Today we’re continuing with Dalia Rawson’s reflections on the teacher training portion of American Ballet Theatre’s National Training Curriculum…
by Dalia Rawson
Sunday, June 3: 7:48AM
A few days have passed since I last had the time to write about my experiences in training, so I should go back a bit. I’m sorry to say my bunny combination was not a complete success. I started my presentation with an explanation of the aim of my combination, thinking that was part of the assignment, but was told to go right into the combination without any explanation. I got so flustered that I just did a version of the arms without any bunnies or stars or anything fun! There were some great examples of imagery offered by some of the other instructors, who presented combinations that included peeking over a shelf to look for cookies when you do a releve, and imagining a mouse lives under your instep to prevent rolling in. The process helped me realize that it’s not really complicated to teach younger students, as long as you present material that is appropriate for them developmentally, keep the class fun, and present the material without artifice, in a way that suits your own personality. I’ve never felt more ready to teach a class full of five year olds!
Our days have been packed! What a lot of information! We’ve now covered the material for Levels 1, 2, and part of 3. One very inspiring aspect of this training program for me has been watching our Ballet SJ School students take class with Franco and Raymond. Ballet SJ School was asked to provide at least five student demonstrators per class level to participate in demonstration classes for the teachers in training, and Franco has been teaching Master Classes for different age groups, which our students have enthusiastically attended. Watching them in class with these master teachers has been an honor and a thrill. I love seeing the students’ faces light up in delight in hearing new analogies and finding new ways of thinking about ballet, and seeing them clarify technical elements and grasp concepts of technique through simple yet challenging combinations. I am trying to control my face so I don’t look like an over-involved doting grandmother in the corner, but I don’t think I am succeeding. If you ever have the chance to attend a Master Class or send your students to a Master Class with either of these men, don’t miss it. They teach every class as if it were made up of their own favorite students, with great attention to detail, personal corrections, charm, and wit. Everyone in the studio leaves inspired. [Read more…]