When people think about a dance teacher, I imagine that they think we just teach dance. Technique, steps and choreography all are part and parcel of what we do. But those of us who are involved in the industry know better. While it is important that dancers learn proper technique, style and musicality that is probably the least important in the big picture of what we do and how we impact the lives of our students.

Through the years we have received quite a few letters from former students telling us what their time at our school has meant to them and how it has been instrumental in guiding them with their lives. It has helped them in the good times and bad. Every time we receive one of these letters it really does bring you back to the key of what we do. We are building positive life skills in students we come in contact with. Oh I have had my fair share of students that I have not had what I would consider a good rapport with, only to see them sometimes many years later when they just drop in to say thank you!

Here is a key question that you should ask yourself, 'Am I instilling positive life lessons that will enhance the lives of my students?' Now, if you are not already doing so, find a way to build them into every class. Everyone makes mistakes and when students do so it gives us a great opportunity to explore ways to deal with a mistake. Life is full of them but most students are taught to never make them and to fear failure. We can show our students what to do when they make a mistake and how they can use that mistake to actually help them improve. We have a saying that is MIW… which stands for Make It Work! Even when things are not going as planned.

Hard work is another great life lesson. Why does hard work always equate to misery? It doesn’t have to, if you love what you are doing and have a burning desire to get it right. Being part of a team and learning how to get along with others is a major life building skill. So many people are in jobs where they don’t get along with other employees. Yet when asked as to why they don’t like them they really have no reason why, other then they just don’t like them. How miserable must it be to have to deal with that day in and day out? Showing students how to get along with others, have mutual respect and be able to work together with a team is probably the biggest gift you could give them.

Keep this in mind as you go through your classes in the coming weeks. You are making a BIG difference in people’s lives and having a positive impact. The biggest lessons learned are the life enhancing gifts that your students may not even realize that they are learning until many years later.

We would like to share with you a letter from one of our former students who attended NYU Film School which is one of the toughest to get into. Over fifty thousand apply but only two hundred get in each year.  He graduated a few years ago and now lives in Los Angeles where he is building a name for himself as a film director and producer. He is currently working on a short film and we recently attended a fundraiser for his project.

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Dear Steve and Angie,

It was wonderful seeing you both at the party. I am so lucky to have people like you in my life. Not only were you amazing dance teachers but you are both so much more, life teachers perhaps, though it's a clunky phrase. The lessons you taught me continue to inform all I do.  

I just got off the phone with Dan Woog, a reporter for the Westport News and his goal is to write that Westport produces great kids and talented artists. I had to make it very clear that it wasn't Westport, but Fairfield County, because the lessons I learned at your studio in Fairfield are the greatest resources I take with me. I explained to him that dance is a team sport, just like filmmaking, and it's that ability to work with others in a creative environment, to find their strengths and understand their weaknesses, to know when to lead and when to follow, when to improve and when to be part of a chorus, that allows one to make any large scale art project.  I can't thank you enough for your incredibly kind and generous donation and for having faith in me, and my film.  It’s folks like you that allow young artists to get their start.

I’m already back in Los Angeles, making some final revisions to the script.  Next week I work with a storyboard artist to plot out all the shots.  And next month I return to the east coast to continue casting and lock down our major locations.  It’s so exciting to see all the pieces coming together.

I appreciate your love, support and thank you again for all you have given me.

All the best,
Jared

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As you can imagine, this letter was wonderful to receive and makes all of the years we have put into the business worth every minute. And let us thank you for all you do for your students and for passing it on!