teacher stories

Emily Bufferd teaching at Steps on Broadway. Bufferd wears all-black athletic clothing and demonstrates a combination at the front of a purple-lit classroom. Her students mirror her movements.

Every Dancer Is Welcome in Emily Bufferd’s Class

Haley Hilton

A black and white photo of Hailey Bills shows her quads-up. She dances in a black crop top and black pants, her long blonde hair in a low ponytail. She points front intently with her right arm, twisting her torso slightly away, pulling her left arm back by her waist.

What My Teacher Taught Me: The Dance Awards Teen Best Dancer Hailey Bills on Her Mother, Stacy Bills

as told to Haley Hilton

Onstage, Sasha De Sola performs as Titania in "A Midsummer Night's Dream." Wearing a light pink, flowy gown, she luxuriates among a group of fairy maidens, who are dressed in light pink and green dresses with wings.

San Francisco Ballet’s Sasha De Sola Dreams of Influencing the Ballet World for the Better

Haley Hilton

Performance photo of a group of eight Asian dancers standing with one hand out in protest towards a figure in a doctor's coat.

How 3 Universities Are Exploring AAPI Identity, Sharing History, and Inviting Conversation on Campus

April Deocariza

Miki Orihara and Susan Kikuchi stand side by side in a dance studio.

What My Teacher Taught Me: Former Graham Principal Miki Orihara on Susan Kikuchi

As told to Cecilia Whalen

Julia Ritter wears a formal navy dress and walks down an aisle of students clapping.

Office Hours With Dr. Julia Ritter, Dean of the Glorya Kaufman School of Dance at USC

April Deocariza

How Sabrina Ellison Gets the Golden State Warriors Dance Teams Performance-Ready

Haley Hilton

Side by side image of a dance teacher standing very pregnant at a barre and a mom standing by her young son in front of a NYC subway.

Dance Moms: Two Teachers Talk Pregnancy and Motherhood

Lauren Warnecke

Kerollis stands in a second position relevé with arms in fifth position, leading a group of teenage ballet dancers from the front of the studio.

Retiring My Body Image: Learning to Embrace My Physique Beyond My Performance Career

Barry Kerollis

Kevin Pajarillaga wearing briefs mid movement against a dark background.

What My Teacher Taught Me: Gibney Company’s Kevin Pajarillaga on Maleek Washington

as told to Haley Hilton

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