What to Look For When Selecting a Ballet School

Ballet is a theatrical arts discipline which has been passed from masters to students for many generations in many different countries. Each generation of dance professionals, as with any other technician, whether it is surgeon, architect or musician, has the responsibility to continue the quality and traditions of his/her craft. A good dance school should strive to pass on the proper techniques and traditions of classical ballet, as proper ballet training is the recognized foundation of other performance dance forms. Even as a recreational activity, the quality of ballet training is important, as good ballet training can improve children's bodies and their self-esteem while bad training can have the opposite effect.

All types of schools have their own value. If fun and costumes are all that you are looking for, then a recital school might be for you. However, if you are interested in the true art and discipline of ballet, are interested in improving your strength, balance and coordination, or wish to pursue a career as a professional dancer, you may want to search for a professional caliber school.

What to look for in a professional caliber ballet school

Attitude:

A good ballet school exudes a disciplined and serious, but cheerful atmosphere. Students should be neatly dressed, with a dress code specifically delineated and enforced. Hair should be strictly groomed; jewelry either tiny or prohibited. Dancers should not talk during class and should show respect to the teacher and - if there is one - the accompanist.

Do the students look happy and healthy? Are they lean, bright-eyed and eager or are they frighteningly thin and joyless? Watching class and talking with parents and students at a potential school are great ways to get a sense of the overall atmosphere. A well taught class has a balance of discipline and fun in a focused, positive atmosphere, never chaotic. Students are attentive, fully engaged and everyone in class is treated with equal respect and caring regardless their age, ability or level of commitment. Each exercise is an individual challenge and students compete not with each other, but with themselves to do their very best. Making sure their training is as much inspirational as it is educational will ensure the students come away with a positive experience and a lifelong appreciation of the arts.

Dance Floor:

A safe floor is crucial to the well being of dancers’ bodies, young and “ageless” alike. The best dance floors are "sprung" (wood with air space underneath) with the floor surface covered with non-slippery dance floor covering (“Marley”).

Education:

While a professional background is not a guarantee, it is a strong indicator of potential quality. Most good teachers will have at least some professional performing experience and will have training beyond the local level. Ballet, like most performing arts, is passed down from generation to generation through many years of intense study and training. Just as in other areas of life, it is difficult to teach something that you haven’t fully experienced and don’t completely understand.

Emphasis:

Competitions and Recitals or Progressive Training?

Performing experience should be encouraged as part of a complete training program, on the other hand, an over-emphasis on rehearsing for a competition, or practice for a recital in lieu of regular technique classes may be to the detriment of the student's technique in the long run.

Parents Beware:

Beware of the school that promotes competitions or conventions in order to allegedly further the training of their instructors and students. While there are a few legitimate organizations that conduct competitions and conventions, most are really just thinly veiled fronts designed to make money, handing out trophies to all who pay the entrance fees with no real substance beyond that. Don't be afraid to ask questions.

Students who perform in the shows, competitions or “conventions” must purchase a costume for each of their dance numbers.

Sequins and trophies everywhere

"Combination" classes, such as ballet and tap within the same class.

Trust your feelings. Give it a chance.

A good ballet school is something you and your family should be proud to be part of. As they progress, budding dancers will spend more and more time in their ballet school (a.k.a. second home), make sure you and your child feel comfortable with the teaching, setting, and the atmosphere of the school. After investing time and energy finding a good ballet school you feel comfortable with, simply trust your feelings and give it a chance.