Ballet teacher

Ballet teachers teach students ballet technique, a classical form of dance. Classes often take place in venues such as opera houses or dance schools, and students can range from children and teens to adults and professionals.

What do ballet teachers do?

Ballet teachers typically teach at a dance school or in a ballet company at an opera house. They are responsible for planning and conducting ballet classes. Most good ballet classes have a musical accompanist, an experienced pianist who plays the music to which practice is being given. Ballet teachers give the pianist instructions on tempo, time signature, and the type of music desired for each exercise. Ballet teachers may teach pure technique at the ballet barre, on the floor, or in the hall. Ballet teachers must be pedagogically gifted and able to teach and instruct exercises and choreography to both pianists and students. Teaching often requires in-depth knowledge of lifting, jumping, pointe technique, and pas de deux. 

What do ballet teachers need to know?

Good ballet teachers are also good educators and should be able to adapt lessons to students. They should be able to teach in a way that students not only understand, but are inspired and motivated to continually improve their skills and technique. Ballet teachers must be musical and able to communicate with musicians. They often have extensive dance experience and/or have had a ballet career. Of course, a long, solid dance education is the basic requirement, and in many cases, training as a dance teacher is also required. Since many ballet teachers teach at schools that host dance performances, they are also usually asked to choreograph ballets for these school performances.

Source: Wikipedia, StagePool, various schools