Teaching Dance

Daylight lingers long--sultry summer sun an early moon roosted high watches, waits for sun’s egress yet, she lingers on Charlotte sits on the porch, rocking in a simple chair of solid maple, rocking forward, creaking back rocking forward, creaking back in a faded sundress that hangs loose at her hips, clings limply to sunken shoulders Stray, wild strands from ginger hair, lightened by age, bunched and plopped atop her head, tickle and cool her neck, rocking forward, creaking back on weakened floor boards, a wrap-around porch with cracked paint railings and splintered steps Horseflies buzz in air thick with dandelion seeds, hay, manure, Charlotte rocking forward, creaking back snaps heads and tails from green beans, snap, snap, drop, toss nimble fingers, gently old quickly jerk, break off ends, release crisp, green aroma, snap, snap, drop, toss Sometimes takes one raw bean in her mouth, tastes its leafy, earthy sweetness, its fuzzy coat and seeping cent...

I had an interview with a reporter today about the Teacher Training Workshop (among other things). Besides the obvious benefit of going over every lesson and vocabulary in the syllabus, the workshop had some great moments when we covered teacher specific concepts. We discussed the 6 Classes Method, Teaching Multiple Perspectives, and covered a handful of Teaching Tools from a handbook I am currently researching and writing. The 6 Classes Method is included in the Support Manual from my Jazz Dance Technique & Syllabus and provides teaches a helpful tool for keeping consistency in their lessons and provides the opportunity to look at any single lesson in great depth (without becoming stale or monotonous...hopefully). Teaching Multiple Perspectives is a dance teacher specific approach to the material I will be presenting at the National Dance Education Organization’s annual conference in Minneapolis this October. In a nutshell, it looks at the variety of perspectives or mindset...

Day Three of the Teacher Training Workshop went well. Since we were working on levels 5 and 6--the most advanced, it was great having the younger teachers to help illustrate some of the more physically challenging elements (thanks Lianne and Alex!). Loved trading ideas and information with Genevieve (hope you have a safe trip home—oh, I am going to take your suggestion about the DVD’s). I got a kick out of seeing a self-professed non-jazz dancer totally rock the latin hips and Cuban walk (work it Irene). And, Melissa’s bubbly energy brought such humor, joy and insight to the classes (thank you). In the evening, Melissa and I did a photo shoot for Ridgefield Magazine . Donned in outfits from local stores (mine from Hutton's --I got to wear a hat!--and Melissa's from Parker East Dry Goods ), we had a good time goofing off and feeling awkward in front of the camera. It’s funny how as dancers we seem naturally more comfortable moving than we do posing. I ended the night on a...

Day Two of the Teacher Training Workshop was even better than Day One . While being much more sore than I was after the first day, I am also much more inspired and excited about working and sharing with these teaching-artists. We are an extremely varied group and that makes for such a dynamic and interesting mix. Tomorrow is our last day and I am looking forward to it but know I will miss the discussions, laughter and camaraderie when it is over.

Today was Day One of the Teacher Training Workshop for my Jazz Dance Technique & Syllabus (by the way, Genevieve gets the Frequent Flyer Mile Award for coming all the way from South Africa). It was a good day and I came away thinking about my prior blog: Embracing Beginner’s Mind . There is something so vital and special about teachers who are willing to continue to expand their understanding. Each of them, by virtue of attending a workshop such as this, demonstrate the idea of beginner’s mind. In working with the teachers today, in hearing their stories and in witnessing their passion for teaching, I learned new ideas and found myself, in turn, inspired. So, I thank you all and hope the rest of the days bring continued growth, sharing and learning. 

Today I celebrate a minor anniversary. No, I am not talking about Canada Day (even though it is, in fact, Canada Day). We are all accustomed to celebrating major anniversaries (like weddings or birthdays) but we seldom aknowledge the minor ones. And I don’t believe I am alone when I say that one thing the world could use is more celebrations! Right? Although, on second thought, I am tiring of all those graduations. I get college, high school, and maybe even middle school, but fifth grade, kindergarten, pre-school...come on already. Dance Teacher Anyways, today I share with you my personal minor anniversary. Today is the one year anniversary of my Jazz Dance Technique & Syllabus™ . It was exactly a year to the day that I launched my web site and began sharing the work, which I had been developing privately over a period of 14 years, with the public dance world. I had very modest goals for the first year, so I am thrilled that the syllabus has been adopted by schools in Italy, A...