Here’s another great guest post from Scott (he writes loveballet89 and In The Wings) on the benefits on taking ballet classes from multiple instructors.
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When I first returned to ballet class at 39 years old, I liked my one little ballet world.
I was devoted to one teacher, Vicki B., and an amazing group of ladies who became my comrades. I was happy, content, and did not want to shake up the status quo.
About three years later, our school went through a change of leadership, bringing in Mr. and Mrs, O as artistic director and ballet mistress. Classes that were once labeled “adult” became “open classes.”
Mr. O would be teaching some of the open classes (and would eventually be taking over the Monday morning class taught by Vicki B.). It was an interesting development considering our previous artistic director didn’t give anyone the time of day unless they were in company, let alone adults.
Some of my comrades were reluctant to take a class under a male teacher. Even I was, and I’m a guy. But I wanted to take an extra class, so I signed up for one of his classes.
I still took classes from Vicki B., who is most responsible for building the base I draw on. She taught from the cechetti method, while Mr. O was more SAB and had taken classes under Balanchine.
She was more “let’s build the fundamentals.” He was more “I will challenge and push you to see what you can do.”
I was amazed by how much I enjoyed both. I was amazed how well the classes complemented each other.
I’ve now had four teachers in seven years. I’ve picked up different things that I can use from each one. If you’re having trouble with pirouettes, sometimes a different opinion on how to do them helps.
This year, I’m taking three classes under three different teachers. Susan K. on Monday puts a huge emphasis on the movement of the arms and head. Mr. O puts more of an emphasis in movement quality on Thursday. And Mrs. O. on Saturday is a stickler for proper body alignment. I learn so much from each.
I’m not saying go out and shake up your ballet. But don’t be afraid to try a different class under a different teacher.
And take advantage of master classes if they offer them to adults at your studio.
I truly believe being taught from a different perspective every once in a while from what we’re used to can really help us improve as dancers.
