This article is part of a collaboration project that I am working on with Henrik from Tights And Tiaras and Catherine from 4dancers. We are working together on “Pas de Trois” at dancing3.com. Each week we will present a question or issue pertaining to the dance world. We’ll foster a discussion on the topic and invite other people to join in with their ideas as well. We hope this will be a fun and engaging project that will help to create a stronger online dance community. You will be able to find the weekly question, along with links to the discussions at dancing3.com.
Many of these questions I feel like I might not be as much of an authority, since I’m a relatively new dancer, and I’m not professional. But here, I feel I have just as much to say as anyone. As a late starter, I feel I can remember all of the times in class. On the other hand, I know many dancers who don’t remember first learning to dance.
As an adult male beginner, there were a lot of things that I had to learn. I feel like I’m still a slow learner, so one of the most important qualities I think a teacher can have is understanding. It is important for teachers to be fairly talented, but if they don’t understand the many ways that dancers learn, that talent won’t necessarily transfer to the students. Of course a combination of talent and understanding makes for an excellent teacher.
I’ve taken classes from many different teachers. Many dancers do. Many of them were great teachers, and everyone usually helped me to learn valuable lessons. If I am struggling in class, but I know I am being understood, I’m still happy and able to learn.
Everyone learns in different ways. An understanding teacher can be flexible enough to teach to a variety of students.
This question is important to me. This summer I began teaching creative dance classes for elementary school boys at my dance studio. Especially with these new dancers, I find it important to be understanding. I also found out today, that I will be co-teaching two dance classes a day for the next semester at a performing arts public middle school. I’m very excited to help bring dance to public schools. I’m hoping that I can take my learning experiences as an adult male beginner and help younger dancers enjoy their learning and growth.
