Expert: Jennifer - 7/10/2003

Question
I have been dancing for about 8 years and I have dedicated my life to classical ballet, but recently I have had trouble staying at one school.  I have been to 3 studios in one year!  Do you think this will hinder my dancing at all and that I should try choose one studio and stick with it?

Answer
Hello, Nora!

While experiencing many different teaching types can offer a good advantage to an intermediate/advanced dance student, I think it is very important to find a consistant teacher that you stay with for at least a few years.

I find this to be important because, for one thing, a teacher must be familiar with you and your dancing to be able to fully help you. While a new teacher may be able to offer superficial advice during the first few classes, a long-term teacher will be able to understand how you work, the best way to offer criticism, and help you on a larger scale, for example, with artistic expression.

Another problem with taking from many different teachers is the difference in teaching philosophy and technique. If you take for a few months with a Vaganova teacher and movie on to a Balanchine style teacher, there may be some confusion!

I think the best way to go is to choose a good core teacher to focus your studies with, and weight your training descisions on his/her style and technique. But you should also leave yourself open and take occasional classes with other teachers... after all, it is also important to be flexible. And by all means, participate in other Summer Intensive programs... workshops are the ideal way to experience other styles and techniques of ballet!

Good luck with your dancing, and feel free to ask any other questions you might have!