Well......It's about time we "officially" introduced you to one half of our amazing founders here at Dance Teacher Web! We are thrilled to touch base with Steve Sirico and pick his brain on his teaching views, philosophies and what has made him such a leading force in the dance studio community for all these years. His knowledge and passion for his craft and passing it onto others is one of the reasons Dance Teacher Web is such a success! Enjoy!
Name: Steve Sirico
Current role/Position: Director/Owner D’Valda & Sirico Dance & Music Center. Founder Dance Teacher Web.com
Hometown: Norwalk CT
Training/background: Mikki Williams, Charles Kelley, Frank Hatchet, Fred Favorite and Bob DeVoye
Inspiration (s): I have always enjoyed great partner work. Growing up our family friends were Fred Favorite and Bob DeVoye of the Bob DeVoye trio who toured with Liberace and were on the Ed Sullivan Show many times. They had the most incredible lifts
Dream teacher (past or present) Why? Charles Kelley always pushed me and believed in me. He helped me get my first job where I met my wife Angie.
Most memorable learning moment: Every time I went on stage I learned something new. About myself and about the audience that is why I think it is so important to get students to work on performing every time they dance whether they are on stage or not.
Lessons I’m still learning: Teaching is very fluid. The more you teach the more you learn. Students have changed a lot over the past twenty years. If you think you know it all and are done learning as a teacher you are on the way down!
My area of strength: Connecting with the students. I demand a lot but they know that I care about them and I really do.
My area of improvement: Being patient! I know that this is one of my weaknesses and I am not proud of it. But I know when I am in that zone and understand sometimes that I need to take a step back.
10 words or less-Advice for THE aspiring dancer: It’s your attitude not your aptitude that determines your altitude!
10 words or less-Advice for THE dance teacher: Your student’s mindset is the most important tool they have!
10 words or less- advice for THE studio owner: Find the right team that believes in your vision!
Motivational one-liner for choreographers: Feet don’t fail me now!
My Suggested music playlist for class: Justin Timberlake, Budda Bar Mix and don’t forget some of the old school music. There are a lot of gems there like Earth, Wind & Fire!
The ideal dance space should be…… Your sanctuary where you can create undisturbed!
Steve Sirico is originally from Norwalk, Ct and excelled in track and football. He attended the University of Tennessee at Martin on a sports scholarship. Deciding to switch and make his career in the world of dance, he studied initially with Mikki Williams and then in New York with Charles Kelley and Frank Hatchett. He appeared in a number of theatre productions such as “Damn Yankees”, “Guys and Dolls” and “Mame”. After meeting Angela D’Valda during the filming they formed the Adagio act of D’Valda & Sirico appearing in theatres, clubs and on television shows such as David Letterman, Star Search and the Jerry Lewis Telethon.
In 1982 they were contracted to Europe and appeared in a variety of shows in Spain, Portugal, Sweden, Finland, Switzerland and Italy before going to London, England where they appeared as Guest Artists for Wayne Sleep (formerly of the Royal Ballet) in his show “Dash” at the Dominium Theatre.
Steve and Angela have owned and directed their dance studio in Fairfield, CT for the past twenty seven years. Author of his Jazz Dance syllabus and co-author of a Partner syllabus both of which are used for teacher training by Dance Educators of America, Steve is the author of two new books It’s Your Turn! The success blueprint for the dance studio owner and dance teacher.
He has taught at the International Dance Teachers Conference in London at The Royal Ballet School and at the Interdanz Conference in San Jose, Costa Rica. He also teaches for Dance Teacher University the all new dance teacher certification program. He choreographs for theatres, television and conventions and D’Valda & Sirico recently choreographed the opening to the National Speaker’s Association convention on Broadway in New York City at the Marriott Marquis.
Steve is President and Founder of the website Dance Teacher Web, designed as the ultimate online resource and training tool for dance teachers and dance school owners worldwide. The website features hundreds of videos and articles presented by a renowned team of master teacher and coaches. Dance Teacher Web Live Conference & Expo is a yearly conference in Las Vegas where hundreds of teachers from around the world come together to learn from the top master teachers and business professionals in an intimate setting unlike any other dance teacher event. For more information visit www.danceteacherweb.com or www.danceteacherexpo.com You can connect with Steve at steve@danceteacherweb.com
