Washington Ballet Problem Teacher?

[Anonymous]

I'm very surprised! TWSB is one of the best schools in the area, you'd figure they could afford to be pickier.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OMG, PP here again, that is most definitely her. I know she teaches at another school/ schools in the area (Ballet Nova maybe?), and she pulled the same crap when she started teaching Level 2 at TWSB two or so years ago. Many parents complained, and lots of kids left. You would think that leadership might take notice, especially since TWSB funds the company, but no. That teacher has some Mariinsky connections that got a few TSWB students to perform with them in minor roles at the KC a couple of years ago, so I guess that makes her too valuable. (She actually only ever danced in regional former Soviet Union companies, nothing particularly impressive.)

Yup, that's her, sadly. We're at BalletNova. My DD got through the year but there were definitely days with tears and stomach aches from nerves. DD didn't want to leave her friends so we stuck it out but it was hard to take. I'm reminded now too that DD said she used to pinch the kids with her long fingernails to correct their posture (found this out afterward... that would have been the last straw). Sounds like it's a silver lining that it's all online this year so she has an audience...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm very surprised! TWSB is one of the best schools in the area, you'd figure they could afford to be pickier.

It's ballet. Her attitude is a feature not a bug.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OMG, PP here again, that is most definitely her. I know she teaches at another school/ schools in the area (Ballet Nova maybe?), and she pulled the same crap when she started teaching Level 2 at TWSB two or so years ago. Many parents complained, and lots of kids left. You would think that leadership might take notice, especially since TWSB funds the company, but no. That teacher has some Mariinsky connections that got a few TSWB students to perform with them in minor roles at the KC a couple of years ago, so I guess that makes her too valuable. (She actually only ever danced in regional former Soviet Union companies, nothing particularly impressive.)

Yup, that's her, sadly. We're at BalletNova. My DD got through the year but there were definitely days with tears and stomach aches from nerves. DD didn't want to leave her friends so we stuck it out but it was hard to take. I'm reminded now too that DD said she used to pinch the kids with her long fingernails to correct their posture (found this out afterward... that would have been the last straw). Sounds like it's a silver lining that it's all online this year so she has an audience...

Yes, I keep telling my daughter that this is one of the few positives of the pandemic, other than reduced traffic. 😉 If you are on the X track at TWSB, you cannot avoid her in Level 2. So glad I can listen in on this, though I actually have better things to do, and that she has to keep her nails off kids this year.

I’m glad your daughter made it through. I hope she’s enjoying ballet again. It really shouldn’t have to be like that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm very surprised! TWSB is one of the best schools in the area, you'd figure they could afford to be pickier.

It's ballet. Her attitude is a feature not a bug.

No, but this woman is something altogether different. Hadn’t quite processed the stuff she was put through to end up dancing in some regional company. Joe takes it out on tween girls. Not cool.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm very surprised! TWSB is one of the best schools in the area, you'd figure they could afford to be pickier.

It used to be. Mismanaged for years, but that’s a whole new topic. Sadly, not many good options in the area at a truly professional level. They would not get away with this for long in NYC. And believe me, that mariinsky link has kept her there. I’ve seen her work her snake-like charms on Julie Kent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm very surprised! TWSB is one of the best schools in the area, you'd figure they could afford to be pickier.

It's ballet. Her attitude is a feature not a bug.

No, but this woman is something altogether different. Hadn’t quite processed the stuff she was put through to end up dancing in some regional company. Joe takes it out on tween girls. Not cool.

*Now*

Not Joe. We love Joe.

[Anonymous]

1B also has a problem teacher. Makes kids force their turnouts and other things that will definitely cause injuries. I think she's new. I think maybe this is the case in every level and we got unlucky this year. I will make sure to try and avoid this level 2 teacher everyone is talking about next year if we can!!

[Anonymous]

This is what ballet training at a real ballet school is like. If you just want your daughter to have a pleasant experience, downgrade her to a different, less professional school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:PP again. If we're talking about the same teacher, this is her style, nothing to do with online. I find that she's actually softer online, probably because she's aware that parents are listening in. Many TWSB kids drop out at/ after Level 2..

It sounds like her job is to begin separating the wheat from the shaft. You may be the consumer,; but they are in charge.

No snark, but I believe the phrase you mean is 'separating the wheat from the chaff.'

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is what ballet training at a real ballet school is like. If you just want your daughter to have a pleasant experience, downgrade her to a different, less professional school.

...or switch to a solid commercial style dance school. Most will have a good ballet training. There are plenty in the area. Many of which are open in person.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is what ballet training at a real ballet school is like. If you just want your daughter to have a pleasant experience, downgrade her to a different, less professional school.

Well, my kid is actually also attending a school in NYC virtually this year. I know what professional training looks like and what it can produce without resorting to this pedagogical style.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is what ballet training at a real ballet school is like. If you just want your daughter to have a pleasant experience, downgrade her to a different, less professional school.

...or switch to a solid commercial style dance school. Most will have a good ballet training. There are plenty in the area. Many of which are open in person.

I'm sorry, but unless you've actually experienced this woman, you have no idea. I'm not the OP, and my kid is actually doing well with her and gets good attention (my office is right next door, so I can't help but overhear), so she will get through this just fine, but her style irks me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: 1B also has a problem teacher. Makes kids force their turnouts and other things that will definitely cause injuries. I think she's new. I think maybe this is the case in every level and we got unlucky this year. I will make sure to try and avoid this level 2 teacher everyone is talking about next year if we can!!

hmm, I wonder who that is. PB3 through to 1B used to be the solid years with teachers with several years under their belt. You cannot avoid that Level 2 teacher if your kid is in 2X. She actually taught all of the Level 2 classes for the past two years, now it's only 2X.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: 1B also has a problem teacher. Makes kids force their turnouts and other things that will definitely cause injuries. I think she's new. I think maybe this is the case in every level and we got unlucky this year. I will make sure to try and avoid this level 2 teacher everyone is talking about next year if we can!!

hmm, I wonder who that is. PB3 through to 1B used to be the solid years with teachers with several years under their belt. You cannot avoid that Level 2 teacher if your kid is in 2X. She actually taught all of the Level 2 classes for the past two years, now it's only 2X.

Edmond. Are you familiar with her? She doesn't have much of a footprint online since I was curious how many years of teachings she's had. My daughter has already been injured from one class where she was made to force her turnout so much her hip popped.

And yes, I agree, we've had very good experiences with teachers of PB3 and 1A. They were excellent.