by Katherine Bischof*
Every school I've gone to that had big recitals with fancy costumes, they weren't nearly as good at teaching ballet technique as the schools that didn't do all that showy stuff. It may be fun, but for some reason, the really good schools don't do that. (Of course there may be exceptions--I'm speaking generally) If they do have recitals, they wear modest costumes, like matching leotards and skirts or something. Also, you should be able to take no less than 3 ballet classes a week if you are serious about it. (If you want to go pro, I'd say even more).
A really good ballet school will concentrate more on ballet than any other dance form. Sure, jazz and tap may be offered, but they will have an abundance of ballet classes, and that will be their primary focus. I took ballet 6 days a week when I was in highschool, and after ballet was over, we did either jazz or modern. But ballet always came first.
A good teacher will be one who gives lots of corrections. She should always be picking on you to help you become a better dancer. I don't mean that she should be mean, but she shouldn't say you did good when you really weren't that good or when you did something all wrong. Honesty in a teacher is what will make you better. She should always be correcting your posture and turnout. She should demand precision for every step and position. She should stop the music and make the class do a step again if they're doing it wrong. You get the point. �
I hope I have given you some good advice, and something to think about.
* The author gives consent to anyone to wishes to copy this article.
