All About Ballet

[vanny k]

That’s not too professional. Sounds like they’re more keen to make money out of you than to promote dance. Thanks for the heads up, alee! Guess I’ll have to search around for some other central place.

[dingdang]

Hi,


You may want to consider Dance Castle at Bukit Merah Central.
http://www.dancecastle.com/

I'm totally impressed with their Ballet teacher, Miss Nicole. She may be young but she really teaches the kids with heart. She's always caring and has her way to pacify the kids or get the shy ones to participates in the dance class.

'branded' dance school may not be the best. My girl is shy by nature, and she tried a few 'branded' ballet schools but none of the teachers are able to let my girl overcome her fear and shyness in 1st few lessons.

The cost fee is quite reasonable too. You may call n enquire.

[vfong1]

Any more recommendations for the ballet schools?

[georgewong22]

Hi, my 5yo daughter wants to try ballet. Not sure if it’s the best for her. My 7yo son wants to learn hip hop. He loves dancing.


Why do parents of most girls think of ballet for their daughters? Is there any apparent benefit? Are there physical dangers? Some say it’s painful.

I reside around Bishan’s Junction 8 and I sought help from RAD for a list of their registered teachers around this area. This is what they came back with:

1. Moving Arts @Bishan CC
2. Crestar @Thomson
3. Sylvia McCully Dance Studio @Thomson

Others which I got from this website are:

4. Jitterbugs
5. Ballet & Music Academy

Some recommended:

6. Singapore Ballet Academy

Please help with advise, thanks.

[ImMeeMee]

just want to understand whether having coaching classes is a standard practice across all ballet schools.


My girl is in crestar, and we have signed up for coaching classes recently to prepare her for the exam. its not cheap, about $190 for 3 months, and the fees get more steep with the progression of the grade. this is on top of the normal ballet classes that the child is already having.

isnt this equivalent to accelerated learning, ie. actually the child may not be ready for the exam, and the teachers are pushing for them to be ready within the year.

am not certain whether this is a school policy, or whether it is a common practice for all ballet classes.

anyone with experience from other ballet schools to share? TIA

[summer]

Dance Pointe also conducts dance lessons like ballet, Jazz, hip hop …

This year, after the RAD ballet exams, teacher teaches the students Jazz for 2 months during ballet lessons. Jazz exam is optional in June.

Coaching classes before the ballet exams is quite a common practice unless the students are very well prepared for the exams.

[LadyBird]

Not one welcoming staff there.


The indian lady at reception is a bit rude and unkind. My daughter wanted to go pee pee (happened only one time in two terms at there), she was scolding and warning my maid who was waiting outside the class not to let it happen again. I wonder who does she think she is.

Besides, the way I see it, the classes are intended for fun only. I won't recommend for those girls who want to make it serious.

Not to my satisfaction at all

[CalMat]

Hi georgewong22


I used to take tap classes at Jitterbugs, before I gave birth.
Don’t know much about the Children classes, but I find the environment there pleasant and the owners are nice and professional.

I’ve seen youngsters (not kids but more late teens, young adults) doing
hip hop… very popular class and they look real good dancing!
Just pop down for a look since it’s in Millenia walk.

As for S’pore Ballet Academy, I was with them years back (feels like millions of years) and did my ballet till senior grade. Very professional. And back then, Goh Soh Khim would even teach some classes. (She’s the co-founder of SDT)
If my boys do become interested in ballet, I would let them join SBA cos linked to Singapore Dance Theatre and I feel the standard - definitely there and not just some commercial dance school. : )

[georgewong22]

Hi Calmat, thanks alot for the advise.


Will pop by Jitterbugs & SBA for sure. Dilemma I have is because it’s quite a distance from my house in Bishan.

Then again, good schools good teachers are equally important.

Sigh, thanks again.

[Poonie]

Hi Calmart

You did ballet for many years at SBA. Did you by any chance learn piano too? Were you given a choice back then? If yes why did you choose ballet over piano or a musical instrument? On hind sight would you have chosen piano or any musical instrument instead? I am just having a hard time deciding between dance and musical instrument for my daughters. Would appreciate your advice.