Deep Dives, Not Overwhelm: My Collection of Teaching Insights

The first time I taught class, I thought preparation meant knowing the vocabulary and having a few combinations ready. I was wrong. Teaching ballet is an entirely different skill set from dancing ballet. After 27 years, here are the five most important lessons I wish someone had told me before I taught my first class.

The summer slump is real - but it doesn't have to be a free fall. Discover the science behind technique loss and practical strategies to help dancers maintain their progress while still enjoying vacation time.

Your class can only be as energized as you are. Discover how thoughtful lesson planning transforms challenging technical work into joyful victories that keep both teachers and students excited about ballet.

Students walk in with post-Halloween energy? Snow day excitement? This bulletproof ballet lesson planning method keeps classes on track while adapting to real classroom moments.

Can't fit everything into your ballet class? Stop trying. This selective abandonment strategy helps you prioritize what matters most and actually accelerates student progress.

Confused students, conflicting teaching methods, and spinning wheels in ballet class? The problem isn't your curriculum - it's unclear priorities. Here's how to set and communicate clear ballet teaching goals.

Think pre-barre is just about warming up? This targeted sequence prevents common corrections before they happen and builds better habits from day one.

Should you teach Cecchetti AND Vaganova? Most studios think more styles = better training. Here's why focusing on one method actually accelerates progress and creates cleaner technique in your dancers.

Transform your studio with teacher training meetings that actually work. This proven agenda creates consistency across your faculty and accelerates student progress through systematic communication

Discover why spending 70% of ballet class in center creates stronger, more coordinated dancers. Learn the systematic approach to ballet class structure that prioritizes movement over stationary barre work.

Discover why focusing on core strength before extreme turnout creates stronger, injury-free dancers. Learn the systematic approach that builds sustainable technique while protecting young bodies from common ballet injuries.

Overwhelmed by endless teaching corrections and competition feedback? Learn the 'one thing at a time' method that transforms scattered improvement efforts into focused success. Discover how to chart feedback, prioritize systematically, and make real progress without teacher burnout.

Should you teach pirouette in cou-de-pied or retiré first? Learn why starting with cou-de-pied prevents lifted hip problems while building core strength. Discover systematic progression that creates technically correct pirouettes and maintains diversity in advanced training.

Which position should you teach pirouettes from at each level? Learn systematic progression from Beginning parallel through Elementary 1st, 5th, and 4th positions. Discover why teaching 5th before 4th creates stronger turnout habits and better technical development.

Students begging to learn advanced steps they saw on TikTok? Learn how to turn student requests into systematic skill-building opportunities. Discover the 'building blocks instead of no' approach that keeps students motivated while maintaining curriculum integrity and technical progression.

Feeling behind in your ballet teaching? Constantly worried you're not covering enough material fast enough? Learn why 'behind' is just a comparison trap and how following a well-structured plan means your students are exactly where they need to be. Shift from racing to treasure-map teaching.

Teaching individual ballet steps without underlying concepts leaves students confused and struggling. Discover the missing link in ballet pedagogy: how to connect vocabulary to foundational concepts so students understand WHY steps work. Learn systematic approaches that create spiraling momentum in learning and help students progress naturally.

Finished your curriculum early or tired of repeating the same combinations? Try the 3-Challenge method: 1 favorite combination, 1 medium challenge for today, 1 big challenge for this month. This flexible lesson planning approach works for any level and helps you think more creatively about class structure.

Tired of ballet class feeling like drills instead of dancing? Learn proven strategies to transform combinations into choreography while maintaining technical focus. From freeze dance variations for young dancers to partner work for advanced students, discover how to create joy and artistry in every class level.

Show week ballet classes need a different approach when dancers are exhausted from performance demands and school stress. Learn recovery-focused strategies that maintain progress without burning out students - from varying movement qualities to incorporating constructive rest. Keep classes productive while helping dancers recuperate.