We do dance differently...
Hi, I'm Shannon Dooling-Cain!
With nearly four decades of dance experience, I know the transformative power of dance. Dance instilled in me important skills like determination, accountability, and creativity that I use on a daily basis. But I’ve also experienced how dance training can have a negative impact on physical health, emotional well-being, and a dancers’ sense of identity and self-worth.
Over my 20 year career as a dance educator and choreographer, I’ve learned how to do dance differently - emphasizing the powerful positive benefits and minimizing the harm that can come with dance training. I’m on a mission to create a more joyful dance experience for all through a holistic perspective to dance education and choreography.
holistic
/Həʊˈlɪstɪk/
adjective
- characterized by the belief that the parts of something are interconnected and can be explained only by reference to the whole.
- characterized by the treatment of the whole person, taking into account mental and social factors
A holistic approach to dance education means that we teach the whole person for their whole life.
We value not only how our students perform, but also who they are as individuals with unique backgrounds, circumstances, needs, goals, and potential.
We celebrate community over competition, knowing that everyone thrives when we work together.
We recognize that a dancers’ time in the studio or on stage may be fleeting, but the impact of dance training will last a lifetime.
A holistic approach to dance education teaches skills that go beyond dance technique, helping dancers grow in artistic expression and overall well-being.
Through this holistic focus, we empower our dance students to become healthy, motivated, and engaged individuals, in addition to strong dancers, powerful performers, risk-taking artists, and articulate advocates for the art of dance.
DOING DANCE
DIFFERENTLY
FOR OVER 20 YEARS
Hi! I’m Shannon Dooling-Cain: dance educator, choreographer, dance mom, and fierce advocate for dance.
I was born in New Mexico, grew up dancing in the suburbs of Philadelphia, and currently live in Southern Arizona. I hold an MFA in Dance from University of Maryland College Park and a BA in Dance from DeSales University in Pennsylvania. My background is in modern, ballet, improvisation, jazz, lyrical, and contemporary dance.
The dance industry can be vast and overwhelming. I make it accessible for you and your dance students.
WIth decades of experience across the dance industry, I can bring the best parts of higher education, K-12, studios, and musical theatre dance to you and your students.
TEACHING
Higher Education (Adjunct & Guest Artist): University of Maryland Baltimore County, Glendale Community College, New Mexico State University, DeSales University
K-12: The Lowell School, Berman Hebrew Academy, AZDEO Teaching Artist Pilot Program
Faculty or Guest Artist at 20+ Studios across the US
CHOREOGRAPHY
Work presented at dozens of venues & events including Dance Place (DC), Tempe Center for the Arts (AZ), Tucson Museum of Art, Philadelphia Fringe Arts Neighborhood Festival,
Choreographer for musicals including West Side Story, Bandstand!: A New American Musical, and Fiddler on the Roof
ADJUDICATOR
- Maricopa Artist of Promise
- Scottsdale USD Dance Festival
- Maryland State Dance Festival
- Studio Showcases and Local Conventions
ADVOCACY & ADMIN
Founder and Co-Director of New Street Dance Group and Co-Founder of NACHMO/DC
10 years working for National Dance Education Organization
Dance Specialities/Styles
Ballet, contemporary, modern dance, jazz, lyrical, improvisation, musical theatre dance
What People Are Saying
I love all the creative ideas you put together in The Holistic Collection of Dance Improvisation Tips & Activities! Encouraging some silliness in activities like the “Wacky Waving Arm Flailing Tube Person” is refreshing! I also really love the variation on Body Writing. I have so many positive things to say about this guide!
I am so honored to have had the privilege of working with Shannon Dooling-Cain as a dancer in my company and as a teacher on my faculty. Her love for dance and creativity was so evident in her performances and how she worked with children. I am also very impressed with the lessons she shares on her blog. As the former Associate Director of Education for New York City Ballet, I have a lot of experience with curriculum development. Shannon has incredible ideas that I find very helpful.
I'm one of the many performers and dance educators living in Massachusetts who is currently benefiting from your generosity in releasing The Holistic Guide to Journaling for Dance Students. Thank you for making this wonderful resource available. It's well loved here in MA!
