Class Placements -- WHY isn't my child moving up???

Dear Ballet Parent (who truly believes your child should advance to the next class level),

I know you are surprised and concerned that your child is not moving up to the next level in ballet. I hear you when you say that you are dreading telling your child that they have to spend another year in the same level. I have talked to many of you, and even though the details are different for each of your dear children, I hope that you will read on as I try to briefly explain my reasons for this.

First of all, just because a student is in a level for a certain number of years does not mean they should be automatically moved to the next level. Progress in ballet is based on so many things, and just showing up to class does not mean your child is ready to advance.

Second, I have kept your child in this level because I think it will maximize their success in their ballet future! If certain alignment issues, technique issues, strength, etc. are not really, really, solid, ballet quickly becomes frustrating, and can potentially lead to injury. 

Third, I have first hand experience of students begging to be moved up, only to end in disappointment. Just recently, I had a student and parent INSISTING that they were ready for my most advanced class, had been in ballet for a million years, etc, etc. Against my better judgement, I agreed to let the student try a few classes. As I expected, the student was lost and overwhelmed in class, and the student broke down in tears!! I don’t want this experience for your child!!

Your child worked hard and did a wonderful job last year. Staying in this level just means that they are not developed enough to move up. I believe they can gain a lot from another year to make some things automatic and solid in muscle memory. Your child will benefit both physically and artistically. 

Many ballet schools have formal year-end examinations, giving black and white standards a student has to meet in order to move up to the next level. I see how that would make it easy for everyone to understand what is required for advancement. 

I hope you remember that I have watched your child for hours each week over the course of a whole dance year. As I watched during classes and rehearsals I looked at: 

• Does the student easily hold her turn out in both legs at the barre?
• How is her movement to the back (tendu/arabesque lines)? Is it strong, and does she automatically turn out?
• How much does she pay attention during class? Does it seem like she is giving me her full attention for the entire class?
• How was attendance? Did she dance over the summer? Does she practice or stretch at home? 
• Can she do petite allegro smoothly? Did she internalize which way to move the head while traveling forward and back (epaulement)? Is this automatic?
• In the center, how is her 5th position when transitioning between movements? This is huge - if she progresses to the next level without a clean 5th, her dancing will get sloppier as she tries more difficult steps.
• Does she have good control over her feet? Ball and point?
• How is her physical development? How old is she? Has she just had a growth spurt and is she re-adjusting her balance and placement due to that?
• Does she have a strong center, or does she still collapse her lower back?
• Does this level look easy for her? It should look smooth, fluid, and polished if she has mastered it.
• Does she droop her arms in second position, or is she strong?
• How mature does she seem emotionally? I consider what the age demographic of the next level is. Is the age range of her current class a better fit for now?
• Depending on the level: Can she do pirouettes from 5th position? 4th? How is her balance? Piqué turns with good placement? Spotting automatically?
• Did she get frustrated really quickly when I introduced something new? How quickly did she learn choreography? Does she know the ballet terminology? 

These are just some of the things I thought through. I hope this is helpful. I am sorry if your child is disappointed. Ballet can be a hard thing sometimes. I hope you understand that I want nothing more than for your child to have beautiful technique and hearts full of joy when they dance. I truly think that the best path to this is for your child to stay in this level this year.

I would love for you to share the following little note with your child, if you think it would be helpful or encouraging.

Blessings,
Erica

p.s. I am always open to chatting with you. Please know my heart — I love my students!!!
----------------------------------------------------

My dear beautiful, amazing, hard working dancers,

After a lot of thought, I have decided that you should stay in your current level for another year. I truly believe that this next year will prepare you so much for success in your dancing future.

I know that you worked SO HARD last year! It is ok to feel disappointed that you are not moving up. I understand that ballet can be really hard sometimes, and that I know you give your heart and soul and body to it.

You are beautiful, and your body is perfect just the way it is. I hope you always find joy in your heart when you dance, even when you have to work so hard on technique and getting things right. 

I had the most wonderful year with you last year. I love all of my amazing students, and I know that one more year in this level is just the right thing for you. I hope that next time I see you, I can give you a huge hug, and tell you how proud I am of all your hard work and dedication. 

With much Love,
Miss Erica 

The Why's of Ballet Dress Code

As a ballet teacher, I truly want my students to feel comfortable and confident when they come to class. They are all such individuals, and I am not one to squash any sort of creativity.

But I also need to be able to clearly see their bodies in order to be an effective teacher. Baggy clothes, long skirts, pants/legwarmers hanging down over feet, and dark tights make it very difficult for me to clearly see the alignment and positioning that is crucial to ballet instruction.

I always ask my students to help me by sticking to my dress code (this applies to my students in Ballet 1 and up). When I have explained the "why" of it, they seem to appreciate that the dress code is to their own benefit, and not just a set of arbitrary, "uptight" rules.

Here's what I like to see:

Girls: solid colored leotard, pink tights, pink ballet shoes, and optional - a short, sheer ballet skirt

Boys: black or gray fitted pants or tights, a well fitting t-shirt, black or white ballet shoes

Note: If ballet shoes have drawstrings, they need to be double-knotted, trimmed, and tucked in so they don't continually come undone during class

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Does my leo have to be black?
A. No - any color is fine, as long as it is not a crazy, bright pattern.

Q. Why won't you let me wear shorts instead of a skirt?
A. Well... I am so tempted to just give in on this one. Tradition, I suppose. But I will say, it makes your legs look shorter, which you really don't want as a dancer. 

Q. Why can't I wear black tights (girls)?
A. It is so much harder for me to see how you are using your legs when you wear black. I can help you utilize your muscles better when I can see them!

Q. Why does my hair have to be in a bun? What's wrong with a ponytail?
A. Chaines, pirouettes, fouettes. Your hair will whack you in the face if it is not really secure!  

Q. Why can't I wear my favorite "tutu" or long flowy skirts to class? 
A. Long skirts make it nearly impossible for me to tell if your knees are straight or bent. I can't tell what is going on with your lower body much at all. Short "tutu" skirts are distracting for the most part. Save the fancy skirts for the stage.

Are you a ballet teacher? I'd love to hear your thoughts on dress code "why's." Do you allow booty shorts? Why or why not?

Are you a student? Have a question that I didn't answer? Ask away in the comments.