The Excellent Instructor and the Teaching of Dance Technique

Teaching dance is an activity that is both a rigorous discipline which involves many years of study and a deeply personal expression. Throughout the years, from the time I first encountered the Spectrum, I've realized more and more what an amazing pedagogical tool it is for dance as an art form. The Spectrum will help dance teachers address many issues, including the following: - For the beginning teacher, "Did I meet my objectives? How can I judge how well I did?" - For the advanced teacher, "How can I encourage initiative and make students more self-motivated?" - For the college or university teacher, "How do I help my colleagues in other disciplines (and administration) understand dance as an academic discipline? What do I put in my tenure and promotion portfolio?" - For teachers with adult beginner classes, "How do I introduce my adult learners to basic movement material without 'teaching down' to them, to recognize their cognitive level and maturity?" - For teachers in private studios, "How can I teach so that I reach every student, keep students coming back for more classes, and thus keep enrollment (and my business) up?" - When teaching large classes, "How can I provide feedback for every student in the class and still keep the class moving?" Whether you are facing a class of students for the first time or are an experienced teacher, whether you teach children or adults, whether in a recreational setting or college, you will find useful information here. Supported by illustrations, examples, sample lesson plans, criteria sheets, activity suggestions and discussion questions, this work is designed for use as a textbook for student teachers and a resource for the professional teacher. It includes practical tips and application suggestions, with additional material downloadable from the author's website.

Illustrated with abstract and imaginative photographs, this is a philosophical guide for the dance field about the art of teaching modern dance. Integrating somatic theories, scientific research and contemporary aesthetic practices, it asks the reader to reconsider how and why they teach.

Dance Pedagogy is a comprehensive resource designed for dance students and teaching artists to develop skills and strategies in the multifaceted practice of teaching dance. This invaluable resource features essential components and considerations necessary for the dance teacher in any setting, including the private and community sector, university setting, and professional venues. Five distinct units provide insight into the paradigm, learning process, class environment factors, planning, and delivery of the dance class in a broad context through the use of examples within the dance forms of ballet, jazz, modern, tap, and hip-hop. Readers intently explore cognitive and motor learning, strategies for developing curricula and lesson plans, and methods of delivering material to students. Basic principles of anatomy, understanding student behavior and participation, the importance of diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility (IDEA), music concepts for the dancer, injury prevention, and classroom management are included to provide a well-rounded approach to the many challenges faced in the classroom. Dance Pedagogy provides the most holistic approach available in the art of teaching dance and is a core textbook for academic courses related to Dance Teaching Methods as well as an invaluable handbook for practicing dance teachers.