Top 5 Ballet Etiquette Mistakes and How to Avoid Them 

Etiquette: Pay attention to the group that does the combination when it’s not your turn. Learn by watching.

Very nice. I would also add "spacial awareness"- both for etiquette and safety. DO NOT repeat the combination if it's a small studio and you are in the way of someone who is doing it for the first go round. Do not crowd another dancer. If you are doing fouettes and you start to move into someone else, YOU STOP. Also, if you have issues with ballet history, culture or practices, class is not the time to bring them up. Some students do this expecting peer support that they won't receive. You can arrange a meeting with the teacher or studio owner if it's a dress code concern or something; but not in the middle of class.

In our ballet class it was „if you can’t stand still, stretch“.

On the subject of noise in the lobby, or hall, I have a story for you. Security checks and maintenance were being conducted at a ballet school where I was working. The men could be heard on their walky-talkies/two-way radios out in the halls while class was going on. There was this one exercise in which the instructor was just reminding the students to round out their arms and make them look more warm and graceful, and not like airplane wings. To which, one of the security people out in the hall just happened to say "We've had trouble with that before." The whole class erupted into laughter!

Unpopular opinion: #2 should be applied in EVERY BUILDING, everywhere. I work in higher ed, and it's amazing that "inside voice" is something that seems to be completely lost on folks, and not even a generational statement!

I was so pleased to hear you say that ballet class starts with the plies and all the barre work, before going to the centre for the rest of the class. While researching modern dance classes for my books, I was horrified to see some of them started with centre work before going to the barre. In my books the classes are always structured they way you mention so thank you for making me correct in this.

This is great! Thank you! I would add: 'coming to class unprepared'. For instance: needing to borrow tape, hair pins, not having your hair done securely, etc Also: I'd love to know more about the two of you: where you train, are you in a company, etc. Thanks again!

sometimes my teacher misunderstood me and thought i was disrespectful 😭 even tho she was always caring. And actually I always respected her I would say more than other teachers I had. So yeah gotta be careful

Suddenly I'm so grateful that I started learning ballet as an adult. I can't imagine the teenage me following all these rules.😂

I am lucky in that my main teacher is not super strict, but there are definitely a few things that he doesnt like. We have one student that does just leave the class (midway as well) without even thanking the teacher. Also have another one that is CONSTANTLY either on time or late. I remember seeing one thing where it said 15 mins early is on time, start time is late. Definitely agree with the leaning on the barre thing, i remember seeing one student one time SITTING on the barre…i heard once that you should treat the barre as your dance partner. Treat it with respect! Though I am kinda guilty of the hands on the hips thing and being a bit loud…i found hands on hips is my default pose, mainly cos I’m out of breath or don’t know what to do with my hands 😅 and i have a bit of a loud laugh as well 😅😅😅 I agree with the spacial awareness thing that someone has brought up…and another is when you complete the exercise (especially during allegro or turning combos), exit to the front and then side…I’ve had a class where the teacher pulled up the class and pretty much said he would have given the person a mouthful if they went back towards the oncoming dancers - accident waiting to happen!!

This was a fun list to remember my ballet training! I feel the loud speaking and body language also point to a general attitude of attentiveness and thoughtfulness that takes many years to hone. Also, no street shoes on the dance floor!

My Ballet teacher also hated people cracking their knuckles lol she used to threaten us with getting arthritis in the future ..it was a real pet peeve for her 😂😂

Space yourself...When doing devlope or grand battement at the barre, angle away and toward the wall to avoid kicking those ahead and behind you at the barre, when extending your leg in front and behind you.

As a voice teacher, I feel the same when it comes to how to carry yourself in a lesson. If you are being respectful, you aren't late. Ever. If anything, be 5 minutes early. There's a great saying I learned a long time ago that has served me well in life; If you're early, you're on time. If you're on time, you're late. Always show up early! I really like this channel and hope nothing but the best for you two as you continue to grow! I've learned a LOT!

I was once in rehearsal, and a teacher that usually didn’t take our rehearsal was doing it, and she said something that was different from what our usual teacher who rehearsed us did, and I respectfully told her so, but that was taken as an act of extreme disrespect as i was told later by my fellow classmates. 😅😅😅

Respect the dress code. Some schools have particular “uniforms” for different levels and never ever get pointe shoes before your teacher says you are ready

OMG yes #1 When I was little and took ballet at a tiny private school in my teacher's basement - If we were late we could not take class. Period,. Parents still had to pay though. I remember being late one day and just crying in the waiting room the whole time because I had another class after ballet. She was super strict.

I’m catching up on previous videos y’all have done. I am really enjoying learning more about ballet and specific ballets. Thanks for creating a place on you tube where we can learn more about this beautiful art form.

I used to lean on the barre a lot until a teacher scolded me, I was clearly clueless...plus, I also had the misfortune of witnessing a girl sitting on the floor between combinations and sighing as if bored or tired...the teacher took her out of the class!

Just mentioned Berkeley Ballet School...the beginning and intermediate beginner students often didn't get some etiquette. Like if someone places their cover or water bottle at a barre space. One dancer was getting on all our nerves. My friend left doing center cos she was walking in people's ways when not her turn. She did that as I was about to do a split jump and the options flashed through my brain...stop, redirect or...yeah, I chose to just kick her. Sorry not sorry. She put her leg up to stretch...directly on my cover/sweatshirt! Gross!

My teacher got fed up with kids drinking energy drinks at the studio so now they are forever banned. So I had to chug it down before entering the building :D

I remember on my first day at drama school the head said “We’ll forgive any mistake except lateness”

You guys are great. Super fun to be thrown back into the mix with your discussions about the dance world. Did it for a few short years.. and every day I go back to my fav studio because, well, just because (at the time was The New York School of ballet around 83rd and Broadway... was Balanchine's first studio. I had no idea, none, what I walked in to but the vibe was unmistakable. Did not learn for a few months what I had stepped in to. Now today, every day I am there. Anywayz...) On the be on time thing.. I learned this from just about day 1 of my intro into dance. That. Be on time, ready to go. But it quickly reformed into a mantra that is embedded in my DNA to this day. It has made me a total nuisance to everyone around me. Too bad I tell them. It is: "If you're on time, you're late." I drive everyone around me crazy. I continue to be taken aback, surprised, sometimes stunned, when no matter what is happening.. what a 'thing' is, people will hear it from me when they are not on time or they think they are on time, but scattered, distracted, coffee, sodas, gum snapping, chattering, blah blah blah. I let them know it.. with that phrase. I seriously do not get how most of the world does not operate under this fundamental 'thing' in ballet, and the performing arts overall. I am SUCH a pain in the arse.

Nice and very important

i knew about crossing your arms, did NOT know about hands on the hips!!! i've been doing that for so long ;-;

C’est excellent ❤😊

+ hair down when in class

What about leaving the theater with your stage makeup on? I heard that's a big no-no. Is it true (not a dancer, just a writer and ballet enthusiast)?

❤❤❤

C’est excellent ❤😊