Comments on: Why I love my daughter’s dance class http://www.feministe.us/blog/archives/2007/11/30/why-i-love-my-daughters-dance-class/ In defense of the sanctimonious women's studies set. Fri, 10 Feb 2012 13:58:43 +0000 hourly 1 By: Tina Anderson http://www.feministe.us/blog/archives/2007/11/30/why-i-love-my-daughters-dance-class/#comment-160252 Tina Anderson Thu, 27 Mar 2008 20:21:38 +0000 http://www.feministe.us/blog/archives/2007/11/30/why-i-love-my-daughters-dance-class/#comment-160252 I loved reading that. I have been dancing all of my life and I can really relate to your daughter. I like the last line of your post too, you love it because it makes her happy. I loved reading that. I have been dancing all of my life and I can really relate to your daughter. I like the last line of your post too, you love it because it makes her happy.

]]> By: brainiac9 http://www.feministe.us/blog/archives/2007/11/30/why-i-love-my-daughters-dance-class/#comment-140044 brainiac9 Mon, 03 Dec 2007 04:15:20 +0000 http://www.feministe.us/blog/archives/2007/11/30/why-i-love-my-daughters-dance-class/#comment-140044 It's great to hear that there are so many people out there who have had positive experiences with dance schools. I started dancing at age three, and I think since then there have been only three or four years during which I haven't been taking formal lessons. However, my experiences with ballet class when I was 7-9 yrs old were horrific. My best friend was in the class with me, and I remember my teacher berating her for being too fat - we were in fourth grade. The final straw was when she pulled me in front of the class one day and had me do part of a routine, then asked my classmates to list off what I had done wrong until I was in tears. Ballet can be a great experience when done right, but it can also be hellish. It’s great to hear that there are so many people out there who have had positive experiences with dance schools. I started dancing at age three, and I think since then there have been only three or four years during which I haven’t been taking formal lessons. However, my experiences with ballet class when I was 7-9 yrs old were horrific. My best friend was in the class with me, and I remember my teacher berating her for being too fat – we were in fourth grade. The final straw was when she pulled me in front of the class one day and had me do part of a routine, then asked my classmates to list off what I had done wrong until I was in tears. Ballet can be a great experience when done right, but it can also be hellish.

]]> By: Gabbi http://www.feministe.us/blog/archives/2007/11/30/why-i-love-my-daughters-dance-class/#comment-140000 Gabbi Sun, 02 Dec 2007 22:57:47 +0000 http://www.feministe.us/blog/archives/2007/11/30/why-i-love-my-daughters-dance-class/#comment-140000 Sounds like my ballet school. Every year there was "parents day" and the parents would come into the class to watch us. Our uniform was strict (black leotard, pink tights). When we got to a certain level we had actual recitals on stage, but even then the costumes were plain (solid leotard with a matching skirt, not even a tutu). We were only allowed to begin pointe lessons after the age of 11 so that the shoes wouldn't deform our feet. Sounds like my ballet school. Every year there was “parents day” and the parents would come into the class to watch us. Our uniform was strict (black leotard, pink tights). When we got to a certain level we had actual recitals on stage, but even then the costumes were plain (solid leotard with a matching skirt, not even a tutu). We were only allowed to begin pointe lessons after the age of 11 so that the shoes wouldn’t deform our feet.

]]> By: The14thOpossum http://www.feministe.us/blog/archives/2007/11/30/why-i-love-my-daughters-dance-class/#comment-139894 The14thOpossum Sat, 01 Dec 2007 21:13:31 +0000 http://www.feministe.us/blog/archives/2007/11/30/why-i-love-my-daughters-dance-class/#comment-139894 ignore the last post :D ignore the last post :D

]]> By: Tip toes « Delve http://www.feministe.us/blog/archives/2007/11/30/why-i-love-my-daughters-dance-class/#comment-139886 Tip toes « Delve Sat, 01 Dec 2007 20:07:28 +0000 http://www.feministe.us/blog/archives/2007/11/30/why-i-love-my-daughters-dance-class/#comment-139886 [...] Why I love my daughter’s dance class  [...] [...] Why I love my daughter’s dance class  [...]

]]> By: The14thOpossum http://www.feministe.us/blog/archives/2007/11/30/why-i-love-my-daughters-dance-class/#comment-139879 The14thOpossum Sat, 01 Dec 2007 18:18:16 +0000 http://www.feministe.us/blog/archives/2007/11/30/why-i-love-my-daughters-dance-class/#comment-139879 Did I do something wrong? Before my comments went right thru and now one is waiting in moderation. I promise I'm not a troll :) Did I do something wrong? Before my comments went right thru and now one is waiting in moderation. I promise I’m not a troll :)

]]> By: The14thOpossum http://www.feministe.us/blog/archives/2007/11/30/why-i-love-my-daughters-dance-class/#comment-139878 The14thOpossum Sat, 01 Dec 2007 18:15:18 +0000 http://www.feministe.us/blog/archives/2007/11/30/why-i-love-my-daughters-dance-class/#comment-139878 Elizabeth- your concerts sound similar to what I'm planning on doing. No dress code, although I told the students to dress nicely ("No ripped jeans"-to quote myself :) ). I am allowing them to wear festive hats if they choose as well (Santa hats, reindeer hats, etc). The first concert (officially titled the "Dress Rehearsal") is going to be for the school community (other students, teachers, etc), but the second concert at each school is when the parents are invited. I understand this may cause stress for some of the kids involved, but it's necessary. It's the only opportunity for the parents to see what their kids are doing in music class. I have 700 students, so parent-teacher conferences aren't realistic. Without a chance to show the parents what the students have learned musically, they may deem music education unnecessary. Elizabeth- your concerts sound similar to what I’m planning on doing. No dress code, although I told the students to dress nicely (“No ripped jeans”-to quote myself :) ). I am allowing them to wear festive hats if they choose as well (Santa hats, reindeer hats, etc). The first concert (officially titled the “Dress Rehearsal”) is going to be for the school community (other students, teachers, etc), but the second concert at each school is when the parents are invited. I understand this may cause stress for some of the kids involved, but it’s necessary. It’s the only opportunity for the parents to see what their kids are doing in music class. I have 700 students, so parent-teacher conferences aren’t realistic. Without a chance to show the parents what the students have learned musically, they may deem music education unnecessary.

]]> By: Jay http://www.feministe.us/blog/archives/2007/11/30/why-i-love-my-daughters-dance-class/#comment-139870 Jay Sat, 01 Dec 2007 17:18:17 +0000 http://www.feministe.us/blog/archives/2007/11/30/why-i-love-my-daughters-dance-class/#comment-139870 My daughter's first experience with dance classes was a different school, one with a big-deal-fancy-costume-recital in the spring. She HATED it. At that age (4 turning 5), she found the idea of being on stage really scary and the process of being measured for costumes tedious - never mind that they started measuring in December for a June recital, and what four-year-old is the same size in June that she was in December? All the costumes, which cost upwards of $75.00 to start with, then had to be professionally altered because they were too small when they were delivered. She flat-out refused to go back after the winter break. But she loves to dance. At the moment, she's leaping around the living room to <em>Coppelia</em>, and I'm sure we'll be invited to be her audience after lunch. So I'm delighted that we've found a school that nurtures her love of dance and has helped her surmount her terror of performance, without providing another source of stress in my life. Sure, there are kids who thrive in different atmospheres. That's why there's chocolae and vanilla in the world - and a good thing, too. My daughter’s first experience with dance classes was a different school, one with a big-deal-fancy-costume-recital in the spring. She HATED it. At that age (4 turning 5), she found the idea of being on stage really scary and the process of being measured for costumes tedious – never mind that they started measuring in December for a June recital, and what four-year-old is the same size in June that she was in December? All the costumes, which cost upwards of $75.00 to start with, then had to be professionally altered because they were too small when they were delivered. She flat-out refused to go back after the winter break.

But she loves to dance. At the moment, she’s leaping around the living room to Coppelia, and I’m sure we’ll be invited to be her audience after lunch. So I’m delighted that we’ve found a school that nurtures her love of dance and has helped her surmount her terror of performance, without providing another source of stress in my life.

Sure, there are kids who thrive in different atmospheres. That’s why there’s chocolae and vanilla in the world – and a good thing, too.

]]> By: Miss Robyn http://www.feministe.us/blog/archives/2007/11/30/why-i-love-my-daughters-dance-class/#comment-139869 Miss Robyn Sat, 01 Dec 2007 17:12:33 +0000 http://www.feministe.us/blog/archives/2007/11/30/why-i-love-my-daughters-dance-class/#comment-139869 I don't know- the recitals were the part I liked the best about dance class! Then again, part of the reason I was taking the class was because I wanted to be an actor at the time, and my mother said I had to take ballet to learn how to move well. I don’t know- the recitals were the part I liked the best about dance class! Then again, part of the reason I was taking the class was because I wanted to be an actor at the time, and my mother said I had to take ballet to learn how to move well.

]]> By: Elizabeth http://www.feministe.us/blog/archives/2007/11/30/why-i-love-my-daughters-dance-class/#comment-139856 Elizabeth Sat, 01 Dec 2007 15:32:45 +0000 http://www.feministe.us/blog/archives/2007/11/30/why-i-love-my-daughters-dance-class/#comment-139856 Opossum -- I think it matters how the event plays out, not really what it's named. Also, some kids may actually like the idea that they're in A Concert. I studied piano, and the teacher I had in grade school really strove to make everything low-key. Still, she called the events concerts, or recitals, and there was a certain formality to them (i.e., everyone was supposed to dress nicely, etc.) that I recall being exciting, not upsetting. It made all the practice seem worthwhile because it was leading up to a meaningful event. Even so, my first piano "recitals" always took place in front of fellow students, not parents -- the teacher I had then didn't believe in full-blown, white-glove events for little kids. Opossum — I think it matters how the event plays out, not really what it’s named. Also, some kids may actually like the idea that they’re in A Concert. I studied piano, and the teacher I had in grade school really strove to make everything low-key. Still, she called the events concerts, or recitals, and there was a certain formality to them (i.e., everyone was supposed to dress nicely, etc.) that I recall being exciting, not upsetting. It made all the practice seem worthwhile because it was leading up to a meaningful event. Even so, my first piano “recitals” always took place in front of fellow students, not parents — the teacher I had then didn’t believe in full-blown, white-glove events for little kids.

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