What actually makes a great dance instructor—and why isn’t teaching choreography enough?

In this episode, Cameron Lee breaks down the gaps in modern dance education and challenges the current “choreo-only” culture dominating classrooms and social media. We talk about why knowing dance history, teacher lineage, and movement influence matters, how choreography should be used as a tool rather than the sole focus of class, and what happens when teachers stop training as students themselves.

This conversation dives into the long-term impact of instructors who prioritize performance and visibility over education, feedback, and mentorship—and how that affects not just individual dancers, but the culture of dance as a whole.

In this episode, we cover:

• What makes a great dance educator

• Why fundamentals, style lineage, and credentials matter

• How to use class choreography as a learning tool, not the finish line

• Why so many teachers only teach choreography—and what’s missing because of it

• What happens to teachers and students when growth stops

• How social media has changed dance education (and not always for the better)

• The role of mentorship programs in developing confident, informed dancers

This episode is for dancers who want more than just counts and combos—and teachers who care about building community, working dancers, and sustainable careers.

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Directed & hosted by Kristen Grace & Isaiah Rashaad