I am stepping down a grade in ballet...?

Question

I started ballet classes in January, at grade 5 level. I was very behind all the other students, and I have been out of classes for two months now for personal reasons.

I just spoke with my ballet teacher and she recommended I step down a grade to grade 4.

I feel really stupid now, because I feel like she probably doesn't think I am very good. Is grade 4 really a very low grade to be at? Or is it necessary in order to build better foundations?

Thanks in advance

Answer 1

Gutted!

You might not be very good sweetii

not everyone is!!

I am on Grade 6 piano, and it's hard..

just mention it to her and i'm sure if you put the effort in you will get to grade 5!!

Stay strong pumpkin!!

Answer 2

Clearly your teacher thought you had potential or else would not have taken the trouble to ensure that you had the foundations you need.

Stupid would be to remain in a class where you were getting further behind.

Answer 3

I would just try and gain your grade 5 level back. Just do what you have to do in ballet to go up a grade and you will be thier in no time!

Answer 4

Don't feel bad about moving down a level.  You were out and missed some classes, so the teacher wants you to gain a better foundation and then move on.  I have known some professional dancers who even have gone back to a basics class to help with their movements.  There is nothing wrong with that as long as you know you are building a better foundation.  Just listen to the teacher, practice and do your best.

Answer 5

It will probably help you out a lot if you were out for 2 months. If you listin and give ballet grade 4 your very best a give all your effert and attention to it you shoud go back up to grade 5. It is probably necessary because the other girls probably learnd a lot when you were gone and if you just started out this year being in the lower level will teach you the things that you wernt shure about in the other level and you will probably learn new things in level 4 but just put 110% into it then you might have a chance of moving up to another level!

Answer 6

You could actually be better than a lot of other people with your movements but still be behind in things such as leaps and positions. You also missed a lot of time, so it would make sense to learn an easier dance so you have more time to perfect it.

I have known people that have been doing ballet for years and I think they look like an awkward duck while other people who have recently started look amazing! It depends on your natural ability.

Grade four isnt too bad! Its better to learn your basics before you try to move on to harder things. Than when you get to grade five you wont look like a dying moose ;D

If you practice extra you'll be there in no time

Answer 7

Well look,

something like that happened to me before and I ended up in a group of 6 year olds....... I felt like a failure, but I decided to the best that I could do and ultimately make my self stand out among the crowd. By the end of the recital the teachers wanted to move me up two levels because I performed so well..... hang in there and show them what you've got.  4 isn't that bad, but you need every level if you are going to suceed

Answer 8

when you struggle in dance your not learning or you could hurt yourself. this is for the best! 4th is meant for you! if you get moved to 3rd then you should worry!

Answer 9

I'm in level 4 and I love it the age range is wide so you won't feel stupid beause your older, and if you came from level 5 then you'll ither be about the same or better then everyone else so if you are older then forget about the ages and think about you're talent. your ballet teacher is just doing whats best for you. you can't feel any worse than you would in level 5 where you can't catch up. just approach it with a possitive attitude and do your best you'll do fine!

Answer 10

Grade 4 is not that low for a near beginner. Every grade teaches you something that leads on to something in later grades. It is all about progressive learning. listen to your your teacher. She knows what is best as far as ballet is concerned.

Answer 11

There's nothing wrong with that. It will give you a chance to clean  up your techniques and line. When I was a dance major in college, even though my fellow dance majors and I are in advance, you will find us in the beginning class all the time, just cleaning our techniques. We'll just take any class especially lower level so we can work our skills and alignment better. With a lower level, you can concentrate of doing things correctly rather than just trying to keep up. No shame in that, if you work hard and get better.

Answer 12

it really depends on your age or how much dance experience you have had before. Grade 5 is quite a high grade to be starting at i'm 16 and have studied ballet since the age of 2. Just trust your teacher to know whats best for you and work with that and try not to miss anymore lessons.

Answer 13

yes it is necessary to build a good foundation...if not u will struggle in level 5