Giving students, teachers, and parents an edge in dance education
Young ballet dancers gain integral qualities that lead to success, not only in dance, but in life. Guest and School of the Aspen Santa Fe Ballet Director, Melanie Doskocil describes for readers two occasions when it was clear her students had discovered important life lessons – ones that will carry them far toward a successful future.
If your child is asking, investigate the reasons she wants to take a new or additional dance class. Costume style, choreography, musical accompaniment, or maintaining friendships may be no less valid or less important to her than the desire to enhance her skills. Dance should be fun, too! Do not devalue or brush away these motivations, they are part of the equation.
Can’t Can’t Can’t Do you find yourself saying or thinking this word? When you consider it, it seems really silly that out of everything we practice in class (most of which we’re quite good at), we choose to focus only on what we have trouble with. Teachers, too, often forget that their students need to [...]
I recently received a question from a reader who is interested in approaching her studio owner with a proposal. She felt that she and her fellow students could use a designated time each week for conditioning their bodies in addition to regular dance classes. Her proposal was to volunteer her own time and lead this [...]
Dance is a form of expression, allowing one to creatively or artistically “speak” through a non-verbal language. However, dancers have often found a need to express themselves through words and writing as well. In fact, writing can be a useful tool for dancers, teachers, and choreographers. And, journaling or keeping a diary is a great [...]
This is a continuation of Part I of How to Conduct Yourself as a Professional which dealt with leadership, positive attitude, and work ethic. Generosity When I think of someone that displays ultimate professionalism, I see a person who is generous with their gifts, generous with their time, and generous in spirit. This person is [...]
What does it mean to conduct oneself as a professional? Someone that is consummate professional in their career and in their life is essentially a strong leader. Years ago I was the drum major for my high school band (Yes, I know my geek quotient just went up but I wear it proudly). In preparation [...]
Dancers are an interesting sub-species. Observing dance students in their natural habitat (the studio) reveals that they tend to revel in their strengths and dwell heavily on their weaknesses. Dancers maintain a detailed mental list of their shortcomings as they wistfully pine for the “natural” abilities of another. Meanwhile, a dancer will redundantly practice the [...]
