A Bristol Ballet student takes an online class.
Ballet schools move online during social distancing
EDITOR’S NOTE: Both Bristol Ballet and Highlands Ballet have moved their schools online, using Zoom, due to the social distancing required because of the Coronavirus (Covid 19). We talked to both schools about how they are coping with this.
Bristol Ballet
Bristol Ballet closed its studios March 16 and started online classes March 18.
Michele Plescia, artistic director, has a teacher who used Zoom at another job. She showed Plescia how to use the technology.
“It was a little bit of trial and error for all of us — teachers, me, parents and students. Setting up classes, adding passwords for security, signing in, getting just the right room, light, sound, camera angle were all exercises in patience and perseverance. But we were all committed to having our ballet classes and getting together each week. I kept roughly the same schedule as we had in the studio, with minor changes here and there. This helped families keep a schedule and maintain a sense of normalcy.
“There are challenges. Teachers can’t give any tactile corrections, which are really helpful to inexperienced students. And the distractions can be challenging, especially for younger students. But our attendance has been pretty good so far, and we have all learned to adjust as best we can. It’s not something we can do exclusively for the long term, but it can get us through times like this and may become a supplemental part of our overall offerings if needed,” she says.
They have also sent coloring pages and word searches to younger students, and some dance history information and links to dance company performances like Alvin Ailey and American Ballet Theatre for older dancers to enjoy.
For more information about Bristol Ballet, visit www.bristolballet.org.http://www.bristolballet.org
Highlands Ballet
Deirdre Cole, artistic director, has been holding classes online. She also has placed Kindermusik videos and reading books on Facebook.
“It’s been so hard not seeing our students face to face, not just the actual teaching but emotionally. Every time I log out, it’s just so difficult. The kids are having a hard time too. Some are rallying and doing really well, and I see them every class. Others are having a harder time. For me, this has been such a learning experience as a teacher, because we play such a huge role in their emotional wellbeing and their overall wellbeing.
“My primary goal is not about whether they’re doing a demi-plie perfectly. It’s that they’re smiling and engaged and saying hello to their friends. If I can bring that to them, that’s more important than moving forward in their steps,” she says.
To help with their continued socialization, she hosted a social for her older dancers. Nearly 20 kids logged on, and she assigned a co-host and let them visit with each other.
“Colleagues in other states have similar situation. They’ve been very helpful. I tend to be too curriculum oriented, and they said you just need to be there for them. We’ve been letting them talk to each other after lessons and playing the ballet freeze game with younger ones. That little bit of structure has kept me sane. I feel blessed to be in the middle of all this,” she says.
Cole has been teaching from her studio to keep a familiar environment behind her for her “kids.” But she also tried a few classes from her home, so they could see her in her kitchen with her dogs.
“I understand that people just want to throw in the towel and go back out. I can’t put little children and their families in that situation. I don’t want them to have to choose between dance and what they feel is right for their family. I’ll take my cues from them. We’re talking about doing some streaming, but I’m not sure we can hire the personnel for quality streaming,” she says.
She may have the possibility of teaching the older dancers in separate studios. Highlands Ballet has three studios in a huge space. She may split them into groups so they can be more than six feet away from each other. Cole will use video to communicate with the studios.
“I think I’m learning so much from this process. I know that when we are able to meet face to face again, I will be a better teacher for it. I know the dancers and kids will have a different perspective. This is such an inside out blessing. These kids will take it forward in their lives and be better citizens for it,” she says.
For more information, visit www.highlandsballet.org.
