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On May 12, 2026, the beloved, spitfire ballet teacher Judy Fielman Rice passed away unexpectedly at the age of 65. Many of Rice’s current and former students flooded social media with memories of their favorite “Judy-isms,” funny anecdotes, and unforgettable tendu combinations. She leaves behind a positive legacy centered in her joyful approach to ballet. […]
When I first started at the University of Michigan, I didn’t know what to expect. Madame Penny Godboldo’s class on Dunham technique gave me a sense of groundedness and home. Before class would start, Madame Penny would look her students in the eyes to see where their energy was, then direct the class in a […]
Because the chassé is often neglected during the execution of this traveling step, Judy Rice asks her students to do a minimum of a six-inch chassé before transitioning into the pas de bourrée. She encourages dancers to pay close attention to their shoulders and hips in effacé, too. “Kids tend to open it up. They […]
Help your dancers improve their performance—and scores—with this advice from veteran competition faculty: Martha Nichols, Judy Rice and Suzi Taylor. Connect with your ensemble. Everyone can be dancing at the same time, but not necessarily together, because they don’t acknowledge each other. “Relax and have a good time,” says Martha Nichols of New York City […]
Dance Teacher asked nine respected instructors to identify the most common technique mistakes they see when addressing a group of students for the first time. Here, they discuss the origins of these problems and offer their best solutions. …crunching their toes. Watmora Casey Artistic Director, Faubourg School of Ballet Hanover Park, IL Teaches ballet I […]
What a great event we had last week in Long Beach! It was three-plus very full days of classes, workshops, panel discussions and networking, networking, networking. It was hard to say farewell to the fresh Pacific air—and to all our new West Coast friends. But we’re back in NYC, hard at work on the October […]
Seen and Heard at the Dance Teacher Summit As a longtime teacher on the convention circuit, Judy Rice works with ballet students of all ages and levels. Currently she also teaches master classes in Los Angeles, helping professional dancers solidify and maintain their technique. Here, she shares some advice for teaching a successful barre. Dance Teacher: How […]
In the December issue, DT staff reflects on their favorite covers of the year. Assistant editor Rachel Rizzuto’s pick was September. “I really loved our cover story on Judy Rice. I enjoyed her frankness about how inept she felt, starting out as a ballet teacher. And her willingness to start from scratch in the field, coupled […]
Judy Rice bridges the disparate realms of competition and college dance; modern dance and ballet. Judy Rice is University of Michigan’s most enthusiastic dance recruiter. After only two seasons performing with the Joffrey Ballet, Judy Rice fell and tore a tendon in her ankle. This came on the heels of being denied a contract with […]