Each week following an artist's post, reflection questions and research ideas will get posted. These are aimed towards college level courses (senior seminar, composition, dance education, and more), but of course anyone can read the postscript and find thought-provoking questions and activities. 

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Research: Mark Morris

Tina was a founding member of the Mark Morris Dance Group, danced in the company for 20 years, was an arts administrator at the Center, and continues to teach and stage Morris's choreography around the globe. Spend 10 minutes reading more about Morris himself, the company, and the Mark Morris Dance Center in NYC. 

Reflect: Teaching

Tina wrote:

Teaching is incredibly rewarding and a vocation unto itself.  Not every dancer is meant to teach.  Don’t do it just because you can or someone says you should.  If you make this decision, then be sure to give yourself the opportunity to experience all kinds of educational situations.  For example, it took some trial and error for me to discover that I didn’t enjoy teaching young children  – I greatly admire those who can – and that I really clicked with college age students regardless of their technical level.

Reflect on your own feeling about teaching in your current or future dance life. Why teach? What age group(s)? What is the relationship of teaching and being an artist?

Discuss: "Being in Class"

Tina's final advice was about being in class. Currently, how often do you get to go to class? What role does going to class play in your life – with your training, performance prep, being seen for future performance opportunities, and building community?

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