I taught my first ballet class on Tuesday. I had 14 students--double of what I was guessing would show up. I even had two little boys stay. At first I thought it was because they're not allowed to stay for any other evening programming because our age minimum is 9 and I said that I would take anyone 5 and up in my ballet class, but they were totally into it! When I was welcoming the class I told them that ballet takes discipline and one of the boys (who is 6 or 7) piped up "and dancing!" I almost lost it laughing. Teaching was tough in a small space and using folding chairs for a barre. I only got through stretching and half of my barre work in an hour and I had planned for stretching, barre work, steps across the floor, and choreography. The kids were excited and hard to wrangle in at some points. I'll have to tweak my plans for next week. Every day since Tuesday someone's asked me when ballet is next or showed me their positions or arabesque. Never did I ever think I'd be teaching a ballet class, but I'm looking forward to next class as much as the kids!
AuthorMy people understand that you children are sacred. You are precious. You are our future. -Wallace Black Elk, Lakota spiritual leader ArchivesCategories |