10 Lessons from Ballet

I teach ballet. It's something I enjoy doing, but also something I hope my student will reap from. These are 10 things I hope my students will learn from dance.

1. Confidence: I've seen students struggle with this. They look at the floor and try not to be seen. I love to see them grow in confidence as they begin to learn and understand. This semester, I have seen a sweet girl grow and become more confident in ballet. It makes me proud. Having confidence will help in life whether it's a book report, a speech, or a job interview.

2. Determination: "That's hard!" I've heard them say it so many times. Yes, it is difficult. Ballet is hard work, but with focus, practice, and determination it'll come. I have so many smart kids in my class, and they usually catch on quickly. Ballet is hard, but also enjoyable. It's good for them to learn to work hard and enjoy something at the same time.

3. Self discipline: Contrary to many little ballerina's ideas of ballet, ballet is structured and disciplined. It takes much self control. We've all dreamed of flying through the air and doing multiple twirls on end, but it takes much practice to get there. One of my students told me that it's hard for her to do ballet because she's so wild. I love her energy, but in ballet that energy needs to be channeled  in a different way. I hope my students will learn self discipline through ballet.

4. Be responsible: Keeping track of ballet shoes, tights, and leotards can be hard. The older kids are usually very responsible, but some of my younger ballerinas are still getting the hang of always making sure they have everything.

5. Memory: Ballet consists of many weird French words, and many dance movements. Remembering exercises, dances, French words, and movements. . . .  it takes a lot of memory for the young ballerina's brain. I love that my ballerinas are generally ready to learn and have excellent memories. They've stared learning their dance, and I love to see how quickly they remember and recall what they have learned.

6. Music: As I mentioned before I have many smart kids in my class. When they know the combination well, they rush. Instead of learning to stay with the music, they speed through the combination. Nevertheless, I'm proud they know the combination so well. I also hope they learn to appreciate classical ballet music because it really is beautiful.

7. Gracefulness: Parents everywhere are putting their clumsy kids in ballet in hopes they will become graceful. I've actually found that ballerinas are prone to trip more because they are taught to never look down. Anyway, I do hope my students will learn posture and poise. I hope they'll learn to hold their shoulders back, head up, and walk with grace (and hopefully pointed toes, too).

8. Encouragement: There's nothing wrong with a bit of friendly competition, but I hope that my students will learn to encourage each other. There are days they get on each other's nerves, so this is always a work in progress. However, I've watched them help each other learn. I've watched them build each other up. There's nothing more encouraging to a teacher than seeing that.

9. Working with others: I occasionally have the kids get a partner and have them work together on a movement we are learning. This helps them encourage their classmates, as well as learn to be patient with each other. Another thing I learned from my own ballet teacher is to divide the kids up into two groups to watch each other perform the dance they are learning. Afterwards, they are supposed to tell each other 2-3 things they did well and 2-3 things they can perfect.

10. They're beautiful: I want my ballerinas to feel beautiful. They are made in the image of God and every single one of them is gorgeous. When performance day comes, I hope they feel pretty in their tutu, confident with their dance, and thankful to God for giving them the ability to leap across the stage.