Ballet Dancers - Corrections

Ballet Dancers - Corrections

Ballet Dancers - Corrections

Dear odette,
In class I used to get a lot of corrections and I worked hard to apply them. Then the corrections got less and less and now I hardly get corrections any more. So, I was wondering if not get corrections is good or bad. Thank you so much.
Best wishes,
Hannah

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Reply by Odette
To:- Ballet Dancers - Corrections

Hello Hannah,
Thank you for your message. You ask a really good question, which I'm sure many dancers think about. There are many ways on how to look at being given a correction. Mostly, I think it depends on how you take it and how the teacher gives it.

In general, I've always thought being given corrections is a good thing because it means you're getting more to work on and therefore able to improve. You're not just being ignored or forgotten, because the teacher is trying to help you.

On the other hand, if you have worked hard to apply the corrections you've been given, then you're going in the right direction. You'll find some teachers won't constantly give you corrections all the time because they want you to work for yourself.

One of my very good teacher's most famous sayings was "Figure it out". I remember this very clearly because she said, "top dancers will always figure it out for themselves". Therefore, she would give us many corrections but there would be times where she would observe and see how we were doing without her constantly giving us attention.

So, don't worry too much about not always getting corrections. In fact, it's really good habit to start working for yourself and becoming your own teacher. Obviously, you need your teacher to guide you forward and help you improve, but if you can start gaining the maturity to keep motivated yourself and still work 110% without the teacher's constant attention then this will be key for you.

Lastly, don't be afraid to communicate with your teacher. If you feel you're being slightly ignored then subtly talk to her and ask how she thinks you're progressing, or what more you can work on. It takes determination and a bit of guts to really move forward in ballet, so be pushy!

I hope my thoughts help you and please do keep in touch.

Best wishes,
Odette