Two Techniques to Bring Focus to Your Business

TEACHING HABITS...WHEN TO LET DANCERS FIGURE IT OUT FOR THE…

Very often as teachers, we get to a point in our educating that we are so subconsciously determined to ensure a dancer's comprehension that we ourselves forget it is up to them to do the learning. There have been times …

RECITAL REMINDERS FOR PROFESSIONAL APPEARANCE!

Hi dance teachers & directors! As we are in the thick of recital season with just a few more weeks to go, I just wanted to share a couple of last minute reminders that can transcend your year-end shows from …

QUICK & EFFECTIVE STRENGTHENING EXERCISE FOR ARABESQUE & GR…

INCREASING THE EFFORT & ENERGY LEVEL IN DANCE CLASS

One of my biggest pet peeves as a dance teacher is when I see students go "half-at" things; particularly dancers with talent and facility. I often sit back and think to myself, did I ever give off this kind of …

REDISCOVERING YOUR CREATIVE PROCESS

At different points in a choreographer's career, one discovers how they create best; what works for them and what doesn't; in terms of the creative process. When one is just starting out, the ways in which we use trial and …

TEN "MUST-DO'S" TO GET YOU ORGANIZED & RECITAL READY!

Studio directors, that time of year is quickly approaching and recital season is in the air. Here is my handy checklist and timeline to help you stay organized in the weeks ahead. Stay ahead of the game and on target …

TOOLS FOR TEACHING CHOREOGRAPHY COMPOSITION-PART II

In our previous blog article we looked at some basic concepts towards building a choreography-composition curriculum that supplies students with a strong foundation regarding initial design components. Once they have mastered the concepts including:_ motivations & clarity, musical component, space …

LEARNING TO GIVE MINDFUL CRITIQUE

As dance teachers and artists, we are our own worst critics. We scrutinize every detail and go over things with a fine-tooth comb every day we're in the studio. Why? Dancers aim for perfection. It is a lofty, unobtainable goal, …

TEACHING YOUR STUDENTS COMPETITION COURTESY

When we head into competition season we are usually engulfed in setting pieces, rehearsing, ordering costumes and perfecting every last detail so that it is show ready. We spend countless months coming up with concepts for our dances, organizing schedules …

HOW TO DESIGN AN EFFECTIVE SUMMER INTENSIVE DANCE PROGRAM

Can you believe we're already nearing the end of March? We are quickly moving towards the end of what is hopefully turning out to be your best year yet and it's time to start turning attention to the summer season! …

STUDIO LOYALTY: WHEN STUDENTS DANCE FOR MULTIPLE STUDIOS

As a studio owner, there are challenges in and of itself when dealing with other dance studios who are in close proximity to yours. There is constant competition in gaining business, losing business, staying relevant, keeping on the pulse of …

IMPLEMENTING APPROACHABLE TEACHER EVALUATIONS

Assessment is always a hot-button issue regarding education. It's particularly a tender subject when dealing with paying customers, but what happens should you choose to administer teacher evaluations amongst your faculty as well? This can also create a bit of …

LESSON IDEAS FOR PRETEEN MUSICAL THEATRE ACROSS THE FLOOR &…

.Welcome back! In our last blog article on the topic, we began to look at the breakdown of a great center-warm up for your preteen musical theatre dancers which will start to prepare them for across the floor, center combinations …

DANCE STUDIO OWNER TIPS FOR ORGANIZING THE PRODUCTIVE MEETI…

Studio owners, how often do you and your staff/faculty partake in weekly, bi- monthly or monthly staff meetings? Do you have a regimented protocol to keep abreast of the things currently going on at the studio and projections as such? …

BEING MINDFUL ABOUT MUSIC SELECTION!

Studio Directors, is faculty selection of music a constant stress? Do you have to approve all music choices because teachers choose the same music or inappropriate content, music that does not match your recital theme, dated and overdone songs, etc.? …