Expert: Dianne M. Buxton - 11/18/2009

Question
I am a 29yo female and have just started an adult beginner's ballet class. Out of the 5 people in the class (all of whom have taken a class or 2 or so in the past),I am progressing the slowest. I'm frustrated. I can't seem to get the steps down and memorized in our choreographed portion of class. What should I do? Am I hopeless?

Answer
Hi Lia. I don't think you should give up. The part of the class where you have to memorize combinations is the hardest for adult ballet beginners, when you have so much else to think about. However, it's even worse if you have any misunderstandings of the French words for ballet and your attention gets caught up with that.

If that is the case, or part of it, with you, go to

http://www.theballetstore.com/

You'll see "Ballet Glossary" at the top. Review the words used in class if you need to.

If you need any explanations of ballet exercises, you'll find some barre technique described at:

http://www.balletshoesandpointeshoes.blogspot.com in a section down the left side.

Also, memorizing the words of steps' sequence in the rhythm of the beat the teacher is using helps. Another way is to do the steps with your hands while you're watching the teacher - it's a quick way to copy what she/he is doing. Hum it to yourself softly as you do this if it helps.

Lastly, you could rent some David Howard or Finis Jhung beginning/intermediate ballet class DVD's and watch the combinations over and over. You'll get used to the variety of ways steps are typically put together.

Hope this helps! Don't give up!

All the best, Dianne