Why Dance Matters: Thoughts from a Students Mommy

The other day, I asked a mom of one of my ballet students why she thinks dance matters. I asked her why she signed her daughter up for dance? Why does she think it is important for her daughter to experience it? These are her thoughts-

"I enrolled my daughter in dance because I wanted her to learn poise, confidence, and discipline. I want her to experience many things in life and the opportunity to experience dance at such a young age is such an advantage. I love that she will have bragging rights about starting dance when she was 2 years old. I love that her ballet class teaches other things, not only ballet. I see her using what she learns in class in her daily life, and that is pretty special!"

Check out my other Why Dance Matters Interviews

Kindergarten Performance: A Story Ballet

One of my favorite things about being a teaching artist with New York City Ballet, is offering the students a chance to perform on stage for their family and friends. They get so excited and are so proud! I took a few pictures in between all the performances. I hope you enjoy!

The scenery...

We had narrators... (one of the 9 stories)

Pirates...

Animals... This was a lion, but there was every animal you could think of...
Trees...

We also had pumpkins, princesses, flowers, seals and much more! I loved the K's stories this year. I love to be a part of their creative thinking and confidence building! Do you feel the same way about kids performances? What is your favorite part?

Bugs

Today was a very silly day! I taught science! Silly Science that is! It was so fun. I filled in for a teacher who had an emergency, but it turned out to be such a great experience. All the kids were 2 and so very talkative. The theme was bugs! We read The Hungry Caterpillar and then used magnifying glasses to search for bugs around the room. They were so cute looking through the glass! Even though it was science, you better believe I incorporated some movement into the lesson. We slept in our cocoon and then became beautiful butterflies, just like in the story. They wanted to do it over and over, before I knew it, I had to remind myself that it wasn't a movement class. It just shows how much little ones' imagination soar when they move their bodies.

Next week I think I will explore bugs with my creative movement classes! How would you move like a ladybug? How many different types of bugs do you think you could dance about? I am sure the kids could think of more than I could!

Sneaky

One of my favorite words to explore in dance class with the young ones is the word sneak! Yesterday, we practiced sneaking across the floor. I asked the dancers where we could imagine being sneaky. They said "I think we could sneak into the kitchen and get a cookie!" "Maybe we could sneak in between the trees!" All great ideas! I also told them to imagine there was someone looking in the mirror or the window, and to try to sneak by without that person seeing them! So fun! We practiced sneaking a bunch of different ways. Backwards, down low, slow, quick, turns, bounce, and on and on!

Have you ever done the word sneak with your dancers? If your looking for something to bring a smile to you and your students faces, try this!

Why Dance Matters: An interview with my Mom and Dad

Last week in celebration of the Why Dance Matters project I posted an interview with my 4 and 5 year old classes. Although the kids gave such sweet answers, this week I thought interviewing my mom and dad would be great insight into why dance matters so much! They have some great answers, so read on! I am so happy to open up this discussion, because I had no idea what they really thought! Now I do! I hope you enjoy!

A little background on my parents: My parents are both in the healthcare field. My mom has been a surgical nurse for over 30 years. My dad is a dialysis technician. They live in small town Corry, PA where I grew up. My dad loves the outdoors and his garden. My mom loves to ride her bike and is very crafty. They truly are the best, and I am so lucky to have them.

Mom says:

Why did you sign me up for dance?

You were shy and I thought it would help you with that.

Did you learn anything from having a daughter (and son) enrolled in dance?

You and your brother were always so excited and looked forward for every wednesday to come! You had such an opportunity which I never had growing up. I was so happy to be able to send you to dance, I don’t think my parents could have afforded to send me.

Do you think it's important for every child to experience dance?

I do, it gives them coordination, makes them feel excited, important and so proud to be a dancer!

Do you like to dance?

I like to dance but haven’t done it in a long time. I probably dance through you!

Dad says:

Why is dance important?

It’s an outlet so kids can express themselves.

Did you learn anything from enrolling me in dance?

I learned to listen to what you wanted to do and thats when I learned what you were thinking and that you had a mind of your own.

Well I don't see myself being anything else but a dance teacher, do you?

No, you love little kids and they make you smile! They are attracted to you like a magnet!

They both say:

Anything else you have to say about why dance matters?

Dance matters to us because you have inspired so many children's lives! After doing your summer programs, the moms still see us around town and the first thing they ask is how you are doing and when you are coming back? Its been 3 years since you were here! No matter where you go the moms and children love you and you love them back. We get a big smile on our faces because I know how happy it makes you and it makes us so proud to be your mom and dad!

Do you know why dance matters to your mom or dad? Have you ever talked to them about what they think about dance, and what it means to them? Please check out the Why Dance Matters project here for how you can join in on the movement!

(photos taken by my brother, Kevin Hanley)

(special thanks to mom and dad for taking the time to do the interview!)

Dancewave

Great news! In addition to teaching ballet classes at the JCC this summer, I have been hired to teach at Dancewave in Brooklyn! I will be teaching creative modern (creative movement) to children ages 20 months-6 years old! I can't even wait! Check out the Dancewave website here! It's an amazing place, and I am happy to be teaching at a place where they are really doing wonderful things with dance education! To see my schedule at Dancewave, check my website!

Same spot, New spot

Do you ever notice that when your students come into the room they always sit or stand in the same spot? Well, I have window clingers, mirror touchers, piano players, and barre hangers all in my tap class. I noticed today that, they always seem to gravitate to the same spot in the room every week. I wonder if they feel safe there? When I think about when I take dance class, I usually stand in middle, that's where I feel safe. I thought about bringing them out of their comfort zone, so today I tried something new. Every time we moved to a new exercise, I had them find a new spot. I thought maybe this would enable them to see what other parts of the room are like, and maybe stand next to a new person too! It seems so silly, but I think it is a habbit to many of them, and I want them to be able to dance anywhere, not just in the same spot, in the same room every week.

Do you find your students like to do this? Do you think its good for them to be in the same spot every week? Or is it best to change it up? I would love to hear!