*Long Personal Story Alert* When I was in high school I literally danced as much as I could, everywhere I could. I knew I wanted to dance and I knew that, with my families income, I had to take advantage of what I could. When I decided to transition to dancing in a ballet company, I got a job at the local dance wear store for 3 hours a day in order to pay for the excessive amounts of pointe shoes I was going through. Every summer I would audition to attend various ballet conservatories across the US knowing that, if I didn't do well enough to get a scholarship, I wouldn't be able to go. Everything I wanted I had to work for and make the money for. I took nothing for granted and earned every class, every leotard, every opportunity.
My Junior year of high school I auditioned for the Governor's School for the Arts and got a full honors scholarship to attend. I wasn't a huge fan of my high school and spent every moment I had dancing anyway so, the opportunity to go away and study DANCE, with a little bit of other stuff on the side ;), was a dream come true.
I was placed in the Advanced level classes and was so humbled and thrilled and always ready to work my butt of to keep my advanced level placement among some of the best dancers I had ever danced with. I loved every moment, every class, every shin splint from dashing across campus to get to classes on time, every rehearsal, EVERYTHING.
During one rehearsal for a Modern piece I was placed in, the teacher stopped the music looked at me and said "I need to see you in my office after class". I have always been a little bit of a "goody two shoes" so any thought of being mildly in trouble scared me to death (still does). I had no idea what I did or what this could be about. As far as I knew I was doing everything correct and was working my butt off, I loved the piece and that teacher for that matter. When I got to her office that afternoon I was greeted by her and two other faculty members. The first thing that came out of her mouth was "do you not want to be here?"
WHAT??? I didn't want to be anywhere BUT HERE! What is this about?
All three instructors began to chime in about how my body language was disrespectful and how my facial expressions were as though I was bored and how I never engaged in discussion or acted interested in the class. They said if something didn't change I would be removed from the program. My head was spinning. What did body language and facial expressions and class engagement have to do with my dancing skills? They went on to say how much potential I had and how great I was improving but I was so thrown off by their first accusations that I couldn't even focus. I was holding back tears and having a mental freak out trying to figure out where I had gone wrong. The reality of how much I loved the school was being mis-read and now I could potentially be sent back home?! They each listed examples:
-standing with arms crossed and/or leaning against the barre while the instructor was speaking (I was just exhausted)
-listening with a "dead face" instead of alert eyes and relaxed smile (I have a RBF like you wouldn't believe)
-not ever asking questions or responding to group discussions (extremely shy and a little socially awkward)
-never showing any change in emotion when given new information (I was trying to be cool, duh)
-not being genuine when thanking the teacher at the end of class (honestly they intimidated me and I had like 2 minutes to get across campus for my next class)
Every single thing was unintentional on my end but obviously meant so much to them that it could have gotten me kicked out of a program that I was so honored to have received. It was a no brainer that I needed to adjust the way I was taking class. I needed to be more expressive and allow what was on the inside to show on the outside. I needed to express the gratitude, the appreciation, and my love for every experience to show. I had been so focused on just absorbing and learning I didn't even think about the most important thing- RESPECT for all that I was offered. I changed my ways immediately and the rest is history.
I shared that true story to express to you how important dance respect and classroom etiquette is. As my story shows, being a "polite" dancer is just as important as your actual dance talent. I was almost removed from a very prestigious dance program because of my "lack of dance respect".
In my current job I am lucky enough to get to teach dancers from across the country.
I will 100% agree that how the dancer acts in class towards the instructor is a direct indication of how much that dancer will succeed.
I also agree that etiquette should be taught and enforced, as much as we enforce good turn out, in class on a regular basis. In addition to the notes I received YEARS ago that still apply to today (especially the lean and arms crossed one, break that habit NOW), here are a few other things to change/fix/do NOW.
-Be attentive and present during awards. Don't bring your cell phone on stage during awards. Be attentive and congratulate those around you. Being on that stage with other people who share your passion is a gift of it's own.
-When the teacher asks a question, respond. Even if you are wrong. The classroom is about discovery and you can't make a discovery if you are right all the time, there would be nothing to actually discover. Always raise your hand, always participate.
-If you love something, say it. Teachers have feelings too and we love to know when we have done a good job just as much as you do. We pour our heart and souls into our students and often it puts us in a vulnerable place so reassure us that you "get what we are putting down" (if you know what I mean).
-If you don't love something, do it with love anyway. We are all united because we love to dance. That doesn't mean we love one type of dance. WE LOVE TO DANCE (period). You have to embrace newness and weirdness and get uncomfortable a lot to grow so, don't give your teacher half the effort if it's not that hot, sassy jazz that you love to do or some weird contemporary where you get to do that right tilt that you are amazing at. Do whatever it is with love because you love to dance. If you can't do it, ask and TRY. If you hate it, learn to love it. To love dance is to love ALL dance. I never met a one trick pony that made it in the real world of dance...never. (even if you have you have an amazing right tilt...)
-ALWAYS thank your teacher at the end of every class. Every teacher, every class, every studio. You are lucky for every opportunity where you get to learn. Be grateful and show gratitude to those who have given you a little piece of their passion. Hugs are also sometimes acceptable because, while we are spreading that attitude of gratitude, we might as well spread a little love too.
As you start your summer off with master classes, intensives, conventions, competitions, rehearsals, etc, please take some time to think about your RESPECT level and make some adjustments to how you take class in order to get even more out of it. Like little me in high school, it may not be how you are really feeling so put your feelings on the outside and show some RESPECT for the love of dance!
I am heading out to teach all over the US this summer, (still a few dates available). I would love to dance with you or hear your stories of what you are thankful for this summer. You can use the "Contact Me" tab on my website...let's get in touch!
Take Care of YOU, dancers,
Liz