Pas de Quatre Posted April 13, 2019 Share Posted April 13, 2019 Vienna Opera Ballet School abuse allegations Yet another case of ballet students suffering abuse. Hopefully it will eventually be stamped out everywhere! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billyelliott Posted April 13, 2019 Share Posted April 13, 2019 Shocking and disgraceful ! but sadly I’m not surprised... I do hope that in the future enough of the students will feel empowered to unite and speak up and stamp this out! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bangorballetboy Posted April 13, 2019 Share Posted April 13, 2019 The important word at this stage is “allegations”. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richieN Posted April 13, 2019 Share Posted April 13, 2019 Just goes to show - all those who are moaning about British schools not pushing their students hard enough need to take a long look at what is happening elsewhere, and at what price some of the children might be paying for their performances. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miracle Posted April 13, 2019 Share Posted April 13, 2019 In the world of today this behaviour should not be happening anywhere. The long term damage of physical and verbal abuse is proven to ruin a young persons future years. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tulip Posted April 14, 2019 Share Posted April 14, 2019 I just hope our children have a voice to speak up and not be afraid of any repercussions, not just in the ballet world but all situations. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
taxi4ballet Posted April 14, 2019 Share Posted April 14, 2019 17 hours ago, bangorballetboy said: The important word at this stage is “allegations”. Whilst I agree with that, it doesn't appear to be just one person making allegations, a number of people have come forward. Sometimes all it takes is for one person to stick their head above the parapet, and others will then feel able to follow suit. 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alison Posted April 15, 2019 Share Posted April 15, 2019 Maybe, but at the same time similar cases have been known to throw up people making spurious claims as well, so I think we should stick with "allegations" for the time being. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RuthE Posted April 16, 2019 Share Posted April 16, 2019 10 hours ago, alison said: Maybe, but at the same time similar cases have been known to throw up people making spurious claims as well, so I think we should stick with "allegations" for the time being. Maybe worth tweaking the thread title? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
taxi4ballet Posted April 16, 2019 Share Posted April 16, 2019 Perhaps not "allegations" in quotes, but simply allegations. When you put quotes round it there is a subtle change of meaning. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tulip Posted April 16, 2019 Share Posted April 16, 2019 The academy has actually acknowledged that student have been physically and emotionally abused and have vowed to change its practice. Sorry I didn’t know how to copy the quotes from the report. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billyelliott Posted April 16, 2019 Share Posted April 16, 2019 (edited) 1 hour ago, Tulip said: The academy has actually acknowledged that student have been physically and emotionally abused and have vowed to change its practice. Sorry I didn’t know how to copy the quotes from the report. Just what I was going to say - assuming the article is accurate on that point then it seems at the very least there is an admission that things need to change! Edited April 16, 2019 by Billyelliott Typo 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeaverElliot Posted April 16, 2019 Share Posted April 16, 2019 (edited) On 13/04/2019 at 11:25, Billyelliott said: I do hope that in the future enough of the students will feel empowered to unite and speak up and stamp this out! It is worthwhile I think to note the point that was being made regarding what might be characterized as ballet’s inbred, native, built-in culture of obedience. There exist traditional pedagogical attitudes which get passed down and perpetuated within a kind of at times cult-like mentality, some of which is a set of arbitrary, socially constructed beliefs rooted in thinking from centuries past, based on my readings and observations. Subordinated, disempowered individuals within an authoritarian hierarchy that can reward and punish will simply not just ‘speak up’ despite the abuse and torment... due to systemic beliefs and attitudes or culture whereby complaints are not well received, supported nor handled. Otherwise, why would it have taken so long for a significant, long standing, institutionalized shortcoming to have come to light? What role does top management have in down-playing any reported troubles? Thin, underweight female performers apparently has its origins with a certain, noted choreographer and is justified as a prescriptive, aesthetic ideal of the art form, much like the adoration of unnatural ankle-foot extension and turn out. Whether ballet can self reform is an intriguing proposition. Ballerina: Sex, Scandal and Suffering Behind the Symbol of Perfection D. Kelly Ballet Across Borders: Career and Culture in the World of Dancers H. Wulff Edited April 16, 2019 by BeaverElliot Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tulip Posted April 17, 2019 Share Posted April 17, 2019 18 hours ago, BeaverElliot said: It is worthwhile I think 18 hours ago, BeaverElliot said: It is worthwhile I think to note the point that was being made regarding what might be characterized as ballet’s inbred, native, built-in culture of obedience. There exist traditional pedagogical attitudes which get passed down and perpetuated within a kind of at times cult-like mentality, some of which is a set of arbitrary, socially constructed beliefs rooted in thinking from centuries past, based on my readings and observations. Subordinated, disempowered individuals within an authoritarian hierarchy that can reward and punish will simply not just ‘speak up’ despite the abuse and torment... due to systemic beliefs and attitudes or culture whereby complaints are not well received, supported nor handled. Otherwise, why would it have taken so long for a significant, long standing, institutionalized shortcoming to have come to light? What role does top management have in down-playing any reported troubles? Thin, underweight female performers apparently has its origins with a certain, noted choreographer and is justified as a prescriptive, aesthetic ideal of the art form, much like the adoration of unnatural ankle-foot extension and turn out. Whether ballet can self reform is an intriguing proposition. Ballerina: Sex, Scandal and Suffering Behind the Symbol of Perfection D. Kelly Ballet Across Borders: Career and Culture in the World of Dancers H. Wulff to note the point that was being made regarding what might be characterized as ballet’s inbred, native, built-in culture of obedience. There exist traditional pedagogical attitudes which get passed down and perpetuated within a kind of at times cult-like mentality, some of which is a set of arbitrary, socially constructed beliefs rooted in thinking from centuries past, based on my readings and observations. Subordinated, disempowered individuals within an authoritarian hierarchy that can reward and punish will simply not just ‘speak up’ despite the abuse and torment... due to systemic beliefs and attitudes or culture whereby complaints are not well received, supported nor handled. Otherwise, why would it have taken so long for a significant, long standing, institutionalized shortcoming to have come to light? What role does top management have in down-playing any reported troubles? Thin, underweight female performers apparently has its origins with a certain, noted choreographer and is justified as a prescriptive, aesthetic ideal of the art form, much like the adoration of unnatural ankle-foot extension and turn out. Whether ballet can self reform is an intriguing proposition. Ballerina: Sex, Scandal and Suffering Behind the Symbol of Perfection D. Kelly Ballet Across Borders: Career and Culture in the World of Dancers H. Wulff A similar thing has happened with the American gymnastics, it took years to come to light, and be taken seriously. Some parents actually chose to shush their children so not to lose their place on the squad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tulip Posted April 17, 2019 Share Posted April 17, 2019 Note to self, I really need to improve my copy and pasting skills 🤦♀️🤪 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moneypenny Posted April 17, 2019 Share Posted April 17, 2019 21 hours ago, BeaverElliot said: Whether ballet can self reform is an intriguing proposition. Not a chance! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lisa O`Brien Posted April 18, 2019 Share Posted April 18, 2019 Wasn't there something similar that used to happen to Eastern European gymnasts a few years ago? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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