5 Reasons to Become a Dance Teacher
What inspires a dancer to make the transition from being a student to becoming a teacher? While both roles require passion, dedication, and devotion, becoming a teacher comes with the responsibility of making a lasting impression on the minds, bodies, and dreams of students. We tapped into some of our previous interviews with professional dance teachers in our network to uncover some of the reasons why teaching feels right for them.
Give students the tools and vision to move forward.
Courtney Spears is the owner and director of ArtSea Dance in the Bahamas, where she says dance is perceived as more of a hobby than a career. Her annual dance workshops are geared toward offering Bahamian dancers college readiness and resume-building tips with an additional focus on overall wellness practices.
“I hope dancers gain a sense of ownership and confidence within their gift. I of course want them to leave with tools that will propel them forward, give them structure on how to pursue dance professionally, and advice for their next steps. The dance industry is tough to navigate physically and emotionally, so I like to leave them with practical applications they can carry with them,” she said in our interview with her this past Spring.
“We hope that as we bring teachers, physical therapists, and college counselors to share with our students, that we start to expand the minds of the Bahamian culture to give the arts, specifically dance, the platform and resources it deserves to uplift and empower the next generation.”
Related: Ballet Culture Around the World: A Conversation with Courtney Spears
Strengthen community connection through exposure.
In our interview with dancer Briana Stuart, we learned that her passion for stepping blossomed after joining Zeta Phi Beta National Sorority Inc. and Step Afrika!. As a part of the latter, Briana participated in community outreach efforts while performing at festivals and universities internationally. “The biggest thing that they really preached is using stepping as a means of education, as well as connectedness and empowerment with children,” she said.
When Briana Stuart moved to Brussels, Belgium to continue her dance career, she used step-dancing to bridge the gap between culture, community, and dance. Her dance organization, STU Arts Dance, hosts specialized workshops for adults of all backgrounds to connect through movement and discuss the impact of dance on communities.
“Moving abroad as a person of color, I really had to lean into what makes me unique, and instead of shying away from it, I’m creating space for myself here by sharing who I am with the audiences around me here in Belgium,” she said.
Related: Freelance Dancing Overseas: A Conversation with Briana Stuart
Create a vivid dance journey for yourself and others.
Janine Beckles, dance teacher and Assistant to the Artistic Director of Philadanco, learned that by teaching dance she not only opened her own mind to what she was capable of, but she also tapped into several career and networking opportunities.
“Performing and teaching give me joy and I wouldn’t want to do one without the other. I became a better artist through teaching because I understand my body and how the technique can enhance one’s quality of movement,” she said. “Being a performer and a teacher can go hand in hand. It’s an asset to be able to both because it can lead to other opportunities.”
In Janine’s interview with us, she also shared advice for dancers about self-acceptance.
Facilitate a sense of unity and support.
Transformación Ballet, a dance studio located in Guatemala, offers free dance lessons as well as a supportive environment for young local ballerinas to improve their self-worth. “The whole goal of my program is to create community, discipline, and share the love of Christ with the kids,” said the studio’s founder, Christine Tjahjadi-Lopez in her interview with us.
Transformación Ballet’s student base consists of over 130 children who come from orphanages and low-income or high-trauma families. Outside of dance lessons, the ministry offers workshops on faith and health. Students in Transformación Ballet can also benefit from school supply donations and tuition support.
“It’s taking this opportunity to reach out in every aspect of their life and tell them, ‘Whatever you pursue, you can be successful,’ and so through thinking that they can be successful, they become successful,” Christine said. “It’s a beautiful process.”
Pave the way for the next generation.
Donna Vaughn is a New York City Broadway performer and the founder of Dynamix Works. Each year, Dynamix Works hosts a workshop for young dancers to receive in-depth lessons from various professionals in the dance industry.
“I have a passion to create a way to provide opportunities for myself and other Broadway performers to continue to share, teach, and act as artistic mentors for the dance community,” Vaughn said when discussing the workshop. After each class, dancers have the opportunity to learn more about industry standards and tips. Dancers who attend range from about 9-years-old to professional level.
“I just wanted all ages to experience top-notch training,” she said. “The little ones also need to start experiencing what it means to be a professional or just to be in that kind of environment.”
Related: Meet Donna Vaughn: A 2021 Brown Girls Do Ballet Micro Grant Winner
Dance teachers, what is your “why”? What keeps you fulfilled as a teacher? Tell us in the comments what inspired you to make the shift!