May we have some piano allegro music please?
Let's line up with our hands on our hips DANCERS and head into the classroom. For the past 3 years my BOYS have been in Ballet Classes at Canton Ballet (with the support of my husband, yes!) There has been, is and will continue to be a stigma that ballet is for girls only. This is furthest from the truth in my opinion.
Highlights of ballet in my boy's lives:
-Strength. Consistent practice of leaping in & over shapes, (while the teacher sneaks in academic skills of labeling shapes, prepositions, right/left hand, colors, patterning and counting) have developed stronger leg muscles. My fearful jumper who loved gravity is now able and more confident in 2 feet off the ground- jumping. Now hopping on 1 foot is another story...
-There is live piano music in the classroom for students to have their lesson with. With one word the teacher asks to play a fast paced hopping song or to slow it and down and the students immediately have it!
-Control- This is important to learn and practice in any sport and in life. Being able to sit down and stand up without your arms flailing around or bouncing up and down makes classroom teachers blood pressure lower as well as Moms and Dads. Controlling your body is not a natural instinct, but instead needs taught which ballet offers.
-The Early Childhood Teacher (Mrs. Grasse) provides consistent structure and routine thus making class predictable, fun and developmentally appropriate. It helps that she has years of experience and is a preschool teacher. Honestly, when I first moved to Canton and put my boys in all sorts of classes; we stayed in ballet because of her. She is one of the top teachers for 3-6 year olds we have found.
-Confidence- is gained as students practice a skills slowly with the group, speed it up and finally have their own time to shine galloping one at a time in class. When students turn 5 as they get the opportunity to perform in the Nutcracker on and Palace Theater stage.
-Determination- Persistence is practiced as students are expected to not only try their best, but try their best the whole time- even if they are two hops away from the finish line- they may not walk across it, but continue their hop.
-Fun- My boys have fun, because the class is all about challenging yourself in silly ways. Stretching and warms up including smelling stinky feet, being a jack-in-the-box and popping out, moving like a bear, bird, butterfly or falling like a snowflake, waddling like a penguin. Mrs. Grasse takes them on an adventure every class that is not to a fairy filled girl only princess land- but a seasonal action filled world.
Are any of these highlights girls only- NO! It seems as more folks are agreeing with me, that BOYS can and should enjoy ballet class since Canton Ballet now offers a Boys Class for boys 7 & over (at a super affordable price) on Wednesday nights that is filling up. I'm sure if you ask a high schooler boy if they rather be wrestling around with other guys or dancing with pretty ballerinas...they would probably choose the later?!
Also- the entertaining Touchdowns and Tutus has brought awareness of the hard work and training that both football players and ballerinas go through to perform. Touchdown & Tutus flyer They pair the top high school football players (from all local schools) with dancers of Canton Ballet in a competition before a panel of sports celebrity judges. After the performance there is a Tailgate Party at the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Ballet is a true workout and sport which requires practice and determination- exactly what we want our BOYS to embrace and learn.
Now- excuse me while I go put my snow boots on and march off again and again.....
