Teaching Statement 

 

    As a modern/contemporary dance teacher and dance educator, I believe it is my responsibility to use my individual strengths to help students learn and grow. I see dance as a window into ourselves, our history, and the diverse world we live in. Dance teaches good work ethics, perseverance, and humility while, as a disciplinary art it provides students with physical strength, coordination, mobility, and endurance. These are all characteristics I emphasize as a teacher, as I foster my students to grow as dance artists, people, and global citizens.  

 

    My diverse approaches to teaching are rooted in my experiences dancing with contemporary, New York City-based choreographers Neil Greenberg, RoseAnne Spradlin, and Doug Varone. All three choreographers have integrated a kinesthetic prowess, uniquely their own, thereby pushing the perimeters of contemporary dance. They taught me the true essence of dance: that the body is a source of creativity, knowledge, inspiration, and learning; it is more than a performative art. It's a manner of living, personal development, and connecting with others.

     

Inspired by modern/contemporary dance principles my class focuses on gravity, weight, and momentum of the body to power movement in relation to time and space. I take the time to assess each student individually and help them recognize their strengths and weaknesses. I continually encourage them to discover their movemnt potiential and their artistry with each step they take and with every move they make. With an emphasis on the anatomical and kinesthetic body, I incorporate anatomy and kinesiology terminology into my technique classes as a way to define the body's form, shape, and alignment. Such a blend of science and art expands the learning process and helps students realize their full potential as artists and dancers.

 

    Everyone has the freedom to express themselves regardless of a person's race, religion, gender, or physical disabilities. Anyone with a yearning to move and dance is welcome in my class. People are born with an inherent sense of rhythm, and movement and dance are birthrights. Denying anyone this right is oppressive to their mind, body, and spirit. 

 

    I see the dance studio as a microcosm of the world we live in: We learn about ourselves; we learn from each other; we interact and collaborate with others; we learn to respect one another. I utilize this as a teaching blueprint to embrace social equality and diversity, and to create a learning environment that leads to comfort and community.