Shortly before I took up the role of Artistic Director, I was walking down the street behind two young sisters and their mother. The older sister was explaining and demonstrating to the younger how to do a layup in basketball. Standing at the crossing with them, I could hear the excitement in her voice as she explained that you took ‘one step, two step, then hop,’ so that you could then pass or shoot the ball. All the way down the street this enthusiastic child repeated her new skill: one, two, hop!
I couldn’t help but wonder who had taught her, because she had been left not only with an eagerness to practice a foundational skill but also with the desire to pass on that knowledge, to talk about and share it with the people around her. I felt as though I had seen the spark that lit a lifelong interest.
Every time I teach now, I dream of being able to have this sort of impact. If I ever see a student going down the street and practising a pas de bourrée (like the basketball hop, also a prescribed number of steps!), I shall be able to retire happy.
‘If I ever see a student practising a pas de bourrée in the street, I shall retire happy’
I also want to support our members to be able to inspire their students in the most meaningful way possible. When I think of the best teachers I had throughout my training and career, they each passed on their love for the art form, and fostered an interest that made me want to practice the steps down the street. It made me want to talk about what I had done, what I had learnt, and what I hoped to do in the future.
Looking more widely to the future of the RAD, I want to provide as many opportunities as possible for people to share their own love for ballet and dance. This is why I’m so excited about the Creative Training: Ballet offering which we are trialling as you read this. Matching the progressions seen in Grades 1 to 5, it relates to the Foundations of Classical Ballet Technique. It is designed to encourage autonomy and creativity in both teacher and participants as they develop their skills, knowledge and understanding of classical ballet, bringing the ethos of developing foundational knowledge to the fore. Initial trials have demonstrated numerous opportunities to enhance the learning experience, not least for our growing and dedicated adult learners.
We all know that to be good at something, you need to practice it. And just think how our students will improve if they are inspired to practice as they walk home from class!
