The Casual Dance Teacher's Podcast

Today's episode combines dance lessons with life lessons, and don't they so often go together?!  While I don't feel equiped to speak specifically about West African Dance technique on this platform, I do think that the lessons I learned during my time studying in West Africa are worth sharing with dance educators of all styles and methodologies.  Here are just 4 of my biggest takeaways from studying West African Dance, and how they've helped me become a better dance teacher.Theme Music by GBMystical!  www.gbmystical.comJoin the Casual Dance Teacher's Network on Facebook Here - Now through December 1st, you can sign up for "The Twelve Texts of Christmas" exclusively through the Facebook Group and receive daily holiday-themed dance class activities, song suggestions, and more via text from December 1st-12th Follow me on Reddit HereFollow our Instagram account HerePlease Leave Us a Review on Apple/Spotify!

The dance world is extremely inconsistent when it comes to assessing growth and providing feedback to students in a comprehensive and constructive way.  Following our "Part 1" episode with Danielle Aliotta, today's episode focuses on Chelsea Weidmann's experience with providing assessments and feedback within competitive and pre-professional dance studios.  Our discussion also turned to questions of ethics and equity in how (and/or if!) feedback has been provided in these types of programs, how teachers are compensated for their time in providing feedback, and much more!Theme Music by GBMystical!  www.gbmystical.comJoin the Casual Dance Teacher's Network on Facebook HereFollow me on Reddit HereFollow our Instagram account HerePlease Leave Us a Review on Apple/Spotify!

The dance world is extremely inconsistent when it comes to assessing growth and providing feedback to students in a comprehensive and constructive way.  Today, I have Danielle Aliotta on the show to share her experience as both a public school and dance studio educator, where she focuses on setting goals based on students' baseline abilities, and assessing and sharing feedback based on consistent growth.  If you are looking for ways to assess students equitably in any setting, this one's for you!Follow all that Danielle does on Instagram HereTheme Music by GBMystical!  www.gbmystical.comJoin the Casual Dance Teacher's Network on Facebook HereFollow me on Reddit HereFollow our Instagram account HerePlease Leave Us a Review on Apple/Spotify!

Happy Halloween!  To celebrate the season, we're throwing it back to some of my favorite fall-themed dance class activities and games from season one.  As an added bonus for you long-time listeners, I've added some brand-new game ideas to the end of the episode!  Enjoy!Theme Music by GBMystical!  www.gbmystical.comJoin the Casual Dance Teacher's Network on Facebook HereFollow me on Reddit HereFollow our Instagram account HerePlease Leave Us a Review on Apple/Spotify!

For the next couple weeks, I'm going to help you work through any aspect of choreography that might have you feeling "stuck."  In this episode, I share how I apply the concepts of various choreographic devices to formations and transitions onstage to ensure that the staging, spacing, and flow of the piece feels authentic to the movement and thematic material that you're working with. You can listen to the Season 1 Choreography Month Series starting Here.Theme Music by GBMystical!  www.gbmystical.comJoin the Casual Dance Teacher's Network on Facebook HereFollow me on Reddit HereFollow our Instagram account HerePlease Leave Us a Review on Apple/Spotify!

For the next couple weeks, I'm going to help you work through any aspect of choreography that might have you feeling "stuck."  In this episode, I discuss a number of choreographic devices, and how you can use these devices to come up with TONS of fresh movement material using steps or combinations that you've already used in class or previous choreography. You can listen to the Season 1 Choreography Month Series starting Here.Theme Music by GBMystical!  www.gbmystical.comJoin the Casual Dance Teacher's Network on Facebook HereFollow me on Reddit HereFollow our Instagram account HerePlease Leave Us a Review on Apple/Spotify!

For the next couple weeks, I'm going to help you work through any aspect of choreography that might have you feeling "stuck."  In this episode, I provide some different examples of ways that you can choose a theme for your dance, and allow that theme to then help you come up with the music, movement, staging, etc for a piece.  You can listen to the Season 1 Choreography Month Series starting Here.Theme Music by GBMystical!  www.gbmystical.comJoin the Casual Dance Teacher's Network on Facebook HereFollow me on Reddit HereFollow our Instagram account HerePlease Leave Us a Review on Apple/Spotify!

Are your students comfortable improvising, or do they freeze up at the mention of it?  In today's episode, I had the opportunity to talk to dancer/choreographer/dance educator/coach (etc!) Angela Gallo about her own experience utilizing improvisation in her creative process, as well as recommendations for the use of improvisation in the dance classroom, preparing our students to improvise in an audition setting, and more!Learn more about Angela's dance company, Sapphire Moon Dance Company, HereLearn more about Angela's travel and wellness company, Hemisphere Dancer Wellness and Travel, HereTheme Music by GBMystical!  www.gbmystical.comJoin the Casual Dance Teacher's Network on Facebook HereFollow me on Reddit HereFollow our Instagram account HerePlease Leave Us a Review on Apple/Spotify!

I am a firm believer in having as many tools on hand as possible for days when you need to quickly re-engage students, bring the class together, and/or reenforce a concept you're working on in a new way.  Today's episode is full of ideas for physical games that you can buy and keep on hand to easily achieve these goals without the work of DIY-ing or prepping materials in advance. All games mentioned in today's episode that are still available on the market are linked below.  Pop's Culture Shoppe is my local game store (owned by my parents!), so I've linked any available through them here - they ship internationally!  For those not available through them, I've provided Amazon links, but encourage you to check with your local game store first! Seek-a-BooMove & Groove is unfortunately discontinued, but the same company makes a very similar toddler-oriented dice-roll game called Roll & Play that you can get herePrima Ballerina is also unfortunately discontinued, but you could diy-it by printing pictures of dancers, cutting them in half, and laminating the pieces.Heads Talk, Tails WalkFloor is Lava Game Amazon LinkDance Charades Amazon LinkTwisterBalance Beam/Stepping Stone Set Amazon LinkDon't Sweat it Amazon LinkAfter the show, I found this giant foam "exercize die," that I thought would be a good additionHere is a set of blank foam dice with dry erase sides for infinite re-use! Listen to the "Props and Tools" Episode HereListen to the "No Prep Dance-Class Games for All Ages Episode HereTheme Music by GBMystical!  www.gbmystical.comJoin the Casual Dance Teacher's Network on Facebook HereFollow me on Reddit HereFollow our Instagram account HerePlease Leave Us a Review on Apple/Spotify!

It's arguably impossible to become a dance teacher without first identifying as a dancer, but what happens when you feel that that identity no longer suits you?  Is it fair to identify as a dance teacher if you no longer dance regularly outside of the classroom?  What if you're not regularly teaching classes - can you still call yourself a dance teacher?  We cover all this and more in today's episode with "The Dancing Mind Coach" Stephanie Case!You can find Stephanie's new book Here You can learn more about Stephanie and all of her offerings HereTheme Music by GBMystical!  www.gbmystical.comJoin the Casual Dance Teacher's Network on Facebook HereFollow me on Reddit HereFollow our Instagram account HerePlease Leave Us a Review on Apple/Spotify!

 I don't care what style/age group/program/level/genre of dance you teach...I'd bet there's been some time in your teaching career that you "gamified" your teaching in some way.  Yes, games can be a fun "filler," but I also think we shouldn't undermine the value of teaching through games, even for older/more experienced dancers!  Here are a couple of the simplest games I've used in dance class that take absolutely zero preparation so you can incorporate them any time and place! Listen to the "Props and Tools" Episode HereYou can find game/activity ideas for specific seasons/holidays Here (for fall) and Here (for winter) Theme Music by GBMystical!  www.gbmystical.comJoin the Casual Dance Teacher's Network on Facebook HereFollow me on Reddit HereFollow our Instagram account HerePlease Leave Us a Review on Apple/Spotify!

As an experienced casual dance teacher, what have I learned to ALWAYS keep in my bag to be prepared for class every week?  Find out on today's episode! Listen to the "Props and Tools" Episode HereListen to the "What's in My Dance Bag - Recital Edition" Episode HereTheme Music by GBMystical!  www.gbmystical.comJoin the Casual Dance Teacher's Network on Facebook HereFollow me on Reddit HereFollow our Instagram account HerePlease Leave Us a Review on Apple/Spotify!

Are you a current dance fitness instructor, or thinking of teaching dance fitness classes or offering them at your studio as an added revenue stream? If so, today's episode is for you!  I sat down with Mariana Santos, founder of Brazily Fitness, to talk about creating a unique dance fitness brand, building confidence through dance, working with a wide range of skill levels within a class, and what it takes to choreograph and memorize up to 20 dances per class!!!Check out the Brazily Fitness Website HereTheme Music by GBMystical!  www.gbmystical.comJoin the Casual Dance Teacher's Network on Facebook HereFollow me on Reddit HereFollow our Instagram account HerePlease Leave Us a Review on Apple/Spotify!

In today's episode, I'm putting together some bits and pieces of what I learned throughout last season - both in the classroom and on the podcast! - to help you structure a season plan that will build your dancers' skills and athleticism so that they peak for performance time!  Listen to the "Curriculum Building" Episode HereListen to the "Jumps Training with Coach Kristin Stam" Episode HereTheme Music by GBMystical!  www.gbmystical.comJoin the Casual Dance Teacher's Network on Facebook HereFollow me on Reddit HereFollow our Instagram account HerePlease Leave Us a Review on Apple/Spotify!

As much as we hate to acknowledge it, all of us have probably given some thought to what we'd do if an emergency situation of some sort were to arise in our dance classroom. Sadly, many of us have had to deal with these situations first-hand.  That's why I was really thrilled to have the opportunity to speak with Andy Roszak JD, MPA, EMT-Paramedic, Founder & Chief Executive Officer for the Institute for Childhood Preparedness, Chief of Preparedness, Health and Environment for the Region II Head Start Association, adjunct professor in the school of community and environmental health at Old Dominion University, former Senior Director of Emergency Preparedness at Child Care Aware of America, former Senior Public Health Advisor for the US Department of Health and Human Services’ Emergency Care Coordination Center, former Senior Director of Environmental Health, Pandemic Preparedness and Catastrophic Response at the National Association of County and City Health Officials, and former Health Policy Fellow for the United States Senate Budget and Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committees during the 110th and 111th Congress (yes, that part in italics is just a few of his titles and accolades!!) about implementing simple plans and procedures in our dance classrooms to ensure the safety of our students, and anyone who sets foot in our dance spaces.  TW - this episode contains discussion of natural disasters, active shooter scenarios, and mentions of violence, and death. You can find all of Andy's available books, trainings, resources, etc HereTheme Music by GBMystical!  www.gbmystical.comJoin the Casual Dance Teacher's Network on Facebook HereFollow me on Reddit HereFollow our Instagram account HerePlease Leave Us a Review on Apple/Spotify!

As frequently requested, here is a quick run-down of some of my favorite ice-breaker activities to get students of all ages familiar and comfortable with each other - and you - in the first few weeks of a new class season.  You can listen to the episode on name games HereTheme Music by GBMystical!  www.gbmystical.comJoin the Casual Dance Teacher's Network on Facebook HereFollow me on Reddit HereFollow our Instagram account HerePlease Leave Us a Review on Apple/Spotify! <3

Ahhh, here we are at the start of season two!  Time to dive back in - but wait?!  I have some personal news to share with you!  Listen to a quick life update to catch you up to speed on where I'm coming from with this new season, and the direction(s) the show may (or may not) take moving forward!  Who knows at this point?!  Not me!  Enjoy :)View this episode in Video Form HereYou can listen to the conversation with Audra Queen that I reference in the episode HereTheme Music by GBMystical!  www.gbmystical.comJoin the Casual Dance Teacher's Network on Facebook HereFollow me on Reddit HereFollow our Instagram account HerePlease Leave Us a Review on Apple/Spotify! <3

Well friends, I told you we'd be taking some time this season to delve into identity and personal development this season, and I didn't waste any time getting to it!  I had the honor of sitting down with Jess Grippo to talk about her practice of Creativity Coaching, and even get a little mini-session just for me!  In this episode, you'll learn about Jess' background and what led her to start coaching creativity, among her many other creative/professional outlets.  We then delve into my personal situation and Jess' tips to help me explore my own creativity outside the context of teaching weekly dance classes.  Jess' Website: www.jessgrippo.comJess' Free "Dance Alone, Together" Series: www.jessgrippo.com/13day-free-seriesTheme Music by GBMystical!  www.gbmystical.comJoin the Casual Dance Teacher's Network on Facebook HereFollow me on Reddit HereFollow our Instagram account HerePlease Leave Us a Review on Apple/Spotify! <3

In today's special bonus episode of The Casual Dance Teacher's Podcast, I chat with decorated choreographer Tiffany Rea-Fisher about her work as a choreographer for Classical Theatre of Harlem, including (but not limited to!) how the process of choreographing for theatrical productions differs from concert dance, how Tiffany's background as a competitive dancer shaped her career, the traits she looks for in dancers auditioning for theatrical productions vs. for her company, and a little teaser about the work she's created for the upcoming season of her modern dance company, Emerge125, premiering May 29th!  Get more information and tickets for Emerge125's new season HereLearn more about Classical Theatre of Harlem HerePodcast Theme Music by GBMystical!  www.gbmystical.comRecorded Via SquadcastJoin the Casual Dance Teacher's Network on Facebook HereFollow our Instagram account HerePlease Leave Us a Review on Apple/Spotify! <3

Oh my goodness, it's the end of season one of the Casual Dance Teacher's Podcast! We're wrapping up with a quick recap of the amazing highlights of season one, how you can keep up with The Casual Dance Teacher's Network during our brief hiatus, and what's to come! Big thanks for a great first season, and see you in season two!Theme Music by GBMystical!  www.gbmystical.comJoin the Casual Dance Teacher's Network on Facebook HereFollow me on Reddit HereFollow our Instagram account HerePlease Leave Us a Review on Apple/Spotify! <3