Learning an art like dancing and that too classical Indian dance is an adventure in itself. Indian classical dance is an art form that brings you closer to the Indian culture, heritage and roots. While learning Indian classical dance, one needs to have patience, discipline and an excellent Bharatanatyam teacher to guide them on their journey of becoming an Indian classical dancer. Here I’ve mentioned a few things to keep in mind while enrolling in an Indian classical dance class. These tips will help you find the perfect instructor for yourself and make your journey a little less tedious and hefty.
Finalize the type of dance form you are keen to learn
Deciding upon the type of Indian classical dance you want to learn is very necessary. You need to have a clear image of what you want to learn, what you like, and what you are comfortable with. It will narrow down the list of teachers you have made. Look for a type or form that you are most comfortable with and in which the teacher is an expert of that field or dance form.
Language of the Kathak or Bharatanatyam Teacher
The language in which the teacher communicates with you should be the language you know the best. This will make learning fun and easier. You’ll learn the dance form fast and correctly too. Say you are a resident of Delhi currently, but you hail from some other state. So look for a teacher that communicates in your mother tongue or some other language that you are most fluent and comfortable with. This will further narrow down the list of teachers in front of you and you’ll be able to find your perfect match.
Fees
The fees or the charges of the teacher hired to teach or instruct you should be something you can pay easily without difficulty. The fees of the teacher should be affordable for you. The salary of the teacher should not exceed your monthly budget. If the salary or the fees fall into your budget, that will not hinder your day-to-day practices.
Location/Accessibility
The location of the dance class should be close enough that you can walk to the studio or the classes without spending extra on transportation. In this sense, I feel online dance classes are the best because the pandemic is still going on and it is not safe to send your children out during this time. In the online classes make sure you have the proper electronic items like a laptop or desktop with a webcam or an android phone with a working camera to attend the classes properly.
Timing of Kathak or Bharatanatyam Teacher
The timing of the class should fall under your free time so that you can attend the classes with no disturbance. Look for an instructor who can teach at your time and pace. You should look for a teacher who can teach you freely without bounding to time limits or who is always in a hurry.
Passionate Dancer
Look for an instructor who is passionate about the dance form and knows what he/she is doing and teaching. The instructor should be in love with his job and should know all their knicks and knacks of the Indian classical dance form that he/she has mastered. They should be able to explain the dance form and steps smoothly and simply.
Reviews of the teacher
Read reviews of past students or customers who hired them to know what their nature and style of teaching are like. You’ll understand a lot after reading the reviews. You will know the type of person the teacher is. So read the reviews and see what the majority of the people have to say about them.
Take a demo or trial class
Observing the class or taking a trial class will give you an idea of the energy of the class and the instructor. You’ll learn a lot about the class and the teacher through the trial class. You can see how much time and energy they invest in their students or how much they love what they are teaching. Observing or taking a trial class is the best way of choosing and completing the teacher you want.
Other than all the above tips, you should look for someone who understands your dance goals and supports you on your journey. The instructor should respect and understand your level instead of pushing you or forcing you to do something you are unable to do at the moment. They should give you time to adapt and learn because this will be something new for most of you.
I hope this article was helpful for you and helped you decide on the perfect teacher for yourself or someone you love. Choosing a good teacher who fits your requirement is very important and also a little tedious job. So follow the above tips and find the one for you. Best of luck!
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