Dance School Terms

Dance School Terms

Author
Discussion

mike9009

Original Poster:

7,585 posts

250 months

Wednesday 11th September
quotequote all
Slightly odd one this, but thought PH can answer most questions. Not sure this is the right section though....??

Might be a long story. My daughter is 15 and dances with three different dance schools locally to get a broad exposure. She regular wins comps and just got distinction in grade 6 ballet.

Now, her ballet teacher (Royal ballet trained) has given an ultimatum that she cannot continue doing ballet with him if she continues with other dance schools. Essentially he wants her exclusively.

He claims this is common in London dance schools and needs her commitment. My question is, is this true??

The issue is we are on an island and he is the best (only) ballet teacher.

Massive upset for daughter and my opinion is to tell him to take a running jump. Which is what my daughter has done.....

I might just phone a couple of London schools....


andyA700

3,303 posts

44 months

Thursday 12th September
quotequote all
mike9009 said:
Slightly odd one this, but thought PH can answer most questions. Not sure this is the right section though....??

Might be a long story. My daughter is 15 and dances with three different dance schools locally to get a broad exposure. She regular wins comps and just got distinction in grade 6 ballet.

Now, her ballet teacher (Royal ballet trained) has given an ultimatum that she cannot continue doing ballet with him if she continues with other dance schools. Essentially he wants her exclusively.

He claims this is common in London dance schools and needs her commitment. My question is, is this true??

The issue is we are on an island and he is the best (only) ballet teacher.

Massive upset for daughter and my opinion is to tell him to take a running jump. Which is what my daughter has done.....

I might just phone a couple of London schools....
If she has reached a certain stage in her skill/ability and needs to progress at ballet, then I agree with her teacher, then she has to choose. I am sure that dancing at that level is like sport at that level, you have to focus on one thing only, not get distracted by other stuff. If her teacher is Royal Ballet trained, then you have to trust his input and advice. Why do you think you and your daughter know better than him?
This sounds a bit like the situation with a current British tenneis player and their parents/coach fiasco.

Blib

45,435 posts

204 months

Thursday 12th September
quotequote all
What would your daughter like to do?

addey

1,103 posts

174 months

Thursday 12th September
quotequote all
andyA700 said:
mike9009 said:
Slightly odd one this, but thought PH can answer most questions. Not sure this is the right section though....??

Might be a long story. My daughter is 15 and dances with three different dance schools locally to get a broad exposure. She regular wins comps and just got distinction in grade 6 ballet.

Now, her ballet teacher (Royal ballet trained) has given an ultimatum that she cannot continue doing ballet with him if she continues with other dance schools. Essentially he wants her exclusively.

He claims this is common in London dance schools and needs her commitment. My question is, is this true??

The issue is we are on an island and he is the best (only) ballet teacher.

Massive upset for daughter and my opinion is to tell him to take a running jump. Which is what my daughter has done.....

I might just phone a couple of London schools....
If she has reached a certain stage in her skill/ability and needs to progress at ballet, then I agree with her teacher, then she has to choose. I am sure that dancing at that level is like sport at that level, you have to focus on one thing only, not get distracted by other stuff. If her teacher is Royal Ballet trained, then you have to trust his input and advice. Why do you think you and your daughter know better than him?
This sounds a bit like the situation with a current British tenneis player and their parents/coach fiasco.
Er, maybe she enjoys all the types of dancing and wants to continue doing a bit of everything? Which may put her in a better position in the future for performing arts courses etc. as she is approaching that age. I'm guessing she isn't looking to be a professional ballet dancer so why should she limit herself to one discipline. You seem to have made a lot of assumptions based on what the OP has written...

andyA700

3,303 posts

44 months

Thursday 12th September
quotequote all
addey said:
andyA700 said:
mike9009 said:
Slightly odd one this, but thought PH can answer most questions. Not sure this is the right section though....??

Might be a long story. My daughter is 15 and dances with three different dance schools locally to get a broad exposure. She regular wins comps and just got distinction in grade 6 ballet.

Now, her ballet teacher (Royal ballet trained) has given an ultimatum that she cannot continue doing ballet with him if she continues with other dance schools. Essentially he wants her exclusively.

He claims this is common in London dance schools and needs her commitment. My question is, is this true??

The issue is we are on an island and he is the best (only) ballet teacher.

Massive upset for daughter and my opinion is to tell him to take a running jump. Which is what my daughter has done.....

I might just phone a couple of London schools....
If she has reached a certain stage in her skill/ability and needs to progress at ballet, then I agree with her teacher, then she has to choose. I am sure that dancing at that level is like sport at that level, you have to focus on one thing only, not get distracted by other stuff. If her teacher is Royal Ballet trained, then you have to trust his input and advice. Why do you think you and your daughter know better than him?
This sounds a bit like the situation with a current British tenneis player and their parents/coach fiasco.
Er, maybe she enjoys all the types of dancing and wants to continue doing a bit of everything? Which may put her in a better position in the future for performing arts courses etc. as she is approaching that age. I'm guessing she isn't looking to be a professional ballet dancer so why should she limit herself to one discipline. You seem to have made a lot of assumptions based on what the OP has written...
You obviously missed lines three and four of the OP. The teacher obviously doesn't want her wasting his time.

mike9009

Original Poster:

7,585 posts

250 months

Thursday 12th September
quotequote all
Blib said:
What would your daughter like to do?
She would like to continue all classes. But not really feasible now. She is also grade 6 piano and he is not stopping that.

It would be interesting to know if other dance schools have the same policy?

She wants to go in to veterinary surgery when older, dance would be a hobby/ outside interest.

mike9009

Original Poster:

7,585 posts

250 months

Thursday 12th September
quotequote all
andyA700 said:
mike9009 said:
Slightly odd one this, but thought PH can answer most questions. Not sure this is the right section though....??

Might be a long story. My daughter is 15 and dances with three different dance schools locally to get a broad exposure. She regular wins comps and just got distinction in grade 6 ballet.

Now, her ballet teacher (Royal ballet trained) has given an ultimatum that she cannot continue doing ballet with him if she continues with other dance schools. Essentially he wants her exclusively.

He claims this is common in London dance schools and needs her commitment. My question is, is this true??

The issue is we are on an island and he is the best (only) ballet teacher.

Massive upset for daughter and my opinion is to tell him to take a running jump. Which is what my daughter has done.....

I might just phone a couple of London schools....
If she has reached a certain stage in her skill/ability and needs to progress at ballet, then I agree with her teacher, then she has to choose. I am sure that dancing at that level is like sport at that level, you have to focus on one thing only, not get distracted by other stuff. If her teacher is Royal Ballet trained, then you have to trust his input and advice. Why do you think you and your daughter know better than him?
This sounds a bit like the situation with a current British tenneis player and their parents/coach fiasco.
That is a different take on the situation, although I think you misjudge her talent and wants from learning ballet.

She has chosen to leave the ballet classes now, after being given the ultimatum. She loves lyrical, jazz, contemporary and free running/ tricking too. Shame really.... Saves a wedge of cash though.

Might be best anyway, with GCSEs looming next year.

My lad plays for two different football teams too, games on Saturday and Sunday. Both teams actively encouraged playing in different leagues. That will be the next issue..... smile