Ballet I · Dance
For Kate's class, we had writing assignments and a vocab quiz, all of which were graded weirdly strictly. If you put one thing wrong, she would bump your grade down to an A-, so I ended up P/D/F this class (which still counts for the PE requirement btw!).
none or lose some weight for those of you who wanna dance up easier--there are lots jumps and supporting to do...
Monthly assignments about your productivity in class and what challenges you and what you want to focus on this upcoming month. Very easy- takes like 5-10 min once a month to do. He expect you to attend the fall/spring dance department show and write an essay (very short, like a page) about one of the choreographers and submit your ticket stub/proof. Tickets are about $12 but you can attend the Thursday evening dress rehearsals for free and he is totally okay with that.
I had 0 dance experience coming into the class, but Tessa did an AMAZING job of introducing dance. She is a really good teacher and she never singles out people to humiliate them. When she does single out dancers, her comments are very constructive and very positive, and is for the entire class. Take her if you can.
This is really a great class to take! I am so happy I took it and I will definitely take it again. Assaf is the nicest and sweetest instructor. He is an amazing dancer and is demonstrating all steps himself- which looks incredible, but at the same time he is very approachable and down to earth. He makes sure to pay attention to all of the students in the class and I really feel like I have gotten better thanks to him. I had very minimal dancing background before taking this class and no ballet background at all and I feel I have learned so much. Interestingly this ended up being the class I most enjoyed going to this semester.
I like that she sent out YouTube videos every once and a while to show how that week's technique looked when done by professional dancers. Very motivational! I think if you miss a class she asks you to make it up with an advanced student, but it's really not a big deal. why would you miss class anyway - attendance/participation is the only "workload!"
Allegra Kent is a great teacher. She does a good job of covering the basics and going over form and posture in this class. Fun, helpful, and easy grading. Take this class if you've never (or barely) done any ballet before and you want to learn, or if you just want to get some exercise. The class I was in was 2 hours long. First hour was at the barre, small break in the middle, and then the rest was center floor or across the room. There were some silly floor routines where we were basically running into each other. Also, it's okay if you have to miss a class or two -- she'll just tell you to write a poem and bring it in to her for the next class.
Don't expect this class to be a breezy easy A. Content of the class was pretty standard, ranging from plies and tendus to doing 3-steps across the floor. My favorite part of the class was probably the live pianist as his playing really prevented me from ripping my hair out sometimes (thank you Robert Boston). Kate is probably a nice lady, but makes some off-handed remarks sometimes. If you can look past her attitude while being slightly sleep deprived from having to wake up at 8:30, you'll be fine in this class. Worship that word wall and every word Kate says, as you'll get that A if you regurgitate exactly what she wants.
Liz is like a big sister who dances ballet and you'd love her from the first class--those who dropped off is because they cannot survive the 9AM class twice a week--but those who are passionate enough to get up that early would really enjoy it and feel it is worth it. Liz is really nice and sweet, she never makes fun of anyone who dances like a moron or who is even overweight damaging the bar. afterall everyone loves her!
Ballet IV not I I thoroughly enjoy his class- I feel like he does a good job of accommodating for the varying ability level in class and is sure to be considerate but still pushing the class to work. He is not strict, only expects you to know what you are doing even if you are not doing it perfectly (just know the combinations and if you don't, do not go first). Overall great experience, he is a good teacher and very kind.