Which Dance Teacher piece stood out to you most this year?
Judging by our top-rated articles and most-liked social posts, dance teachers were excited about a wide range of topics we tackled. Here are the top 10 stories of 2025, and why our readers loved them.
1. The Purity and Magic of the Cecchetti Method
Ballet wouldn’t be the art form it is today without its long history of legendary teachers. Among them was a man who trained icons like Anna Pavlova, Tamara Karsavina, and Vaslav Nijinsky. Readers enjoyed this deep dive into the life of Enrico Cecchetti (1850–1928) and discovering what makes the Cecchetti method so special.
2. How to Choose the Right Footwear for Teaching Dance
Every dance teacher grapples with this issue, and it’s one that directly affects long-term health, so it’s no wonder that this article was among our most-read stories this year. Frequent Dance Teacher contributor Jennifer Heimlich examined footwear choices through an artistic lens and uses expert-backed insight to offer practical guidance rather than one-size-fits-all advice (no pun intended).
3. Let’s Play!: The Place of Play in Ballet Pedagogy
This story stood out for reimagining ballet training through the lens of play—an approach that resonated with teachers. What made it especially compelling, though, was not just its fresh perspective but the practical, classroom-ready ideas that dance teachers loved.
4. Helping Students Prepare College Audition Solos
Writer Kathryn Holmes addressed one of the most high-stakes moments in a young dancer’s journey: the college audition. With insight from leading educators, this article offered practical advice on crafting audition solos that highlight individuality in addition to technical skill—an essential resource for dance educators.
5. How to Work With Parent Volunteers
What dance teachers really need this time of year is real-world insight from other studio owners on how to effectively manage, communicate with, and appreciate parent help—especially during high-pressure moments like Nutcracker season. And so the timely relevance and behind-the-scenes perspective that made this story so popular wasn’t just welcomed, it was necessary.
6. 7 Things to Keep in Mind When Setting Recital-Stage Lighting
Stage lighting: It’s an element that can make or break a performance, but oftentimes it may not be top of mind for dance teachers who are in the midst of managing rehearsals, costumes, and ticket sales. That’s exactly what made this story rise to the top. The tips and takeaways made it a standout read for studios preparing recitals and showcases.
7. Navigating Alcohol Use at Dance Conventions
This article became a popular read by confronting a sensitive and increasingly relevant issue that many studio owners quietly navigate during competition season. By relating educators’ real experiences as well as thoughtful guidance for maintaining professionalism and student safety, writer Sophie Bress opened an important conversation that the dance community needed.
8. Why I Charge One Hourly Teaching Rate
Writer Barry Kerollis shared a candid, personal perspective on how he has simplified his pay structure and expanded his professional worth beyond studio teaching. His honest personal essay sparked meaningful conversation about financial sustainability and self-advocacy, making it one of the Dance Teacher’s most impactful stories of the year.
9. Making a Case for Teaching Financial Literacy in Higher Ed Dance Programs
Why aren’t more college dance programs teaching students what it means to be financially literate? Writer Thomas Ford addressed this long-standing blind spot in dance education that has real and lasting consequences for artists’ lives.
10. 7 Lesson-Planning Tips for K–12 Classes
By weaving together perspectives from K–12 teachers across grade levels and regions, this piece transformed the often-isolating work of lesson planning into a collaborative, community-driven conversation. Its actionable takeaways made it especially resonant for readers looking to plan with purpose and adaptability for the year ahead.
