Dance Life Magazine Online
A collection of articles, thought-provoking commentary, classroom tips and strategies, smart business concepts, advice, and more. As always, Rhee Gold and his team will offer content to challenge the dance education field to hold each other and every student in high regard.
3 Teachers Talk “Competition Costs”
Taking students to competitions is an expensive endeavor. Explaining the costs involved to parents is important, and ensuring that parents follow through on their financial commitments can be difficult. Three studio owners devised plans for making the interactions surrounding competition costs as painless as possible, and they might work for you too.
Blessings
by Rhee Gold As adults (parents and teachers) we know that our blessings are not the awards that our children win at dance competitions (or any other activity). Our blessings are children with healthy bodies who have a passion for the art of dance. It leads them on an awesome journey that will make them smarter, better, braver, more determined . . . it keeps them protected and off the streets. It’s time to think of the award as gravy on an already perfect life experience.
Bread, Milk and Dance
I have been a dance teacher for more than 40 years and have run a dance studio for 35 years. But when I was a little girl, growing up first in the Harlem projects, then in the Bronx, I could never have imagined such a life for myself.
Recipe: Negative Word of Mouth Souffle
A never-fail recipe from Netty Rocker – (and one we hope you will NOT try!!)
Cook time: In some cases this recipe will cook quickly or it could take years.
Three Steps to a Scheduled Season
by Teri Mangiaratti Presenting families with a full season schedule at registration makes a fantastic first impression. Putting all of your season’s dates on a calendar now will help dancers’ families and your staff plan their year, and they will absolutely appreciate it. So pour yourself a cup of coffee, print out a calendar, and let’s get started! Step 1: Mark Fixed Events in Your Calendar Some events are unavoidable: they happen every year. Put those annual events on the calendar first: studio open date, school vacations, holidays, picture days, recitals, the day recital tickets go on sale, fall registration…
Improv Freeze Dance
by Holly Derville-Teer One day I had 15 minutes to spare at the end of a beginner jazz class for 7- to 11-year-olds. “What am I going to do for 15 minutes?” I thought. Then I remembered my days teaching 5- to 6-year-olds and it hit me: freeze dance! I needed to create an older version of this kindergarten hit, on the spot. I recalled the improvisation class I’d taken from Derrick Yanford at the 2011 DanceLife Teacher Conference, and it came to me: improvisation freeze dance. “OK,” I said, “I am going to play the music and you can…
Grateful for the Change
by Rhee Gold I have always believed that the absolute in life is change. Embracing it, rather than dreading it, can change everything. Yes, there may be heartache when we lose someone; yes, it can be scary to open a new door; yes, sometimes we are perfectly happy with where we are at and we would like to just ride with it. BUT, we must be thankful for the way it was, and know we are better or stronger because of each transformation. And let’s be excited for what’s happening now and what may be coming in the future.
Who is Fierce?
They don’t perform grand leaps, not one fouetté turn nor a single pirouette, and there’s no flash at all. Yet you watch them with your mouth open, while that head-to-toe body chill takes over your full being for a few moments as you settle into the greatness before your eyes.
Too Much Information
by Jill Keating You know how when little kids get talking they always enter the “more than I need to know” zone? When I was pregnant and teaching 3- and 4-year-olds, there were always plenty of questions from them. I tried to answer in a delicate and appropriate way. One little girl said, “My mom can’t have babies anymore—she got her cords connected.” I said, “OK! Let’s do some pliés,” and moved on.Jill KeatingPointe Chautauqua DanceMayville, NY