Shannon Dooling-Cain is a dancer, choreographer, writer, and dance educator based in Arizona, with roots in the Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. metro areas. She specializes in ballet, modern dance, contemporary dance, jazz, dance history, improvisation, and creative movement for all ages and skill levels. Her choreography has been featured in venues throughout New York City, Philadelphia, Washington D.C., and Phoenix, AZ. On her blog, she provides resources for dance teachers including curriculum ideas, lesson plans, dance activities, choreography ideas, and reflections on the intersection of dance, art, society, feminism, and motherhood. She is available to teach dance workshops, create and set choreography for students and professionals, and provide consulting to dance studios, K-12 programs, individual artists, and small companies.
A list of 5 dance activities to support students’ emotional health and well-being during the Covid-19 outbreak, or any time. … More 5 Dance Activities to Support Your Students’ Emotional Health
A list of 21 choreography prompts designed to help foster resiliency for movers of all ages. The prompts can also be used for dance improvisation. … More 21 Choreography Adventures to Foster Resiliency
Have you ever watched a dancer who was just stunning technically – extensions to to the ear, super coordinated, gorgeous use of weight and space, incredible jumps and turns – but just doesn’t make you feel anything? It happens all the time, especially in the age of TV competitions and Instagram. Some people may believe … More How to Help Your Dance Students Improve Their Performance Skills
Confession time: I absolutely LOVE introducing new students to dance. I am the teacher that eagerly signs up to teach the beginner dance classes. There is something magical about welcoming a new dancer into the studio, helping them learn the basics of technique and artistry, and instilling in them lifelong love of dance. For this … More 5 Strategies for “Bring A Friend” Dance Classes
“Making Dance Now” is an occasional blog series profiling choreographers and small dance companies to explore the challenges and rewards of creating, producing, and presenting choreography in today’s culture and economy. It’s my hope that this series will spark a dialogue about the importance of dance-making today, and how we can better support choreographers. Errant … More Making Dance Now: Errant Movement
We’ve all been there … Ms. Shannon? My (stomach, big toe, left elbow, eyebrow, etc.) hurts so bad I can’t even move right now! Or … Ms. Shannon? I fell off my bike two days ago and banged up my knee and my mom says I can’t dance until I go to the doctor for my … More Injured? Under the Weather? What to Do When Your Dance Students Need to Sit Out
This is the second in a guest blog series by Jonathan Cain, Chartered Financial Consult®, cellist, engineer, and (if I may add) husband extraordinaire! The goal of this series is to provide basic information on taxes for independent artists, such as performers, dance teachers, and choreographers, to answer some common questions about income, expenses, and … More Tax Basics for Independent Artists, Part 2: Business Expenses
Thanksgiving is, hands down, my favorite holiday. Yummy food, time with family, no pressure to find the perfect costume or gift … what’s not to love? But Thanksgiving has never been an easy holiday for me to celebrate in the dance classes I teach. Wedged between the Halloween madness and Christmas craze, there isn’t a … More 3 Thanksgiving Dance Activities to Encourage Gratitude
This is the first in a guest blog series by Jonathan Cain, Chartered Financial Consult(R), cellist, engineer, and (if I may add) husband extraordinaire! The goal of this series is to provide basic information on taxes for independent artists, such as performers, dance teachers, and choreographers, to answer some common questions about income, expenses, and … More Tax Basics for Independent Artists, Part 1: Income
Like many in the dance world, I was appalled by Good Morning America’s recent coverage of Prince George and the fact that he takes ballet classes. I was sad for George and all the little boys who might feel ashamed because someone says that what they love to do is “girly.” I felt anger that … More 5 Ways to Make Your Dance Studio More Gender-Inclusive
