The Joys of Teaching Classical Ballet
- April 24, 2008
As a classical ballet teacher, I'm often asked which age I prefer teaching. From a professional
perspective, teaching senior level students is the most stimulating and gratifying. At this stage, students have the strength, technique, precision and control to strive for more complex enchainements (exercise combinations) and choreographies. The body is the dancers' instrument, and as she gains greater experience and awareness, the ability to embody years of painstaking training reveals itself as never before through beauty of line, artistry and confidence in presentation.
However, from the perspective of sheer enjoyment, teaching children roughly between 10-12 years of age is my personal preference. What's special about this narrow window of time is that children still have an eagerness and thirst to learn, but their strength, co-ordination, and listening skills are better attuned to the demands of classical ballet than their younger counterparts. And unlike teens, which often pass through a blasé stage with so many changes and stresses upon them, this age group retains that sparkle and magic for learning.
That's not to say all teens lose that fresh sense of enthusiasm they had when they were younger. During adolescence, real dedication is put to the test and many of my most motivated students are busy teens who realize that striving for excellence takes practice, practice and more practice! Interestingly enough, that brings me to my last "favourite" group to teach: teen beginners. These youth start ballet of their own choice and what they may lack in experience is compensated for in determination, attention to detail and good old-fashioned hard work. While they lack the advantage of starting when they had greater flexibility etc., it's remarkable how much those blessed with natural ability do achieve despite their late start. Yes, classical ballet is a demanding discipline for even the most talented of students, but whatever one's level or ability, a positive attitude and desire to achieve one's personal best are essential components to deriving the most from this beautiful and rich art form.
Rukshana Elavia, NBS (TTP); AISTD DIpl. (CB);RAD(RTS); has taught beginners through professionals and can be reached at 604-327-9313
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