In conversation with Alice again, we make an enquiry into the art of teaching. Because we’re learning how to best present our vast curriculum to students across diverse backgrounds and privileges, getting routine advice from our mentor is the smartest way to feel a bit more sure about how correctly we’re passing on the art we love and care for so much.
Our questions are often random, but it’s absolutely worth sharing these exchanges that peel off the many layers that sometimes make our ancient art forms a bit obscure or rather intricate to explain.
The Exchange:
Junoon: Hello Alice! Do you have any advice for how we can teach/communicate body language in Ballet to our kids at the village academy?
Their limited exposure and humble backgrounds make it a tad difficult to sometimes, communicate the demeanour appropriate to this dance form.
Alice Crawford: Hello Junoon!
Explain exactly what you mean by body language. Just so I can fully understand what you want to understand and appreciate and discover before I reply!
Junoon: By body language we mean the demeanour of the dance form. How are we to conduct ourselves whilst dancing Ballet?
For instance, Bharata Natyam, the Indian Classical Dance we also dance, is deemed an art form of devotion. This means it’s performed with a lot of humility. And the artist comes across as very subservient, devoted, humble unless playing a character otherwise.
What would you say is the demeanour of Ballet? Is it royalty, nobility and how can this be explained to the Girls by having them reflect this in their bodies as they dance Ballet…
Especially when they come from less privileged/less exposed backgrounds…
Alice Crawford: I think there are probably many different opinions but I will tell you what I believe and what is true to me as a student/ professional dancer and now, teacher.
I believe a Ballet student should be disciplined, respectful and focused.
Ballet as an art form has such a long and rich history, so closely weaved with a deep sense of immense hardwork and physical strength and endurance alongside an ethereal beauty. A profound grace and femininity.
I would aim to bestow your students with a strong sense of the discipline as soon as they enter the studio or classroom space. It is essential to stress the importance of posture, physically but also an emotional posture. That beautiful lengthened body ( imagine a thin piece of gold thread attached to the top of your head lifting and lengthening). But for ballet there must always be the sense of focus and projection from the eyes and I always try to imagine a light shining from the chest (a beautiful gem on a chain shining, glowing, emitting light and a sense of giving to the audience).
I think there are great similarities to your Bharata Natyam, in the devotion and the humility. But perhaps with a little more sense of “look at me” wanting to show yourself off in the most beautiful way. And also as with your art form – the ability to become a different character, show humour and emotion through your body and eyes and soul!
I’m not sure I’ve answered, but for those young people who come from such different and diverse backgrounds: I think to show them that level of discipline but allowing them to still show who they are. The grace, the discipline, the holding of the body with the awareness of eye line and projection.
The audience is always there even if there isn’t one.
To feel the beauty of a hand movement performed with integrity and grace…the details…
I’d put the demeanour of Ballet down to:
Beauty, grace, strength… but with a sense of performance. Light and focus in the eyes.
Junoon: Alice, you have answered so profoundly. Thank you! In fact you’ve said what we haven’t been able to express to ourselves all these years.
That there must be a sense of pride in the discipline itself which in turn projects from the body. An emphasis on control. There is restraint but there is also projection. A process where you give, but with focus and elegance. And that is probably what gives it that quality of understated nobility, an aura perhaps.
We will communicate this to the kids as best as we can. We imagine it’s going to push up their confidence levels even more!
The part about the eyes is so intrinsic to both Classical Art forms – Indian and Ballet. We will have to begin to emphasize this…
Alice Crawford: Yes, an aura, a quiet, dignified sense of nobility and confidence but in a very humble, subtle and dignified manner…
Junoon: Which is what nobility is, isn’t it?! It isn’t showy but it has an allure.
Alice Crawford: Absolutely, I hope this helps!
Junoon: You have no idea how much! Thank you Alice. We love you!
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