When we teach young dancers and they are starting to execute movement, often times the comprehension of that somatic initiation and execution takes a while to sink in. We all have had dancers who can replicate a piece of choreography …
We all know a beautiful port de bras starts with a strong back. The arms, shoulders and core all play an equally important role, but we often find students initiating from the arms, not the back and also not utilizing …
“ALL I EVER NEEDED WAS THE MUSIC AND THE MIRROR.” -CASSIE, A CHORUS LINE As a teacher, think about the aforementioned famous quote for a second. Think about all your years of training and the “norm” which makes up a …
Chaplin left us with 4 statements to live by. We totally agree, check it out!
Walking into a dance studio for the first time to teach your first class can bring up a whole host of emotions. Being excited, creatively charged and also nervous and apprehensive are all par for the course. You’re walking into …
If you were like me, you danced everything full-out - all the time, every time. There was never a glimmer of a thought about marking something unless the teacher instructed it was OK to do so. Even then, you rarely …
I have had the privilege of teaching dance for over 34 years and before that I was a professional dancer for 10 years. I have had the opportunity to study with many great dance teachers and the number one thing …
The dance world lost a legend this week as the amazing Tommy Rall passed away. Check out his amazing resume and enjoy this great video from one of his classic movies "Invitation to Dance"
Teachers are people too. We’re human. We have emotions and experience events that occur in our lives (outside of the studio) which are going to move us in a variety of ways. Especially given the current state of the world. …
As dance teachers, we come across every configuration of student; the dancer who may not be the greatest technician but has such passion and enthusiasm for learning it inspires us and makes us excited to teach. Then there’s the dancer …
We know, as dance teachers we are all a little anxious as we set forth into the unknown of this year. And while the landscape may look a little different from studio to studio, what remains is the dedication, perseverance …
The dance season ahead may look a little different for everyone this year. Setting numbers may take some creativity, yes, but it doesn’t mean it has to be boring or can’t be done. Time to turn it into a positive! …
So many things often get generalized, glossed over, breezed by and given half-hearted attention to sometimes when we teach. There’s only so much we can get to and we try to deliver as much information as possible to our students. …
Dance Teachers are currently experiencing extraordinary times. While some studio owners have heartbreakingly had to shut their doors after a lifetime in business, those that remain open now face the new methodical measures necessary to run and keep our dancers …
Ever think of what you can do to enhance the learning curve in your dance class? While dancers are often taught “how” sometimes we forget the “why’s,” “when’s,” and “where’s” things came from and happened…. In a time of abundant …
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, …
