(Re)emphasizing discipline in dance training, -- Ethan Stiefel at Univ. of N.C. School of Arts Options

[bart]

In today's Links section, pmeja has posted the following article about Ethan Stiefel's innovations at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. The focus is on teaching and reinforcing self-discipline among the dance students. Stiefel's techniques include stricter dress code and ocaasionally demanding 20 push-ups from male students who are clearly unprepared.

http://www2.journalnow.com/content/2009/fe...ng-professiona/

What do you think?

I've always been impressed by the level of self-discipline among high-school age ballet students I've observed -- certainly compared with the average US student in all but the most elite general-education schools. This seems to be more than just individual behavior: there's a culture of self-discipline which, ironically, makes people more able to work in grouups, to cooperate, and to see their place in a larger pattern than just their own lives. It's part of what makes it such a joy to observe well-conduced ballet classes.

The advantages of teaching discipline in any performing art are obvious.
-- WHICH kinds of discipline are most valuable?
-- How should they be taught?
-- How transferrable are they to other kinds of life work, when the dancer retires or if he or she decides not to follow a professional careeer?

And one matter that has always puzzled me
-- Is it possible to have a successful and long-lasting ballet career relying on talent primarily, without a firm, consistent self-discipline underlying it?

[Hans]

Regarding your last question, Bart, I would say no. Without firm, consistent self-discipline, it is not possible to reach an advanced level in ballet school, much less become proficient enough to be hired by a company.

Some of Stiefel's changes sound good (acting classes, for example), but I fail to see what push-ups as punishment are going to accomplish.