Creative-based projects….community-based dance….and the beginner's mind….

From Kristin Blatzheim of Apple Valley High School (Apple Valley, MN):

After a few experiences with my students last year, I want to be sure to incorporate more choreographic opportunities on a regular basis into my classes, especially my beginning classes. I normally leave time for 1 or 2 larger, full length choreography studies/projects a year, but I am learning that students need (and like) opportunities to show their individuality, special skills, music preferences, and dance ideas more than I realize. I was amazed at how a small, fairly simple choreography project I gave last year as a 3-day "filler" before winter break was so well received by students. The whole class was engaged, enthusiastic, and proud of their work. It built some great community in a class that was struggling to connect as a group, and some students who struggled to manage their behavior in a large group setting really shined working in a small group. I realized that as much as technique classes are essential to their dance training, not all students, especially beginning 9th-10th grade students, can handle the repetitive nature of technique training like I can and that adding in choice time like choreography tasks as a rule, rather than as only a unit of study, can have huge benefits. Even 10 years into being a high school dance teacher I am learning about what students need and how I can get them engaged in dance in many different ways!

From Ashley Mott of Park City High School (Park City,UT):

My goal this year is to do more outreach and service projects with my dance company and junior dance company. These students come from primarily privileged backgrounds and highly technical private studio training. While appreciating their own training and talent, I would like to help them also learn to connect more with community-level dance and gain an increased understanding of the important role of dance for ALL. We will be attending the daCi (dance and the child international) conference in October; my dance company students will be doing a collaborative project there with people from a senior center. I also would like to collaborate with an after school program for lower income families; can my dancers offer dance lessons to younger children?