A converstation with a collegue and a guest teacher currently working in London and teaching around England proved interesting this week. During observations at the college, the purpose of my inquiry led to the discussion that arose concerns of the poor technical attainment within certain dancers. This being due to the lack of technical attainment within Ballet. We agreed that the importance of Ballet within the course is the same of that for Body Conditioning as it supports the body for every dance style. We as dancers learn from a very young age how imperative a solid foundation, like that given though ballet lessons is for the success of technical attainment throughout a dancers career. This foundation can be critical for securing employment successfully, injury management and the correct alignment that ensures injury provention.
Not only experience tells me this, teachers and professionals from all over the globe would second the above statement. We hold a good foundation and continued practise to be of upmost importance within a dancers journey. Right through from vocational exams, training for a career in dance performance, and/or becoming a teacher, professor, an expert in their field. Laying down the foundations with correct body alignment can without a doubt make not break a dancers prospects and working longetivity.
This is interesting, as I have difficulty shifting my mind from ballet to contemporary. Articulating the spine and keeping the center of gravity low is hard for me, and their principles seem completely opposite...
ReplyDeleteEven so, I guess ballet is a good foundation for aesthetic lines and flow in movement quality. Within ballet, a good foundation is essential; I once heard someone talk of it as the sponge of a decoration cake.