Pointes and Perspective #18 From Start To Finish

From Start to Finish

When I begin teaching a group of students who are new to me, I first give them the “lay of the land,” setting boundaries, specifying guidelines, and introducing the class etiquette we will follow for the season - and hopefully a lifetime!

I open this conversation by sharing what my personal mission is as a Ballet teacher. I explain that my goal is to teach legitimate classical ballet, from technique and terminology, to artistry, and especially etiquette. Ballet from start to finish!

We then engage in a brief history lesson, starting with the question, “Where did Ballet start?” Either students have no answer, or they often answer, “France.” To which I acquiesce, that it is a good guess, considering Ballet terminology is in French! I continue the lesson, explaining that Ballet actually began in the courts of Italy, then spread to France, where King Louis XIV established dance academies and Ballet was soon presented on stage. It then spread to Denmark, Russia, and beyond!

I give this history lesson, in expert storyteller fashion, acting out the Kings and Queens of the Italian Renaissance, engaging in court dances - aloof, aristocratic, regal, and elegant. And then I inform my students, that they are to act the same! They giggle at me affectionately although uncertain. But I continue, “Yes, when you are at school, or in our “civilian” world, you would be accused of being “stuck up” if you were acting that way, but in the Ballet classroom, it is wanted. We want you to be “snooty”!!” The historic etiquette of Ballet is intact and in practice.

Just as the Kings and Queens, Princes and Princesses would have… You should arrive early and stretch, and be dressed properly and neatly. If you will miss class or be late, you should inform your teacher in advance. If you are late, wait until the music stops in between combinations to enter quickly and silently. Always face your teacher and listen quietly as they instruct. Begin each combination ready in the appropriate starting position, and end each combination, holding your final pose. Watch your fellow classmates and wait your turn for exercises in the center, standing ready, and never sitting or leaning on the barres. Don’t miss your turn, dance full out, chin held high, and dance all the way off the floor. And if you miss any of these rules, “Off with your head!” Just kidding!

I explain to my students that I truly feel Ballet class is one of the very few places left in our current world that encourages, requests, and expects this etiquette from you! And most importantly, I tell them that THEY SHOULD BE PROUD of this etiquette they possess and practice!

You should be proud that you practice and work to master a discipline that expects so much from you physically, mentally, emotionally, artistically, and respectfully. Ballet etiquette refines your entire being, focusing on both inner and outer development, building the character to navigate life smoothly and elegantly.

And down the road, when you go to that first job interview, you will arrive early, dressed properly and neatly. You will face your future boss, sitting tall, listening intently, answering questions full out with your chin held high. And you will get the job! Because you learned and practiced etiquette and developed character while studying Ballet, from start to finish!