Michelle Groves

Great that you've found another vocation. Best of luck!

Old or young, some students will always have turn-out and plié/fondu limitations. There are many conditioning exercises you can do which will enhance what ability you do have. Ask your teacher for exercises she would recommend. There is also a lot of information online about body conditioning exercises, but you really need to know how bodies work, and how your body works, so that you perform the exercises in safely.

Apologies for this. Here is the link to the Open days https://www.royalacademyofdance.org/teacher-training/open-days/

There is lots of information about CBTS on the RAD website to get you started: https://www.royalacademyofdance.org/programme/certificate-in-ballet-teaching-studies-2/ If you want to speak to someone in person then you should email faculty@rad.org.uk so that your request can be passed on to the Programme Manager. My advice is to gather as much information as you can about different routes to gaining teacher qualifications, and really think about your long term aspirations. Maybe the BA Ballet Education programme would suit your requirements https://www.royalacademyofdance.org/programme/ba-hons-ballet-education/ or the BA Dance Education programme https://www.royalacademyofdance.org/programme/ba-hons-in-dance-education/where you can gain a degree through distance learning and, depending on your module choices, be eligible to apply for Registered Teacher Status with the RAD.

Thinking that dance teaching may be for you? Why not book your place to come to one of the RAD's Faculty of Education Open Days in London (24th October and 14th November). As well as finding about different routes to becoming a dance teacher, you can observe classes in action as well as participate in practical classes. https://www.royalacademyofdance.org/teacher-training/conference-2020-london-mapping-dance-and-dance-teaching-pasts-present-and-futures/

It's great to be aspirational - take as many practical classes you can, watch as many teachers teaching as you can, and see if you can get regularly assisting experience. As a teacher, your own demonstration is absolutely crucial as your students will mirror what you show them. You don't have to have perfect technique, but you have to be able to demonstrate accurate and well executed technique. Correct posture, placement, alignment, deportment and a sense of performance are more important than beautifully arched feet, 180 degree turn-out or high extensions. You also need to know how ballet technique progresses from one level to the next, and the ballet vocabulary. (I'm amazed that so many ballet students these days can't give the name of the steps they are performing!). You need to have all of these skills I've outlined before you even start teacher training proper. It's by no means impossible to become a teacher as a later starter, but it will take time and perseverance. Good luck!

Being aware that I may be accused of being flippant, my advice would be to avoid this topic altogether as you may be on a hiding to nothing unless you have been thinking about the topic for the last couple of years, and been gathering information along the way. By asking your question my initial response is that you aren't really invested in the topic. My advice to undergraduate dissertation students is to keep it simple. After all, you only have a few months to get it all together. Some of the best dissertations I have supervised, moderated etc. have been on topics which, on the surface, might appear simplistic or 'easy' (e.g. looking at reviews of a dance work by different dance critics across different decades - do you see what I see?, or the impact of different forms of feedback on a student's self concepts - thus, teachers needing to be aware of the effect of feedback on students, and strategies which students can draw on in mitigating negative impact). The success indicators of these 'simple' dissertations were robust research questions, lines of enquiry which were critical and challenging, a methodological framework which was informed and credible, and identification/justification of emerging messages/trends. I'm sure your Supervisor will advise accordingly.

A Call for Contributions to the RAD's Mapping Dance and Dance Teaching: Past(s), Present and Futures(s) conference which will be held September 2020 is now live. Perhaps some BalletCo members would be interested? Closing date for submissions: 20 December 2019 https://www.royalacademyofdance.org/teacher-training/conference-2020-london-mapping-dance-and-dance-teaching-pasts-present-and-futures/ Programme will be announced March 2020.