I have a dance student who is 15 years old, and has been on pointe for 4 years, and is resistant to dancing a solo I choreographed for her on pointe. She trains in our pre-professional program and dances a range of styles. Last year she performed a pointe solo at a competition, slipped on stage and ran off without finishing. She had been through a lot personally last year – she had surgery and her confidence was down. This year she is completely recovered. She is strong, flexible, and capable. As her teacher, I want to push her because I believe in her and know that she could rise to the challenge. Her parent is protective, but also often requests for her daughter to be challenged more in ballet. This year, however, the parent is also apprehensive about the solo being on pointe – I think because she knows her daughter is anxious about it. I wish I didn’t have to “force” this kid out of her comfort zone – I wish she wanted to push herself more, but I also feel that by submitting to letting her dance the solo on flat, I am doing a disservice as her teacher. What would you do? Maybe it’s not worth the fight, but I would feel disappointed if this girls fear prevented her from challenging herself. I appreciate any feedback.