Hello young teachers,
First off, I would like to thank you for your passion that you feel necessary to share with our community. It’s always nice to see a new wave of choreographic voices and teaching styles come out. I’m probably not much older than you, but I have learned and witnessed a lot in my entire dance career both as a student, a teacher, a choreographer and a studio consultant. I wish you the best of luck on your journey, but first some advice.
This industry is very hard to get into much less sustain a career in it. Find your own style quickly and stick to it. If you’re teaching what is trendy and popular now, you’ll be gone by next season. Stay creative. In order to find who you are as a teacher and choreographer, you must find what makes you, you.
I understand you are trying to get your name out there, but be sure not to spread yourself too thin. If you say you’re going to work with someone, make sure you do it. Don’t go back on your word. People will remember that forever.
Make the training of your students a priority, no matter how many you have. By becoming a teacher, it’s no longer about you. You become a mentor and role model. They show up to your class prepared and ready to work and you should as well. I’m not one to have lesson plans, but I come in to every class with a clear goal in mind. Don’t fiddle on your phone, be on time and be respectful. You can learn from your dancers just as they can learn from you. If they see you aren’t invested in them, they won’t invest in you.
Only teach classes that you know you are completely capable of teaching. If you don’t have the technical capacity to teach advanced level classes, be honest and don’t teach them. You are ultimately doing a disservice to the students, the parents, the organization owners and those other teachers who have more experience and training under their belts.
Remember that while we all love to just dance and be carefree, there is a strict and proper technique on how to do things. Use technique and terminology as a teaching tool. It’ll make your students more aware of how the things we work on at the barre, translate in to choreography. It also prevents injury for both yourself and the dancers in class.
Your image goes further than just what you do in class. Students, studio owners and company directors have ready access to what appears to be your life on social media these days. Be careful what you post. If you can’t monitor your posts, make your accounts private.
Last but not least, remain a student. After years of teaching and dancing, I am constantly educating myself. Whether it be in taking classes when I can or self-educating by reading my ballet dictionary, brushing up on the basics at the barre, or learning about a person or genre that I know very little about. The more you know, the better teacher you can be.
Remember to learn from those around you. Come in to the industry with respect and you’ll gain it. There’s a place for everyone in the industry to some capacity. You just have to find yours.
XO,
#DanceTchrProbs
DanceTchrProbs 