| People start ballet dancing for many different | | | | school should follow a graded syllabus that will ensure |
| reasons. Some because Mom wants it, some because | | | | that you develop a solid foundation of strength and |
| they get referred by a doctor and others because | | | | technique for your dancing. The important thing is to |
| they are passionate about it or simply just enjoy | | | | be trained in a pleasant environment in which you are |
| movement to music. Whatever your reasons, finding | | | | comfortable. |
| the right school will make all the difference to your | | | | Your choice of dancing school should have a |
| ballet dancing experience. | | | | disciplined, but cheerful atmosphere. Students should |
| Nowadays, anybody can pose as a ballet dancing | | | | be well groomed and loose clothing should not be |
| teacher, as there is no legislation in regards to | | | | allowed, as this hides a multitude of faults from the |
| qualifications in this field as yet. The first thing you will | | | | teacher. |
| need to check is if the teachers are qualified and | | | | A good teacher will be aware of health and safety |
| registered with a reputable organization, for example | | | | for her dancing school. She will work the pupils at |
| the Royal Academy of Dance or Cecchetti Society. | | | | their own rate, never forcing their turnout and slowly |
| Ballet dancing teachers who have been trained | | | | improving their flexibility. Beware of the school where |
| through these organizations have learned a | | | | there is a long sad history of injured pupils. If most |
| well-established syllabus, which has a proven track | | | | of the class has tendinitis at the end of the term, |
| record of providing safe and solid classical ballet | | | | think twice about what's going on. Sick or injured |
| dancing training. There are also other good choices, | | | | dancers cannot experience the full joy of ballet |
| but these are the most well known institutions. | | | | dancing. |
| An instructor may have the most glamorous ballet | | | | Also check whether the other students are healthy |
| dancing performing credentials, but may not be the | | | | and happy, or frighteningly thin and joyless. How |
| best teacher. The ability to dance brilliantly is different | | | | much emphasis is being placed on being thin. A good |
| from the skills that make a great teacher. A good | | | | body esteem should be promoted, and everyone |
| ballet dancing teacher needs to be able to break | | | | should be made to feel comfortable within their own |
| down and analyze steps, and be able to explain to | | | | skins. |
| and inspire her pupils. | | | | The ideal studio space should be large and airy, with |
| A school that offers classes such as jazz, modern, | | | | a good sprung floor (meaning that there is air space |
| tap or other dance forms is a plus, but if you want | | | | underneath). Wood is normally best for this and |
| to learn classical ballet, the ballet dancing classes | | | | should be non slip. The studio should be clean and |
| offered should be pure ballet dancing syllabus and | | | | neat, and a joy to be in. |
| nothing else. | | | | If you take the above into consideration before |
| All the best schools progress from one level to the | | | | signing up with your new dancing school, you are |
| next and master skills in a logical order. Ideally your | | | | sure to enjoy years of enjoyable dance education. |