   FIRST TERM 2008 SECOND TERM 2008 THIRD TERM 2008 FOUTH TERM 2008 FIRST TERM 2009 SECOND TERM 2009 FOURTH TERM 2009 
Franco De Vita tells a packed group of attentive ballet teachers the story of a former young student of his who was shaped like a miniature Michelin man. He took her seriously (despite some major doubts in the beginning) and always gave her proper attention in class. And always gave her proper attention in class. In time, her body became beautifully streamlined, and the ugly duckling, now a swan, currently dances professionally. The lesson: Never underestimate a student, always maintain the highest integrity in your teaching, and know what you are doing. And if you don't know whether what you are doing is right or wrong, find out. In June, De Vita, principal of the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School of American Ballet Theatre, along with artistic associate of the ABT/NYU Masters Program Raymond Lukens, launched the first ABT National Training Curriculum intensive. The eight-day workshop trains ballet teachers in how to utilize ABT's practical curriculum guidelines for a typical ballet studio and its pupils. "It's the science of the movement," says Lukens, cautioning teachers not to confuse style with technique. Judging from the number of participants filling one of ABT's studios-over 50 teachers, ranging from the highly experienced to the newcomers-they were eager to learn new ways to improve and enhance their skills. The curriculum comprises a primary program for ages 5 to 7 and seven other levels that culminate in an advanced curriculum for the ages 16 and older. Incorporating components of the French, Italian, and Russian schools, the teaching methods also adhere to medical guidelines in the sports medicine, nutrition, and health fields. What ABT hopes to achieve is an American model for teachers to follow that still allows them to be creative. |
|
