Teaching Philosophy
As an educator, I believe it is my responsibility to guide each student dancer of mine to develop their technique and grow into their own personal artistry and style. The foundation of every dancer is their technique; I train my students to not only know how to use their technique but how to apply it and adapt to whatever the choreographer, director, or production calls for. Today’s dance industry calls for well-rounded and versatile dancers, therefore I train my dancers in this way. We study many different styles and explore the multiple ways of completing a task. My idea of a successful student would be one who has developed strong technique, but still holds true to their own personality and artistry, as well as understands the value of dance and why it plays an important role in our world today.
A typical class for me originates with a discussion on our goals and objectives for the class. I encourage dialogue from the students hoping to hear their thoughts, concerns, and existing knowledge or experiences with the goal. I strive to create a welcoming atmosphere within the classroom; welcoming to discussion, exploration, risk-taking and curiosity. I often like to include some light partner work in the beginning of my classes as well, I find that this helps the dancers become more comfortable with the tactile touch, and more trusting in their fellow students. As the class progresses I expand on the discussion of our class goals and objectives. I bring in the use of imagery and specific muscle use, when applicable, to help guide the students to the main findings of the class goals. I encourage the students to offer constructive support to their peers, this helps train the students to give critique and instruction to their peers in an appropriate manner. This also opens the dialogue of discussing their personal goals with their peers, the student recognizes that their peers are another form of teacher. I like to conclude the class with an all-encompassing phrase; a phrase which highlights all the aspects we had discussed throughout the class and challenges them to apply the notes myself and their peers have provided. I like to use this final phrase also as way of challenging the dancers to continue developing their own personal goals and artistry through the use of improvisation and dynamics.
In the role of the teacher, I believe it is less about imposing my knowledge on the dancers as it is facilitating the dancers’ own teaching of themselves. The students already have the knowledge, it’s about applying it. The special thing about dance is the challenge it brings both physically and mentally. I encourage competition within one’s self, always working to be better than they were yesterday. Witnessing a dancer’s development and growth into their own personal artistry is an incredible sight.
