ABSTRACT
There are many ways ballet dancers deepen their knowledge about ballet and improve their technique skills. One of the best ways to achieve greater knowledge about the discipline, however, is through their daily classes. A dance teacher's demonstrations and explanations are the most common ways students learn how to perform ballet technique. These are two of the most important teaching tools. Dance teachers also use varying sounds and words to explain movement concepts and provide feedback to their dancers. Many of the students who take my upper-level ballet classes are skilled at learning exercises quickly, attuning to musicality, and applying feedback to their dancing. Learning how to use the teacher's methodological tools is one way to develop these skills. It increases their movement literacy and body knowledge and diversifies their self-coaching strategies. When students are given opportunities to generate their own images, experiment with movement, and create movement exercises, they develop a more comprehensive understanding of the balletic style.
