Today's quote comes from Joan Woodbury's artist profile this week.

On the subject of teaching:

I am always a little shocked or perhaps saddened to see workshops advertised for "dancers in transition," with the implication being…transitioning OUT of the field. My constant advice and pleasure is to see dancers stay IN the field and to continue their involvement in ways dictated by their interests, training, talent and capacity. During all of our years directing Ririe-Woodbury Dance Company and teaching at the University of Utah, both Shirley and I felt it a great necessity for dancers to get as much training and experience as performers, teachers and choreographers as possible.Dancers in our company have always been given opportunities to learn to teach and choreograph during their performing tenure with us. And of course there are many other areas in which dancers can become expert and continue to contribute to the field. 

The artist/teacher is a rare bird and is extremely valuable for the survival of the art form. A teacher who educates dancers encourages curiosity, critical and creative thinking, exploration, improvisation, technical growth and dance making. This person is the one who nurtures the artists of tomorrow. I have studied with many artist/teachers, and the ones who have inspired and changed my life are those who treat each technique class (in fact any class) as a journey in the motional development of an idea or concept, not just a series of unrelated technical phrases to learn. They make sure that the participants are involved — physically, psychically, emotionally, creatively, spiritually and communally.

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