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JW Marriott Will Use Ballet to Train Workers

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JW Marriott has teamed up with the Joffrey Ballet to improve service through classical dance training.

Employees of JW Marriott will soon undergo ballet training — sort of. The luxury hotel chain has partnered with the Chicago-based Joffrey Ballet to train its staff, according to the Chicago Business Journal.

The new initiative, called “Poise and Grace,” will use the principles and techniques of classical dance to instruct hotel employees. The program consists of four videos that showcase Joffrey Ballet dancers and the troupe’s artistic director, Ashley Wheater. In the videos, Wheater imparts tips on the importance of warm-up exercises, breathing techniques, graceful movement and connecting to the audience, which in this case is anyone visiting the the hotel. More specifically, the videos highlight the significance of making eye contact and using certain gestures to convey both confidence and discipline.

JW Marriott will likely formally announce the new endeavor, which it plans to initiate at 67 of its worldwide properties, later this week.

This isn’t the first time that the hospitality industry has used ballet to coach employees. Back in 2006, workers at D.C.’s Hotel Palomar received lessons from Septime Webre, the artistic director of the Washington Ballet. Webre taught doormen, bellhops and other staff members how to incorporate dance moves into various tasks, such as opening doors and transferring luggage.

Phillip Herbert, a front desk clerk, remarked that he had a lot fun with the training. “I learned a lot about my body, what I can do, and how much is portrayed by body language,” Herbert said. “It will be a useful tool to help portray a full welcome to our guests.”

[Photo: iStock]

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