Taylor Made by Faith
I remember working the desk at Atlanta Ballet as the receptionist one of my first gigs out of college as I watched one of my tiniest students walk into the studio on shaky legs, her oversized ballet bag dragging behind her. She clung to her mom’s hand, wide-eyed and unsure. By the end of class, …
As a dance teacher, there are days when the studio feels like home, filled with music, movement, and purpose. And then there are days when the pressure builds, choreography deadlines, classroom challenges, burnout creeping in. Over the years, I’ve learned that one of the simplest yet most powerful tools to protect my mindset is affirmations. …
When I first heard the news that Misty Copeland was retiring, I had to sit with it for a moment. Misty isn’t just a ballerina to me, she’s a symbol of what’s possible. For years, I watched her redefine ballet on her own terms, pushing past gatekeepers and barriers that weren’t designed with her in …
Dance has always been more than just movement. For many, it’s a language of healing, a way to connect, express, and rebuild. That’s why careers in dance therapy have been gaining attention, especially as more people recognize the mental, emotional, and physical benefits of combining movement with psychology. If you’ve ever considered turning your passion …
It’s the end of an era, and what a powerful, graceful, and unapologetically bold era it’s been. On October 22, 2025, Misty Copeland will take her final bow with American Ballet Theatre at the David H. Koch Theater in New York City. The Fall Gala marks not just the end of her time as a …
A Lesson I Learned as a Young Dancer One of the first things that confused me as a young dancer wasn’t pirouettes, fouettés, or even petit allegro. It was… directions. I’ll never forget standing in a large studio while a choreographer called out, “Spot corner 1!” I froze. Corner 1? Where was that? I glanced …
Last summer, I shared an article about how to make the most of your summer teaching schedule as a dance educator. If you missed it, you can read it here: How to Make the Most Out of Your Summer Teaching Schedule. My core belief hasn’t changed. I still think summer should be a time to …
When you think of teaching ballet terminology, you might picture students lined up at the barre, carefully repeating each word after the teacher. But in a summer dance camp setting, there’s room to mix things up. One of my favorite ways to reinforce ballet terms while keeping students engaged and moving is with a Ballet …
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 …
