Dance Class Etiquette...
Here are a few standard rules of dance class etiquetteto help keep you on track:
Whenever possible arriveearly to class and stretchindependently. This is your time to warm up any areas of chronic pain andto prepare yourself for the business of dance class. Use this time toswitch your focus from your daily concerns and prepare your body and mind forthe rigors of class.
Demonstrate respect for the instructor andaccompanist by standing as he/she enters theroom. For ballet class, assume your position at the barre. Standcenter floor for jazz, tap, modern and contemporary styles. It istypically fine to verbally greet the teacher and musician; however, keep itbrief. This is their time to center their thoughts on goals for the classand to communicate these plans with each other. If the instructor andmusician are already in the room when you arrive, be certain to stand (prepare)at the instructor’s first mention of beginning class.
It is customary to briefly inform the instructor of any injuriesthat prevent you from dancing full out during class time.
Be on time. Punctuality is paramount to your success in a class. The best advice forlatecomers is to not enter class. However, if you find an instructor ispatient with slight tardiness (no more than 5 minutes) you should wait at thedoorway to see if the instructor makes eye contact with you. If yes;kindly ask if you may be allowed to join the class. If granted permissionto enter, say ‘thank-you’ then quickly and silently assume an open position atthe barre or center floor, depending on the class format. Apologize toboth the instructor and the musician after class.
Adhere to dress codein footwear, clothing, and hair. Above all, appropriately support andcover your body. Nobody enjoys seeing more than we should of students andclassmates during class time. Also realize dance clothes are fitted so thatalignment and technique may be appropriately assessed and corrected. Becertain to remove all jewelry; it hurts having an earring pulled through itshole or to be scratched across the face by someone’s ring.
Wear deodorantand, when possible, come to class freshly showered.
Silence your mobile phone and do not ever text or take a call during class time.
Be quiet duringclass. There are generally moments of conversation during class. The general rule is that any conversation is initiated by the instructor.
Hold your placement throughout the class and allow your body the necessary time to rehearse its bestalignment. Instructors format class to help your body warm up and align in aparticular sequence. Slumping between center floor or the barre exerciseswill undo much of the progress you make during class time.
Center exercises and progressions are primeterritory for lost class time. Payattention so you know when to switch lines orwhen it’s your turn to feed into an across the floor sequence. Manyinstructors have zero tolerance for students who fail to keep up with thisresponsibility.
Listen and try toapply to every specific and general correction during class time.
Individual corrections are positive attention fromyour teacher. No matter howfrustrated you may become, a simple ‘thank-you’ when the correction is given isalways appreciated. Immediately try to apply the correction so theinstructor may give additional guidance. A correction should only need tobe given once, however mastering it may take longer. An experiencedinstructor can discern if you are trying to apply the correction. Maintaining a corrections journal helps many dancers organize their long termgoals for specific classes.
Instruments are to be kept free of any debris andshould never be used as physical support for the dancer. Be sure you do not ever place anything on top of a piano,drum set or other instrument. And yes;that includes your elbow.
Always dance port de bras full out, even when marking the rest of the movement.
Remain in your role asa student during class time. No matter how comfortable you feel with yourclassmates, do not offer corrections to them.
Do not take pictures or video during class timewithout the expressed permission of theteacher and students in the class. And; likewise, do not ever post classvideo or pictures to any social media site without first getting permissionfrom the instructor, musician, and classmates.
Acknowledge the musician and instructor followingrévérence by applauding as a group and shakinghands or verbally thanking both the musician and instructor before yourdeparture from the classroom.
Feel free to approach the instructor and/oraccompanist after class regarding additionalclarification or advice, but realize that he/she is probably on a schedule andvery likely off to teach another class. Ask the instructor for anappropriate time to meet.
Following these basic rules of classroom etiquettewill help maximize your artistic and technical growth during class. Individual instructors are likely to have additional guidelines for theirclass. If you are ever unsure about what to do, ask the instructor (afterclass).
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