For the past 20 years, Ohio State University professor Nyama McCarthy-Brown has been advocating for dance pedagogy that embraces students’ cultural backgrounds. “When you look at a textbook and all you see is Western-based dances or people moving in ways that point back to a Eurocentric culture, how do you value other cultures?” she asks. […]
Adult ballet students come from all kinds of different places—and they attend your class for all kinds of different reasons. Understanding who your student is and what they want is key in making sure you give the kind of feedback that will resonate with them and help them get what they need out of your […]
Going upside down can be scary. It’s spatially bewildering, and young students who have spent their lives upright often lack the strength required to feel confident putting their weight on their hands. But, don’t fret! There are safe and pleasant ways to build the muscle and the might for dynamite inversions. #1 – Strengthen and […]
While the days of slapping students’ legs with a cane have become part of (recent) history in dance training, a “leave it at the door” mentality persists in many studio settings. But when a student enters the studio, they come as an entire person, with all the shades of complexity that entails—especially in their years […]
Q: I’ve taught in the private sector for years and want to move into K–12. How can I do it? A: Most public-school systems require a certification or license to be on faculty. If you’d like to work in the public-school system but don’t have the necessary license, you can become a teaching artist at […]
This is a charged question that I have heard debated my entire career as a dancer, teacher and director. So why would I pose such a contentious question? Because good dance teaching is at the heart of the RAD and a core value we need to be able to define. I hope this will also […]
To have a set syllabus, or to not have a set syllabus, that is the question. Each year you have the chance to decide which is best for your dancers and their future. Both sides of the argument have compelling reasoning to back them up. Dancers simultaneously need structure and freedom in order to become […]