Meet Terry Hyde Psychotherapist for dance

Terry Hyde, psychotherapist, counsellor and founder of Counselling For Dancers shares his knowledge, insight and advice into mental health and wellbeing.
He started ballet classes at the age of 6, at 10 I was awarded a 5 year scholarship to the Royal Academy of Dance in London, later attending the Royal Ballet senior school. At 18 he joined the Royal Ballet and later moved to London’s Festival Ballet (now English National Ballet) as a soloist. After 5 years, he moved to musical theatre, performing in London’s West End, Film and TV.
Because of my own experiences as a performer, he am able to bring a genuine understanding of the unique demands that are placed on dancers into my psychotherapy practice.
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[@joyvan0827]

Very interesting interview. Personally, I am not for competitions, especially at a younger age. I understand that parents want their kids to shine on stage and to prove that they are progressing by earning medals. I had the same experience with my daughter when she was 7. She loves classical ballet, and would dance freely at home almost everyday to us. We decided it was a good idea to sign her up for competitions so that she could get more private trainings and would be able to dance on stage. But as parents, we quickly realized that it’s not the best way for kids who love to dance. They either become too absorbed by themselves, or start to feel that they are not good enough because they didn’t get a medal. The whole purpose of dancing becomes winning medals and preparing for competitions. The pure love and joy for this performing art is lost. But I have to say, it’s very hard not to do so here in North America. Studios are all owned by private owners whose business depend on various competitions. If you don’t join competitions, the teachers might not think that you are serious enough about dancing. But as a parent, I think it’s better to see things in a different perspective. Keep the love of dance in your kids; find a good teacher; if he/she has the intention to become a professional dancer, set the goal for eight years. Slowly develop them into a strong and confident dancer. And if they did not become a dancer in the end, it’s not the end of the world. Dance has given them a beautiful and strong body that they will appreciate whatever they become. Speaking of training systems, I still believe that the Russian way is the best. Yes, it is more difficult. But if you have a teacher who knows what they are doing, they help your kids get stronger in the correct direction without getting injured.

[@DanceChannelTV]

Thank you for your comments. Great points! Check out our Partner website @learnballetonline

[@sarahdaultry8117]

Could we please get away from "corrections"? A dialogue in the classroom that is termed "feedback" is much more constructive and is inclusive of the teachers thoughts and those of the students. This is one of the many topics covered in the Inspire teaching seminars offered for CPD by the Royal Ballet School