As a dance educator, what emotions are you experiencing now among your students in light of everything that’s happening politically? And how are you responding to and/or evolving through your teaching practice during this time? Writer Betsy Brandt spoke with three fellow college professors—all department heads of different dance programs—to compare notes, share best practices, and ideate new strategies. Be sure to check out this timely story in our higher ed column. 

I also encourage you to save your spot now for our next DT+ Teacher Talk, “Incorporating Somatic Practices in Dance Classes,” taking place on Tuesday, November 26, at 1 pm EST. In this live hour-long Zoom discussion, I’ll be joined by experienced somatic dance practitioners Adele Nickel and Ami Shulman to discuss how somatic practices can bolster your students’ mind–body connection, deepen their self-awareness, and elevate their learning experiences. You’ll receive useful somatic-based movement exercises that can be implemented in dance class, and will also be able to ask questions in real time. Click here to register now—we’re excited to see you there!

And in our columns later this month, Ishmael Houston-Jones tells about the joys and challenges of teaching and his unconventional approach to warming up in Higher Ed, Manish Chauhan tells us about his experience dancing under the tutelage of Yehuda Maor in What My Teacher Taught Me, and ShanDien Sonwai LaRance talks about carrying on the tradition, culture, and legacy of the Native American hoop dance in Dancer Spotlight. 

With gratitude,
Reanne Rodrigues
[email protected]