In this episode, Jean Dorfff and Ton Greten dive into the different functions, or roles, involved in teaching dance. They highlight that, like in any professional field, teaching dance has evolved from a generalist role to a range of specialized jobs.

Jean distinguishes between key roles: dance teacher, who imparts foundational knowledge; coach, who focuses on a dancer’s developmental process; and choreographer, who creates routines and innovates movement. They note that while one person can fill multiple roles, it’s crucial to understand the unique responsibilities and boundaries of each.

Ton shares his own journey from dance teaching to choreographing across various styles and stresses the value of building a diverse skill set. The discussion expands to include repetitors (who help dancers rehearse choreography), trainers (focusing on physical preparation and safety), judges, and even less obvious roles like mental coaches, lecturers, and dance researchers. Both hosts emphasize the value of teamwork and clear communication, echoing how in non-dance contexts (like sports or TV), collaborative teams deliver the best results.

They explore practical scenarios, such as the risks when a repetitor or trainer changes choreography without consulting the choreographer, the overlooked importance of understanding lighting and staging for choreographers, and how culture and industry standards shape these roles (with examples from TV productions in different countries).

Jean and Ton advocate for dancers and teachers to research these roles themselves, using modern tools like AI or traditional resources, so they can better identify what kind of expertise to seek at different stages of their development.

They touch on the common confusion around titles—like the American habit of calling any one-to-one dance lesson a “coaching”—and encourage listeners to clarify terms and expectations in their own practice.

Finally, both hosts stress the holistic nature of dance, where body and mind are deeply connected, and urge professionals to recognize how changes in one area affect the whole dancer. They close by suggesting that even with limited resources, being aware of different roles helps everyone deliver better support to dancers.

In summary: This episode breaks down the multiple, often overlapping, specialist and generalist roles in dance education, with practical advice and personal anecdotes encouraging clearer definitions, better collaboration, and ongoing research to support dancers’ growth.

Welcome back to Dance GEMS! In this episode, hosts Jean Dorff and Ton Greten dive into the evolving landscape of dance education, exploring the contrasts, benefits, and intersections between traditional and modern styles of teaching dance.

Jean and Ton unpack how teaching methods have shifted, why neither approach is "good" or "bad," and how both educators and students can benefit from understanding and blending these styles. The conversation flows through personal experiences, historical context, and even touches on social changes, offering practical insights for dancers, teachers, and anyone passionate about dance learning.

In this episode, you'll hear:

• Why traditional and modern are better terms than old vs. new.

• Ton’s personal journey moving from strict traditionalism to a more creative, student-centered style.

• Examples from ballet and ballroom showcasing how teaching styles can influence the dance itself.

• The importance of terminology, self-discovery in dance, and how societal trends shape teaching.

• How you can make informed choices in your dance journey, whether as a beginner or a seasoned artist.

  
  

  Highlights from Ton

1. Personal Evolution: Ton shares that he taught for years in the traditional style—very strict and technique-focused—without initially realizing it, and only recognized the existence of "modern" styles more recently.

2. Approach to Individuality: He now feels more at home with modern teaching, which places emphasis on the dancer's individuality and creativity, seeing it as more equal and process-focused rather than result-driven.

3. Traditional vs. Modern in Practice: Ton compares how he used to uniformly treat students in a rigid way, versus his current approach that draws out unique qualities from each dancer.

4. Influence of Associations: He discusses how dance association rules, especially in competitive settings, can enforce traditional, restrictive teaching—even when rules themselves can be open to interpretation.

5. Terminology and Discovery: Ton values the modern style’s openness to new terminology, self-discovery, and encourages teachers to pioneer and explore uncharted territories in their teaching methodologies.

   
   

   Highlights from Jean

1. Pedagogical Trends: Jean notes that the shift from summative (result-oriented) to formative (process-driven) learning in education began decades ago, influencing how dance is also taught.

2. Neutral Perspective on Approaches: He emphasizes that neither traditional nor modern teaching is inherently better; understanding both allows for informed, situational choices best suited to students and context.

3. Role of Technology: Jean brings up the integration of technology (like video analysis) in both traditional and modern teaching, highlighting that tools can serve both paradigms with different intentions.

4. Teaching vs. Coaching: He draws a valuable distinction between teaching (transferring skill/knowledge) and coaching (managing the learning process), advocating for teachers to know when to switch hats.

5. Language Matters: Jean explores how language and terminology—sometimes originating from pioneers like Laban—can help define and refine teaching methods, stressing the ongoing importance of developing new vocabulary in dance education.

Featured References:

• The documentary “The Dancer” (Sergey Polunin’s story)

• Discussion on Rudolf Laban’s contribution to dance terminology

• GEM Method’s approach to structuring choices in dance learning

In this dynamic episode of Dance GEMS, hosts Jean Dorff and Ton Greten dive deep into the concept of the kinesphere and its relevance in dance. Whether you're new to the term or familiar with its origins, this conversation unpacks the roots of kinesphere, its evolution in dance theory, and how dancers can use it as both a technical and creative tool. From ancient philosophy to contemporary dance science, this is an epic journey through movement, measurement, and meaning.

• What is a Kinesphere?
  Unpacking the meaning of the word, its etymology (movement + sphere), and how it describes the personal space a dancer occupies and defines through movement.

• History & Origins
  Tracing the concept back to ancient thinkers like Plato, exploring Da Vinci's iconic Vitruvian Man, the geometry of Roman architects, and following the concept through the dance theories of Rudolf Laban and his students.

• Laban Notation & Kinesphere in Practice
  Conversation on Laban’s efforts to systematize and notate movement, and how the idea of the kinesphere developed into a three-dimensional understanding of personal movement space.

• Space, Time, & Individual Choice
  Ton and Jean discuss connections to Einstein’s concepts of space-time, the notion of time as a constant in movement, and how both space and time are colored by an individual’s choices and awareness in dance.

• Making it Personal: The Fifth Dimension
  The pair expands the conversation beyond four-dimensional space-time to include consciousness and subjective interpretation, illustrating how personal choices shape artistic movement.

• Practical Applications & Creative Exploration
  Learn how to explore the kinesphere with just your hand, or by focusing on different body parts and creative movement possibilities. Tips on breaking habits, unpredictability, and owning your unique movement signatures.

• “Kinesphere is always there—if there is a body, there is a kinesphere.”

• “You color the space and you color the time—this is what makes art so personal.”

• “Don’t just follow teachers—interpret at the end as yours.”

• “Between stimulus and response, there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response.” (from Viktor Frankl, as shared by Jean)

• Historical figures discussed: Plato, Vitruvius (Vitruvian Man), Leonardo da Vinci, Rudolf Laban, Irmgard Bartenieff, Albert Einstein, Hermann Minkowski, Martha Graham, Doris Humphrey, Eric Franklin.

• Key concepts for further research: Labanotation, Modern Dance History, Kinesphere in Dance, Dance Notation, Space-Time in Art, Vitruvian Geometry.

• Eric Franklin’s books on imagery in dance

• Join our WhatsApp group – message Ton or Jean for access!

This episode is an invitation to question, explore, and make movement theory your own. Listen closely, revisit the conversation, and dive into the resources mentioned. Remember, in dance (as in life), your freedom is in your choices.

In this enlightening episode of Dance GEMS, Jean and Ton deep-dive into the significance of observational and imitative learning in the world of dance. Exploring why these forms of learning are fundamental, especially in the early stages, Ton and Jean unpack the nuances between imitation, copying, and mirroring. They discuss how habits are formed, the role of concentration, attention, and focus (CAF), and the transition from simple imitation to personal interpretation. The conversation is rich with insights applicable to dancers, teachers, and lifelong learners, emphasizing the importance of observation through all senses and the continuous evolution of learning, regardless of age or experience.

5 Key Takeaways from Jean

• Imitation As The First Learning Modality
  Jean highlights that our most natural way of learning—especially as children—is through observation and imitation, which is deeply rooted in how we acquire movement and behavior from those around us.

• Precision of Language Matters
  Within the GEM method, Jean stresses the consistent use of the word “imitate” (rather than copy or mirror), reflecting the nuance that true copying isn’t possible because every individual’s movement is unique.

• Synchronized vs. Asynchronized Imitation
  He distinguishes between learning by following in real-time (synchronized) and imitation after observation (asynchronized), noting that each method demands different levels of concentration, attention, and focus (CAF).

• Knowledge Shapes Perception
  Jean explains the concept that "you can't see what you don't know"—our perception is influenced by our existing knowledge and experience, impacting how effectively we observe and imitate movement.

Imitation to Interpretation
He champions the developmental progression from imitation to personal interpretation, encouraging listeners to learn from others first, and then make conscious choices to create their own authentic movement style.

5 Key Takeaways from Ton

• Repetition Builds Habits (and Breaks Them)
  Ton emphasizes how habits—good or bad—are formed through repeated imitation. Changing existing habits requires conscious effort, focus, and repetition, benefitting both body and brain at any age.

• Beyond Visual Observation
  He expands the concept of observation to include all external senses, not just sight. Auditory and kinesthetic input play crucial roles in how we learn and absorb movement.

• KAF: Concentration, Attention, Focus
  Ton introduces CAF as essential for meaningful observation and learning, breaking down how concentration (time-related), attention (space-related), and focus (detail-oriented) interact during the learning process.

• Shortcutting Through Proprioception
  He explains how enhanced body awareness (proprioception) allows for quicker and more accurate imitation, emphasizing the role of self-knowledge in achieving learning shortcuts.

Imitation as a Path to Artistic Expression
Ton reminds listeners that the ultimate goal is to move beyond imitation: repetition and mastery create a foundation for personal expression—where dancers evolve from mimicking the form to embodying their unique artistic interpretation.

Stay tuned for future episodes where Jean and Ton explore more about the dance learning journey, including deeper dives into repetition, muscle memory, and the art of developing your own dance language.

On this thought-provoking episode of Dance GEMS, Jean and Ton tackle a topic that impacts every dancer—financing your passion. Stepping away from the usual technical dance talk, they dive deep into the real costs associated with dance training, education, competitions, and the smart strategies dancers and parents can use to make their passion more affordable and sustainable. Sharing both personal stories and broader insights from the dance world (with comparisons between the Netherlands, the US, and beyond), Jean and Ton offer practical, actionable advice for dancers at every level.

• How dance costs differ internationally, and why context matters in comparing them
  
• What expenses to expect as you progress from student to advanced/competitive dancer
  
• The real price of shoes, costumes, private lessons, and competitions
  
• Strategies to maximize practice and minimize unnecessary spending
  
• How technology, such as video analysis, can boost learning on a budget
  
• Building positive, supportive relationships with coaches and teachers
  
• The role of scholarships, sponsorships, and governmental support
  
• The importance of being a "clever" student: taking notes, practicing smart, and collaborating
  

1. Start Small, Scale Smart:
2. Jean emphasizes that most dancers begin with minimal fees and basic gear, and costs only rise as skill and commitment deepen.
   
3. Value of Context:
4. He stresses that price comparisons between countries are only fair with full context—living standards and financial support systems differ greatly.
   
5. Invest Wisely in Gear:
6. Jean cautions against “buy cheap, buy twice”—especially with shoes, reminding listeners that good technique (and foot health) depends on the right equipment.
   
7. Smart Lesson Spending:
8. He encourages maximizing the value of lessons—taking notes, recording lessons, and using video analysis so you don’t waste time (and money) covering the same ground.
   
9. Workshops & Group Learning:
10. Jean highlights how workshops and group sessions can provide major cost savings and exponential learning compared to continuous private lessons.
    

1. International Funding Gaps:
2. Ton explores how dance schools in the Netherlands (and Europe) usually operate as private businesses—unlike many sports clubs that get city or government funding.
   
3. The Financial Climb:
4. He provides a breakdown of escalating costs: from basic group lessons to intensive education at conservatories (and the eye-watering tuition at elite schools like Juilliard).
   
5. Traveling for Value:
6. Ton notes that top dancers often travel internationally to work with specific teachers—sometimes saving money by flying to places where coaching is cheaper, despite added travel costs.
   
7. Resourceful Costuming:
8. He shares clever examples from his experience: customizing inexpensive or reused costumes to keep competitive expenses low, and resisting the pressure for constant updates.
   
9. Clever, Strategic Practice:
10. Ton promotes strategies for smart practice—using video, peer review, and written notes—to maximize learning and minimize time (and money) spent on repeated concepts.
    

Bonus Tips:

• Both emphasize that scholarships and sponsorships are rare and highly competitive—never assume they’ll cover all costs.
  
• They agree that investing in your development as a dancer should be guided by a clear understanding of your goals, not just tradition or peer pressure.

Key Topics Covered:Highlights from JeanHighlights from Ton Greten

Episode Shownotes

Ready to dive deep into the world of dance dynamics? This episode of Dance GEMS is a masterclass in understanding and applying dynamic qualities in dance. Hosts Ton Greten and Jean Dorff break down the concepts, challenge common perceptions, and share practical advice you can use right away in your dance journey.

Why listen to the full episode? Here are just a few highlights:

• Defining Dynamics Beyond "Fast and Slow": Ton expands beyond the usual "just change your speed" advice. He introduces a precise definition of dynamic qualities based on conscious muscle tension and continuous change within body parts.

• Muscle Tension & Movement Quality: Learn why starting from the lowest possible muscle tension is crucial, and how building up tension leads to powerful, expressive movements like pops and ticks.

• Practical Application: Ton emphasizes practicing dynamic qualities individually in different body parts—think of yourself as an artist combining movement colors on the dance floor!

• Individuality in Execution: Hear why every dancer’s unique muscle tension and personal feeling will always create a different result—and why that’s the magic of dance.

• Six Primary Dynamic Qualities: Jean clearly breaks down the six core dynamic qualities—sustained, percussive, swinging, suspended, collapsed, and vibratory—complete with practical dance examples.

• Contrast & Artistic Power: Discover how using contrasting dynamic qualities (like stillness vs. fast movement) can create striking impact, both for audiences and as a training tool.

• Science Meets Dance: Jean draws fascinating parallels between dance dynamics and scientific concepts of force, power, and energy—making complex ideas accessible for every mover.

• Dance Is More Than Just Steps: By the episode’s end, Jean and Ton push you to see dance as more than technique—urging you to explore musicality, dynamics, emotion, and intention at every stage of development.

Whether you’re a seasoned dancer, a curious teacher, or simply passionate about movement, this episode will get you thinking, experimenting, and redefining your approach to dynamic qualities.

Tune in now and find the magic in your movement—with dynamic contrast, conscious intention, and a whole lot of dance GEMS wisdom!

Muscle Learning in Dance: Exploration, Memory, and Manipulation

Description:
What happens when dancers talk about "muscle memory"? In this lively and thought-provoking episode, Jean and Ton Greten dive into the fascinating world of “muscle learning” – a deeper, more dynamic way to think about how our bodies acquire, adapt, and transform movement.

In This Episode:

• Beyond Muscle Memory:
  Most of us have heard of muscle memory, but did you know it’s just the beginning? Discover why Jean and Ton believe "muscle learning" – a blend of exploration, memory, and manipulation – leads to better, healthier movement habits for dancers of all levels.

• Muscle Manipulation & Exploration:
  What if you could change your habits before they become limiting? Learn how muscle exploration and manipulation can make you not only a more adaptable dancer but also more creative and less prone to injury.

• Adaptive Learning & Staying “Young":
  Hear how the process of continually exploring and tweaking your movements isn’t just good for your dance – it might even help keep your brain sharper and your body feeling younger!

Teasers:

• How many repetitions does it take to make a movement automatic – and what happens when you want to “unlearn” something?

• Can multitasking exist for dancers – or is it just a myth?

• What do factory conveyor belts, comfort zones, and dopamine have to do with your progression as a dancer?

• Why might a dancer’s biggest asset be their willingness to feel… uncomfortable?!

Who’s this for?
Dancers, dance teachers, movement lovers, and anyone curious about the link between body, brain, and creativity will find golden nuggets throughout this conversation.

Ready for some myth-busting, science-backed, and fun stories from inside the studio?
Tune in and let Jean and Ton challenge your ideas—and maybe even inspire a new approach to your practice!

👉 Subscribe and listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or at www.gem.dance!

Don’t forget to join the conversation in our Dance Gems Facebook group. Let us know—what are YOU exploring in your dance?

Hit play and discover: The secret powers of muscle learning in dance!

In this insightful episode, Jean and Ton dive deep into the nuanced differences between feelings and emotions, particularly within the world of dance. While often used interchangeably in daily conversation, Jean and Ton explore why understanding the distinction is essential for dancers, teachers, and performers alike.

The duo references research and writings, breaking down the science and psychology behind both concepts. They discuss how emotions are immediate, physical responses often sourced in our limbic brain, while feelings are more reflective, processed over a longer period, and tied to our personal experiences and character.

Together, they consider:

- How emotions manifest physically and are hard to fake or suppress.

- Where emotions and feelings “live” in the brain and why that matters for dancers.

- The spectrum of emotions from Darwin’s six primary emotions to Robert Plutchik’s nuanced eight-emotion model, including how each can be expressed in dance.

- Practical exercises dancers can use to become more emotionally expressive and authentic on stage.

- The importance of self-awareness, acting, and life experience to enrich a dancer’s ability to portray real emotions, not just mimic them.

- How muscle tone, timing, body posture, and dynamics all play a role in expressing emotion through movement.

Throughout the discussion, Ton and Jean share personal stories from their teaching and dance backgrounds, offer practical advice, and challenge typical approaches to “emotional expression” in dance. They conclude that a genuine connection to emotion—rather than surface-level imitation—creates the most impactful performances.

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Key Topics

- The difference between feeling and emotion in dance and daily life

- Brain science: limbic system (emotion) vs. analytical brain (feeling)

- Physical versus internal manifestation of emotions

- Emotion categories used in psychology (Darwin, Plutchik)

- The role of drama/acting techniques in dance training

- Practical ways to practice and express emotions as a dancer

- The risks of mimicking versus genuinely exploring and owning emotion

- Inspirations from theater, acting, film, and classical dance

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Notable Quotes

“Emotions are always immediate…Emotions are a physical outing; crying, feeling it in your stomach, sweating. Feelings you can think about and analyze—they last longer.” (Jean)

“If you have only limited expression like smiling and sadness or neutral in the face, what happens then? The body also needs to react when you express those emotions.” (Ton)

“You don’t have to truly feel happy to express happiness, it helps to have experienced it—but as a performer, you are in charge of what you project.” (Jean)

Your Turn:

What emotions do you find easiest (or hardest) to express in your dancing? Share your experiences and connect with Jean and Ton through their website or socials!

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Next Episode:

Stay tuned for more episodes where Jean and Ton continue to explore the art and science of dance.

In this episode of DanceGems, Jean and Ton return to unpack a trio of foundational skills not just to dance, but to all learning: Concentration, Attention, and Focus—collectively referred to as "CAF." While these terms often mean the same thing, Jean and Ton explain how distinct they are and why understanding their differences can elevate your dance practice and daily life.

The conversation starts by clarifying the definitions. Attention is described as the broad act of tuning in, filtering out distractions to notice what deserves your awareness. Focus comes into play as you narrow that attention to drill into a more specific element. Concentration is sustaining focused attention over time, even as distractions try to creep in.

For dancers, the ability to develop their CAF is transformative. As Jean explains, attention is the root of all cognitive processes, forming the basis for effective learning and movement. Ton dives into how the five senses and proprioception (your sense of body position) are vital in helping dancers refine their craft.

The episode is full of advice for teachers, highlighting how the words we choose matter deeply when giving instructions. Jean and Ton discuss strategies for making lessons meaningful, fostering student motivation, and supporting students as they develop their concentration and focus skills. Both hosts share candid stories about interruptions—classroom noise or personal distractions—and how they adapt by acknowledging these moments and gently redirecting everyone’s focus to the work.

CAF isn’t just for dancers; it’s a universal skill that can be trained and strengthened in anyone, regardless of age or experience. The hosts reflect on how today’s world is full of distractions, especially for younger people growing up surrounded by technology, and they discuss how this can present unique opportunities for developing focus.

Listeners will appreciate how Jean and Ton weave in references to concepts like sensory perception, the importance of rest and sleep, and the learning cycle of orientation, exploration, execution, and reflection. There’s a fun, practical tone throughout, with memorable analogies and gentle humor, like their “internal joke” about the importance (and limitations) of so-called “normal life.”

You’ll come away from this episode with a much clearer sense of how concentration, attention, and focus differ—and why mastering these can make you a stronger dancer and a better learner in every aspect of life.

Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share your thoughts!

In this episode of Dance Gems, Jean and Ton dive deep into the topics of movement quality and dynamic quality in dance and how these concepts also apply to daily life. The hosts discussed the intricate relationship between movement and quality of life, covering a wide spectrum of related topics such as the influence of lifestyle choices on physical abilities, the importance of environment and upbringing, and the impact of nutrition and exercise on movement quality.

Key Discussion Points:

Understanding Movement Quality:

Definition and importance of movement quality in both dance and everyday life.

The influence of DNA, lifestyle, and environmental factors on movement quality, even before birth.

Importance of fostering movement from a young age for lifelong benefits.

Dynamic Quality in Dance:

Distinction between movement quality and dynamic quality.

Exploration of different dynamic qualities in dance, such as swinging, collapsing, and vibrating, and how they contribute to a dancer's expression.

The role of muscle tension (tonus) in achieving dynamic qualities.

The Balance Between Form and Function:

Discussion on whether dance movements should be functional or purely aesthetic.

Quotations from renowned dancers on the evolving nature of form and dynamic qualities in dance history.

Cultural Influences on Movement:

Examination of how cultural habits, such as those seen in Blue Zones, affect longevity and quality of life through movement.

The impact of social dance styles and how they differ from more technical styles like ballroom and Latin dance.

Practical Tips for Dancers:

Encouragement to explore dynamic qualities individually and in combination.

Advice on how dancers can integrate knowledge of movement quality into their practice to enhance their performance.

Conclusion: Jean and Ton wrap up the episode by emphasizing the interconnectedness of movement and life quality, highlighting the necessity for dancers to consider their entire lifestyle as part of their craft. They plan to do a potential follow-up episode dedicated solely to dynamic quality in dance.