All About Ballet

[Poonie]

Calmart


Thanks for your advice. Seems like I might have to let them go back to ballet at SBA (since they have been bugging me to do so) and at the same time give them a second chance at piano by getting them a more inspiring piano teacher.

[corneyAmber]

Anyone has experience with Cheng Ballet or Sylvia McCully School?

[sugarsprite]

Try Dance Theatre Arts I am extremely happy We found them and my girls love it.


The teachers are extremely professional and up to date with dance around the world. Exams are offered but not made an emphasis. They train using a different approach where the children progress much faster. They also have a wholistic program for different range of interest.

I tried SBA and Sylvia McCully, and Crestar Marine Parade and Thomson my daughter 8 and 11 years old are very interested but at these schools they didn't seem to be improving. It felt a waste of my money. But since coming to Dance Theatre Arts they have not only improved in dancing but are also developing confidence in themselves.

They train for overseas festivals. I do not hesitate to affirm that the advance students of Dance Theatre Arts Company can match up to the standard of dance that I observe internationally on my travels. They are able to dance so many different dance styles.

It is definitely a practical and alternative path to the School of the Arts, and I dare say the standard of their 10-12 year olds are higher than SOTA graduating students. It's really amazing what the teachers help the students to achieve. The environment is so warm and supportive.
Their website is http://www.dancetheatrearts.net

[amylqf]

Actually, I think the cc ballet class is good enough unless the child is really good @ballet and need higher standard. Also sometimes depends on teacher.


my girl attend cc ballet. she got the good marks @grade 1 exam too. the teacher teach in cc also teach in crestar, but the price is much cheaper @cc.

[jordanmommy]

Any comments from anybody w.r.t. The Ballet & Music Company at united square...


I would like to send my 3 yr old girl for ballet class, and since her brother has enrichment class at goldhill, it will be convenient for me....

Thanks in advance!

[monalisa]

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.

Yes..Ms Nicole is very good with children. She teaches in Woodlands Crestar too. The boss (Ms Shireen) at dancecastle however, not so tactful in handling parents. Super calculative.

[toffee]

Hihi,


any one with children learning ballet at Attitude Arts at Bukit Timah Plaza? Would appreciate any feedback pls

Cheers!

[eager_beaver]

hi sugarsprite - i think its not fair to drag SOTA into comparison & anyway no one has graduated from SOTA as yet. Anyone who is interested in their level of dance can catch them during heir annual dance showcase.


personally, i feel i is not the ballet school but the teacher itself that matters & i knew of my daughters’ friends who ‘followed’ the teacher when their teacher moves to another school.

my daughters started ballet at 3.5 years at crestar & though they made good progress under dedicated teachers, they switched to SBA at about 5. Unlike crestar which also offer other art forms, SBA only offers strictly ballet & no other dance form. this probably inculcate a very strong ballet culture within the school & its one of the few that offers training up to vocational level. SBA boasts quite an impressive alumni.

SBA offers the RAD syllabus & hold exams for qualified students every other year & hold a concert in between usually at the victoria theatre. during the concert year, the student skip to the next grade without taking exams. unlike the vocational grades, skipping exam at the lower grades is ‘acceptable’ so don’t worry too much if your daughter (or son) has missed them.

the main difference between crestar & SBA to me is that crestar tends to be too commercialized. SBA tends to concentrate on the ballet side of thing & its quite common to see the older girls hanging around the premises & taking multiple classes.

i suppose SBA is a good place to cultivate your child’s love for ballet & if she/he has the passion, it also a good place to pursue it. having said that, i’m quite sure that there are other school that are just as conducive.

[monalisa]

I found that SBA may be good but location is more important. Especially for working parents that need to bring their child there 2x a week on either 2 x weekend or 1 weekday & 1 weekend for grade 3 and above for exam preparation and yearly concert. Very tedious. That’s why I still put my gals in nearby school. I stay around Tiong Bahru. But ofcos the teacher must be good. Mine do not mind teaching 15 mins of Jazz ballet without paying extra during ballet lesson which is fun and energetic for kids. I think young kids need to consistently cultivate fun and interest in their class so that they will look forward to the lesson every week or 2 x a week.

[titank]

Any good ballet school to recommend? CC or Dance Castle at Bukit Merah Central is good?