What Music Theory Does For Your Dancing
I was asked how knowing music theory helps in dancing. Let me break this down a little bit more. Think of learning dance like learning how to write. When you learn moves, that is like learning words. Combinations are like learning to put together sentences. Choreography is reciting something that you have already read. Music [...]
Don’t Work Harder Than Your Students
Enthusiastic teachers often want their students to succeed so much that they end up working harder than the students do. Although this may feel like helping, this actually inhibits growth because it doesn’t allow the student to learn how to think, make mistakes, work out solutions, and develop creativity. Not sure if you are one [...]
Should I Stay or Should I Go?
My thoughts about moving on is that if you are asking the question, it deserves a fair look. It probably means that you are not getting what you need. That doesn’t mean that you have a bad teacher. It doesn’t mean that your time wasn’t worthwhile. It doesn’t mean that it has to end badly. [...]
Should You Join A Belly Dance Troupe?
When I started taking belly dance lessons, the possibility of joining my instructor’s troupe was raised before I could even do basic moves. It was just taken as a given that I would some day be a part of it. When I moved on to my next instructor, it was the same assumption. But is [...]
Learning to Critique Yourself and Others
In my opinion, worthwhile critique is the best thing you can get to improve your dancing. However, not all criticism is created equally. Learning to discern what to listen to and what to discard is as important as having a source that provides critique. So, how do you learn to critique? You learn by giving [...]
Students Thrive in the Environment that Suits Them
The question of, “What makes a good teacher?” has often been asked. There is the obvious criteria of knowing the subject matter, being able to convey information to your students, willingness to share knowledge, and inspiring the student to learn. But the relationship of teacher and student is a special one that requires something more [...]
Always Practice in Your New Costume Before You Perform In It
It might seem like common sense to say this, but always practice in your new costume before performing in it. This will let you know if it needs to be altered, where it needs to be pinned, and give you an idea of whether the costume will work with the choreography you have planned and [...]
