Is your daughter's ballet school like this?

[emkana]

I've been thinking of sending dd1 to a new ballet school (because the current one is quite a long drive away), but I'm put off by their obsession with the "correct" outfit. Every child has to wear the school's leotard which costs £22 - and that's just the leotard, then you need a cardigan as well which costs another £12 or so - and during every lesson the hair has to be tied back - dd1 has just had her hair cut in a short bob, why should she tie it back????
The lessons take place in a manky church hall, and the children are four or five... I think this is really extreme!

DD has started a hi-5 dance class in Sydney. Nice & relaxed you would think - except it's run by the ballet school and so they've insisted on parents being outside and all the ballet rules even though she's only 2. We probably won't go back because she hates being away from somebody. Seems very harsh at that age - we've bent the rules and so somebody is allowed in with her, to much tutting and disapproval. It's HI-5 FGS!!!!

But this is what ballet is. That's why the teachers teach it. Most of them think that if they wanted to run a playscheme they wouldn't have trained for years and years and years and taken exams etc.
My mum (a professional dancer herself AND a fully qualified school teacher as well as ballet teacher) used to teach ballet to children. To her, ballet is an art form which of necessity involves a rigorous training. She hated teaching tiny children who were bewildered little things who were sent by their parents because they would look cute in the outfit but had no ability or desire to actually do a class. And she has taught quite a number of children who ended up as professional dancers and choreographers.

One of the mums I chat to at ballet is a Y3 teacher and we were talking about the way in which the children actually thrive with all the strictness of the rules and zero tolerance over not sticking to them.

Proper outfit, hair in bun, headband, no jewellery, no messing around, listening carefully etc etc

She reckons its the type of discipline that has is now completely missing from school and yet there are some clear benefits to be had from children who can listen well, follow instructions and stick to a basic set of rules.

Also when they sit exams, their results are displayed with the marks for each of them in full public view. None of this anti-competition stuff has crept in either!

It is a harsh world out there and although ballet won't feature much in their future lives, being employable and doing your best at what you do for a living are crucial skills and I worry that school isn't delivering these messages the way they used to!

As for the shows - well I fear Cod is right on this one! Good humour opportunities especially from the adult classes performances! On the other hand maybe a love of dancing ensures that there are a few less fat 14 year olds out there lumbering about

good luck to your dd1 tamum

dd1 has just started in the grade 1 class this term, she loves it

My three all do Ballet, jazz, tap and modern 4 times a week it is RAD and they need proper uniform and hair in buns! THey also all including ds 9 do festivals where they compete.

I hate much of this but they abosutely love it. When they win trophies and cups it is wonderful for their confidence, when they lose they take it on the chin and know they have to try harder.

THey have costumes, make up and hair styles for each of their 7 solos and duets. This year they went to RAD summer school and spent a week residential which they have begged to be allowed to do again next year even my 7 year old!

From my point of view they are fit, athletic slim and active. They have a hobby which they love and which they treat with seriousness and dedication. They understand commitment to something and also we have a close relationship through this activity alone.

My son is the one with the most ballet potential but my eldest is a phenomenal choreographer and modern dancer. In the end these are good skills for them and it is an art form. They have to listen to music carefully and understand using their bodies expressively and with grace. THey know all the classical ballet stories and I take them to see live ballet regularly where they sit still and make no noise.

I am not a pushy mum nor do I particularly like competing but it is what they want to do and even if they never make it a profession it has given them a tremendous amount.

Gosh, Glitterfairy, it sounds like you really have a very talented bunch there

Blinking von trapps is what they are. I have never pushed it but ds is in panto this time and dd read poems on cbeebies for world poetry day. In the end they are all very expressive, wild and dramatic (unlike me of course ) and this is a good discipline and a useful way of expending energy on something positive and creative.

Who knows how it will fit in their adult lives but it has given them fantastic experiences a rich network of friends and massive confidence in public speaking and performing which is always a good thing.

I have to say I like the disipline of it too. I think the school have got it just right. They are prety relaxed with the little ones and most are there to enjoy it. They have two ways to progress, you can do all the exams or just progress up through the classes without doing the exams and all the extra classes needed for that.

DD was most disapointed that it was only the senior pupils that get to stay over at the summer school. I asked where they all stay and was told with the teachers of course. They all turn up on the Monday with their sleeping bags and have a ball all week.

It seems to be a great feeling of belonging and pride in the school and of their dancing. DD doesn't do competitions and and I don't think the school does anyway thank goodness, that sounds like a lot of work. I always said I wouldn't mind forking out if they were really into a hobby. If it was horse riding or anything else it would probably cost as much if not more.

My dd's ballet school is fab, sounds similar to suew's. They take external exams every year and the presentation is very strict eg. brand new pink satin ballet shoes and pink ballet socks for the exam. Normal lessons = ballet bun, black leotard (now she's studying for Grade 2, was blue for prep, primary and grade 1) with white tights.
The ballet teacher is ex ballerina and ex actress who really knows how to get a good performance out of the girls for a show. Yes there are the pushy mums who believe their child will be on the professional stage someday but most of us just like the excellent posture and discipline of it.

We have a few pushy mums who will be very disapointed when their DDs get pointed down the vocational and not the exam route. You see their little one flayling about like a seal on acid and then have to keep astraight face when they say oh yes after touring with a top company I think they will open their own school FGS they are only 5.

Ds is doing his first show in a couple of weeks at the Theatre Royal in Norwich. He is wearing a grey all in one trouser suit with a hot pink crushed velvet top and a pink tail (he's a mouse). This is £28 - unlike the girl's costumes I can't say he'll be wearing it again for fancy dress parties!
I can't complain though because as a boy he has the least outlay for clothes throughout the rest of the year - just black dance shorts, a white M&S t-shirt and black shoes. Dd will be starting next year and she'll have to have the leotard, cardigan and skirt. Luckily I'll get the hand downs of ds's girl friends!

My dd is too young for classes but when she is ready, I hope she shows as much interest as your children, glitterfairy.

I am just a frustrated dancer (my mother forced to learn the piano instead) trying to relive my thwarted dance ambitions vicariously . I am with aloha about ballet - more than a dance, it is an attitude which is being taught. Classical ballet is conformist and somewhat authoritarian in the way it is taught - and this filters into the outfit and uniform appearance. Think swan lake.

In a geeky sort of way, I kinda like that structure and discipline. But if that is not dd's cup of tea, there are always other more relaxed forms of dance like jazz ...

Just wanted to add, having read the recent posts, that I would not, if I had any say in it, want dd to be a professional dancer. It is a very tough way to earn a living ...

Certainly not a classical ballet dancer I must say agony on pointe! If they want to do theatre or musicals that would be fine if if if if. My youngest wants to be a vet in any case. So long as they ahve had the opportunity to do what they want if ds is a plumber I will be both proud and excited to have him help me out!

dd has been to 2 ballet schools. Neither expect full uniform unless and until they have an exam or a show.

The lessons are very disciplined but the kids seem to adore it

Am feeling rather relieved that I have failed yet another Good Mummy test in never enrolling the Inferiorettes, fetching though they are, for ballet. Sometimes I think I must be the only parent I know not to have done so, but the idea of adding yet another layer of stress to the week [shudder]....

Ah, MI - I very clearly remember Asserting, at the age of four, while climbing a tree (it was a rowan, I recall), to my bewildered parents that I was never ever going to another ballet lesson. To their credit they agreed.

But then I had a daughter. And at the age of four she said, Mummy. I need to do ballet. There is a class [details efficiently given] and I am going to do it.

So, you know. The choice may not be ours.

MI, they are very, very young for ballet IMO. My mum always preferred them older. At least six.

Well done your parents binkie. I have memories of loathing and detesting ballet, and begging my mum to let me stop going. I gave up when I was 7.5.

In fairness to my mum, she probably only made me continue to the end of a term or something, but in my memory it was for ever, and the only thing I can remember about ballet is misery.

And it certainly didn't work any wonders for my posture and co-ordination! Or maybe I would have been unable to walk upright had I not been to ballet lessons for years

dd1 has done it from 3 and dd2 is starting next term - its not massively technical then obviously but you can tell whether they are genuinely going to enjoy it or not by 4 or so.

roisin some kids do hate it and imo no one should ever make them go or do anything although I have to say if mine said we are not going any more I would make them finish the term.

My ds is dyslexic and ballet has meant he is completely poised and graceful adn never clumsy far from it. The dyslexia centre he goes to is amazed at him.

Mine started just before she was 3, but the lessons were very carefully geared towards that age group- it was ballet, but very cunningly disguised as fun, with a careful ramping up of the discipline over the next few years. I wouldn't dream of sending her if she didn't want to go but it is, and always has been, the highlight of her week.

MI, don't fret, there's no need at all to feel bad about it. I think when they start school they have more than enough on their plates anyway without starting a new activity. We have always got away with it because there's no school on Friday afternoons here, so plenty of time for stuff like this.

Thanks Enid- she's remarkably sanguine about it

Very interesting reading ... dd2 started ballet lessons at the beginning of September, despite my misgivings, and she loves it. I was unsure of getting into the competitive parent arena and also aware of how much it can cost (and can escalate too!). However dd2 is a natural dancer and has always been interested in ballet, so I thought we would give it a go. The teacher told my mum that she is the best one in the class (I don't think she was brown-nosing, my mum said it was fairly evident ), and she loves it. As others have said, she thrives on the discipline (and boy does she need it!!). Unfortunately the teacher is retiring in a couple of weeks and we can't find a replacement .

Yep DD1's ballet school is very formal, and in a proper studio with bars and mirrors, which I like BTW. Can't be spending all that cash for her to be messing around with her friends . They have had students accepted at the royal ballet school.

They start from 3.5 for ballet reception age for modern and year 1 for tap. There is a uniform for each discipline. I don't buy the crossover cardi because dd never wears it though.

I think it's important for them to learn from an early age that if something's worth doing it's worth doing properly.

Also the teacher keeps a concert outfit with a stiffened tutu in the studio and the best most well behaved dancer gets to wear it. DD1 got it last week and floated out of the lesson on cloud nine. I was sooo proud of her.