Do you ever find yourself saying things like, “Kids just aren’t the same anymore,” or “Back in my day, we would never get away with that”? If you’re a dance teacher, chances are you’ve had those moments, watching students yawn during barre, chew gum in the middle of pliés, or check their smartwatches while you’re …
Recital Survival Guide: Everything You Need to Know for a Smooth Performance
Recital season is an exciting yet hectic time for dance teachers, parents, and dancers alike. From coordinating schedules to ensuring every leotard and shoe is in place, preparation is key to making recital day a success. Whether you’re a dance teacher organizing a seamless performance, a parent managing a busy recital weekend, or a dancer …
Career Day: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at My Role as a Program Coordinator
Introduction When people think about ballet, they often picture dancers performing on stage. But behind every successful dance company, there’s a team making sure the performances, rehearsals, and programs happen smoothly. As a Program Coordinator at Ballethnic Dance Company, I get to be part of that process, helping dancers access training, performance opportunities, and community …
The Benefits of Collaborative Learning for Children in Dance
Have you ever noticed how quickly children pick up skills when they’re learning together? Whether they’re figuring out a new playground game, mimicking a dance move from a friend, or practicing a technique in class, collaborative learning for children helps them grow. As a dance teacher who has worked in public schools, preschools, afterschool programs, …
The Art of Listening: What a Vinyl Listening Party Taught Me About Music, Dance, and Artistic Value
A couple of weeks ago, I attended a vinyl listening party, an experience that felt almost foreign in today’s fast-paced, content-driven world. We gathered, we sat, and listened, really listened, to D’Angelo’s Voodoo album from start to finish. No skipping tracks, no background distractions. Just the music as it was meant to be heard. For …
March is Dance in Schools Month: Why We Need #DanceEducationForALL
Every March, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Education, we recognize Dance in Schools Month, a time to highlight the importance of dance education and advocate for #DanceEducationForALL. As someone who started as a dance educator in underfunded schools, I’ve seen firsthand how dance changes lives. Many of my students faced challenges outside the …
Discover Capoeira: The Afro-Brazilian Art of Movement and Resilience
Capoeira isn’t just movement, it’s history, survival, and art wrapped into one. This Afro-Brazilian practice blends dance, martial arts, music, and storytelling into a powerful display of skill and resilience. What started as a form of resistance among enslaved Africans in Brazil has become a global phenomenon, bringing people together through rhythm, strategy, and tradition. …
Saturday Morning Ballet Class: A Nostalgic Rite of Passage
There’s something undeniably special about Saturday morning ballet class. It’s not just the pink tights, the soft leather ballet slippers, or the adorable bags shaped like oversized ballet shoes. It’s the tradition, the ritual, and the nostalgia that swirl together, creating cherished memories that linger long after childhood. For me, the journey began in the …
Why it is important to preserve cultural heritage through community arts
Cultural heritage is more than a record of the past, it’s a living, evolving art form that connects communities, shapes identities, and paves the way for future generations. In this article, I explore how community arts serve as a powerful medium to preserve traditions, celebrate diversity, and inspire personal journeys. Embracing Cultural Heritage and Community …
10 Best Cross-Training Exercises for Dancers to Build Strength
As dancers, we know that our art demands not only grace and technique but also strength, endurance, and balance. Cross-training is one of the best ways to build these qualities, ensuring we perform at our peak while reducing the risk of injury. In this article, we’ll explore ten effective cross-training exercises tailored for dancers, share …