The mirror is not you. The mirror is you looking at yourself.
George BalanchineRead
Most ballet teachers in the United States are terrible. If they were in medicine, everyone would be poisoned.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote critiques the quality of ballet teaching in the U.S., suggesting that poor instruction could have dire consequences.
George Balanchine's quote highlights a significant issue within ballet education, emphasizing the necessity for skilled and knowledgeable teachers in order to cultivate talent and ensure the safety and well-being of students. The comparison to the medical field serves to underline the potential risks of inadequate teaching, suggesting that just as a poor doctor can cause harm, a bad ballet teacher can ruin a dancer's prospects and physical health.
Themes
BalletTeachingEducationQualityDance
In practice
Example use cases
A dance school administrator might use this quote to emphasize the importance of hiring qualified instructors.
More from George Balanchine
All quotes βFirst comes the sweat. Then comes the beauty if you're very lucky and have said your prayers.
George BalanchineRead
I don't want people who want to dance; I want people who have to dance.
George BalanchineRead
God creates, I do not create. I assemble and I steal everywhere to do it - from what I see, from what the dancers can do, from what others do.
George BalanchineRead
One is born to be a dancer. No teacher can work miracles, nor will years of training make a good dancer of an untalented pupil. One may be able to acquire a certain technical facility, but no one can ever 'acquire an exceptional talent.' I have never prided myself on having an unusually gifted pupil. A Pavlova is no one's pupil but God's.
George BalanchineRead
The pointes for girls, I always say, have to be like an elephant's trunk; strong and yet flexible and soft.
George BalanchineRead
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