r/BALLET • u/MinaHarker1 Ballet Mistress • Jul 04 '25

Constructive Criticism Question for Recreational Adult Dancers

Hi all! I’ve been teaching ballet to kids and teens for many years now, but this summer, I just started teaching my first adult ballet class. Most of my adult students are beginners. My question for the adult recreational dancers on this sub is this: what words of advice do you have for me? What do you wish the wider dance world knew/understood/appreciated about adult rec dancers? Thank you!

Edit: thank you all for the very helpful feedback! I will keep these things in mind with my adult dancers.

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u/FunDivertissement Jul 04 '25 edited Jul 04 '25

I think many teachers assume that adult ballet students are only there for exercise. But many are there to learn ballet, and they want corrections, and they want to improve technically. Yes, many have some sort of body issues or limitations. Ask to be made aware of them so you will know Jane isn't doing grand plies out of disinterest, but because her knees are hurting, etc. One petit allegro combo per class is enough. Try to include one feel good, dancy exercise in each class, so everyone gets to "feel like a ballerina".

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u/MinaHarker1 Ballet Mistress Jul 04 '25

Thanks for the feedback! That’s a very important insights about adults sometimes not fully executing steps not out of disinterest, but rather physical limitations (and that actually applies to kids and teens, too!)

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u/biologynerd3 Jul 05 '25

As an adult returner, I would also say not to assume that your class has physical limitations as a whole. I used to take adult classes where we just did not jump because it was assumed (maybe fairly) that people did not want to or could not jump. It was a huge bummer for me because petit allegro is my favorite! So be aware of the possibility of physical limitations but don’t assume that your class isn’t capable of doing everything if properly worked up to it. 

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u/Pennwisedom Old Ballet Man / Bournonville Jul 05 '25

As someone who wishes class would be 50% grand allegro I would hate that.

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u/daquinton Jul 04 '25

On the other hand, if, for example, I'm not fully stretching at the knee, don't assume it's because I'm physically limited just because I'm older. Offer the physical correction then work with me to figure out how my body can get there.

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u/twinnedcalcite Jul 04 '25

I was recovering from meniscus surgery and I needed the left leg to be physically put into place so I could connect the motion and placement. The nerve was damaged so there was manual programing needed.

It's the same for pointe. My teacher knows that she may need to physically adjust things because the muscles are not understanding the instruction.

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u/taytay237 Jul 04 '25

Yes! I hate it being assumed I’m only there for the exercise and don’t want corrections.

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u/witchincamaro Jul 04 '25

One of my beginning teachers I first had always included just some arm port de bras in center. Which as a beginner I really enjoyed and made us feel like dancers because we didn’t have to focus on the feet too and it felt nice and more accessible and pretty! We loved it🥹🧚🏼‍♀️