Does Ballet Affect Academic Performance?

We all know the intelligent students with straight A’s that seem to always know the correct answer, but do you ever ponder the question of what extracurricular activities they do? You might be surprised to learn that they do dance, specifically ballet. Believe it or not, ballet relates directly to education and can allow for an overall better academic performance. Young dancers start by learning simple movements and combinations. As they progress through dance, not only do they learn technique and the correct way to do a step, but they also learn complex variations of those basic movements. Every day in ballet class, memorization is required in a very short amount of time. Whether it is plies, tendus, or fouettes, a dancer's mind is always working and is required to think eight counts ahead. Memorization continually exercises the brain and allows for faster connections and decisions. One statistic shows, “Students who take four years of arts, [which includes dance], average almost 100 points better on their SAT and are 4 times more likely to be recognized for academic achievement,”. Dancing results in increased brain neuron growth, brain enrichment, and neurological connectivity. Dance is often used as a treatment for neurological disorders such as Altizmers. Remembering dances that are taught allows the brain to practice accessing stored information, which is very beneficial when taking a test. 

Ballet also requires rigorous discipline; no slouching, no talking, no sitting, and no distractions. Ballet classrooms look a lot more intense than expected. Dancers, especially once they increase in age, are required to listen to the teacher and abide by their rules. Discipline is required in school classrooms as well, to maintain order and focus. There is a specific way to execute each step in ballet, similar to math, a dancer is either correct or incorrect. Ballet demands flexibility, not only being able to lift your leg 180 degrees but being able to take risks and apply corrections. The point of any class or practice is to advance and improve. In school, there might be a correction on your English essay that you make sure to apply to your next assignment. In ballet class, there might be a correction you receive on your turn that you make sure to complete by the next class. Dancers are great problem solvers, “Movement provides a cognitive* loop between the problem and the solution." Dancers are able to think quickly on their feet and execute their solutions; this can directly improve test-taking skills. 

Ballet is a great form of exercise that uses almost every muscle in the body while maintaining the attention of the participant. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states, “physical activity can have an impact on cognitive skills and attitudes and academic behavior, all of which are important components of improved academic performance. These include enhanced concentration and attention as well as improved classroom behavior.” The cognitive tasks translate to muscle movements and are carried out in multiple areas of the body. Ballet dancers have an endless amount of thoughts when carrying out a step, we are focusing on the movement of our feet but also the isolation of our head and the movements of the arms, all while our instructor is giving physical or verbal corrections. All dancers need to be physically and mentally present at any moment in a class, letting our minds wander off is never a good idea especially if we don't want to get in trouble. Finally, ballet enforces time management and attendance, which is required by schools. A ballet dancer has to balance their hectic after school dance schedule as well as the completion of their homework. 

Dancers have skills that relate to their academics, resulting in well-rounded students that are able to complete their assignments efficiently and correctly.  Memorization, discipline, problem-solving skills,  good attendance, time management, and flexibility are all qualities of a great student that can be taught at the ballet barre. 

Works Cited

 Alexandra, R. (2016, September 11). Why ballet should be offered in academic schools. BalletHub. Retrieved February 27, 2022, from https://ballethub.com/ballet-offered-academic-schools/ 

Exam time - dance for better grades. The Lewis Foundation of Classical Ballet. (2019, February 23). Retrieved February 25, 2022, from https://www.thelewisfoundation.org/2019/02/exam-time-dance-better-grades/ 

Exercise and the brain: How exercise can improve academic performance for your child. Exercise and the Brain: How Exercise Can Improve Academic Performance for Your Child – Pediatric Therapies. Retrieved February 26, 2022, from http://pediatrictherapies.com/exercise-brain-exercise-can-improve-academic-performance-child/#:~:text=physical%20activity%20can%20have%20an,well%20as%20improved%20classroom%20behavior.%E2%80%9D

Laguipo, A. B. B. (2019, June 26). Is dancing good for the brain? News. Retrieved February 26, 2022, from https://www.news-medical.net/health/Is-Dancing-Good-for-the-Brain.aspx#:~:text=Dance%20boosts%20memory,of%20dementia%20among%20the%20participants 

Powers, R. (2010). Use It or Lose It: Dancing Makes You Smarter, Longer. Dancing makes you smarter. Retrieved February 27, 2022, from https://socialdance.stanford.edu/syllabi/smarter.htm#:~:text=A%20major%20study%20added%20to,cognitive%20acuity%20at%20all%20ages 

Russo, G. (2022, January 8). 7 ways being a dancer makes you smarter. Dance Spirit. Retrieved February 25, 2022, from https://dancespirit.com/dancing-makes-you-smarter/ 

The benefits of ballet for Children​. Greenville Ballet School. (n.d.). Retrieved March 2, 2022, from https://www.greenvilleballet.com/benefits-of-dance/ 

5 ways dance classes improve school performance. Chosen Dance Academy. (2018, July 16). Retrieved February 25, 2022, from https://danceclasseslexingtonsc.com/5-ways-dance-classes-improve-school-performance/