Sofas, Dogs and Toys

This week I got an early birthday present, a new Bluetooth headset, which has been amazing at making my voice a lot louder online. Last night consisted of lots of test runs and after playing with hundreds of computer settings I think I’m ready for my online adult ballet next week!

As well as a headset, I have found that one of the other essentials for online teaching is a TV screen. By connecting my computer to a TV screen it helps me to see dancers nice and clearly. To begin with many of my tiny ballerinas did not realise this fact which led them jumping on the sofa, playing with their dog or getting out a toy half way through an exercise. It was only when they heard my voice, saying their name that sudden realisation hit…even though we were not in the studio I could still see them!!!

So I guess what I have learnt from lock down is teaching adults online is really valuable: it gives them the freedom to try something new, it makes it easier for those with busy lifestyles to exercise, it removes the vulnerability that some people feel when going to a dance studio and most of all it gives more people the chance to dance. And children…well teaching little ballerinas online is certainly more challenging and I can’t wait to get back to the studio where there won’t be any distractions of sofas, dogs and toys!