It is shocking how many dance instructors I have worked with like to simply run out the clock with kids rather than engage with them in meaningful dance education. I recently met a dance studio DIRECTOR who was in the process of INTERVIEWING ME who actually stated “I love to waste time.” I cannot fathom…
Tag: Education
Stretchy Toddlers Taking Over Dance
I think that the mistaken modern day perspective is that if a child does not have the flexibility, coordination, and stamina of the stretchy toddlers on “Dance Moms” it is not worth giving them an education in dance – they will simply not be good.
The Gaia Movement
Often artists aim to make a difference with their art, they want to inspire change in people, and in the world. Erin Fowler and Nick Graalman created the dance film Gaia for this purpose. The film is a powerful statement about the environment in the largest sense possible. This film takes a serious look at…
Dancing our way to Australia!
I am currently waiting in the airport to catch a flight to Australia with some of my favorite dancers. The ultimate destination is Adelaide, Australia where we will attend the 2018 Dance and the Child International (DaCi) conference. Learn more about this amazing conference here: https://www.daci.international/en/ So far we have stretched in parking lots, done…
Dancing in Silence
As a student of dance at Sweet Briar College I was taught my first choreography class by dance educator Ella Magruder using Doris Humphrey’s book Making Dances. What struck me most about the experience of this first class was that she started by having us choreograph to no music! It was a very uncomfortable practice…
We Don’t Believe in Art Because We Don’t Believe in Love
One of my students responded to a journal prompt about art by saying that art is about love. It was a very basic idea; we make art for the people that we love. We might draw something for a friend or craft something for a crush. I think he was onto something. I think art…
ART is not Just Painting
The following survey is one I gave out to my 8th grade English class at the start of an action research unit in which I introduced concepts of art. The survey was meant to get at their most basic understanding of what art is to them in their lives, and their relationship with it. As…
Learning and Healing with Dance: A Plan to Advocate
The Issue As a recent graduate of an undergraduate BFA program in Interdisciplinary Arts, and a hopeful educator about to start her first year teaching English in the public school system, I am interested in ways in which I can promote and advocate for the arts. For this post in particular (my first on WordPress!)…
Not Just Words 