OMG Point Your Toes
Are you having trouble getting your students to point their feet? Here are six tips to help you help your ballet dancers
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Geek Out, Don't Freak Out
The answer is out there somewhere--I just haven't found it yet
Nov 142 min read
What to Correct First in Ballet Class
For corrections to be most effective, you need to offer them in a way where the information builds. Here are the first three things to check
Nov 73 min read
How Clear Are Your Priorities in Your Ballet Classes?
Do you know what your priorities are in your classroom? For today? For this unit? For this year? For next year?
Oct 172 min read
Avoiding Perfectionism in Ballet Class
Ballet dancers could write the book on perfectionism. But that mindset isn't healthy or helpful, so here are 4 tips to help shift towards gr
Oct 102 min read
Your Pre-Barre Sequence Is More Important Than You Think
Your pre-barre warm-up isn't just about getting the snaps and pops out of the way. You can use this time to really target some of the most c
Oct 42 min read
Clarity in Ballet Technique--Chassé
There are small details in chassé that can be taught differently, depending on your preference and goals. The most important thing is consis
Sep 262 min read
Play to Your Strengths as a Ballet Teacher
I grew up hearing a lot of "turn your weaknesses into strengths." I see the value in that. That philosophy is why we practice pirouettes on
Sep 193 min read
When to Diversify Styles in Ballet Training
There are many wonderful training systems in the ballet world. One question that I often hear is, "When should we start introducing other
Sep 122 min read
Effective Ballet Teacher Training Meetings
Teacher trainings are an important part of a well-organized ballet program. This sample agenda will help you plan meetings that are short...
Sep 52 min read
Clarity in Ballet Technique--Piqué Turns
I don't think there's a magic trick that will automatically get every student to maintain turnout in piqué turns. It's just attention to det
Aug 292 min read
Barre is Not the Most Important Part of Ballet Class
Barre work is helpful, but NOT the most important part of class. It comes first, but the work we do later has a much bigger impact on whole-
Aug 152 min read
Simplifying Your To-Do List in Ballet Class
We've all been there. You're evaluating your teaching and the list of things you want to improve keeps getting longer and longer and longer
Aug 82 min read
Ballet Curriculum Tips for 5-7 year-olds
As children mature, the shift from "baby ballet" into "big kid ballet" can take some of them by surprise. There are steps teachers can take
Aug 22 min read
Clarity in Ballet Technique--Pirouette, part 3
Do you teach pirouette in cou-de-pied? Ever? Before pirouette in retiré? After? Why? One very commonly needed correction in pirouette is to
Jul 253 min read
Clarity in Ballet Technique--Pirouette, part 2
Progressing pirouette includes what foot position you are starting from and finishing in. Here is a logical progression--although there are
Jul 183 min read
Clarity in Ballet Technique--Pirouette, part 1
How are you introducing pirouette to your dancers? And when? Unless you are the only teacher in your school, clear communication about how
Jul 112 min read
But We Really Want to Learn _____ in Ballet Class!!
We've all heard. It there is some step that dancers really want to learn and you know they aren't ready for it. So what do you do?
Jul 43 min read
Clarity in Ballet Technique--Frappé, part 2
In this second post exploring teaching frappé we look at the flexed foot, wrapped, and fully pointed options.
Jun 273 min read
Clarity in Ballet Technique--Frappé, part 1
To brush or not to brush? More importantly, are all you teachers teaching frappé the same way? If not, why not? A clear plan is critical to
Jun 203 min read
When it Feels Like All You Do is Run Out of Time
Do you ever feel like your class is behind? Of course you do--we all do. But "behind" requires us to compare our class with someone else's
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