Director's Message
The Teachers Intensive has, over a period of years, been of great value to teachers. Many are the teachers who return home to their studios with renewed vigor and confidence – encouraged by the insights, understanding and techniques gained at Teachers Intensive.
Very often, teachers feel the need to be inspired and to find answers to questions that they may ask themselves:
- Is my teaching methodology still valid?
- What new ideas can I incorporate in my teaching?
- Do my classes have enthusiasm and energy?
- Are my students up to standard?
- Are their parents satisfied with their progress?
The Teachers Intensive will provide answers, both positive and practical, that will enhance your teaching skills and make you an even better teacher. I do not believe in intellectual theorizing about the teaching of ballet: that does not pay the rent.
I believe that teaching is a practical art that needs a practical approach whether to a new class of five year olds or to teenagers with stars in their eyes who have other options for their energy.
This note cannot describe the feeling of “being there”, the skills that come from new accomplishments learned, the self-confidence that knowledge brings and the inspiration that the Teachers Intensive infuses into all those who attend.
It is my sincere belief that the Teachers Intensive of the American Academy of Ballet is an important feature of teaching experience that is of immeasurable value to teachers.
Sincerely,
Mignon Furman
Why You Should Attend the Teachers Intensive
The Teaching of Young Children: We now offer eight programs that focus on young children, the most important people in many of your studios. See next page for details.
Observe the Best: You will observe master teachers teaching the students. You will be able to note exercises, combinations and the structure of the class, as well as the words, images and methods that inspire the dancers to dance their personal best in each class.
Performance Awards Program: I initiated this program eleven years ago. It is now part of the curriculum of about 100 teachers across the United States, in England, Japan, Spain, Ireland, South Africa, the Bahamas, Holland, Mexico and Israel. See the “Performance Awards” section on the following page.
Special Faculty: I have invited a Faculty which has an enormous amount of expertise in teaching methodology and will share their knowledge generously. The Faculty has been at our Teachers Intensive for many years and has an extremely refined understanding of teaching dancers at different levels of development.
Make Contact: Too often have I seen teachers teach in isolation, unaware of the ballet developments going on around them. Teachers need other teachers for the sharing of knowledge. Every profession is updated from time to time. Update your teaching.
Summer Break: Give yourself a break! You deserve to get away from your daily routine. Apart from the continuing education aspects, Teachers Intensive is a very enjoyable experience.
About Mignon Furman
Mignon Furman has, over a period of years, organized no less than 20 Summer Schools. She has been teaching ballet for more than 30 years. She was the Senior Lecturer in ballet at the University of Cape Town, and Acting-Director, with special responsibility for teaching training. At the University she formulated the programs to be used by 80 trainee teachers, and 400 students. She was nominated for the Distinguished Teacher Award from amongst the entire University faculty of 1,500. She is a choreographer and educator, and has studied or been guest teacher in New York, London (England), Tel Aviv, Paris, and Cannes. She has served on city, state, and federal arts or education committees.