TEACHING PHILOSOPHY

	As a dance educator, my philosophy is grounded in the belief that dance is not just a physical art form, but also a powerful tool for fostering social-emotional learning and promoting mind-body health. The body is an instrument, and my pedagogical approach to dance is to provide a comprehensive foundation to students in both dance and holistic techniques that allow them to develop their training, as well as their personal well-being. Within my classroom a dancer is not just challenged physically through a combination of classical modern and ballet techniques, but is encouraged to tap deeper within themselves to connect emotionally, intellectually, and sensorially with their movement. Through various choreographic and improvisational exercises, students explore their emotional intelligence while building their self-awareness and relation to others in the studio space. I incorporate tactile exercises that challenge a dancer’s fullest kinesphere, while challenging dancers to look inward to develop the emotional awareness needed to become a well-rounded artist. I incorporate mindfulness practices into all of my courses, whether it be a classical ballet class, contact improvisation, contemporary floor work, or an academic lecture. In addition to mindfulness through movement, I utilize positive reinforcement and constructive feedback, to give dancers personal instruction that strays away from comparison within the classroom. By engaging in one on one feedback, I challenge my students to focus on individual growth and embrace the challenges that come with studying dance in higher education. Lastly, as an educator I advocate for an overall holistic approach to dance learning. In my class, a student’s mental well-being is just as an important as their physical technique. This is seen through my teachings that encourage students to participate in personal movement invention,  journaling prompts, and somatic exercises connecting the mind and body through movement. In essence, my teaching philosophy aims to empower students not only as skilled dancers, but also as resilient, emotionally intelligent individuals who carry the benefits of dance into all aspects of their lives.