Blog
5 Ways to Practice Gratitude in the Dance Studio
Why is it important to practice gratitude? As I'm writing this post, it is Thanksgiving...
Why you can’t skip the fundamentals in dance training
Why you can't skip the fundamentals in dance training Here is one of the most important...
How to help dancers perform better together
Why teamwork matters in dance A while back, I had the opportunity to be a guest on Making the Impact Podcast during the season six episode "From Solo to Squad: Respect and Teamwork in Dance." I had a great time chatting with Courtney Ortiz, Lesley Mealor, and...
Dance Games to Help Your Students Improve Their Performance Skills
Why performance skills matter in dance training 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...
5 Strategies for “Bring A Friend” Dance Classes
Why I love "Bring a Friend" Dance Classes 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,...
Making Dance Now: Errant Movement
“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...
What to Do When Your Dance Students Need to Sit Out and Observe Class
Dance students may need to sit out and observe class for all kinds of reasons, including non-contagious illnesses, aches and pains, major injuries, not being prepared to dance, or even at times for behavioral issues. With technology like Zoom now widely available to dance teachers, dance students can also observe class online from home when needed. No matter why dancers may ned to sit out and observe class, it is important for us as dance teachers to ensure that they continue to learn even if they cannot physically dance. In this blog post I will share 5 activities to keep dance students learning when they need to sit out of dance class.
Tax Basics for Independent Artists, Part 2: Business Expenses
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...
3 Thanksgiving Dance Games to Encourage Gratitude
How do you celebrate Thanksgiving in the dance studio? 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...
Tax Basics for Independent Artists, Part 1: Income
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...
5 Ways to Make Your Dance Studio More Gender-Inclusive
We often wonder why more boys do not want to take dance classes, or why some parents are reluctant to let their boys dance. But at times, the dance industry itself is complicit in these mindsets. Do a quick Google image search for “Kids Dance Classes.” The results tend to be pretty feminine, and pretty pink. We take advantage of the fact that consumers have a stereotyped notion of what dance is, especially for young children, and we feed it with the way we advertise and teach our classes. Where boys are described or depicted in marketing, they are strong, powerful, masculine, and heterosexual, glorified for their ability to lift women. Gender non-conforming children are rarely to be seen at all. In this blog post, you’ll find 5 ways to make your dance studio more gender inclusive, creating amore welcoming space for dancers of all gender expressions.
Letting Kids Be Kids in The Dance Studio
Kids will be kids - and that's a good thing! This quote from Phylicia Rashad has been on my mind for some time now: "Before a child talks, they sing. Before they write, they draw. As soon as they stand, they dance. Art is fundamental to human expression." I see...
Summertime Self-Care Strategies for Dance Industry Professionals
Why self-care matters - especially in the summer Hello, Sweet Summer! Hopefully, you are getting ready to enjoy at least something of a break - or at least a change of pace for the summer months! If you are in the "done club" and ready to enjoy the summer...
3 Fantastically Fun Dance Games for Summer
Why is summer the perfect time for dance class games? I absolutely love summer dance. I love welcoming new students into the studio during summer camps, helping them to fall in love with dance forever. I love getting into the nitty gritty with experienced...
5 Tips for Creating and Cleaning Choreography for Students
This blog post features 5 tips for creating and cleaning choreography for dance students – whether it is to be performed at competition, recital, auditions, or in the community. You’ll find strategies for involving students in the process of creating the choreography, using teaching practices that help dance students learn more effectively, and making the rehearsal process fun.
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