Teaching dance allows me to continue the cycle of discovery with a renewed perspective through each class. My aspirations are to provide a reflexive, constructivist, learning environment for my students rooted in knowledge, research and intuition. My first experience in a college modern dance class sparked a passion I was unaware I had. In turn, I feel honored to continue my passion for discovery in this art form through dance education. I have had multiple beautiful opportunities within dance and I wish to offer my knowledge and experiences to guide the next generation of dancers. It is evident now more than ever, the world is in constant flux, and it is in our hands as educators to support a positive evolution to the dance world.
Within my classes I include somatic-based imagery to help guide the students in an intrinsic way. My class format seamlessly interweaves concepts from improvisation and somatic principles with more traditional modern dance techniques. Students gain experience moving back and forth from prescribed movement to improvisation improving performance quality and technique synchronously. By utilizing partner and small group exercises, I facilitate practice in collaboration and group dynamics fostering important interpersonal skills. I use intra-personal reflections as a quantitative research tool and am constantly testing the temperature of students through their writing. You never know how much a little encouragement or kind words can go with a student.
My goal as an educator is to be open to the facilitation of a healthy practice, to give the students power over their own learning and to bring equity to dance education that is representative of the 21st century. I crave to be an advocate for students and to guide them to view their physical body and mind, holistically. I want to assist students to be more accepting, inclusive, and creative with somatic awareness, while encouraging physical rigor in the process of experimenting with dance. My objective is to nurture somatically aware students and guide them to take the initiative to push their limits. I provide an environment for the students to express themselves in a healthy way and in turn lead them towards a positive lifestyle. I offer them an opportunity to find their own personal voice within the landscape of the class and to build connections with their classmates. I encourage healthy competition as a means to learn to support each other and excel together.
It is important for me to provide a similar experience that I had when I started dancing, in regards to the endorphins that excessive movement provides, as well as a technical basis focused on injury prevention. I see potential in all my students. It is my duty to guide the opportunities for creative investigation. Accessing their personal artistic voice, then learning to speak with focused intention, is how they will find their creative freedom and change the world through dance.
Within my classes I include somatic-based imagery to help guide the students in an intrinsic way. My class format seamlessly interweaves concepts from improvisation and somatic principles with more traditional modern dance techniques. Students gain experience moving back and forth from prescribed movement to improvisation improving performance quality and technique synchronously. By utilizing partner and small group exercises, I facilitate practice in collaboration and group dynamics fostering important interpersonal skills. I use intra-personal reflections as a quantitative research tool and am constantly testing the temperature of students through their writing. You never know how much a little encouragement or kind words can go with a student.
My goal as an educator is to be open to the facilitation of a healthy practice, to give the students power over their own learning and to bring equity to dance education that is representative of the 21st century. I crave to be an advocate for students and to guide them to view their physical body and mind, holistically. I want to assist students to be more accepting, inclusive, and creative with somatic awareness, while encouraging physical rigor in the process of experimenting with dance. My objective is to nurture somatically aware students and guide them to take the initiative to push their limits. I provide an environment for the students to express themselves in a healthy way and in turn lead them towards a positive lifestyle. I offer them an opportunity to find their own personal voice within the landscape of the class and to build connections with their classmates. I encourage healthy competition as a means to learn to support each other and excel together.
It is important for me to provide a similar experience that I had when I started dancing, in regards to the endorphins that excessive movement provides, as well as a technical basis focused on injury prevention. I see potential in all my students. It is my duty to guide the opportunities for creative investigation. Accessing their personal artistic voice, then learning to speak with focused intention, is how they will find their creative freedom and change the world through dance.
