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Is Pushing Through Worth it?

Type:

Teacher article

Category:

Dance Teachers

I am the first person to barrel through pain, injury, illness, etc. It’s not only in my nature, it’s how I was trained as a young dancer. It is what I have always done throughout my career and was also common practice during my generation. That’s just what we did. Instinctually, I have similar expectations of my own dancers to a certain degree and often ask them to be mindful of their own bodies and self-awareness as such. Many of today’s dancers do have the same wherewithal and dedication to persisting and it can be a very valuable trait. It can in fact signify dedication, strength of character, perseverance, being a team player, etc....  

Author

Jess Stafford

Jess Stafford

Jess Stafford is a native New Yorker and has her MA in Dance Education from NYU. She also earned a BFA in dance performance from UMASS Amherst. Following a wonderful professional dance career, Jess now teaches and choreographs nationally and internationally, bringing her love of movement and creating to all her classes. Jess’ favorite performance credits include: The National Tour of Guys & Dolls, The European Tour of Grease, West Side Story, Cabaret, Sweet Charity, Salute to Dudley Moore at Carnegie Hall, guest-dancer with the World Famous Pontani Sisters and IMPULSE Modern Dance Company. She has been on faculty for the Rutgers University Dance Department, Perichild Program at Peridance and was Company Director at Steffi Nossen School of Dance. Jess has also taught creative movement therapy in Uganda and was a featured instructor at the Queen's Kampala Dance School. She has conducted workshops for the cast of LA REVE at the Wynn, Las Vegas and has been on faculty at the IDS International Dance Teacher Conference at The Royal Ballet, MPower Summer Dance Intensives and annual Dance Teacher Web Conferences. Jess has also served as Master Teacher & adjudicator for various dance competitions. She is the Chief Editor and contributing writer for the DanceTeacherWeb.com blog and is also an original in-house Dance Teacher Web faculty member. Jess’ latest venture has called her to become a Board Certified Integrative Health Coach, 500HR RYT and RPYT. She is also the creator of her private practice, Rebel Wellness. Her latest passion project includes creating the “BE WELL” Yoga + Wellness School and Dance Studio Program, which fosters mental health & emotional wellness for today’s youth. www.rebelwellnessny.com

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