OK, being serious now, trina - tho' i know you won't respond for a few days because you're in transit FROM that island, back to this OTHER reality - you wrote:-<P>"Their lack of exposure creates certain challenges..." - i have experienced that here, even with ballet students in a specialised dance program...<P>and it really depressed me when i put on the music for cygnets, which i was teaching them in repertoire class, and a group of teenage girls chorused "that's the cigarette ad!'...

<P>between a dearth of opportunities (sometimes), parents who don't value the arts, high ticket-prices etc., it's not uncommon to find that you are teaching students who've never seen a dance or a dancer: the 'real thing' in a theatre, that is.<P>their impressions are formed these days by video clips, more so than anything else, and one thing i find THAT cultivates, is the attitude that anyone can do it, it's easy, and no practice or learning is required.<P>THAT's a hard attitude to overcome.<P>prisanh: isn't there any umbrella sort of organisation (like we have here in australia, and i know i've seen in canada) for your situation? a group that will share resources, assist professional development, provide guidelines, keep you informed about courses, workshops, performances, etc...?<P>