From his experience of 40 years in ballet as a student, performer, company ballet master, and dedicated teacher, John White offers this work of inspiration and step-by-step instruction on the art and craft of teaching classical dance.
Stressing excellence in both the creative and the practical aspects of teaching, White discusses what it means to be a "master teacher" someone who possesses great knowledge, a deep love for dance and an appreciation for the grandeur of the human spirit.
Illustrating with nearly 100 photographs, he presents a method of study that includes such aspects of teaching as constructive warm-up exercises, when to begin pointe shoes, the beneficial aspects of pain, and appropriate music for the classroom, as well as elements of the basic lesson and lesson planning. He discusses how to recognize talent and how to refine and develop it. He offers guidelines for establishing and organizing a well-run studio. And he presents his personal insights into the art of classical ballet pedagogy - shaped in particular by his study with ballet masters from the Kirov and Bolshoi ballet companies and by concepts from the Vaganova Choreographic School in St. Petersburg.
The book also confronts the controversial issue of widespread mediocrity that is prevalent in dance schools. Poor training often brings about the loss of talented students and the premature forced retirement of professional artists from unnecessary injuries that could have been prevented. For a dedicated teacher, mediocrity is not an acceptable option. Good teaching should be an exhilarating challenge and profoundly rewarding.