American Ballet Competition hosts Master Class
ABC’s New Educational Partner
By Marian Horosko
The Institute For Dance Education Arts, Inc., which presents the yearly American Ballet Competition (ABC), is inaugurating a new educational program for teachers who wish to replenish, refresh and build upon their teaching skills. “The Theory and Practice of Teaching Ballet,” is the title of the Institute’s first seminar, April 4-6, 2008. It is hosted by the New World School of the Arts-Dance Division, in Miami, Florida.
The focus of the seminar is on enhancing teaching and coaching skills using the underlying methodology and technical understanding necessary for communicating this knowledge. Gilbert Mayer of the Paris Opéra Ballet Company and School will conduct the seminar. On the methodology of the French school, Mayer is considered the world ambassador and authority and is among today’s foremost teachers.
Gilbert Mayer teaching in 2004 photo: BlissArtImages
The intensive 3-day course is open to teachers, educators, coaches, historians, dancers, (remove extra space) students, auditors and parents. Each day will begin with Mayer’s master class followed by an in-depth discussion on the pedagogical principles of technique and theory employed in the class. The discussions will include demonstrations for an explicit understanding of the underling methodology and technical understanding necessary for imparting this knowledge.
The philosophy of the method of teaching employed at the Paris Opéra Ballet School is based on understanding student development from the first year (beginning at age 9), and its class progressions, with emphasis on correct placement, musicality and style. The sessions continue through advanced levels with barre, center work and pointe, as well as the distinctions in teaching male students.
Mayer, a graduate of the Paris Opéra Ballet School, was chosen to join the Paris Opéra Ballet Company. By 1961, as he rose in rank, he was performing étoile roles. In 1970, he was appointed “Professeur de Danse” to the Paris Company and School and began a second career guest-teaching for world-renowned companies including those in Germany, Australia, England, France, Switzerland, Italy, Russia and China. His awards include “Officer” in the “L’Ordre National des Arts et des Letters,” and “Commandeur Des Palmes Academiques.” But it is his thoroughness, energy and mastery of the subject of French dance, as well as his firm but gentle corrections that set him apart from more strident pedagogues.
“I find,” says Mayer, “that faults are now universal. There is too much emphasis on extensions, with poor use of the arms, head and épaulement. Flexibility, although important in today’s choreography, is useless unless it can be sustained and balance maintained. There is no point in going to the next level of study when the vocabulary and execution of the material has not been perfected. That will result in injury or an incomplete technique upon which further development is not possible.”
Mayer is in good hands with the new seminar’s producer and artistic director, Katherine Kersten, artistic director of the American Ballet Competition. She has conducted numerous successful dance teacher conferences as former director at the Vail International Dance Festival, having brought pedagogues to America from the Royal Danish, Royal Ballet, and the Paris School for seminars and conferences. As described by Kersten: “Gilbert Mayer is one of the most profound and thoughtful master teachers on the global dance scene today. He is the teacher’s teacher. With him, you understand that it is all about essential, basic building blocks and not about entertainment of the student. His world of balletic understanding is surpassed by none and he lives to impart this knowledge.”
For more information and registry for the seminar, “The Theory and Practice of Teaching Ballet” contact: www.americanballetcompetition.com or abcompetition@aol.com.
If you are uncomfortable with French terminology, the language of ballet, pick up a copy of Gail Grant’s Technical Manual and Dictionary of Classical Ballet or one of the many videos on ballet terminology.