The White's

Hi Wini,
My 3 year old, Emma, has recently shown an interest in ballet. Her favorite
books are the Angelina books (Angelina Ballerina, Angelina Ice Skates, etc).
She loves dancing with her daddy, "twirling" and trying to stand on her
toes. I have told her not to stand on her toes as ballerinas have special
shoes & training before they do.

Anyway, my question. Is she too young to begin lessons? How do I find a
good teacher? We are in a very rural area but can get to Winston Salem in a
little over an hour...what do I look for in a good teacher/school?

Thanks Wini!
Cindy

Winifred Haun + Dancers

Cindy: The things to look for in a dance teacher are kind of the same for
other areas: you want a kind person who's not too military with the kids.
As for a studio and approach, etc., 3 years old is really way too young
for ballet classes. Ballet is very, very structured and demanding and any
school that claims to be teaching ballet to 3 year olds is probably not.
Although, if they call it ballet and they let the kids run around a lot
and are allowed to do more "creative movement" types of things, that's
fine. Many dance studios have lots of rules about when and where parents
can watch class and/or be with their child during class. (I'm embarassed
to admit that when I first started teaching creative movement, long before
I was a mother, I was a bit of general about "NO parents allowed in the
dance room!") If your daughter is separation sensitive, a dance class
might not work for her. Generally speaking, a studio that is more modern
dance based is more likely to offer age appropriate creative movement
where the kids can move in their own way to teacher suggestions. Many
ballet studios offer creative movement, also. I'd suggest watching a
class first or letting your daughter take a trial class and see how she
likes it. When she turns 8 or 10, and still wants to study dance
that's when you can search out a professional ballet/dance studio.

Good luck! Wini

_____________________________________
WINIFRED HAUN & DANCERS
4225 N. Oakley
Chicago, IL 60618

773-583-2995

http://www.mcs.com/~wini/
______________________________________

Sonia Ulan

Hey Wini!

I was wondering if you knew of any boy Ballet students who may wish to
correspond with a Canadian 10 year old boy who enjoys Ballet? My son
loved his classes and really shone on stage but felt alienated as the
only boy at his school, and I have to say alot of the other students'
mothers did nothing to help the situation. Before he becomes totally
disenchanted I'm hoping he can have contact with someone who could help
encourage him. I have always firmly believed the world would be a
better place if ALL boys took Ballet lessons! The fact that his father
was a dancer is of only minor consolation. Can anyone help?

Thanks,

Sonia

Winifred Haun + Dancers wrote:
>
> From: Winifred Haun + Dancers <wini@...>
>
> Cindy: The things to look for in a dance teacher are kind of the same for
> other areas: you want a kind person who's not too military with the kids.
> As for a studio and approach, etc., 3 years old is really way too young
> for ballet classes. Ballet is very, very structured and demanding and any
> school that claims to be teaching ballet to 3 year olds is probably not.
> Although, if they call it ballet and they let the kids run around a lot
> and are allowed to do more "creative movement" types of things, that's
> fine. Many dance studios have lots of rules about when and where parents
> can watch class and/or be with their child during class. (I'm embarassed
> to admit that when I first started teaching creative movement, long before
> I was a mother, I was a bit of general about "NO parents allowed in the
> dance room!") If your daughter is separation sensitive, a dance class
> might not work for her. Generally speaking, a studio that is more modern
> dance based is more likely to offer age appropriate creative movement
> where the kids can move in their own way to teacher suggestions. Many
> ballet studios offer creative movement, also. I'd suggest watching a
> class first or letting your daughter take a trial class and see how she
> likes it. When she turns 8 or 10, and still wants to study dance
> that's when you can search out a professional ballet/dance studio.
>
> Good luck! Wini
>
> _____________________________________
> WINIFRED HAUN & DANCERS
> 4225 N. Oakley
> Chicago, IL 60618
>
> 773-583-2995
>
> http://www.mcs.com/~wini/
> ______________________________________
>
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