We are excited to launch our new monthly series, My Dance Week. Once a month, an artist will sketch out or write out (literally) his/her week. One of the hardest things for a young dancer to envision is what a weekly schedule might look like – fitting in paying work, teaching, rehearsing, performing, training, family, friends, relaxation, and more. In particular, since the majority of modern dancers will teach in some capacity, how much teaching makes for "full-time?" Plus, "teaching" includes class time and also prep time.
How do we balance our dance and non-dance life?
Please join us once a month as we look at different dancers' schedules and ways to balance a life in dance.
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Schedule #2: Elizebeth Randall (Oakland, CA)
Elizebeth is a performer, choreographer, and teacher. She teaches at Saint Mary's College of CA (SMC) and Shawl-Anderson Dance Center (SADC).
During this week documented, you taught 11 classes. How many different lesson plans did you use during this week? (I assume since some classes happened more than once a week, you could repeat material?)
I used one lesson plan for my five ballet classes for adults/college students, one lesson plan for the two modern classes, and one lesson plan for each of the youth classes that meet twice weekly. So four plans, eleven classes. Repeating material throughout the course of a week is useful for students and very helpful for me in terms of staying clear and organized with what I'm teaching. I do change class material after one week, except for the weekly modern classes which will stay on the same lesson plan for a month or so.
While commuting, do you use the time to "prep" in any way – reviewing notes, listening to music, reflecting on your classes or rehearsals?
Yes, I often review class plans, dream about choreography, and listen to music on my 20-minute bus rides to St. Mary's. Sometimes, though, I allow my commute time to be down time and I will read, listen to a podcast, or simply sit back and enjoy the ride! When I walk or bike the mile to Shawl-Anderson I like to take the time to just be present and calm, finding my focus for the classes ahead.
Do you pay for your own classes, or is this a perk with your jobs (yoga and dance classes)?
I am very grateful to get free classes of all kinds at Shawl-Anderson and St. Mary's. I definitely take advantage of this perk and have also found it to be a wonderful community-building element to my work life. It's nice to take classes with the same people who are students in my classes and get to know them and move with them in another context. I also attend yoga classes at outside studios (where I do have to pay) a few times a month.
To read Elizebeth's artist profile on the blog, click here.
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Life as a Modern Dancer 
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