Comments on: Strengths and Weaknesses http://danceadvantage.net/2008/08/16/strengths-and-weaknesses/ Giving students, teachers, and parents an edge in dance education Wed, 17 Mar 2010 19:50:58 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: danceadvantage http://danceadvantage.net/2008/08/16/strengths-and-weaknesses/comment-page-1/#comment-75 danceadvantage Sun, 07 Sep 2008 21:42:05 +0000 http://danceadvantage.wordpress.com/?p=222#comment-75 I am really surprised that anyone would leave class after a warm-up like that. Particularly if they've paid for the class! How else would one improve in learning and executing choreography without doing it? It is one thing if you are injured and let the instructor know that you plan to sit out. I have witnessed on occasion, in an elective college class situation, people sitting out when things got tough and the teacher almost always got frustrated with these people. There is a sense that it's kind of rude and I think most teachers would be less likely to spend time helping or correcting a person that did this frequently. I think you are quite right that in general most people are focusing more on themselves to bother critiquing others. Sadly, that's not always the case with young dancers for whom dance class is more social than educational. I believe teachers and other students have every right to expect a more mature attitude from these dancers, though. I get annoyed when adults excuse poor focus or bad behavior because "kids will be kids." Kids are capable of more than we give them credit for usually. I am really surprised that anyone would leave class after a warm-up like that. Particularly if they’ve paid for the class! How else would one improve in learning and executing choreography without doing it? It is one thing if you are injured and let the instructor know that you plan to sit out. I have witnessed on occasion, in an elective college class situation, people sitting out when things got tough and the teacher almost always got frustrated with these people. There is a sense that it’s kind of rude and I think most teachers would be less likely to spend time helping or correcting a person that did this frequently.

I think you are quite right that in general most people are focusing more on themselves to bother critiquing others. Sadly, that’s not always the case with young dancers for whom dance class is more social than educational. I believe teachers and other students have every right to expect a more mature attitude from these dancers, though. I get annoyed when adults excuse poor focus or bad behavior because “kids will be kids.” Kids are capable of more than we give them credit for usually.

]]> By: Maria http://danceadvantage.net/2008/08/16/strengths-and-weaknesses/comment-page-1/#comment-73 Maria Sun, 07 Sep 2008 16:51:37 +0000 http://danceadvantage.wordpress.com/?p=222#comment-73 Very good reminders. I am always surprised at how many people I see leaving classes after the warmup. They'll tell you they just come for the warmup but the choreography is too hard. Or they'll leave after trying the choreography and not getting it perfect the first time. One thing I'll say for myself is that I'm aware I have many limitations but you can be sure I'll stick around till the end of class. Better to do the choreography badly than not at all; and if I keep coming back my weaknesses always improve. I think people are too consumed with worrying about how the other dancers see them. The fact of the matter is that we are usually all so busy paying attention to ourselves, we rarely have time to give a critical eye to those around us. Very good reminders.
I am always surprised at how many people I see leaving classes after the warmup. They’ll tell you they just come for the warmup but the choreography is too hard. Or they’ll leave after trying the choreography and not getting it perfect the first time. One thing I’ll say for myself is that I’m aware I have many limitations but you can be sure I’ll stick around till the end of class. Better to do the choreography badly than not at all; and if I keep coming back my weaknesses always improve.

I think people are too consumed with worrying about how the other dancers see them. The fact of the matter is that we are usually all so busy paying attention to ourselves, we rarely have time to give a critical eye to those around us.

]]> By: Dianne http://danceadvantage.net/2008/08/16/strengths-and-weaknesses/comment-page-1/#comment-76 Dianne Wed, 03 Sep 2008 23:54:23 +0000 http://danceadvantage.wordpress.com/?p=222#comment-76 A richly loaded article! Dance is a lifetime of pushing for more it seems. The balance of "not good enough" which keeps us improving, and recognizing "it's a little better!" is a constant juggle. A richly loaded article! Dance is a lifetime of pushing for more it seems. The balance of “not good enough” which keeps us improving, and recognizing “it’s a little better!” is a constant juggle.

]]> By: Negativity « Dance Advantage http://danceadvantage.net/2008/08/16/strengths-and-weaknesses/comment-page-1/#comment-74 Negativity « Dance Advantage Sun, 17 Aug 2008 18:12:49 +0000 http://danceadvantage.wordpress.com/?p=222#comment-74 [...] afraid of something new, something untried, and of not being good enough at what you do try. Your strengths can and will shine more brightly than any weaknesses if you allow them. This is a lesson I think every dancer has to learn, myself included. In fact, [...] [...] afraid of something new, something untried, and of not being good enough at what you do try. Your strengths can and will shine more brightly than any weaknesses if you allow them. This is a lesson I think every dancer has to learn, myself included. In fact, [...]

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