The Construction of Credibility and Expertise: Black Teachers of Classical Ballet
Abstract:
This presentation shares the initial findings of my dissertation research study, The Construction of Credibility and Expertise: Black Teachers of Classical Ballet. The qualitative, case study conducted at five professional ballet schools in America investigates the lived experiences of well-established Black ballet teachers and the viewpoints of their students and parents who are an essential part of the constituency determining the instructor’s credibility in instructing the art form.
My central research question is: What impact, if any, does the racial background of teachers have on their perceived credibility in teaching classical ballet? I am interested in uncovering the challenges and successes in building credibility in teaching the art form as well as specific strategies employed: examples from one’s teaching practice that reflect efforts to prove credibility and/or expertise with their constituency. The findings are from both observing and interviewing Black ballet instructors and from focus group interviews with parents and students to uncover their viewpoints on the qualities they consider when associating credibility to their ballet instructor.