Dance class in a typical dance school is not about learning routines. It is learning the HOW. Technique, posture, training the muscles, learning to use space and how to coordinate with others, come way before the routines should be taught. One learns how to dance first. Students train the muscles and the brain. So much so, that later they can dance with expression while having all the rest applied automatically. The beginning of the season is just as important as the end. It takes commitment and regular attendance. And yes, it takes years. This is where the rewards are felt.
Same as any sport, if a person jumps into a class of trained dancers, they will feel uncomfortable and not be able to keep up. Entering a class level that is more than the dancer has trained for will get bad results, no matter how much the dancer “tries” because they will not have instant use of the muscles in the correct form. Anyone can learn to dance and memorize steps. A dancer learns the HOW!
A dancer trains to apply the correct form for that style of dance. Ballet, Jazz, Hip Hop all use the body in different manners. This takes practice, commitment, and regular attendance to class.
When a teacher comes into class and immediately teaches routines, they are doing a disservice to the student (your child). Would you want your child to be put into a Baseball or Basketball game without practice, or without first learning how to hold a bat, or how to dribble the ball? The answer is no. Not only would they have a difficult time, but it would lead to injuries.
Dance class is much more than learning steps. It is a progression of learning HOW to dance. Shows and routines are the reward for all the hard work leading up to it. Begin from the beginning, not the end.
Same as any sport, if a person jumps into a class of trained dancers, they will feel uncomfortable and not be able to keep up. Entering a class level that is more than the dancer has trained for will get bad results, no matter how much the dancer “tries” because they will not have instant use of the muscles in the correct form. Anyone can learn to dance and memorize steps. A dancer learns the HOW!
A dancer trains to apply the correct form for that style of dance. Ballet, Jazz, Hip Hop all use the body in different manners. This takes practice, commitment, and regular attendance to class.
When a teacher comes into class and immediately teaches routines, they are doing a disservice to the student (your child). Would you want your child to be put into a Baseball or Basketball game without practice, or without first learning how to hold a bat, or how to dribble the ball? The answer is no. Not only would they have a difficult time, but it would lead to injuries.
Dance class is much more than learning steps. It is a progression of learning HOW to dance. Shows and routines are the reward for all the hard work leading up to it. Begin from the beginning, not the end.
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