Corrective Training for the First Years of Classical Ballet at the Hungarian Dance University

Abstract

At the beginning of the academic year all students newly admitted to the classical ballet dancer training course of The Hungarian Dance University are assessed by the Child Development and Therapy Centre called Bárányfelhő.  After the assessment of their motor and neurodevelopment, children can have special skills development training integrated in their curriculum. Between the 33 children assessed in September 2020 the most significant differences were found in cross-body movements and the independent use and coordination of the upper and lower extremities. In the seventh month following the evaluation, the ballet masters of these classes reported development in concentration, coordination, balance, attention, as well as the independent use of the limbs and proprioception in these children. The skills development training has got a compound effect: as students` coordination skills improve, they gain more success and, as a result, they become more self-confident. This kind of specific skills development at the Hungarian Dance Academy does not only fill a gap in professional dancer training but it is also unique regarding professional dancer courses.