The Casual Dance Teacher's Podcast

I know I can't be the only teacher that just dreads that awkward transition time when you're dismissing one class and the next is waiting to begin!  How will I dismiss everyone safely, take attendance, switch my playlist, answer questions, check my notes, and grab a drink of water without the next class descending into chaos?! Well, I might not have all the answers, but I certainly have a few acti...

Ok, so if you read the title, you won't have to guess what the "Secret Dance Technique" is, as I suggest in the intro to this episode - it's MENTAL technique!  April Lorenzi literally wrote the book on it, so she's here to share some her tried-and-true tips for helping your students (and yourself) enhance their confidence, resilience, memory - and, in turn, their dancing!!   Learn more and Get Apr...

It's that time of year...the pressure's on to teach recital choreography, and so often that means "sacrificing" the class time previously spent on technique and conditioning.  Naturally, we have to continue working technique and conditioning in order for the choreography to look its best at recital time...sometimes, that can mean running the choreography over and over again.  But other times, addi...

Whether or not you teach tap dance specifically, you're in for a treat with this episode with the fabulous Christine Denny!  Denny is a renowned tap teacher, choreographer, and performer with a career spanning over 25 years and covering virtually every facet of the dance world.  Learn about the intricacies of tap dance and what makes teaching tap unique, as well as some of the practical applicatio...

Veronica Vasquez Garcia is the creator of Moves Made 4 Me, a developmental movement program that combines life skills with dance, as well as the founder of Elevate Collective Solutions, a consulting business that helps organizations implement inclusive practices, and JMM Dance Co, a nonprofit dedicated to raising mental health awareness through SEL programs.  While we couldn't possibly cover the v...

Wow - what a year!  Since launching in June, I've learned SO MUCH from my amazing line-up of distinguished guests, and from connecting with listeners and fellow "Casual Dance Teachers" through our Casual Dance Teacher's Network Facebook page and Casual Dance Teacher's Podcast Instagram account!  To recap this phenomenal year, here's a casual and low-key recap of my personal favorite lessons learne...

The word of the day is "Diversify!"  Hear from Choreographer, Studio Owner, Competition Adjudicator, Teacher, Photographer, Performer...basically ALL THE THINGS...Ian Howe as he discusses how he leveraged the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic to build a dance career that fuels his passion and "scratches all the itches," and his advice on how you can follow suit!    Theme Music by GBMystica...

So by now we've established that we SHOULD have at least a general curriculum and lesson plans for each of the dance classes that we teach...but as busy dance teachers, when are we supposed to sit down and come up with these plans?  There's no one-size-fits-all answer to this, but I have a few tips and tricks for how to make the most of your time to squeeze in adequate lesson planning time consist...

There are a LOT of dance teachers and coaches out there, but most specialize in coaching technique, steps/skills, consistency...few specialize in coaching artistry specifically!  Amie Bush does just that with her company, Artistry Dance Coaching, and today she's treating us to an inside scoop on what she looks for from an artistry perspective as both a competition judge and coach, and how she help...

It's the most wonderful time of the year!  Time for season's greetings, holiday cheer, and students (and teachers!) who are already mentally checked out and ready for a break from dance classes! 😆 I've got you covered!  Here are plenty of simple and fun ways to incorporate the holiday theme into your dance classes while still keeping students working on key concepts and engaging with the material...

There are a LOT of dance teachers and coaches out there, but most specialize in coaching technique, steps/skills, consistency...few specialize in coaching artistry specifically!  Amie Bush does just that with her company, Artistry Dance Coaching, and today she's treating us to an inside scoop on what she looks for from an artistry perspective as both a competition judge and coach, and how she help...

Ugh, trick steps; I love to hate 'em!  As casual dance teachers, should we be teaching our students trick steps?   Do they have a place in EVERY style of dance?  Can we create a curriculum that focuses on fundamentals and classical training while still incorporating "tricks?"  Join me as I rant - I mean discuss - the wild world of teaching trick steps as a casual dance teacher.  Join the Casual Da...

Olivia Lou is a dance educator and competition adjudicator here to tell us how to prepare any and all students to attend a dance competition - regardless of their level of training or the number of hours a week they spend in the studio.  We talk about the pros and cons of competitive dance, how to mentally and physically prepare students for the experience, and what makes a piece stand out in a co...

Today's episode is a follow-up on episode number 22 with guest Isaac Iskra.  After reflecting upon that conversation, I decided (on a last-minute whim that forced me to record and edit this episode in record time!) that I had some follow-up thoughts on my own experience that I wanted to share.  The tips that I share in this episode are informed by the practice of Applied Behavior Analysis, or ABA,...

In today's episode, Isaac Iskra, founder of Nefelaba Dance Theater, shares his experience in developing his craft as a dancer and choreographer with Autism.  In addition to walking us through his own journey both in pursuing a dance career and gaining a formal autism diagnosis in his twenties, Isaac shares his thoughts and advice on providing accommodations for neurodivergent dance students and au...

Today Rachel Jenks, aka "The Booty-Kicking Ballerina," shares her story of completely running her body into the ground in pursuit of her dream career as a professional ballet dancer, followed by her long journey of recovery, starting with mental healing, which eventually led her to physical healing as well.  Rachel also shares plenty of practical tips for how we as dance teachers can "partner with...

Nicole Perry is an intimacy director, intimacy coordinator, and dance choreographer who's worked in film, theater, and dance to empower and educate performers on understanding and working with their personal boundaries.  Join me as I get the very basics on what consent in the dance classroom is all about, and then delve into what a consent-informed approach to dance education looks like from a pra...

Say it with me...WE LOVE A THEME!  Here are a few of my favorite Halloween and fall-themed activities to implement all month long for fun and engaging classes (without slacking on instructional value)! Head over to the Casual Dance Teacher's Network on Facebook to connect and share your input! Theme Music by GB Mystical: gbmystical.com

If you teach Hip-Hop, or are planning to teach Hip-Hop at any point in the future, you NEED to listen to this amazing crash-course from today's special guest, Neo Lynch!  Neo breaks down her own background in Hip-Hop and understanding the differences in styles across geographic regions, and how she incorporates the rich history and culture of hip-hop into her teaching while still keeping classes e...

Multi-Award-Winning choreographer, educator, author, lawyer and mentor Maria Daniel joins us today to talk about her program iDance Ministry , "Project BrOKen," and how she leveraged her gift for dance into acclaimed programs that teach, heal, and inspire individuals who may be struggling with physical, mental, or cultural barriers, or just need a safe space to express themselves through dance!  T...

After 16 episodes, most of you know that I have a tendency to hate on TikTok, Dance Influencers, and Social Media in general, so buckle up for this one!  On today's episode, I had the immense privilege of interviewing Alicia Mae Holloway, former Dance Theatre of Harlem and Suzanne Farrell Ballet dancer, who also happens to be a model, influencer, and former realty tv show contestant with over 500,...

Hello and welcome from one of the WORST name-learners out there!  I have struggled with remembering students names since I first started teaching, but over the last decade, I've slowly developed a few techniques and activities that help even me learn students' names quickly and remember them after the first week or two of classes.  Here are my thoughts...head over to the Casual Dance Teacher's Net...

It's Choreography Month!  All month long, I'll be sharing ideas and information on the process of choreography - from coming up with an original concept to teaching your students the steps!   Today I had the joy of chatting with Chelsea Weidmann - i.e. GeekyBallerina - about her system for identifying and teaching elements of artistry in dance class.  How does this tie in with neck massage, cultur...

It's Choreography Month!  All month long, I'll be sharing ideas and information on the process of choreography - from coming up with an original concept to teaching your students the steps!   In this week's episode we finally get into actually teaching the choreography to your students.  Hear Maia's specific model for notating and teaching choreography in a classroom setting - it's not as simple a...

It's Choreography Month!  All month long, I'll be sharing ideas and information on the process of choreography - from coming up with an original concept to teaching your students the steps!   This week you've got your theme and some steps, but where do you put them?!  Here are some ideas on blocking, coming up with transitions between different formations and/or sections of your dance, and keeping...