Organizing and Running a "Happy Class" July 27, 2015 Children need structure. This is especially true in the pre-ballet years, as they prepare for a more disciplined class. The less “free time” they have in the class period, the better. They should know exactly what they’re supposed to… Read More Organizing and Running a "Happy Class"
6 Classroom "Attention-Getters" to Watch Out For March 29, 2015 Every dance studio is different with its own set of rules and expectations, but one thing remains the same throughout: children will be children. No matter where I teach, I find that there are certain little tricks… Read More 6 Classroom "Attention-Getters" to Watch Out For
How To Talk Effectively With Children March 13, 2015 Young children, especially children ages 3 to 5, do not understand the spoken word as well as we think they do! They have a large vocabulary of words and phrases, but the exact meanings are not always clear to them. In… Read More How To Talk Effectively With Children
Training Your Dance Assistant March 6, 2015 Teachers have gone back and forth on this issue forever: Is it a good idea to use a teacher’s assistant in class? Some are like I was and would prefer that the teacher be the sole authority in… Read More Training Your Dance Assistant
The 3 Stages of Coordination February 13, 2015 Ballet skills are built upon the base of natural skills that has been developed within the person. This is why extensive experience with fundamental movement skills is important for a ballet class of young children. It is surprising… Read More The 3 Stages of Coordination
Don't Be A Skipper, Teach Them To Skip! February 7, 2015 Skipping requires balance, symmetry in muscle use, self-esteem and some natural coordination. It is often used as an indicator of ‘readiness to learn’ academic subjects. It is expected that children in a dance class will learn to skip. Read More Don't Be A Skipper, Teach Them To Skip!
Choreographic Advice for Teachers January 23, 2015 “Never let an opportunity go without adding your enlightening [movement] to further the cause of the loftiest, oldest, most profound of the arts and, in so doing, I sincerely believe that you will be… Read More Choreographic Advice for Teachers
5 Principles of Classical Ballet for Young Children December 19, 2014 Even at the earliest age, ballet students are absorbing the classical principles we instill in them. From as early as age 3, there are fundamental movement and artistic elements that can be cultivated in order to shape how that student learns and… Read More 5 Principles of Classical Ballet for Young Children
Teaching Pre-Ballet is a Challenge! December 2, 2014 It is a challenge for creative teachers to keep the ballet and other choreographic movements within the abilities of young dancers! It is worth your time and effort to do so. The end result will be better dancers in your… Read More Teaching Pre-Ballet is a Challenge!
Six Choreographic Guidelines for Threes November 16, 2014 It surprised me this year how much of a struggle it is to choreograph for three and four year olds! Doesn’t seem like a huge task; after all, they’re only preschoolers! They’ve hardly scratched the surface of ballet technique, what… Read More Six Choreographic Guidelines for Threes
The Dance Teacher's Secret Weapon: Expectancy November 6, 2014 It’s been one of those weeks. We all know them—toward the end of the first term, dance teachers often experience their first bouts of student burnout. Everything was great when we first started the semester, but now the students have already… Read More The Dance Teacher's Secret Weapon: Expectancy
Great Article by Huff Post September 24, 2014 This article was posted to the Huffington Post website on Friday, Septemeber 19th. It was written by the mother of a three-year old (sounds familiar) who is very excited about putting her child in ballet class. She goes… Read More Great Article by Huff Post