Customer Reviews

How to Be a Ballerina [VHS]

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

After seeing so many choices of ballet teaching videos on Amazon, I consulted my local library and was able to borrow this one. We found it charming and fun (our daughter takes a weekly hour long 5-6 yr old ballet/jazz combo class although ballet is her favorite). The instructor is pleasant and clearly describes the moves as she is doing them with the "class". I must note here that I have already purchased the "Learn Nutcracker Dances with Me" and although it's nice, it seemed more like a home movie done by someone who likes to ham it up with filming effects. This video (How to Be...) is very easy to follow and, while it is NOT a source for basic technique learning, it does a wonderful job at giving children some fun ballet skits to put together from rehersal to performance. We also enjoyed the final performance at the end. If in doubt about this choice- call your local library and try it for free. I plan to purchase this one and the Royal Ballet's Sleeping Beauty DVD for our collection.

My toddler started watching this video at 18 months ... now at 27 months I actually think I have to buy another one becuase it is getting so worn!! The Instructor is very nice, clear and obviously loves both dance and small children. What she teaches is truly good - and in a manner easy for small children to follow, although it certainly is not a replacement for formal instruction - but she doesn't mean it to be ... it is to get the children interested -- and IT SUCCEEDS!! My daughter's FAVORITE thing is to watch this video ... and I like it because not only is it good, it means I can sit for 20 minutes!

My three-year-old daughter started participating almost immediately. Sleeping Beauty is one of her favorite stories, and all the steps taught are easy for kids to imitate. Even the ones she couldn't do, she was able to copy to some degree so that she felt like she was really dancing like the girls on TV. The video held her attention the whole way through, and I'm sure we will play it over and over.

I bought this video after researching the reviews of several other children's ballet videos, and it definitely lives up to its good ratings! In it, the teacher instructs the young girls on the solos of the various fairies in Sleeping Beauty (The Lilac Fairy, the Woodland Glen Fairy, etc.), and encourages children at home to take the part of one of them. It's a very lovely video and I personally enjoy the pleasant music, the gentle teaching style, and the children's performances. My 27 month old daughter loves this video and would watch it over and over if I let her. It's a great feeling to be showing her a video with some cultural value rather than just some cartoon character singing kids songs!

Debra Bradnum was my ballet teacher when I lived in London. The video is a bit naff but all the girls are sweet and it doesn't attempt anything too hard for small ones to do. It also has footage of the Royal Ballet's Sleeping Beauty. Two of the girls in the video went on to the Royal Ballet School, which is where Debra trained. I would have loved this video had I had it when I was younger.

We love this video. My little 2y old daughter runs on her pink tutu to say "hello teacher" every time it starts. She knows the steps and loves to perform the final presentation. The teacher has a sweet voice and repeats the movements several times for the littles to learn.

I am (very) surprised at the number of positive reviews this vido has recieved. My 6 yr old is in beginner ballet and loves it. But this tape couldn't hold her attention for more than 5 minutes! The dance instructor has such a heavy accent, it's near impossible to understand her. What WAS understood wasn't spoken loud enough, my tv was at top volume. She is not upbeat at all and acts like she wasn't paid enought to make this video. Her attitude and tone of voice is all the same- dull. I am annoyed at amazon for recommending this. I will be dropping it off in the nearest goodwill box.

I was amazed at the other reveiws giving this video such good marks. My four year old watched it twice. She had attended a dance class proir to a move and loved the circle work, foot work and stuff for preschool age. This was no where near what I thought it would be. I would not waste my money. I would love a refferal for a good one! As my daughter loves to dance.

I was very dissapointed with the quality of the VHS that I ordered from Amazon.ca. Children cannot learn anything from this tape. The presentation is very poor. As soon as I watched it I was ready to send it back. Unfortunately, Amazon.ca does not accept opened VHS tapes. They accept damaged and unopened items. But what about the products that do not satisfy customers. Because you don't know what you bought, until you open and actually see it. I would not recommend this tape.

I ordered two tapes. The other one, "Discover Bellydance" (Basic Dance) by Veena and Neena, is an excellent and colourful performace, easy to follow for both children and grown-ups. I would give 5+ stars to this tape.

I ordered this because my daughter has recently been enrolled in a Ballet class. She gushes with excitement after each session and my wife and I thought an at-home practice video might be entertaining.

The reviews for this product rave about how wonderful the 45-minute video is and how their children enjoyed it. I am amazed at this claim. The tape does not go through the basic steps like a dance class and only focuses on a series of mediocre dance routines.

My daughter was bored within minutes and repeated viewings have fared no better. We ordered this in the hopes that it would be a nice entertaining primer on ballet for our little girl. The product description is vague enough to convince the unwitting consumer that this is what the tape contains. This is not the case. It is a 45-minute glimpse into a ballet class preparing for a program. It is not for the parent wanting to give their daughter a tape to practice her basic steps with.

Avoid this tape at your peril. It is a waste of money and time and won't help aspiring Ballerinas do anything more than get up and go outside to play soccer.