I’ve recently begun on the adventure that is TikTok, which meant yet another channel that I needed to try and get inspiration for. I’ve been trying to get out 4-5 videos a week to keep hope of dancing continuing alive. So far it’s been going ok. I’m not viral yet, though! As I’ve been learning… Continue reading Trick Tip: Jazz Turns
Whilst you're away from your regular dance class you can make significant improvements to your dancing. Most of which can be done without having a mass of space within the home. These can range from simply practising your routines, to doing 20 minutes of stretching everyday. Here are my top picks as to what you… Continue reading Improvement Series: At Home Dance Training
There's a lot going on in the world right now, which mean there's a lot of uncertainty. Here in the UK we were advised to avoid non-essential contact from Monday the 16th of March. The advice came out while I was teaching dance classes in a local hall. The following day most of the dance… Continue reading Teaching Tips: Dance Teaching Online
There are so many franchises offering lesson plans and syllabus for you to use to help build pre-ballet classes. However many of these require certain rules in which you need to follow, and costs that need to be paid to them. When you're a dance teacher with accreditation through an organisation you are probably already… Continue reading Toddler Ballet Syllabi
As part of training dancers we look to find movements that build up, getting a little harder with each graduation. Most steps have a natural to get further, doing the step in the air perhaps, adding in a double or triple. Other moves can be a little harder to spot what moves can come from this simple step. Today I'm examining the Ronds de Jambe en L'air step that is most common done at the barre.
Taking exams in your dance education is really important, not just because it gives you something to work towards. One of the best reasons for taking exams is the attitude that it can foster within students. By taking exams they are more willing to learn and to really get top marks they will want to… Continue reading Dance Exam Checklist
Finding the balance between too friendly and too stern can be difficult, and is going to be my main form of development as a teacher in this coming year. In this post I've put together 8 basic rules that I'll be putting into practice during my dance classes.
As you read this, I'm not resting as I usually would be over a school holiday. Instead I've will be mid-way through my first Dance Camp. Many schools may already provide these at their dance school and so may not be surprised that I'm using my holiday to create another event for the school. However,… Continue reading Development Series: Holiday Activities
Many dancers are embarrassed to speak and act, which can make musical theatre quite laborious to teach. I've found 10 games that should help your dancers feel more comfortable with a script and improvising drama, comedy, or even romance. This in turn should help create stronger emotional performances that connect with the audience.
Start of term can be a nervy time for all teachers as they revert back to a working life. For dance teachers this can be even more startling as we pull together everything we have and remind everyone they still have fees due and need to keep coming to class to improve. Here's some tips to help that first week go a little more smoothly.
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