Megan Pollington School of Dance

Happy 30th Birthday Teacher Kim 🩰

Happy Mother’s Day

For all the ballet teachers, students and parents -

To my students:
I see you. I see your furrowed brows, the strain and worry written all over your faces. I see the sadness and disappointment that we aren't able to see each other and our ballet friends in person and share our love for dance together at the studio. I see the realization that all hopes for concerts, competitions and opportunities to dance on stage are a faint hope in this strange new world we find ourselves in. But, my beautiful girls and boys, there is hope. Some of you are so priveleged to still have class, even if it's in a tiny space in your living room. You get the gift of time. Time to work on your stretching, perfect your technique, research and gain some understanding and knowledge of your art. Use it wisely, and you may just come out enlightened , more flexible, more aware of what your own bodies are capable of.

To the ballet parents:
Keep your kids dancing. It may not seem "essential" and to some, an unnecessary expense. On the other hand, I have also had parents tell me their children are different on the days that they've had ballet... more relaxed, calmer... as if in some ways, there is still some normality around. They keep moving, they keep exercising, stretching out their muscles, hearing beautiful music, learning self discipline, working towards a goal and seeing some familiar faces. So please, keep this in mind before discontinuing classes.

Also, I'm sure I am not the only teacher experiencing this at the moment, but I will speak up for us all : No, ballet during quarantine is not free.
If you are required to pay school fees in full, the doctor in full, the garden services in full (even though you haven't seen them in 5 weeks), you most certainly need to pay your dance teacher in full too. They also have families, houses to clean, washing and ironing to do... and yet, here we are, still finding time to train your children over a screen. So please stop asking for unnecessary discounts, or whether you still have to pay - it's awkward and uncomfortable. If there are real financial strains, I am almost certain your dance teacher will make special arrangements for you. These are strange times we're living in. Support small businesses where you can, especially those that are assisting your children.

To the fellow teachers:
Online teaching is not a joke. It's hard. 30 minutes feels like an hour. An hour feels like 5 hours. We are drenched in sweat from dancing around in a tiny space, shouting out corrections at the top of our lungs over music (not quite sure if your students can hear you, but going with it anyway.), and then watching them dance 2 beats behind the music, due to the online delay (which is truly painful for a musical teacher). Trying to motivate, inspire and encourage ballerinas in their pajamas and loose hair, who are trying to master pirrouettes with the dog joining in. Trying to teach with your 2 year old, standing right in front of the camera showing all your students his paw patrol toy and then insisting that he needs a cookie right NOW during Intermediate's 1st allegro. I see you. Chin up, keep going, keep doing what you're doing. It will eventually get easier. In the meantime, keep your sense of humour... You're going to need it.

Lots of love to all. Over and out.

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