As dance teachers, we give so much of ourselves, our energy, our creativity, our patience to help our students grow. Whether you’re leading a beginner ballet class or coaching pre-professional dancers through performance season, there are moments when you might feel physically and emotionally drained. That’s when a few well-chosen words can rekindle your spark …
What to Pack for a Summer Dance Intensive: Essentials List
If you’re prepping for a summer dance intensive, you already know how exciting and slightly overwhelming it can be. From packing your dancewear to figuring out what’s actually essential, it’s easy to overthink what to bring (and what to leave at home). It’s been a while since I attended a summer intensive, but I still …
Lesson Plans for Preschool Dance Class: A Fun and Joyful Guide for Teachers
As a dance teacher, creative movement classes are some of my favorite classes to teach. Now, don’t get me wrong, they are definitely some of the most exhausting classes I teach, but they bring so much joy and light into my day. Honestly, they’re just fun. There’s something about the energy of preschoolers in a …
Attention Getters for Dance Class: Classroom Management That Actually Works
As a former public school dance educator who also teaches in the private studio setting I’ve taught in just about every classroom setting you can imagine—tiny elementary gymnasiums, middle school multipurpose rooms, and beautifully mirrored dance studios. And if there’s one thing I’ve learned across all these environments, it’s this: Getting your students’ attention quickly …
Honor the Educators Who Inspire Us: Thank A Dance Teacher Day
Thank a Dance Teacher Day: Celebrate the Heart Behind the Art on May 1st As a dance teacher myself, I know how much of this work is done behind the scenes, often with little recognition. We show up early to warm up the studio and stay late to talk to students after class. We hold …
Why Work Ethic Is More Important Than Talent
You’ve probably heard the saying before:“Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard.” But in the world of dance, it’s not just a catchy quote, it’s a reality. As someone who spent years in the studio, I’ve lived this truth. I was never the favorite. I didn’t have the best feet, the highest extensions, …
Choosing the Right Summer Activity: Is Dance Camp the Best Fit?
As a kid, I spent many summers in the dance studio working on my craft. Summers were filled with new choreography, extra rehearsals, and lots of water bottles and stretching. Now, as a parent and a dance educator, I understand the other side of the decision-making table. Summer can feel like a blank slate filled …
Did you know that April 29th is International Day of Dance
Every year in April, dancers and dance lovers around the world come together to celebrate International Day of Dance. This global celebration, established in 1982 by the International Dance Committee of the UNESCO International Theatre Institute, shines a spotlight on the art of dance, its power, its presence, and its purpose in every corner of …
Why Self-Care Is Essential for Dance Teachers: Set Boundaries, Know Your Worth, and Prioritize Yourself
In the world of dance education, it’s easy to pour everything you have into your students. From long rehearsal hours to weekend competitions, private lessons, and planning choreography, dance teachers often give so much of themselves without stopping to check in on their own well-being. But here’s the truth: you can’t pour from an empty …
Lessons from the Marley
“What’s the point of dance?”“If my child isn’t going to be a professional dancer, why am I pouring money into all of this?” I hear these questions all the time, from parents, from well-meaning family members, even from other educators. Let me tell you something as a dancer who received a scholarship to college. Not …









