Finding The Right Pittsburgh Ballet Class

By Marissa Velazquez


There are numerous reasons why someone may attend a Pittsburgh Ballet class. For some it can be because they have ambitions to be a ballerina. For others it can be purely because they love to dance. Whatever the reason it is important to carefully compare the different types of class available to find the best one for you or your child.

There is a certain perception that ballet is fiercely disciplined and competitive. However while this may be true of some classes and teachers this does not necessarily have to reflect every single teacher. As with any other form of sport or dance different teachers will have different approaches.

The danger is that if the teacher is not properly qualified then it can affect the quality of the dance. As well as showing up in performances it can lead to bad habits that can take years to correct. Furthermore the biggest risk of all is that bad training increases the risk of injury, something that can have repercussions for years to come.

In reality word can spread pretty quickly. If students start to develop bad habits due to not dancing properly or they receive injuries then the chances are that their inferior teaching skills would soon be found out. Furthermore there are plenty of established classes run by people who do have the appropriate experience.

Another thing to look for is a teacher with first aid training. You want to be sure that dancers warm up and stretch properly and injuries are minimised as much as possible. However a good teacher ought to know what to do in the event of an emergency so that students are properly looked after and that they can be properly attended to.

Ideally you should then be able to arrange to see a session in person. Have a look around the facilities before you start. If you do not feel comfortable or do not think it is appropriate then you may need to look elsewhere. When watching the lesson consider whether the teaching style is appropriate. While a bit of discipline is good the class ought to be reasonably enjoyable as well. It can be a hard balance to achieve but the best teacher can have the right amount of warmth and discipline to keep a class going.

If you are looking for a class for yourself then the best way to test the class is to try it yourself. Most classes will allow at least one free trial although it is worth going to a couple of classes to get a full idea of what they have to offer and to properly assess the approach of the teacher. When you go remember to wear loose clothing, a towel and bring a drink with you as it is likely to be very physically demanding.

Ultimately the Pittsburgh Ballet class you choose ought to be reasonably professionally focused without being excessively disciplined. The best way to gauge this is to visit in person. A lot of classes allow you to have at least one trial lesson before asking you to make a commitment. Look online to see what is available in your local area as well as getting feedback from other people who have got lessons from teachers in the past as well.




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