Advice for dancers: former New York City Ballet dancer Linda Hamilton Ph.D., is a lecturer, a psychologist in private practice, and author of Advice for Dancers . She has been offering advice to Dance Magazine readers since 1992 - Jossey-Bass - advice on choosing the right ballet school and teacher, handling injury, and improving relations with company management

Dance Magazine, Jan, 2004 by Linda Hamilton

I'M A 16-YEAR-OLD HONOR STUDENT WHO'S BEEN DANCING FOR NEARLY EIGHT YEARS--ONLY TO FIND OUT THAT I'VE BEEN TRAINED INCORRECTLY AT THE LOCAL SPORTS FITNESS COMPLEX. MY NEW TEACHER HAD A CAREER AS A DANCER. HE ALSO WORKED WITH PEOPLE I'VE READ ABOUT IN DANCE MAGAZINE AND HAS TAUGHT ME MORE ABOUT TECHNIQUE AND ARTISTRY IN ONLY FIVE MONTHS THAN I EVER LEARNED AT MY OLD STUDIO. NOW, HE SAYS HE FEELS LIKE HE HAS TO RETRAIN ME (AND SEVERAL OTHERS) BEFORE WE BEGIN IMPROVING. HERE I AM WANTING TO BE A CAREER DANCER ONLY TO FIND OUT THAT I'VE BEEN TAUGHT BY PEOPLE WHO PROBABLY COULDN'T GET INTO A PROFESSIONAL BALLET SCHOOL!--FEELING CHEATED Your story breaks my heart. No ballet dancer should be in the position of having to unlearn eight years of poor training. Unfortunately, in a country that's as vast as America, anyone can set up a dance school regardless of their qualifications. Now that you've found a good teacher, give yourself time to adjust. Meanwhile, other dancers and their parents can learn from your experience by asking the following questions:

* What is this teacher's background? If they've trained at a well-known dance academy, (mine was the School of American Ballet) or performed in a legitimate company, then at least they know dance technique. When in doubt, ask how many of their students have been accepted by professional dance schools, summer programs, or companies.

* Is the classroom a safe environment? A "no pain, no gain" mentality in dance can ruin a professional career. In contrast, a good dance teacher reassures students that mistakes are a normal part of the learning process, refuses to play mind games by making unfair comparisons, and never ignores injuries. Qualified dance teachers also don't put young children (before the age of 11 or 12) on pointe, according to dance medicine specialists. Whenever possible, check out a ballet class before you sign up, and ask other dancers about the teacher's reputation.

* Does the dance training make sense? Carol Lee, who teaches ballet history at the University of South Florida, says that every ballet class should have a specific structure that moves from the barre to center exercises, followed by steps in combinations. Anyone who throws in jazz or tap isn't playing by those rules. Likewise, teachers who don't use the French vocabulary and refer to plies as "squats" probably lack adequate training. Dancers can contact a nearby college or university dance program for referrals. A qualified dance program, such as American Ballet Theatre's summer intensive, can also develop your eye for the best training.

FOUR WEEKS AGO I SLIPPED IN CLASS AND ENDED UP WITH WHAT IS CALLED A GRADE 2 ANKLE SPRAIN. MY PHYSICAL THERAPY IS GOING OKAY, BUT MY FRIENDS TELL ME I LOOK DEPRESSED. DO YOU HAVE ANY SUGGESTIONS TO HELP INJURED DANCERS STAY POSITIVE DURING REHAB?--ALEX FROM ANAHEIM, CA Unlike most people who sprain their ankles, the stakes are completely different for dancers whose livelihood, not to mention their self-esteem, is on the line. The good news is that it's possible to return to dance even better than before by taking a positive approach to your recovery. The first step is to realize that most dancers get injured at some point during their training or career--so don't beat yourself up, you're not alone. It's also normal to experience mental strain during an injury, making you anxious or depressed. If you continue to stress out, you also may start to crave foods high in fat and sugar, with the likelihood of weight gain. What can dancers do? Get support from family and friends and settle into a reassuring routine with other injured dancers in physical therapy. In your case, a psychologist can also teach you how to manage stress by reframing your injury in a more positive light and practicing cognitive coping skills. For a referral, check out your local state psychological association.

I'VE NEVER FELT, AS A DANCER IN A COMPANY, THAT WE WERE TREATED AS FUNCTIONING ADULTS RATHER THAN BEING HERDED TOGETHER LIKE CHILDREN AND TOLD WHAT TO DO. MY QUESTION IS, HOW MUCH OF THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS PROBLEM LIES WITH MANAGEMENT? ALSO, DO COMPANY DANCERS NEED TO CHANGE HOW THEY FUNCTION TO GET MORE RESPECT?--DEANNE LAY, NEW YORK, NY I know many company managers who care deeply about their dancers. Still, nothing's perfect in life or dance. The first step to making a positive change is to know your rights by reviewing your contract and enforcing it, even if this means taking a well-needed break during a rehearsal period, like most musicians do. If something in the company feels wrong, speak out collectively as a group, so no one gets singled out. Last but not least, attend company meetings with management dressed to win. You'll only appear vulnerable if you show up in leotards and tights.

SEND YOUR QUESTIONS TO: Linda Hamilton, Ph.D., at 2000 Broadway, PH2C, New York, NY 10023, and read her answers exclusively in DANCE MAGAZINE.

Former New York City Ballet dancer Linda Hamilton Ph.D., is a lecturer, a psychologist in private practice, and author of Advice for Dancers (Jossey-Bass). She has been offering advice to DANCE MAGAZINE readers since 1992.