It is the goal of every studio director to have a business which flourishes and is successful; a studio where dancers are there to learn and work on their craft. Where student support systems are built of peers, parents and …
Beginning pointe is a super exciting milestone in a young dancer’s life. Receiving your first pair of pointe shoes is definitely a time students don’t forget and will always remember. It should certainly be celebrated and met with enthusiasm and …
After teaching dance for 34 years, I have just about seen it all in students. How they learn, how they behave and how they retain information has changed dramatically.
It’s always inspirational as choreographers to walk into rehearsal and feel confident you have dancers who are both technically and artistically mature enough to handle the material you are about to give them. What excites us more is having those …
Dance teachers are clear on our role to teach students proper technique and performance skills. However, as generations continually evolve, so is the world in which they are growing up in. It is still my belief that certain etiquette, good …
Here is a version of my beginner musical theatre warmup. It’s always important to remember to include a solid technical warmup as well as stylistic, cardiovascular and performance elements into your class. This will create a well-rounded foundation and get …
We train our dancers to take everything with a grain of salt; to take the compliments and the criticisms, to not get too high or too low about accomplishments and failures. We prepare them for the harshness of the outside …
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 …
Teaching dance is a gift afforded to us. It is a special talent and we are the lucky ones to get to do what we do each day. It does however come with its share of responsibilities and teaching young …
It’ time for setting numbers for competition and we also need to give thought about the ones that are just about finished. While coming up with clever concepts and original choreography is a given, sometimes once all the “genius” is …
Expectation. It’s a word in which we often tip toe around. Especially in regards to our younger generation. Are they expected to handle too much? Do too much? Manage too much? Cope with too much? Be responsible & accountable for …
In the final chapter of our 3 Part Exclusive Dance Teacher Series on classroom environment discover unique ways to have your students receptive to receive corrections and how to create harmony in your classroom.
In Part II of Dance Teacher Ideas for the classroom we will explore classroom management that will keep your students stay engaged, happy and eager to learn
As a dance teacher, where you are today and where you will be a year from now is all about your thought process and how you act upon those thoughts. Recall how you felt when you first started to teach—do …
It’s always a balancing act when, as studio director, you must decide on the advancement of a dancer. They are many factors to consider in this decision. Unfortunately at times, the pressure of a parent can become an internal struggle …
As a dance teacher you are mentors, life coaches and guides. In today's fast paced word students are under more pressure from their peers. Use these 5 tips to help your students through conflict resolution!
