I was just asked today to write a short piece for Dance Teacher magazine, and I’d love to get some input from my readers! I’ve done research on this topic before, but I want to hear from you.
Here are my two questions: What got your son interested in dance, and what keeps him interested? As for the second question, I’m interested in knowing what classes he likes the most, what teachers are doing that make class fun for him, what excites him about certain classes, etc. What is it that a particular studio or teacher does that keeps your son going back for more!
The magazine is looking for tips for teachers on how to get those boys into dance class and keep them there. Help me help them!
But do it ASAP. I have to have the story written by next Friday.
Leave your comments here, please.
That’s great! Looking forward to the article. My thoughts on this were pretty much included in my Encouraging Boys to Dance post. I can’t speak of course in terms of a parent but these were things I saw as a teacher. Best of luck with the article!
Hi, Nina–
I probably missed your deadline, but here are some thoughts.
My son started dancing at 5 when we went to the ballet studio together–me for adult ballet, he for creative movement. I always thought he liked to move to music, and he took to the studio right away. At 7, he began dancing with a male teacher–good modeling for boys–and was a cherub in the Nutcracker. He also explored mime and flute and, later, theater. As a single mom, I made sure he was involved in other activities: scouts, basketball, baseball. This was a source of conflict with a later ballet teacher, but I think it has made him well-rounded and less injury prone.
He decided at 16 late (for ballet) to pursue it full-out and try to become a professional, and at 29, he is still performing as a free-lance dancer, has traveled to Europe and Japan (and Canada) and still comes home to watch local baseball games or perform in the Nutcracker with his old studio once in a while.
What meant most to him at your son’s age was consistency and artistic discipline as well as the opportunity to perform. Here in our small town (Fairbanks) it’s possible to find a nurturing community in the dance studio and still reach a high level of technical performance.
Hope this is useful!
–Cindy
Hi Nina, I also probably missed your deadline but I wanted to find out if you could contact me offline. I would love for you to talk to my son’s ballet instructors. His studio offers scholarships to all boys in all classes in the Lower Division, plus they have a special boys-only class taught by a Bolshoi-trained male dancer. The AD is really dedicated to attracting (and keeping) boys in ballet. Thanks! ~Karmela