Summer is coming, so does it seem like you shouldn't be worried? It's okay. The transition into summer for dance teachers is more than just more sunshine. You are finishing up your season, want the best end of your for your students, and are entering a summer that is likely a different routine than the academic year. It is very reasonable to have some worry and anxiety this time of year, so in this episode I'll chat about it and remind ourselves (because I need the reminder, too) to keep it in check.

Have you prepared your students for recital - beyond the dance?

In this episode we will go over 7 topics you can discuss with your students to get them ready for recital.

As teachers, we can take for granted all the things we know about what goes into performing. So take a moment and review some details, especially for your newbies. They will be more confident coming to recital and be more successful:)

Enjoy your classes!

Now that your dance is done, do you need new ways to keep running it over and over? Need a new idea?

In this episode, I share my top 5 fun ways to have the students rehearse the dance. It is important to find ways to keep them rehearsing, but also keeping them engaged.

Take one or all of these ideas to make running your dances more fun for your students, and you!

FINAL CALL for recital choregraphy clean up!

We are doing a 5 part series so that each week you will have a quick list to review your recital dances. And you won't need to do any huge changes, but you may find a simple tweak can have a big impact on your recital dance.

Each episode will give you a framework to at your choreography through the lens of the dance elements of BODY, ACTION, SPACE, TIME and ENERGY.

In this episode we will explore how the element of ENERGY appears in our dances. This is a bit more of a reminder to clarify and instruct on each section of your dance then a checklist per se, but it will be super helpful.

This episode will encourage you to take a look at how you use ENERGY in your recital choreography, and find ways to do simple changes to make your dance AMAZING!

Want a fresh way of looking at your recital choreography?

We are doing a 5 part series so that each week you will have a quick list to review your recital dances. And you won't need to do any huge changes, but you may find a simple tweak can have a big impact on your recital dance.

Each episode will give you a framework to at your choreography through the lens of the dance elements of BODY, ACTION, SPACE, TIME and ENERGY.

In this episode we will explore how the element of TIME appears in our dances. Your checklist will make sure you are using a variety of tempos, rhythms, starts and stops.

This episode will encourage you to take a look at how you use TIME in your recital choreography, and find ways to do simple changes to make your dance AMAZING!

Does your recital dance REALLY utilize the space? What if a simple change could really add some dynamics to your recital dance?

We are doing a 5 part series so that each week you will have a quick list to review your recital dances. And you won't need to do any huge changes, but you may find a simple tweak can have a big impact on your recital dance.

Each episode will give you a framework to at your choreography through the lens of the dance elements of BODY, ACTION, SPACE, TIME and ENERGY.

In this episode we will explore how the element of SPACE appears in our dances. Your checklist will make sure you are using all the space you can - up and down, front to back, left to right... and all the other ways, too!

This episode will encourage you to take a look at how you use SPACE in your recital choreography, and find ways to do simple changes to make your dance AMAZING!

Wish someone could come in and watch your recital choreography and give you some suggestions? Well, I can't to to your class, but I can give you a checklist so you can do it for yourself:)

We are doing a 5 part series so that each week you will have a quick list to review your recital dances. And you won't need to do any huge changes, but you may find a simple tweak can have a big impact on your recital dance.

Each episode will give you a framework to at your choreography through the lens of the dance elements of BODY, ACTION, SPACE, TIME and ENERGY.

In this episode we will explore how the element of ACTION appears in our dances. Your checklist will make sure you are using a variety movements and vocabulary (and not forgetting about stillness).

This episode will encourage you to take a look at how you use ACTION in your recital choreography, and find ways to do simple changes to make your dance AMAZING!

Looking for a simple checklist to make sure your recital dance is the best it can be? Well, here you go!

We are doing a 5 part series so that each week you will have a quick list to review your recital dances. And you won't need to do any huge changes, but you may find a simple tweak can have a big impact on your recital dance.

Each episode will give you a framework to at your choreography through the lens of the dance elements of BODY, ACTION, SPACE, TIME and ENERGY.

In this episode we will explore how the element of BODY appears in our dances. Your checklist will make sure you are using a variety of body parts, using body shapes that make sense for your dance, and reminding your students to include their facial expressions.

This episode will encourage you to take a look at how you use BODY in your recital choreography, and find ways to do simple changes to make your dance AMAZING!

I have observed many dance teachers in my career, and there is something that stands out as a direct correlation to how effective a teacher is in a class. If a dance teacher is both proactive and reactive when they're teaching, they have successful classes. Period.

If we assume that the teachers are connecting genuinely with their students, know how to dance, can break down some steps, and know how to structure their class; then this top level way of teaching is what separates the okay teachers from the amazing teachers.

In today's episode, I'll explain what I mean by being proactive and reactive as a dance teacher. And more importantly, why it is important and how it can turn you into an even more amazing teacher.

Got a student that struggles to find or stay on beat? It happens. In today's episode we will chat about what you can incorporate in your class to help those students develop their sense of beat. It takes intention and patience, but we can help our students embody the music and find rhythm. Today we talk about ideas for students who are older and struggling. We can do a whole other episode on how to encourage the beat with your preschooler classes. For today, just listen and grab an idea or two and slowly start to purposely address finding (and keeping) the beat in your classes. Enjoy!