7 Mistakes New Ballet Teachers Make (and How to Avoid Them)

So, you’ve traded in your pointe shoes for a planner and a playlist — welcome to the teacher’s side of the barre! Teaching ballet is a beautiful, rewarding experience… that also occasionally involves glitter explosions, forgotten combos, and a lot of “What happened to dancer lines?”

If you’re a newer teacher (or just love to laugh at the early days of your teaching journey), here are 7 common mistakes new ballet teachers make — and how to gracefully pas de bourrée your way around them.

1. Trying to Fit Everything Into One Class

You’ve got SO many ideas — so many combos and so little time! Between barre, center and across the floors combos — how do you fit everything you KNOW you should & WANT to include into a 1-hour class?

Avoid it: Pick 1–2 class goals and build your lesson around them. Keep it clean, focused, and leave your students wanting more (not gasping for air).

👉 Need help building a balanced class or summer session? Check out How to Structure a 6-Week Summer Ballet Class Series — it’s packed with ideas (and a free planning template!).

2. Over-Explaining (A.K.A. Ballet Lecture Hour)

It’s tempting to give a TED Talk on turnout or the history of the royal court. But while your students are nodding politely, their muscles are cooling down.

Avoid it: Give quick, clear cues and let the movement do the talking. You can always chat after class if they’re curious about 17th-century court ballets. (You know they’re dying to ask.)

👉 Or set aside a specific day and time dedicated to ballet history. You can make that a fun workshop with picture books, and coloring pages (if appropriate) or have your students do some of their own research.

3. Using Music That Doesn’t Match the Combo

That moment when your elegant adagio turns into a race against time because your music is faster than your students’ coordination? Oof.

Avoid it: Always test your combo with the music before class. Bonus points for having backup tracks just in case your streaming app decides it’s jazz hands time during a waltz.

4. Winging It Too Often

Yes, improvisation is a beautiful thing — until you're in front of 15 kids staring at you while you silently panic-plot a barre combo.

Avoid it: Have a lesson plan. Even a loose outline helps keep the class flowing and your nerves in check. (Psst — we’ve got some great ones for you right here. 😉)

6. Being Too Serious

Yes, ballet has tradition and discipline — but if your students are afraid to smile or ask questions, it’s time to loosen the bun a little.

Avoid it: Create a safe, supportive environment where students feel encouraged. Throw in a little humor when appropriate. Ballet is better with joy.

👉 Have fun with music - sometimes a combo to a pop song can be really fun plus it shows your students that ballet can be done to any kind of music!

7. Skipping the Cool Down

Don’t just end class with a grand jeté into chaos. Their bodies (and yours!) need a moment to settle.

Avoid it: Take 2–3 minutes at the end for gentle stretching or reverence. It helps with recovery — and keeps you looking like the composed pro you are.

Final Pirouette of Advice:

Making mistakes is part of the journey — even Misty Copeland wasn’t born teaching clean, clear battement tendus. Learn as you go, laugh a lot, and give yourself the grace you offer your students.

And if you'd rather skip the planning stress altogether, check out our plug-and-play ballet lesson plans — they’re like having a seasoned ballet BFF in your back pocket 💕🩰