Washington Ballet?

[Anonymous]

Anyone else have children in the program?

I often wonder if it's too intense for my 12, soon to be 13 year old.

She LOVES dance... but it takes so much of her time.

She have school from 8-3, stays there and does homework until 5:30 and then goes to ballet from 6-8:30. She only has one school day off (not Friday) and she has Sunday off.

And she's doing summer intensive this summer which lasts for five weeks (June-July).

I feel like it's sucking her life away and was wondering if anyone had any other thoughts on the program?

Or if anyone had suggestions for a less stressful program? (Maybe more weekend courses and fewer week hours?)

[Anonymous]

Wow. I worry about this for my own child's future. She's in level 1 at the Washington Ballet, so her classes are just 2 days/week. But in performance season, as you know, she sometimes has extra rehearsals 2x/week, which is a lot for someone in second grade. She LOVED performing in the Nutcracker and never complains about rehearsing or class, but it really adds up.

At some point, I suppose you start to wonder if it's all worth it. Does your child really want to be a professional dancer? Does she have the talent, the ambition, and the physical strength for it? And even if you and your child can answer "yes" to all of these questions, shouldn't there be time in a young child or teen's life for trying a new activity and for just hanging out?

Also, I know that a lot of the older children do the summer intensive, but isn't it optional? It's probably too late to back out now, but next year how about taking advantage of the opportunity to let her relax or try a new, non-dance-related activity? It can't be good for a growing body to have so few breaks from a repetitive activity like ballet.

In sympathy!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It can't be good for a growing body to have so few breaks from a repetitive activity like ballet.

Sure it can: if the goal is to identify, develop and cultivate world class ballet dancers. What makes you think ballet is any different from, say, basketball in this manner?

If these athletes are to be captured and tracked for the ultimate success in their field they need to be identified young. This is in order to receive the optimal training during their growth years, so as to maximize their performance ability during their peak years. Yes - they need to be instructed daily. And yes - they need to consciously CHOOSE to pursue this path. And further yes - it may eliminate other opportunities. Economists call this "opportunity cost."

When Shaquille O'Neal chose to pursue basketball in a truly dedicated fashion back in high school, it was also a choice against debate team, chess club, marching band, and drama club.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It can't be good for a growing body to have so few breaks from a repetitive activity like ballet.

Sure it can: if the goal is to identify, develop and cultivate world class ballet dancers. What makes you think ballet is any different from, say, basketball in this manner?

If these athletes are to be captured and tracked for the ultimate success in their field they need to be identified young. This is in order to receive the optimal training during their growth years, so as to maximize their performance ability during their peak years. Yes - they need to be instructed daily. And yes - they need to consciously CHOOSE to pursue this path. And further yes - it may eliminate other opportunities. Economists call this "opportunity cost."

When Shaquille O'Neal chose to pursue basketball in a truly dedicated fashion back in high school, it was also a choice against debate team, chess club, marching band, and drama club.

I'm agreeing, just suggesting that they'd be better described as "artists" rather than "athletes".

[Anonymous]

Ballet is hard on the body. I think the term athlete is appropriate. (And yes, it's artistic as well.)

[Anonymous]

It's not that difference from club soccer as far as days off (one or two). My son is 12.5, sometimes I wonder if the either/or of it is wise.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ballet is hard on the body. I think the term athlete is appropriate. (And yes, it's artistic as well.)

Agreed. It's artistic in its athleticism, but at base it is athletic.

Painters can paint at 50, at the top of their form. Sculptors can sculpt at 50, at the top of their form. Musicians can perform at 50, at the top of their form.

Dancers can dance at 50 the way coaches can play sports at 50 - in order to instruct other (younger) athletes: who are developing, or are already at, the top of their form.

[Anonymous]

I think calling it athletic devalues the artistic side. Yes, the physical challenges correspond, but it's reason for being is art, not sport. The depth comes from the art, not the physical exertion. That's how ballet differs from gymnastic floor exercises set to music.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think calling it athletic devalues the artistic side. Yes, the physical challenges correspond, but it's reason for being is art, not sport. The depth comes from the art, not the physical exertion. That's how ballet differs from gymnastic floor exercises set to music.

I see your point, and my intention is not to devalue the art of ballet. I am however, trying to make the distinction that ballet training requires the same sort of dedication as athletic training because an actual ballet career has a relatively short lifespan (as opposed to other artistic endeavors such as music, or visual arts). Hence the justification for intensive and demanding training in the teen years: the best students need to be captured young so that by the time they're, say 22 they can be on the stage performing.

Becoming a prima ballerina is not a path that lends itself easily to developing a well-rounded individual. Choosing to pursue ballet (however tightly woven the artistic and athletic elements) means forgoing many other opportunities.

[Anonymous]

I'd let your daughter take the lead here - does she love it and want to go? If so, and her grades are not suffering, why not. Being part of the Washington Ballet is an amazing life experience that she will carry with her always if it is a joy. I say take it year by year and live for the moment - especially if she is working hard and enjoying/gaining confidence from the experience.

[Anonymous]

Let your child choose. I was an ice skater as a child, skipping school to skate (by permission from school). I always wanted to do more -- to skate more, to enter competitions, to get more coaching and summer skate camp, but my parents said no (no idea why, don't think it was a money thing but more of not wanting me to be overwhelemed), and I regret that.

In general, in my life, I would say that my parents protected me from adversity in school and sports. When I ran into problems or was taking tough courses and studying a lot they clucked instead of admiring. In the long run that was damaging to me and left me with a low self-esteem. If my parents thought I couldn't/wouldn't/shouldn't then it made me question my own drives. This is still a struggle for me as an adult.

[Anonymous]

I agree with PP that it should be up to your daughter. If she's genuinely interested and up for it, why not give her the chance to try it out. If and when it turns out to be too much for her, she'll be the one to tone it down.

I was an aspiring ballerina at that age too, and very devoted. Joined a small regional ballet company as a "junior" member of the corps and spent enormous amounts of time and energy on ballet. By the time I was 14, it was clear to me that I was never going to be good enough to make a life out of it and that it was no longer worth giving up all of the "normal" aspects of teenage life that I was missing. So I left the company and toned down my ballet involvement more to the hobby level, continuing to dance until I gradually gave it up in college.

I don't regret the years spent in intense training, nor do I regret bowing out when I did. I'm most grateful that my parents supported me when I was going all out and gave me the opportunity to have that experience and put myself to the test. They were a little sad when I "quit" but also supportive of that choice.

[Anonymous]

I hope my DD has that sort of passion for something at that age. I was very involved in musical theatre as a child/teen. I spent every waking moment outside of school taking classes or performing. I don't regret it for a second. Also, I've found that the poise and comfort in performing it gave me has served me well as an adult.

I would also point out that the experts say that girls who are involved in activities are less likely to become pregnant as teens, get into trouble, etc. She'll likely tell you if or when it gets to be too much.

[Anonymous]

I posted earlier about club soccer ... I do think if a child is happy, if his/her grades are good and if there are no competing interests tugging at his/her heart strings that it would make sense to continue. Club soccer has enriched our lives, it gives my son structure and purpose. Soccer is his passion. His goal, which he articulated the other day, is to keep playing for as long as he can. I look around at his friends who do not have a passion and wonder what they do with their free time ... Some end up at the darn mall. I am so grateful my son's on the pitch four days a week. Also, from what I understand ages 13 - 14 tend to be the commitment years for such things. If your daugher's enthusiasm starts to waiver, listen up and reassess.