As the temperature begins to drop, there’s nothing like a heartfelt, uplifting story to warm your spirits—especially when it’s from a fellow dance teacher or studio owner.
So this month on DT+, we’re bringing you inspiring, real-life stories from all corners of the dance education world: Michelle Spina, director of the Extensions School of Dance, reveals her emotional reality of coping with the departure of a talented student; John Gonzales, founder and director of Gonzales Dance Academy, tells us about his challenging path toward owning a successful studio; Susan Hebach talks about taking the reins as director of the newly opened Tap Dance Central in New York City; and Emily Bufferd, a longtime open-class teacher, offers her tribute to the many educators who have influenced her teaching practice.
As always, you’ll also find plenty of teaching resources in our regular columns. In our Dance History column, we’re highlighting Kurt Jooss, a pioneer of the Tanztheater (dance theater) movement, combining movement, text, and drama. And later this month in our Technique & Artistry column, we’ll be sharing expert advice on guiding students in safe, artful harnesses while dancing—a useful skill especially if your end-of-year performance acts call for it.
And if you haven’t already, be sure to watch our latest DT+ Teacher Talk with influential dance entrepreneurs Chasta Hamilton and Terry Lindholm to gain insights into managing common parent concerns that you might encounter and strategies for effective, empathetic communication that will set you up for success in any situation.
With excitement,
Reanne Rodrigues
[email protected]
