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.
Raise your hand if you’ve been bored in a dance class! I’ve got one hand raised as I type this, and I’m only thinking about the classes in which I’ve been the dance teacher. Dance is an art for that relies on routine and repetition to get results. While there is nothing wrong with consistency … More Simple Ways to “Shake-Up” Your Dance Class Routine
It’s almost Valentine’s Day, and if you are anything like me, you have no idea how, or even if, you will celebrate with your significant other, but you definitely know what your lesson plans for the week look like! Or, maybe you don’t … and if that’s the case, here are three activities that you … More Three Sweet Valentine’s Day Activities for Your Dance Class
As a dance educator and choreographer, I’m always thinking about transitions. Dance technique is full of transitional movements that make all the difference: that perfect preparation before the pirouette, that luxurious undercurve in the triplet, that sublime chasse into the leap. I know these transitions are crucial; proper execution of them distinguishes the novice dancer from … More The #MonthlyMessage: It’s All About the Transitions
As dancers, we know that what we’ve learned in the studio goes far beyond the steps and choreography. We know from our own experience that dance can be transformative; that it helps us grow not only as movers and artists, but as individuals and citizens. Dance training instills all kinds of life skills, but so … More 8 Life Skills Learned Through Dance
Week number of 2019 is almost in the books, and if you are like me you are still mulling over your resolutions for the year. One thing I know for sure is that I want to spend more time fostering my creative skills through choreography in 2019. Choreography, like all other forms of creative expression, … More Five Creative Practices Choreographers Should Adopt This Year
It’s resolution time, dance teachers! Whether you love the practice of making New Year’s resolutions or hate it, the changing of the calendar can be a great time for us to reflect on our teaching practices and set some goals for the next twelve months and beyond. Here are three practical New Year’s Resolutions every … More Three New Year’s Resolutions for Dance Teachers
Christmas is a time of anticipation: For the kiddos, it’s the excitement of Santa’s impending arrival; for us older folk, it’s looking forward to time with family and friends and a bit of respite from the day-to-day. For Christians, the four weeks leading up to Christmas are held by Advent, an entire season devoted to … More The #MonthlyMessage: The Purposeful Practice of Patience
My fellow dance teachers, congratulations! For most of us, winter break is on the horizon, which means we’ve almost made it through another semester in the studio. Whether these last few months have been full of triumphs or challenges, you have earned a well-deserved respite and a bit of relaxation. To help you make the … More 5 Winter Break Self-Care Practices for Dance Teachers
It’s hard to believe that winter and the holidays are upon us again! While we might be feeling a little overwhelmed with shopping, cooking, decorating, and the other demands of the season, our students find this a most magical time. Holidays … school breaks … the first snowfall … it’s pretty much a kid’s dream! … More 3 Wonderfully Whimsical Winter Activities for Your Dance Class
Oh, man. It’s been a tough couple of weeks. The world just feels heavy with suffering, from Yemen to California to Syria to the Florida Panhandle. Almost daily, it seems I learn of another friend or acquaintance who is facing their own personal sufferings, small and large. It’s hard to sit and watch it all … More The #MonthlyMessage: Faith, Hope, Gratitude
