So I've been telling the girls that one of these days I am going to bring a bag of chocolate kisses and when they perform, or use their epaulement, I would just leave a kiss for them. What a great incentive! Chocolate for performing! These are teenagers after all... Great idea right? Not really!
Last night I brought 2 bags of chocolate kisses (and starburst for those who don't eat chocolate). It kinda backfired on me. I hated it! There were 14 dancers there last night (by the way, my FAVORITE size of class!), so it was so hard for me to catch every good thing happening. Then when the music would end, I had missed several girls with chocolate and I felt so GUILTY!!!! I found myself looking around the room comparing the girls piles of kisses...making sure it was fair.
Miss Connie has implied to me on several occasions that her classes are more discipline than any other in the studio...but I really beg to differ. First of all, I don't go around comparing all of our classes, but I don't find that discipline is an issue in any of my classes. Often times I think maybe I need to dish out more compliments (see my posting in January :)).
But after last night I am starting to wonder! I was so preoccupied with not offending or upsetting any one dancer, I wasn't focused on helping them the best way I know how. I guess I just need to toughen up!
What do you think?
Smile and Pointe your toes!
Jenni
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Thursday, February 24, 2011
A Life In Balance? Not yet.
So life has been a bit crazy lately. Like most women/moms in the US I have about 10 too many balls in the air right now. My saving grace at this point is ballet class. It's constant. It's always there. It makes sense to me and at the mid point of my day, it brings me back to sanity. Really, it's a mediation for me...a way to quiet my roudy mind. And although it works, I have come to realize that maybe I need to explore other forms...like yoga or something similar. This is an idea I came to while reading "Eat, Pray, Love". No surprise to most who have read it I am sure. It brought to light the lack of balance in my everyday life.
On Tuesday, I was watching the girls in my level 3/4 class do adagio when I realized an interesting connection. There are several dancers who doing very well with quieting their penches and other steps that require balance. There is no real connection between them that I can tell as to why it is those particular girls....except one thing. They are all cast in Alysia Klein's "Flickering I Roam" with our Performance Dance Team. In this piece they are required to literally stand on their heads or be upside down in a stall for probably 25% of the time. (roughly 30 - 45 sec). I am constantly amazed at their ability to concentrate under pressure. These are the same young ladies who can be incredibly silly and unfocused at times.... :) (they are 14 afterall). But you know, when you are on your head, there's a lot more to loose if you fall over...so you HAVE to focus.
As I realized this, many layers started to unfold in my mind. I have recently decided that yoga might be a good idea for me in dealing with my life and quieting my own mind. I also realized that when I learn about yoga, that concepts with yoga will most likely enhance not only my personal life, but me as a teacher. If I can learn to quiet my mind, I can help my students to focus their own minds. And WAIT!...don't they stand on their heads in yoga and meditation?!?!
This thought of course makes me giggle....as I think of all of us ballerinas...on our heads. We actually tried it for a few minutes, but some of the girls were surprisingly resistent.
So, it's off to yoga class I go to learn about quiet balance. I hope it's quiet anyway....those girls and my brain are loud!
Smile and Pointe your Toes!
Jenni
On Tuesday, I was watching the girls in my level 3/4 class do adagio when I realized an interesting connection. There are several dancers who doing very well with quieting their penches and other steps that require balance. There is no real connection between them that I can tell as to why it is those particular girls....except one thing. They are all cast in Alysia Klein's "Flickering I Roam" with our Performance Dance Team. In this piece they are required to literally stand on their heads or be upside down in a stall for probably 25% of the time. (roughly 30 - 45 sec). I am constantly amazed at their ability to concentrate under pressure. These are the same young ladies who can be incredibly silly and unfocused at times.... :) (they are 14 afterall). But you know, when you are on your head, there's a lot more to loose if you fall over...so you HAVE to focus.
As I realized this, many layers started to unfold in my mind. I have recently decided that yoga might be a good idea for me in dealing with my life and quieting my own mind. I also realized that when I learn about yoga, that concepts with yoga will most likely enhance not only my personal life, but me as a teacher. If I can learn to quiet my mind, I can help my students to focus their own minds. And WAIT!...don't they stand on their heads in yoga and meditation?!?!
This thought of course makes me giggle....as I think of all of us ballerinas...on our heads. We actually tried it for a few minutes, but some of the girls were surprisingly resistent.
So, it's off to yoga class I go to learn about quiet balance. I hope it's quiet anyway....those girls and my brain are loud!
Smile and Pointe your Toes!
Jenni
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Accentuate the Positive!
This morning I had the best class EVER! It's a tiny class of tiny dancers, one of which doesn't say much, so it's pretty quiet. The other two are the sweetest little things, both of whom constantly tell me that I am doing a good job, and the quiet one (Cassidy) smiles in agreement. When I demonstrate their next exercise Ava often tells me, "Good job Miss Jenni!". Today I was helping another dancer and she even praised my ability to help her friend. Ruby exclaimed during our tap warm up "Your the best dance teacher EVER!". She repeated it when she thought I didn't hear her the first time. What a great day! I woke up this morning with a spliting headache and tired from joining life again after a vacation. By 9:45am I was feeling I could take on the world. Now that is a great return for my investment and for the record...it's why I teach.
It's days like today that remind me how important it is to focus on the positive. Now there is huge parallel (and it's pretty obvious) between this concept as a teacher, and this concept in life, but for now, for the purposes of this blog, I'll state it in terms of teaching ballet. You can connect the dots however you see best for you! :)
As a ballet (or dance) teacher, it's easy to forget about what the dancers are doing right. My job is to point out what needs to be corrected. And I am sure my students will tell you I am very good at doing that. Once I get started, it's hard to slow down. "Fix this, turn out that....lift up" I could go on for hours....and sometimes I do. Today my insightful 3-year-old students reminded me to take time to give compliments...and make sure I am heard.
I know from experience that you get more flies with honey. When I call the class to attention, I loudy state, " I like the way that ________" is ready to go!" (of course I fill in the blank with the name of whoever is quiet at the time - I have been known to insert my own name here) It works like a charm. Every dancer, no matter what age, wants to be the one to get praise...especially when the entire class can hear.
I do have a few young dancers who do not respond at all to correction. They do respond to praise. Believe it or not, sometimes it is hard to give. The problem is that you can't make it up. Kids know when they deserve praise and when not. If you praise them when they are not working at their best, you loose credibility. So, you find something that is right. And trust me...we all (teachers included) have days where nothing warrants praise! But the result is always wonderful. You see their chest puff up, and they stand a bit taller and point their feet more just to get a little more praise.
Yesterday was a particularly hard class with my upper level. I felt they weren't trying. Most of the things going wrong were concepts we just talked about on Monday. I felt like saying..."Come ON!". I am sure I didn't say much that was positive. So, in the way that it often does, the universe reminded my of what I already know...
Accentuate the Positive!
(sorry girls! I'll try that next time!)
Smile and Pointe Your Toes!
Jenni
It's days like today that remind me how important it is to focus on the positive. Now there is huge parallel (and it's pretty obvious) between this concept as a teacher, and this concept in life, but for now, for the purposes of this blog, I'll state it in terms of teaching ballet. You can connect the dots however you see best for you! :)
As a ballet (or dance) teacher, it's easy to forget about what the dancers are doing right. My job is to point out what needs to be corrected. And I am sure my students will tell you I am very good at doing that. Once I get started, it's hard to slow down. "Fix this, turn out that....lift up" I could go on for hours....and sometimes I do. Today my insightful 3-year-old students reminded me to take time to give compliments...and make sure I am heard.
I know from experience that you get more flies with honey. When I call the class to attention, I loudy state, " I like the way that ________" is ready to go!" (of course I fill in the blank with the name of whoever is quiet at the time - I have been known to insert my own name here) It works like a charm. Every dancer, no matter what age, wants to be the one to get praise...especially when the entire class can hear.
I do have a few young dancers who do not respond at all to correction. They do respond to praise. Believe it or not, sometimes it is hard to give. The problem is that you can't make it up. Kids know when they deserve praise and when not. If you praise them when they are not working at their best, you loose credibility. So, you find something that is right. And trust me...we all (teachers included) have days where nothing warrants praise! But the result is always wonderful. You see their chest puff up, and they stand a bit taller and point their feet more just to get a little more praise.
Yesterday was a particularly hard class with my upper level. I felt they weren't trying. Most of the things going wrong were concepts we just talked about on Monday. I felt like saying..."Come ON!". I am sure I didn't say much that was positive. So, in the way that it often does, the universe reminded my of what I already know...
Accentuate the Positive!
(sorry girls! I'll try that next time!)
Smile and Pointe Your Toes!
Jenni
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Once a Dancer...Always a Dancer
So I've been told by many students over the years about their love for jazz, lyrical and contemporary. These are the students who remind me that they are not in ballet because they love ballet, but because they want to be better at the other forms of dance. While this is a valid reason to take ballet classes, I am always surprised. I am in that studio hours each week, shaping and molding these young dancers into ballet dancers. We work together for 6-9 hours each week in some cases for years. I cannot be convinced they work this hard because they "kinda like it". Whether they admit it or not, I know they love it...somewhere deep in their gut, in a part of their soul they just haven't tapped into yet.
I remember it in myself, years ago. I've always loved ballet, but I have not always wanted to work hard. (by the way, that was my problem - not one of most of my current or previous students). Throughout junior high and high school I buried myself in so many activities I never really learned what it meant to work at something. I didn't really have the time. In college stopped dancing to pursue my music career (Violin performance). It was without a doubt, the most depressing time in my life! I lost self confidence, doubting myself even in academics or in friendships. I didn't feel like myself. I wasn't myself!
When I went back to ballet (a short 18 months later), it was like breathing again. I felt whole again, even though I hadn't realized part of me was missing. Suddenly all the corrections and pedagogy of the ballet class made sense. My love was renewed, and I once again undertsood my place in the art and in my life.
When a young dancer stops dance for college, or for outside pursuits I always tell them "You'll be back. Once a dancer...always a dancer!", and I wish them the best, hoping they will come back to it sooner than later. Either way, they'll be back.
Smile and Pointe your toes!
Jenni
I remember it in myself, years ago. I've always loved ballet, but I have not always wanted to work hard. (by the way, that was my problem - not one of most of my current or previous students). Throughout junior high and high school I buried myself in so many activities I never really learned what it meant to work at something. I didn't really have the time. In college stopped dancing to pursue my music career (Violin performance). It was without a doubt, the most depressing time in my life! I lost self confidence, doubting myself even in academics or in friendships. I didn't feel like myself. I wasn't myself!
When I went back to ballet (a short 18 months later), it was like breathing again. I felt whole again, even though I hadn't realized part of me was missing. Suddenly all the corrections and pedagogy of the ballet class made sense. My love was renewed, and I once again undertsood my place in the art and in my life.
When a young dancer stops dance for college, or for outside pursuits I always tell them "You'll be back. Once a dancer...always a dancer!", and I wish them the best, hoping they will come back to it sooner than later. Either way, they'll be back.
Smile and Pointe your toes!
Jenni
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Finding a Balance
Being a ballet teacher is hard! It's hard in many ways, but today's ballet teacher faces many issues that weren't around 100 years ago. I could list here all the distractions, advancements that have "changed the face of society", but really... I think we all know what I mean! I am really talking about our young dancers; impatient to do the "fancy stuff". You know, the pirouettes, the leaps and the grandiose combinations across the floor. This is difficult for many different reasons. It is hard to watch dancers complete exercises and techniques they are not ready for. It’s hard on young egos when they know enough to know it’s not correct, but don’t have the ability to fix it. Working on the “tricks” in dance distracts from the overall picture; the ENTIRE DANCER.
On the other hand, I don’t know a 7 or 8 year old who wants to stand at the barre for an hour working on how to stand tall. This concept could literally take hours! Last night we talked for 15 minutes in my Ballet 3 /4 class on how the hand should be shaped. This does seem excessive on paper, I know, but it’s necessary. An ill placed finger can ruin an otherwise beautiful arabesque.
Other issues are jazz classes. We love jazz…however, a typical jazz curriculum introduces pirouettes in a level 1 class, while a traditional ballet curriculum introduces pirouettes much later. We don’t want the dancers to develop incorrect habits, but at the same time learning to turn young often helps them to be natural turners, not to mention more eager to try new things.
At Loveland Dance Academy, we work find the right balance. In my earlier ballet classes, we work on the components of the pirouette; the passé (retire), spotting, balancing and maintaining a high releve. I use many different types of exercises to teach 1 concept. Most importantly I try to make a personal connection with each student. I hope to develop a strong trust. This way when they say “It’s too hard!” or “I can’t do that”, they believe me when I say “It’s okay! I am here to teach you how!” and my favorite, “we are here to PRACTICE” J
Wishing you balance and patience to find it. Keep practicing!
Smile and pointe your toes!
Jenni
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Bonded for life
Today when I was out for a drive to run an errand (and to get my little stinker to sleep), the cloudy weather made me feel a bit nostalgic. I was listening to music I used to play with the band I was a part of for many years. I miss being a part of that type of group. Between music and dance, I've been part of many! It got me thinking about the bond created among artists who perform together.
Over the years I have created friendships, acquaintances and colleagues through music and dance. And even though we have moved on and created our lives, (which may or may not include music or dance) we share a bond that is unlike any other. When you perform together, create art together, you are connected forever. You've created, sacrificed, and taken risks for a common goal. We may not have all been the best of friends, or shared our deepest, darkest secrets with each other, but the bond is there.
One of the best things about my job is to watch that same bond being formed between the students at Loveland Dance Academy. They are sisters and brothers in dance. They may not all be best friends, but they are a family. They look out for one another. They reminisce about the members they've lost, (those who have moved, or stopped dancing) and take care of ones who need it. They fight at times and they get upset with each other, but when it comes down to it, they are in it together.
So here's to the musicians and dancers I've performed with; I hope you are well!
Smile and Pointe your toes!
Jenni
Over the years I have created friendships, acquaintances and colleagues through music and dance. And even though we have moved on and created our lives, (which may or may not include music or dance) we share a bond that is unlike any other. When you perform together, create art together, you are connected forever. You've created, sacrificed, and taken risks for a common goal. We may not have all been the best of friends, or shared our deepest, darkest secrets with each other, but the bond is there.
One of the best things about my job is to watch that same bond being formed between the students at Loveland Dance Academy. They are sisters and brothers in dance. They may not all be best friends, but they are a family. They look out for one another. They reminisce about the members they've lost, (those who have moved, or stopped dancing) and take care of ones who need it. They fight at times and they get upset with each other, but when it comes down to it, they are in it together.
So here's to the musicians and dancers I've performed with; I hope you are well!
Smile and Pointe your toes!
Jenni
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Beautiful!
I guess I will start with where we are right now. In my Ballet 3/4 class (levels 3 and 4 combined), we are working on adding the "sparkle" in their dancing. The epaulement; head, upper body and arm placement. I've worked so hard to train "thinking" dancers. These dancers know what they are doing and why they are doing it. They know each movement fits in with the picture as a whole. The problem is that somewhere along the way we lost what it means to be beautiful, to dance with inspiration, to draw the audience and give the gift. This thought is changing the way i am teaching. By adding a few choice words in my classes across all levels, I now have even my youngest dancing as if they feel beautiful. I LOVE IT!
Right now in my ballet classes, we are learning exerpts from the Nutcracker. It is super exciting because we are planning on producing our first full length ballet of the Nutcracker in December 2011! It's a great vehicle to put all of our great technique to work while stretching our performance abilities. FUN FUN FUN!
Pointe your toes and Smile! :)
Jenni
Right now in my ballet classes, we are learning exerpts from the Nutcracker. It is super exciting because we are planning on producing our first full length ballet of the Nutcracker in December 2011! It's a great vehicle to put all of our great technique to work while stretching our performance abilities. FUN FUN FUN!
Pointe your toes and Smile! :)
Jenni
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