The View from ADF: With Anne Green Gilbert

At the age of 69, this is my first experience at ADF! Summer has always been my busiest season – raising children and directing the Creative Dance Center, Kaleidoscope Dance Company, and Summer Dance Institute for Teachers in Seattle, Washington. This summer, I was very honored to receive the Balasaraswati/Joy Ann Dewey Beinecke Chair For Distinguished Teaching Award from the American Dance Festival. Please Google this award to read the fascinating history behind this. Luise Elcaness Scripps, who studied with Balasaraswati and named the award after her teacher, was also honored since this was the 25th anniversary of the award. Many, many thanks to Luise Scripps and to Walter and Joy Anne Dewey Beinecke, who during their lifetimes recognized the value of dance education and to their families and the American Dance Festival for continuing to value the impact that dance teachers have on the dance world. Ani Knight, the grandson of Balasaraswati, performed the most beautiful and emotional dance in the bharatanatyam style with five musicians. Three colleagues, Leah Cox (Dean of ADF), Rebecca Elvin, and Jody Cassell (who all attended my Summer Dance Institute at different times) spoke on my behalf. I was extremely touched. A teacher never knows the ripples she makes!

So here I am in beautiful and very humid Durham, NC soaking, literally, it all up. I have met wonderful teachers and students and reconnected with friends. I taught three different workshops on Brain-Compatible Dance Education – one for dance professionals, one for college students, and one for area dance teachers. Everyone was so eager and engaged. Many had been introduced to my work through my books and videos and we were all excited to discuss and dance best practices in dance education.

With the teachers, I emphasized and validated the work they were already doing by introducing the important human developmental patterns that underlie their dance technique. I encouraged them to include peer coaching, working in pairs and trios, and reflection to develop the social/emotional intelligence that enhances memory, understanding, and community. I suggested that introducing concepts of Space, Time, Force, and the Body through short structured improvisations would deepen the technique and develop creativity. Today’s professional choreographers are looking for dancers who can think, create, and collaborate as well as have good technique.

With the students I discussed the fact that all professional dancers are also teachers. I think this is sometimes hard for them to comprehend. In the dance world we talk about teachers and artists. But all artists are teachers and all teachers are artists. Why do we say, “Are you a dancer or a dance teacher?” All great dance artists are life long learners who dance, teach, create, explore, read, study, share, and collaborate.

I participated in a modern dance class taught by Gerri Houlihan, a ballet class taught by James Sutton, both Balsaraswati awardees and master teachers (Gerri is also the former Dean of ADF), and a composition class by Leah Cox. I love taking class, trying on other movement signatures, and expanding my own repertoire. Gerri, Jim, and Leah have the most gentle manners, always encouraging and pulling the best out of their students. And Leah did it all with a three week old baby snuggled to her body!

I saw amazing dance concerts by John Jasperse, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, and ADF Faculty. Such varied programs. Lots to process. I met dedicated ADF board members and donors. Thank you for all you do for the wider dance community!

The staff, headed by the phenomenal Jodee Nimerichter, and ably supported by Nicolle Greenhood, Alyssa Harrison and wonderful interns, keep everyone happy. They keep events running smoothly, organize numerous classes and accompanists (so many fantastic musicians), concerts, and award ceremonies. It was a wonderful week of reconnecting, meeting passionate dance educators and students, seeing engaging dance concerts and taking empowering classes. Wow! American Dance Festival – check it out!