For my internship with Firebird Theater, I was in charge of over 30 children ages 10-17. I had to design a curriculum that would support and educate children on African Dance movement through the act of performing ‘Once On This Island Jr.’ My teaching philosophy drives the way I interact and lead movers in a space. For my Teaching Dance: Theory and Method course I developed and defined the importance of interacting with others.
My goal in the classroom is to create a safe space for creation, for movers to dance the best that they can, by respecting themselves, the space, and others. This student-centered teaching approach allows for comfort and stability in the classroom during this shared experience and process.
I want my students to be able to move freely in the space as efficiently as possible, therefore I encourage the use of breath, core initiation, and grounded movement. Dancers will be able to sense a new found connection to their body, leading them to discover their own unique artistry.
My technique classes are informed by Anne Green Gilbert’s Brain Dance in order to challenge the mind-body connection. We dive into understanding the concepts of space, time, energy and shape through the practice of body alignment, core support, movement quality, and dynamics. When teaching technique I pull from experiences in my dance history of learning Graham, Horton, Bartenieff Fundamentals, Laban, Fosse and Balanchine styles of movement.
