Nothing important here...just having a moment of joy, last night a student who earlier in the yr had decided this would be her last yr dancing, asked me if she could take more ballet classes next yr and start pre-pointe (she just turned 13). She also said her little brother was signing up for ballet too. Another girl then piped in as well and they both explained they were going to cut back on other dance classes next yr so they could focus more on ballet. These kids started out just having to do ballet as a requirement for being on the competition team and they used to complain about being required to be there.

It came as quite a surprise for me, but definitely a pleasant one. It's so hard now a days to get kids interested in serious ballet training, especially when all they seem to want to do is hip hop. I really wasn't expecting this, so it just made my day

That is definitely a positive step. We could use more kids that have a passion for ballet! Congrats.

That's wonderful! I agree that getting kids who want to grow in the art of ballet is a top priority for me too.

Don't you wish more kids felt this way. Our kids only do ballet because they have too. Pat yourself on the back for that one.

Yes, I remember when I required ballet for lyrical classes and for competition team. After a while, some really started to like it and when I hired another, excellent ballet teacher to run a full-fledged, intensive ballet program, I could not believe how many classes that these kids jumped into. They hemmed and hawed to take ballet and now they were doing 5 ballets per year and taking classes every day in technique, pointe, variations and partnering!! Go figure.

Ain't it great!! I am so happy for you!

Classes are already filling up for next yr and we haven't even opened general registration. Recital is next week...we'll see what happens after that

I beefed up the program significantly for next yr, with more classes per week and longer classes for almost every level and I haven't heard one complaint. Everyone seems really excited about it.

Dream coming true!!