miss.pointe

Have you asked him/her why there are increases? Perhaps it's an increase in costs that won't continue - if it does continue every term it could soon seem a bit steep but it seems about right from my perspective (London). I always appreciate it when the teacher explains the reason for the increase - venue hire, new equipment, licenses, etc, as otherwise students are often left feeling the teacher is just trying to make more money for the same work/expense.

What about asking her privately after class and simply explaining that you are having trouble with the count - maybe take the pressure off her and say something like "I'm worried I'm not getting it - perhaps it's something I'm doing wrong, but...." and that way she can answer your question without feeling you're questioning her in front of the rest of the class. She may admit she's gotten it wrong before and clarify it for you, she may open the syllabus book right in front of you and you can look together. I'm sure she would appreciate this more than asking outright in the class and there may be a good reason for this. Maybe she's inexperienced and doesn't know she's been getting it so wrong? I know I am guilty of having done the same thing (blush) and it's VERY embarrassing and I should probably just come clean to my class but professional pride and worry gets in the way and I try and muddle through, but I'm quite a new teacher. I don't mind questions but it's the exchanged looks, giggles and raised eyebrows that throw me off my game and make it worse. As a teacher I feel I should not fear saying "sorry, my bad" or appearing human, but it's not easy, perhaps the grace to do that more comes with experience! But that's another topic... Good luck either way!!!

I've used Dance Direct for years and never had problems, REALLY fast delivery, etc. Unfortunately I returned something two months ago and haven't had the refund yet and only one automatic response email saying they were having issues and would get back to me but no response to my other emails. It is a shame as it genuinely SEEMS to be a authentic problem with the system.

My pet peeve is something I used to see at my little local dance school... when in pointe shoes the girls have their pointed back foot in preparation actually on the tip of the block, not pointed and stretched fully behind them. I remember taking school photos and I was the only one with a properly pointed back foot but I looked wrong compared to the others... argh!

I second the Little Women idea! Pollyanna might be sweet. Anne of Green Gables, though she'd have to be a red-head or wear a wig Can only seem to think of American stories for some reason!

Maybe I am very young and don't remember many before, but it seems ballet dancers are becoming more well-known in the mainstream - Darcey in Strictly, Rojo was in that car advert recently, wasn't she? That sort of thing. It's nice and good. I like

I don't know either company, and certainly understand your trepidation, but as a manager/teacher I know I would appreciate good communication from my students/employees/parents, as far in advance as possible, and in a pleasant manner, of course. I think managers/teachers get good at knowing who is trying to wiggle out of things and who is serious and generally like happy people working for them so will do their best if they are given good attendance the rest of the time. If there is no way she will allow it, sometimes I just accept that is fate deciding. Good luck - I hope it works out and there is no disappointment xx

Yes, there wasn't a single shot where you could see her whole body - as in, torso and legs/feet. Even right at the end when you see the whole body, there's enough shadow so she could easily have been supported. I am not sure she actually danced like that in one go. But I agree, poor piano! I am quite old fashioned, I don't like to see beautiful things like pianos being destroyed, although it's an art form in itself I suppose. Quite creepy - bit painful to watch but quite well made.

Not ballet, but theatre - I went to see a friend in her drama school graduation show, and one of the actors smashed her head against the hard floor in a fight scene. Actual tears flowed which matched her character's emotions at the time, so everyone was left wondering how hurt she was and what was acting. Afterwards I found it they very nearly replaced her with the understudy, so bad was the fall, but her professionalism and grit kept her going not a breath out of place. As for me, this one is not backstage I'm afraid as very obvious - I became so engaged with my monologue that I walked of the front of the stage completely! I remember the audience gasping loudly but I was so nervous and embarrassed that I gave a little giggle, climbed up and simply carried on! I cringe just thinking about it! And I suppose this is an example of the opposite - those on stage not knowing what those off could see! At my local dance school when I was a youngster, in our annual shows I remember girls often wearing their shimmer or tan tights underneath their ballet pink tights, which, under the stage lights, of course, looked horrendous - rather like baked beans under a film of milk!

Interesting input, thanks. I didn't specify but was referring to heavier weights as opposed to lighter ones. I suppose ankle ones are only light, anyway!

I never wore jewellery to class as a youngster - although quite a few in my class did - and even now if I attend an open class or even Zumba, I take off my jewellery out of habit. I also don't like feeling my necklace or bracelet jangle anyway, I take it all off when I jog, I worry about losing things, too. I ask my adult dancers not to wear "loose" jewellery as coming from work they often don't remember to remove or may lose it when removing it (I keep my jewellery in my purse, though). Anyone else watch Breaking Pointe? I'm always shocked at the long, jangly earrings that Beckanne often wears! Just for safety's sake!

I think this is an interesting point... it's difficult when "we are all adults" and most adults are dancing for fun and fitness, so want to also have a laugh and enjoy it, which I'm not against. But if I were in the position of paying a decent price for a class, no matter what it was - dance, baking, calligraphy! - I'd want to get my money's wroth as well. I have two (lovely!) girls in my class who tend to stand together, whisper to each other for help rather than ask me the question, giggle a lot and mimic their own mistakes as a release, but it is noisy and distracting for the other dancers as well as frustrating for me to have to get their attention again. It's not fair on the other dancers who are paying to learn as well.

I would imagine that using weights not only enhances bulking of certain muscles but also uses a different muscle. Adding weights usually engages a different muscle than the ones which "lift" or "extend" a limb, don't they?

I don't teach an open class but a termly one - but my two rules to my adult beginners on the very first class (and reminded afterwards) were 1) Be responsible to let me know if anything hurts and 2) Be aware of your own space - not too close to others, or things (barres, mirrors). My day job is in a company which is s**t hot on Health and Safety and I have learned the hard way what it means to be protected as a teacher. If someone hurts themselves because they wear long earrings which fly into someone's face, or by stamping accidentally on another dancer's foot, I as the teacher am the one in trouble. Frankly, I can't let that happen for the selfish reason that I don't want to be taken to court, lose dancers unnecessarily, get a reputation that my classes are dangerous or this-and-that happened in my class. If someone arrives late and doesn't warm up, they can't take the class. If someone jumps into a move or cuts in front of someone, I have to mention it, for safety reasons. There is ballet class etiquette as well, but coming from the background of teaching and coaching in the corporate world, I have brought some good habits with me. Just my thoughts that as well as etiquette being broken or more timid/inexperienced dancers being pushed out of the way, a teacher (of anything) needs to be protected and protect the health and safety of their students. Oh and welcome to the forum - great topic!

I agree - it's such a great forum to be a part of, even if I mostly read and don't comment very much