Taylor Made by Faith
When I first started teaching dance, I quickly realized how often students learn steps before they ever learn where those steps come from. I’ve made it a personal mission to weave history into my classes, not just because it enriches the experience, but because it connects dancers to a lineage much greater than themselves. Tap …
Every summer, I look forward to dance camp. It’s a chance to step outside the usual studio structure and get creative. This year, I’m especially excited because I’m teaching dance history, not just steps and choreography, but the stories behind the movement. I want our campers, ages 6 to 11, to leave with more than …
I Didn’t Know My Voice Was a Superpower I didn’t fully understand the power of using your voice as a dance teacher until I began working in the public school system. Standing in front of twenty-five wiggly kindergarteners at 8:15 in the morning will teach you a thing or two about classroom management, fast. Over …
I love all things dance. From technique classes to choreography to performance, I’ve always felt at home in a studio. But over the past year, I’ve started diving deeper into the field behind the movement, what makes dancers perform at their best, stay injury-free, and train smarter. That curiosity led me to dance science. And …
When I first introduced Boomwhackers to my kindergarten dance class, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I’d seen them used in music rooms and professional development workshops, but this was a room full of 5-year-olds who could barely keep their shoes on, let alone follow a rhythmic pattern. But something magical happened when we began …
There’s something so special about the way a room full of elementary school students transforms when the music starts. One moment they’re squirming on their spots, and the next they’re leaping, twirling, and expressing feelings they didn’t have words for. Early in my teaching career, I realized that if I wanted to help my students …
When I taught in the school system, cross-curricular lessons were some of my favorite lessons to teach. They allowed me to bridge the gap between movement and academics in a way that helped all students, especially kinesthetic learners grasp new concepts with excitement and confidence. My favorite lesson of all time was the Chicka Chicka …
Picture this: the sun begins to set, casting a golden glow through the stained-glass windows of an old Southern chapel. Guests hush as the soft swell of a string quartet fills the room. And then, instead of the traditional flower girl tossing petals down the aisle, a ballerina glides forward, spinning delicately on pointe, each …
Motherhood has taught me more about grace, resilience, and flexibility than any plié or port de bras ever could. And somehow, being a dance teacher has made room for all of it. In honor of Mother’s Day, I want to share a little of what it looks like to balance motherhood and a career in …
When I think about the trajectory of my life, it’s hard to imagine where I’d be without the arts. Dance wasn’t just a childhood hobby, it was my safe space, my outlet, and ultimately, the reason I received a college scholarship. That opportunity opened doors I never imagined, and now, as a dance educator and …
