Is the teacher always right?

Hi everyone.

As some of you know already, I’m 28 and just started dancing past September (after a pause of 20 years, so starting from below zero again).
As I wrote in another post, we progress more or less like a schooling system at my studio, so after this year, I should go to “adult beginners 2″.
Now I have two issues here.
Self-knowledge is the beginning of all wisdom, they say…
I don’t think I’m very good yet, although I don’t stick out like a sore thumb in class either. I do know I tend to learn motor skills slower than other people (eg driving cars, physical education in highschool was the horror, etc).
I also feel I’d like to do 2 classes a week, in stead of just one.
I wonder if I should do the first year again next year, in stead of going to year 2, because I don’t feel comfortable going up a level yet, even if my teacher doesn’t seem to share my concern.
I’m in doubt.
I guess part of the ‘problem’ is that, although I know I started too late to get really good at ballet, this doesn’t mean I don’t want to reach my personal best. And I think my teacher doesn’t expect adult beginner’s to be really serious about the whole thing, if you know what I mean.
I haven’t really talked it through with him yet, because it’s still rather early in the year, of course I will later, but the question keeps me busy, so I’d like some input, if you don’t mind.

In an ideal world, I’d like to take adults 1 and 2 next year, 1 to have a stronger foundation of the basics and 2 to challenge myself. But this isn’t possible, as both classes overlap in time (so I can hope for a change of schedule, of course).

I plan already to watch an adult 2 class the following open day, to see if the level is indeed as daunting as I imagine, but still my question.

What would you do if a teacher says you’re ready to go up a level, but you feel differently?

When I was little, I quit music because ‘they’ :-) made me move up a level and the leap was too big, so I guess my apprehension started there.

I still hope for a 1&2 combination, if that’s not possible I’ll have to take modern or jazz 1 to be able to take 2 classes, but then the question remains, do I combine it with a classical 1 or 2?

If there are teachers here, what do they think?
What do you do with low-self-esteem-pupils? :-)

And of course, I don’t expect you guys to decide for me, as of course, you should see me dance to be able to advice on that, but I find it helpful to exchange ideas and ‘think aloud’ here. :-)

Thanks everyone.

January 31, 2007 | In Questions |

8 Comments »

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  1. Sounds like being able to take both 1 & 2 would be the most ideal option, but if you can’t you should at least try to move up. level 2 should hopfully be a natural continuation of level 1, not the huge jump you might imagine it to be. if you stay in 1, you run the risk of being bored and not having anything to challenge you. you could start out in 2 and if it is too hard go back to level 1 also.
    oh, and I’ve found that many of the “low self esteem” studants are the ones that have the most potential. many of them use their “lack of talent” as a crutch. if they “can’t” do something and don’t try, then it’s not a big deal if they fail.
    hope this helps.

    Comment by Marissa — January 31, 2007 #

  2. talk to your teacher as soon as you can about this. because you don’t want to have to do something that your body is not ready for yet because you could hurt some part of your body that would not be GOOD

    Comment by Nancy — February 1, 2007 #

  3. @ Marissa,

    You gave a very nice description of the “passive failure anxiety” there… ;-)

    Recognizable, yes…

    @ Nancy,

    I don’t think my teacher is asking me to do things my body isn’t ready to, I trust his professionality, but I think he’s asking me to do something my mind isn’t ready to, if you know what I mean.

    And yes, indeed, it’s a teacher’s job to push students just a little beyond there comfort zone each time to make them progress, I’m just not quite sure about how little is a little…

    :-)

    I e-mailed to the director of the studio about this and she wants to talk to me about it, and also my teacher, but we have to find a suitable moment first.

    Thanks for your comments.

    Comment by Kaat — February 1, 2007 #

  4. well i’m sorry may help was not thought of as help.

    Comment by Nancy — February 2, 2007 #

  5. Oh, go for it! As Adults, we are in class for very different reasons than the youngsters. Of COURSE try the more advanced class —you might surprise yourself! And then, if it causes you too much anxiety, you can change. Schools should not, in my opinion, make such a big deal of class levels for adult dancers. Take the class in which you feel comfortable –and you won’t know which that is unless/until you try!

    Comment by Pigeon — February 4, 2007 #

  6. I think if you can only take one of them,I would take what your teacher suggests,if he wants you to move up a level,I would go along with it,and if it’s to hard I’m sure he’d let you switch back to level 1. Good Luck!

    Comment by Avie' — February 4, 2007 #

  7. And then faith steps in and solves the problem!

    Yesterday the 1st year teacher was ill and we could take a pilates class and/or the 2nd year classical class as a replacement.

    Of course I did. :-)

    So now I have an idea of the 2nd year and I guess it’s allright. I didn’t feel as if I was completely out of place there.

    I also talked to the principal and she explained to me the 1st year and 2nd year etc classes are mostly for people who start later in life and want to have a go at ballet, but not too serious if you know what I mean.

    For people more serious, eg teens who still want to go pro, there is a placement group where things are explained and taught more thorougly, so she suggested adding this group next year.

    So I figured to try 2nd next year, if I feel I can’t keep up, add the placement and if neccessary, drop to 1st + placement if 2nd still is not what I want.

    Only ‘problem’ is that, if I also add contemporary, this means monday - tuesday - wednesday dancing / thursday - friday - saturday - sunday no dancing, which isn’t really an even spread (and I’ll have to juggle my dressage trainings in between, to be able to satisfy my horses, but that’s my own problem of course).

    Principal also suggested to take the summer course (1 week in July, every day, multiple classes), so I’ll let you know how it goes. :-)

    Comment by Kaat — February 6, 2007 #

  8. Update:

    As we are starting practice sessions for a performance in May, our normal class (Monday evening) is replaced by practice. When we (adult level 1) don’t have to be at the practice session, we can take a level 2 class and we are also allowed, for the time of the practice period, to take an extra class on Tueday. So again faith stepped in and solved my problem. :-)

    Comment by Kaat — February 28, 2007 #

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