Ballet time means a class is posted to begin at 10 and actually starts at 10:10. A class purporting to end at 11:30 might not finish until 11:45. Why is this and why can't we start and end classes properly?
 | ||
| Wrestling every second out of a ballet class! Photo by Ronald Rugenbrink |
***Reasons for not starting on time - STUDENT issues:
- attire must be changed from outdoors to studio clothes
- if you drive, there might be limited parking since studios typically are tucked into available spaces
- students usually sign in and/or pay for a class prior to it starting which can take time, particularly if multiple classes are happening at the same time or the teacher must take roll or payments
- class is a community and people want to greet each other when they come in
***Reasons for not ending on time - INSTRUCTOR issues:
- combinations take more time to explain than intended or students have more difficulty grasping them
- if it's a mixed level class, there might be more beginners (or simply new students who don't know the usual routines) who need greater explanation than the teacher planned
- combinations that worked for a teacher at home might need to be adjusted in the studio due to space considerations
- an especially large class takes more time to cycle through floor work
- an especially small class needs more time between passes in the center
But the number one reason classes don't end on time: A ballet class builds from one combination to the next. You can rush from exercise to exercise but you really can't skip anything so if a teacher's class has begun late for any of the reasons above, it's unlikely they can eliminate exercises completely. If they are good with time management, they can simplify things that had intended to be complex or they can put larger groups together for center floor work but it's dangerous to skip petit allegro and go right to grand allegro. Depending on the class itself, a teacher could end a class earlier, perhaps at adagio or pirouettes but it's not a good habit to get into if the students want to progress or if they take with other teachers who do a full class.
Speaking of ballet time...a few changes to my classes at Inspire Dance Studio!
Due to the children's program at Inspire, my weekday classes must be pushed by 15 minutes which means, as of August 26:
Monday & Wednesday Intermediate Ballet
WAS 6:30-8PM
WILL BE 6:45-8:10PM
Monday & Wednesday Beginner Ballet
WAS 8-9:30PM
WILL BE 8:10-9:30PM
Thursday Advanced Beginner Ballet
WAS 7-8:30PM
WILL BE 7:15-8:45PM
Apologies for any inconvenience this may cause but hopefully it allows you a little bit of extra time to get to class, park, etc. so we can start on time - and any problems ending on time will be mine!
Happy dancing, everyone~
No comments:
Post a Comment