I am really interested in dancing ballet as a serious hobbie. Should I take 2 sets of classes?

Question

I am taking classes at my university for beginning ballet and also taking a ballet inspired workout once a week at my local gym. Should I consider taking classes at a regular dance school to supplement this or will this interfere in the teacher's methods?

Answer 1

I disagree with what some are saying about 2 sets of classes being too much of a strain, either due to physical endurance or personal time management. If anything, your wanting to study ballet as a "serious" hobby means that you should be taking more than what the MWF or TTh (or whatever) single class section at your university can offer you.

However, I'd like to highlight what Geek said. Because there are different techniques of doing ballet, beginners can get really confused by studying with teachers who follow different approaches. Advanced students, on the other hand, DO need to learn how to "turn on and off each different technique," so taking classes from different teachers is actually recommended at the higher levels.

Therefore, I'd recommend consulting BOTH teachers about your desire to increase your dance classes. As long as both teachers understand that you're also receiving instruction elsewhere, they can help to minimize your confusion when they offer corrections.

In the long run, I think you'd stand a better chance of receiving more consistent and progressively more challenging instruction from the regular dance school, as that is where serious ballet students tend to go. However, that also depends on the quality of the studio and the teacher there. On the other hand, you may find it more convenient (and possibly cheaper) to continue to take classes at your university. But, in general, there is nothing wrong with getting your training from multiple sources.

Trish the Dish reveals her ignorance about dance training in her answer. Saying "you'll probably find that you're paying extra to learn the same things over," sounds like what many of my daughter's old high school acquaintances said to her. They asked, "You still taking dance classes? Haven't you learned how to do it by now?" Not only does this reveal an ignorance about the necessity of ongoing practice, but dance is one of the few areas where you MUST pay extra to get the kind of practice you need to excel. For one, few dancers have good floors to practice on at home, and two, even with a mirror, dancers need expert eyes to catch what they're doing wrong so they can fix it and practice doing it correctly. Sure enough, Trish has never asked or answered another dance question in all of her other 1400 answers.

I hope the various teachers in your area are willing to work with you to create a ballet class schedule that lets you pursue a serious study of ballet.

Answer 2

Sure, it won't hurt you.
I also want to say that as a ballet dancer, there are many types and techniques of doing ballet. These techniques can change head positions, arms postitions and how you dance. So this may or may not interfere with your teacher's methods. As a ballet dancer, you shoukd be able to turn on and off each different technique you learn and is introduced to. If you want to take ballet seriouly, I do suggest going to a regular dance studio/school if you hope to continue ballet professionally.

Answer 3

Well I think you should probably complete the class at your school first, and then move on to something a bit more advanced.

I don't think it's that you will interfere with your teacher's methods, it's just that it might be too much too soon if you try taking more than one class. Plus, more than likely you'll probably find that you're paying extra to learn the same things over.

So get the basics down and then find a place to take some dance classes. They should be able to help you determine what level of class you need.

Good luck!

Answer 4

It shouldn't hurt anything, and it would probably be a lot of help, as long as teachers at the studio know what they are doing. Why not ask your teacher at the university about the dance school you're considering? Dancers tend to know the low down on all the other teachers in town.

Answer 5

i would just stick with the classes your taking now, because with homework, and other activities you may not have time for extra classes. in a few weeks you feel that you still want to dance at another school, try it, but only take about 1 or 2 classes. you dont want to over do it. you could also try talking do your dance teacher about this. your dance teacher will probably have the best information.

Answer 6

I'd say to just stick with those two classes for the time being so that you can build up the basic stregnth and endurance. You don't want to overdue it as you don't want to injure yourself from doing too much. As your body becomes more accustomed to dancing, then, you'll be able to take more classes as time permits. You just want to remember that you need to do other things like studying, doing laundry, eating, sleeping, etc.

Answer 7

yes it would be good support for all ur clasees