Etiquette when adding additional classes with different school/teacher

[Medora]

Hi,

 

My daughter is keen to do more ballet, however her current school does not offer any additional classes that she could take. We have found another studio which teaches the same method and after attending a trial class, she'd love to join there too for an additional one or two classes per week.

 

I'd love to hear from the experienced dance parents on this forum. What is the etiquette, should we get the blessing of her current teacher before we add any additional lessons? What would be the best way to goo around this? Perhaps this is a non issue, but we have been with her current school for around three years now and we really like them, so would not wish to step on anyone's toes.

 

Thanks in advance! 

 

 

[Encroix]

We were in this situation a few years ago and DD's original teacher positively encouraged her to train elsewhere in a different method (she now does Cecchetti and RAD). We haven't stopped classes with her original teacher and still feel incredibly loyal- teacher supports DD's plans to train post 16 and feels that experiencing different methods and teachers is hugely important. 

Edited March 23, 2020 by ImgyA

[taxi4ballet]

If it is the same examining body, then there could very well be an issue, many teachers really don't like it if you take class elsewhere. They seem to mind less if it a different method, but again, they would often say it might be confusing for younger students.

 

How old is your dd and what level is she at?

[Medora]

Thank you for taking the time to reply. Dd is 10. She is at a stage where all the hard work is beginning to pay off in some small ways so she is quite enthusiastic about her training, and would like to do more. Her teacher has encouraged her and some of her friends to apply to the Royal Ballet JA (which is obviously a very long shot) but I'm not sure how she would feel about taking lessons in the same style with another teacher/school. 

 

Not that any of these things matter right now... sigh!

[PJW]

It's always good idea to speak to your current teacher first before embarking on any additional training especially if it's going to be at another localish dance school. 

 

If nothing else teachers just like to know when students are keen to further their dancing. However, there can also be a variety of legitimate reasons why a teacher might caution against it so generally best to speak to them first.

[glowlight]

Definitely speak to your current teacher and ask her thoughts.  I would even go as far as to say ask her permission if you want your dd to stay with her for her training.  Many dance teachers are happy for the students to have lessons elsewhere if they have faith in the other studio.

 

She may say no.  

 

If she does say no, accept that she may have a good reason which she may not be able to share with you.  If this is the case, you could ask if she has any suggestions about how your dd can increase her training.  She may suggest she attends a grade above or below what she is currently doing, or maybe adds in different styles, or maybe there are other associate schemes she would recommend.

 

[Medora]

Thank you everyone, we will speak with dd's teacher once we are back to normal again