Don’t ask me how this happened, but at some point, it became a status symbol in the classical ballet world for teachers to be sarcastic, biting, degrading, and insulting to students, thinking that they are motivating them to work harder. People who are relatively new to the dance world believe that classical ballet is all about the harsh criticism and shaming the dancer; it’s tradition, isn’t it?
Ballet is an art form based on love of movement, nuances of expression, and a very clean, articulate way of speaking with the body. Screaming and making sarcastic remarks actually can destroy any progress or inspiration, as well as incur discouragement and feelings of intimidation. As a matter of fact, harsh treatment has no benefits at all. People like to say that ballet requires a tough skin, and the nature of the business proves this is true. However, the tough skin should be developed for perseverance and tenacity when mastering difficult technique, going through auditions, and accepting rejections, NOT for fielding character attacks and brutal, cruel predictions about a dancer’s future. To me, reverse psychology is just an excuse for a teacher to vent frustration towards a student. I understand when there are students who don’t want to exert much effort, or whose parents are forcing them to take classes when they would clearly rather be somewhere else. That certainly is a frustrating scenario, and sometimes it’s just best to allow them to work at their own pace. However, when a student clearly loves to be at class but is misunderstanding a concept, or when there are physical limitations that make perfect technique unfeasible, it’s never appropriate to shame a dancer. Most ballet studios in this country do not limit their enrollment to students who are prescreened with perfect facility since birth and have the highest potential. I have been surprised so many times by who ends up sticking with it and who doesn’t that I’m NOT surprised by anything anymore. Plus, everyone has the right to study what interests them, no matter what the future looks like. I’m sure I don’t need to elaborate right now about the life benefits of studying dance – that’s a whole book in itself. My point is, no matter who is taking class or for whatever reason, they deserve the teacher’s respect AND patience. They’re paying the same amount of money (maybe more if they don’t get a merit scholarship) and making the same time sacrifices as those students who seem destined for fame in the dance world. No teacher should ever hide behind the arrogance and pretentiousness of “I’ve been a professional dancer for many years, so I know what I’m talking about” mentality. As much as I adore dance and am totally immersed in this arts world, we all must remember: It’s just ballet. It’s an activity that, for most people, is dispensable in a family’s set of priorities of what they need to survive.
Letting students see the teachers’ love of whatever they’re teaching creates a very productive atmosphere in the studio. Students of all ages respond well when the teacher shows that he loves to be there, or that she appreciates every student who walks in the door. Students thrive on achievement and affirmation. Expressing anger and insults will eventually result in empty studios.
Ultimately, in these times and our culture, the art may be life-giving to the society, but the instructors need to be life-giving to the artist. Being arrogant, sarcastic, and hurling cruel comments should never be confused with being strict and demanding. The goal is to create future dancers, not demoralized and beaten down adults.
Dance on.
Grace Notes 