'Designing the Ultimate Dance Curriculum'

In this episode, Gui and I offer a concise guide to designing an effective dance curriculum, focusing on concepts and mastery over rigid move lists.

We outline core goals for beginners: Timing, Weight Transfer, and Body Awareness (proprioception). We prioritize Horizontal Learning—deepening understanding of existing moves through combinations and quality of movement—over quickly teaching new patterns. We argue that the transition between known moves is the most significant challenge.

For curriculum structure, we advise teachers to be adaptable, ready to adjust based on student progress rather than sticking rigidly to a plan. We emphasize setting clear minimum requirements for completing each level (including skills beyond just patterns) to ensure students are truly prepared.

We conclude by reminding listeners that a student's true level is determined by their mastery of concepts, not duration or attendance. A strong curriculum ensures every student is prepared for the next stage, making the overall community safer and more cohesive.

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What core concept or technique do you believe most students struggle to master before moving to the next level? Share your thoughts and join the conversation!