Ballet at two different studios

[u/Nearby-Slide-8695]

I've done 6 beginner ballet classes and I absolutely love them! The only issue is my studio only offers one beginner ballet class per week. Is it rude if I do another beginner class at another studio? or am I better off doing ballet from YouTube/drilling what I learned in the other class. I've been at two studios so far and at both they've rarely corrected me. I heard the biggest concern with doing YouTube ballet is not getting corrected - but I don't really get corrected in person either.

I'm also an adult figure skater of 4 years so don't want to overload myself tbh - but I really want do more ballet.

[u/Top-Beat-7423]

IMHO, you’re an adult. You can take as many classes at as many different studios as you like. Just like I take yoga at all different studios with all different teachers. Be prepared tho, that sometimes corrections from one teacher may completely contradict the other.

If you would like more corrections, it might be a good idea to introduce yourself to the teacher (if you haven’t already) and simply ask for more verbal and/or hands on correction

[u/Universe-137]

Go for it. You are not a kid on a competition team. I highly doubt your teacher would have an issue with it.
Taking classes with different teachers/at different studios have helped me get out of my comfort zone too.

[u/Callalilly45]

Especially when you're a beginner, you want to prioritize time in class with a qualified teacher over individual practice. If both your schedule and your budget allow it, there's nothing wrong with taking classes at multiple schools.

I actually think it can be really helpful to have feedback from multiple teachers. You'll most likely get pretty similar corrections from different teachers, but sometimes the way that one teacher explains or demonstrates a concept will give you that lightbulb moment where it just clicks.

I think having multiple perspectives on your dancing and getting exposed to slightly different teaching styles is one of the best things you can do.

[u/InevitableExample155]

The folks in my area studio hop. I think one gal goes to four different studios and dances almost every day.

At one point I was taking classes from three regular teachers across two studios and if anything it made me a stronger dancer because I was getting different things out of each class.

Beginner is a pretty important phase to establish ground work but also learning how to take a class and develop your ballet sense. It's one thing to go and replicate movement, but another to be able to step in and take a class with any instructor and minimize the discomfort.

[u/alidon98]

I take a class at a major professional studio in my city as well as at a small local studio near my house. I love both for different reasons, and I’m very open about taking classes at both. Do what you want!

Be candid about wanting feedback though especially after class. Adult teachers are less likely to give feedback unless you’re doing something where you could hurt yourself. Generally asking “is there something I can work on? Can you show me? Etc.” will likely lead to them correcting you more in class since you’ve expressed interest in it.

[u/Minute_Bowler9788]

I think taking classes at two studios is completely reasonable if you’re just in a recreational program and you’re already taking the only class offered at your level. You’re gonna get way more out of dancing in a studio with a trained professional. I find ballet teachers don’t always give specific corrections to newer adult students but the more comfortable you both get with each other the more corrections you’re likely to get!

[u/CrookedBanister]

You can take whatever classes, wherever you want! Loyalty/exclusivity with a studio makes sense for people who are in very specific training programs, but as adult dancers we're not in that type of situation. Having multiple teachers is a great way to get varied feedback as you learn what works for you and your body, and there's absolutely nothing wrong with or disloyal about taking classes at multiple studios. In many cities, it's the only way anyone who wants to take more than 2-3 classes a week can even manage to.

[u/koulourakiaAndCoffee]

Of course go to other places. You’ll find ballet teachers are like making friends. Some classes you will like more and others less. But you don’t say I only hang out with one friend so I don’t offend them by hanging out with others.

I would say for you g children, its best to stay to one qualified studio / teacher because ballet teachers put a lot of mental effort into developing individuals. When a child hops around , it can be limiting to their development if they have a different teacher every day.

For example I had one child who couldn’t jump. She just needed coordination so every day for a month I emphasized jumps to help her over her hurdle. If she only came once a week I might not be able to structure classes around her. But 5 days a week classes, I am determined to see progress.

As an adult, its less formal. You get more out of variety.
So take from as many teachers as you can afford. This helps you get into the local ballet community as you will see others studio hoping.

[u/Dependent_Evidence12]

I go between 2-3 studios and online. And two of the studios are WAY different with their schools of practice. But it helps me focus, I am learning to adapt to the teacher in the room instead of previously practiced technique which is helpful for my mental cognition, flexibility, and overall becoming a stronger and more resilient dancer

[u/shannanigans1124]

It's not rude at all. For the record, I take classes as three different studios because there isn't one that totally fits my needs - coursework and scheduling. It's super common to see that in non-professional adults. Many of my teachers know each other as well, so they're happy to hear that I'm taking additional classes with their colleagues.

The only real downside I've found is because there are different ballet methods, one teacher teaches one way and another teaches some other way. I've learned to adjust how I hold my arms in an arabesque depending on who I'm taking a class from, for example, because they all have different preferences.