditation at the distinguished Cecchetti Council of America, an organization dedicated to maintaining the exceptional standards of Italian dancer Enrico Cecchetti. The CCA’s objective is to raise the quality of ballet teaching by focusing on professional integrity and self-improvement.
