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/MrsPlace22 Jul 04 '25

Adult ballet student here! I’ve been taking ballet classes for a year and a half. Prior to this, I’ve NEVER taken any dance classes. What I appreciate most about my classes is that my teacher gives us corrections and pushes us, but at the same time understands some of us have limitations (autoimmune diseases that come with chronic pain for example). She also doesn’t treat us like children (I had another teacher fill in for my ballet teacher once and she kept calling us “friend” and that drive me nuts and made me feel childish), while still having fun and laughing and smiling during class.

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u/Afraid-Ad9908 Jul 04 '25

lol at "friend." I've had some adult teachers who clearly also teach little little kids sometimes, and do not know how to code switch when they teach adults. It was uncomfortable.