Your Pre-Barre Sequence Is More Important Than You Think
Your pre-barre warm-up isn't just about getting the snaps and pops out of the way. You can use this time to really target some of the most c
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Geek Out, Don't Freak Out
The answer is out there somewhere--I just haven't found it yet
Sep 193 min read
When to Diversify Styles in Ballet Training
There are many wonderful training systems in the ballet world. One question that I often hear is, "When should we start introducing other
Sep 122 min read
Effective Ballet Teacher Training Meetings
Teacher trainings are an important part of a well-organized ballet program. This sample agenda will help you plan meetings that are short...
Aug 292 min read
Barre is Not the Most Important Part of Ballet Class
Barre work is helpful, but NOT the most important part of class. It comes first, but the work we do later has a much bigger impact on whole-
Aug 222 min read
Core Strength > Turnout in Ballet
Everyone wants flat turnout. Never mind that the huge majority of us are never going to safely attain it (although most of us can get close
Aug 152 min read
Simplifying Your To-Do List in Ballet Class
We've all been there. You're evaluating your teaching and the list of things you want to improve keeps getting longer and longer and longer
Aug 22 min read
Clarity in Ballet Technique--Pirouette, part 3
Do you teach pirouette in cou-de-pied? Ever? Before pirouette in retiré? After? Why? One very commonly needed correction in pirouette is to
Jul 253 min read
Clarity in Ballet Technique--Pirouette, part 2
Progressing pirouette includes what foot position you are starting from and finishing in. Here is a logical progression--although there are
Jul 112 min read
But We Really Want to Learn _____ in Ballet Class!!
We've all heard. It there is some step that dancers really want to learn and you know they aren't ready for it. So what do you do?
Jun 203 min read
When it Feels Like All You Do is Run Out of Time
Do you ever feel like your class is behind? Of course you do--we all do. But "behind" requires us to compare our class with someone else's
Jun 132 min read
Teaching Steps v. Concepts in Ballet Class
Most ballet teachers cover the steps. But a top-quality ballet education needs to include steps and concepts--and not all
May 163 min read
What to Do When Your Students Finish the Year's Curriculum Before the End of the Year
Two different lesson plan models to help you best prioritize what you want to teach and what will best connect with your students.
May 96 min read
Transforming Ballet Combinations from Drills to Dancing
Some teachers are really gifted at creating combinations that feel like choreography but also contain needed repetition. For the rest of us,
Apr 252 min read
Creating A Ballet Lesson Plan For Already-Exhausted Dancers
Three tips to help make ballet class more recuperative for when dancers need rest but are not in a position to stop, like the week of a show
Apr 112 min read
Geeky Ballerina curriculum FAQ 4
The Geeky Ballerina curriculum is full of tools to help make your teaching and student evaluations easier. The expectations to advance show
Apr 43 min read
How to Make Your Ballet Curriculum Work for You This Summer
Summer ballet is very different from regular-season dance classes. It tends to either be more intense (more hours per day, more days per...
Jan 273 min read
Geeky Ballerina curriculum FAQ 3
Q: My classes are shorter than the ideal class time listed in the curriculum How do I create lesson plans that work for my studio? A: Oh...
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