practicality..

Posted by Megha (216.9.21.133) on December 07, 2006 at 18:42:04:

In Reply to: Sorry ... posted by Anandini on December 07, 2006 at 13:14:25:

Sure Anandini.. I have always danced only for myself. But when you are seeking lessons, you need guidance. If your teacher is not benevolent, you would not go anywhere...

Maturity does not appeal to a young student at the time of the experience. I had to leave that dance school because of the cold shoulder treatment. I could not tolerate the blind praises for the teacher's child. From a practical standpoint, that is what gave me my peace at that time.

Another point to note that if the students of the teacher are at a level lower than the new student who joins, they become really insecure.
they ask pointed questions about the student's former teachers and the students gang up with the teacher's daughter to pick on the new student's dance and generally bully the new student... i guess it is just like any other school... i am not sure though how many teachers recognize this and are impartial enough help the new student out..

On the contrary, I must mention that there is a highly respected teacher, who had the kindness and magnanimity of heart to acknowledge that her students were not at the level i was and challenged me to do things on my own. That was a turning point in my life. But i was not competing with the teacher's offspring in this case...

I moved to another school which gave me far greater freedom to think, explore and taught me so many beautiful things that gave me strength. Here too, i did not have any competition from the teacher's kids..

I am not alone in this experience. I have a fellow dancer (who trained elsewhere) who is so graceful but was not promoted because the focus was on the teacher's daugther. She could not even learn all the items completely because of lack of focus of the teacher..

I am not sure all teachers think about the careers of all their serious students. More often, I guess they think about the dance careers of their own kids...which i guess is basic human instinct...

On the other hand, I do believe that there a lot of learning through observation as in your case and simply living with the teacher all the time. That experience is irreplacable and a position of fortunate and natural advantage for a career in dance that all others have to strive harder to compensate. And all such dancers have nothing to apologize for. I really have nothing against them.. After all, it is their talent that will shine through ...

By raising this issue, i wish to highlight that some sensitivity towards other students and some sharing would be nice!

I guess this is a pretty sensitive issue and i can't believe how quiet everyone is...