This introductory chapter begins with a brief description of the author's teaching career. It then identifies several flaws that he has observed in the training progression of dancers and the manner in which teachers instruct. The pedagogical skills covered in this book are the tools used to help teachers plan and deliver an effective ballet class. The book does not delve deeply into the “correct way” to teach technique, as this will certainly cause disagreement among those who come from different training backgrounds. In this area concerning technique, it touches upon only those points that...

This introductory chapter begins with a brief description of the author's teaching career. It then identifies several flaws that he has observed in the training progression of dancers and the manner in which teachers instruct. The pedagogical skills covered in this book are the tools used to help teachers plan and deliver an effective ballet class. The book does not delve deeply into the “correct way” to teach technique, as this will certainly cause disagreement among those who come from different training backgrounds. In this area concerning technique, it touches upon only those points that are considered universally acknowledged by well-trained teachers from all methods.