The Benefits of Group Dance Training

By Sarah Keeler

Should you ditch your group ballet classes and stick to exclusively private training? Keep reading to find out why private coaching is not substitute for a traditional technique class in a group, whatever your goals.

When I first started teaching ballet, I thought private lessons were always the best way for dancers to progress. I carried over the mindset that I had as a young dancer: individual attention is always better!

But is it?

After many years of teaching both group and private lessons to dancers of all ages, I’ve come to value the group dance class experience even more. In fact, I now don’t allow dance students to train exclusively through private lessons, except in specific cases. (More about that later.)

Let’s talk about the proven benefits of group learning. These apply to all forms of learning and education, not just dance!

Group classes offer more benefits to dance students than private training alone.

The Right Kind of Pressure

Imagine you’re standing on a big stage alone. Everyone’s looking at you, waiting for you to do something, anything. Feel the pressure?

For some kids, that’s how it feels to be the only student in a class. The teacher’s eyes are on you the entire time. If you don’t understand something, you might feel too anxious or embarrassed to ask. You might be afraid to try that extra pirouette, or jump a little higher, in case you make a mistake.

In a group class setting, some of that pressure is off. You’re not alone on the stage and it’s not up to you to get it right all of the time. Conversely, the good pressure is on: healthy peer pressure. You want to keep up with the group, fit in, or stand out in a positive way. As a result, you’re likely to stay motivated and engaged throughout class.

One potential pitfall is that healthy “peer pressure” can turn sour quickly. Dancers — especially teens — can become preoccupied with comparing themselves to others, obsessing over their own flaws and drowning in negative self-talk. It’s important for dancers with this tendency to train in an environment that doesn’t encourage toxic competition between students, and have mentors who can guide them toward a healthy outlook.

Learning by Observing

We learn by doing. We also learn by watching!

Some students are more visual learners than others, but all dance students can benefit from watching others practice the same movements they’re learning. As a preteen, I remember watching one older dancer who I admired in class. She had exquisite epaulment (movement of the shoulders and head) and I actively tried to copy her, step by step, which resulted in major improvement to my own epaulment.

Don’t get me wrong. I never want a student to learn only by copying or following others. But I do believe that the ability to observe the movements of a variety of dancers — not just their teacher or their own reflection — goes a long way.

Spatial Awareness

Spatial awareness is the ability to understand your body’s location in relation to other objects. All humans use our spatial awareness skills daily to walk, drive, pick up objects and read maps.

Dancers need even more heightened spatial awareness than the average joe. On stage, a dancer must be able to maintain the correct distance between other performers, hit her “mark” and more, all while remaining in constant motion.

In class, dancers develop these skills by dancing with a group.

They learn how to stand at the barre so they won’t kick their neighbor during grand battements.

They learn how to travel quickly and powerfully across the floor without running into their partner.

They learn how to arrange themselves in the center floor to allow for optimum spacing between dancers — and how to shift while dancing to respond to the movements of others. This often requires split-second adjustments of the size or shape of a step.

You simply cannot master these skills with exclusively private training! I know from experience that a dancer who can’t “maintain her spacing” in an audition is highly unlikely to book the job, no matter how technically skilled and gifted she is otherwise.

Genesee Dance Theatre students pose for a photo together after a performance.

Dance Friends are the Best Friends

Don’t discount the power of friendship in the ballet classroom. Dancing with others fosters camaraderie and self-confidence in a way similar to team sports.

At every level, studying dance comes with challenges. When a child or teen experiences these challenges alongside others, they feel more supported and validated by the knowledge they’re not alone. On the flip side, dance comes with plenty of exhilarating moments of pure joy. Those joyful moments mean even more when they’re shared.

Group dance classes also give kids the chance to meet and interact with people outside of their school or other usual social circle. This can be lifechanging for many kids, opening up new opportunities for forging meaningful connections with others.

Most of my closest lifelong friends are friends I’ve danced with, whether as a child or later in my career. There’s something about training together day after day for months or years that bonds you for life.

One of the best parts of teaching dance is seeing my students develop similarly strong friendships. They support each other, joke with each other and cheer for each other both in and out of the class room. It’s not only part of healthy development — it makes every day more fun!

Side note: This book is another solid resource for helping kids develop strong social skills.

GDT student Sadie in a private lesson to prepare for a summer intensive audition.

When Private Lessons Make Sense

My experience, along with the research I’ve read on adolescent development, suggests private lessons should not be considered “superior” substitutes to group dance classes.

Am I saying you shouldn’t take private lessons then? Not at all. I think private lessons can be a fabulous component to a dancer’s well rounded training. Notice the key word: component.

Here are a few cases when I would absolutely recommend private training for dance students:

• To prepare for a solo performance, competition or audition.

• For serious pre-professional students who need more training hours than their school regularly offers.

• To work on a specific element of technique or artistry that the dancer is struggling with.

• As a temporary “stop gap” for training when group classes are on vacation or an extended break.

• For new students who might need a “catch up” on material before joining a class.

In all cases, private lessons should be approached mindfully by the student and the tacher. Make sure you have a clear goal and objective in mind when you go in for your one-on-one classes. That’s the best way to ensure you get the most out of your time and your money!