WITTY KIDDIE DIDDIES

THE DOCTOR IS IN!

Out of the mouths of dancing babes: speaking of 'bourree'....

#1. Teacher: "Alright class, today we will be learning 'bourree'! Now everyone stand in your pretty 5th position. Now releve! Let's start by staying in place ... teeny, tiny 'mouse steps' in place, high on our toes. Now then, let's move forward. Good, good. Now lets move to the right. Now to the left. Now let's travel backwards. Good, good! Okay, let's review. Move forward...now what is this called?"
Dancers: clearly pronounce loudly and proudly, "Bourree!"
Teacher: "Very good! Now let's move side to side! What is this called, again?"
Dancers: even louder, "Bourree!"
Teacher: "Excellent! Now let's travel backwards. Here we go!
Now what is this called, again?"
Dancers: at the tops of their lungs, "RAY-BOO!"

#2. This is your second year of owning a school and teaching. You are in your classroom of 15 4 and 5-year-olds. Everything is going well today. All your dancers are paying attention and you are feeling really good about yourself, your school and all the progress of these and all of your other students. Yep, you have really done well for yourself and see a real future with this school. You are truly something special! Now back to the story:
It is now time to have them bourree across the floor. Susie's turn... ready to bourree... well... "What-the-ballet is she doing?!" you think to yourself. Her fifth position is turned IN. Her 3rd position arms are stiff with one pressed tightly against her cheek and the other shoulder touching her ear lobe. Holding her breath, she boldly pulls up on releve, tongue sticking out and placed strategically out of the corner of her mouth. She is concentrating so hard on each and every detail...then she begins to move across the floor with the grace of a - well...NOT a dancer!
Teacher: "Susie! What ARE you doing?!"
Susie: still moving and clearly deep inside herself trying so hard to do it 'correctly', "I'm doing Bourree!"
Teacher: "Susie... now you know you have never seen a ballerina bourree like that."
Susie: still moving on and not stopping for anything, "Uh-huh! Yes I have"
Teacher: "Susie, where would have seen a ballerina bourree like that?"
Susie: "In last year's recital..."
*ba-dum-dum....chhhhhhh! (that was a drum sound indicating..."TOUCHE! little one")

TODAY'S PRESCRIPTION:
Stressed? Take a lesson from your kids. Be honest, up-front, and uninhibited! Remember, kids NEVER miss a thing so the example you set is ALWAYS important and they will always let you know what they are thinking...like it or not! Like a child, go for your goals with all your heart and soul, not taking yourself too terribly serious in the process. Let go and enjoy your dancing and your students. Listen to your kids. Take notes so you won't forget how to be a kid every now and then yourself. Oh, and work on that 'bourree' presentation for THIS year's recital. Most importantly...LAUGH! These are the best days of your life.