Focusing on the TaskThere are numerous distractions that interfere with the dancer’s ability to stay on task and to focus on the important elements of the work during class and rehearsal. Focusing on the task at hand can lead to a sense of competence that relates to the results of one’s work. In contrast, focusing on comparisons to others can lead to the fixation on proving oneself superior in order to feel competent, and distract from the task at hand.10 Dancers might become concerned with comparisons with other dancers in the class, with body image issues, and with the pace of progress and fears of not being sufficiently skilled to work in the professional community. Teachers can encourage students to focus on the task through a variety of strategies. For example, by acknowledging and respecting the attributes and accomplishments of each individual, teachers can reduce the compulsion for students to compare themselves with others and encourage each dancer to remain focused on personal development.Thinking About LearningThe teacher can enhance student learning through recognition of each student’s personal learning style: visual, auditory, analytic, kinesthetic-spatial, kinesthetic-external, kinesthetic-internal, and so on. It can be useful to assist each dancer in understanding the benefits of the various learning styles and how the individual can broaden one’s approach to learning new material. The teacher can pose questions that encourage dancers to observe how they learn[23]: Do I hear music through rhythm or melody? Do I learn material through shape design or spatial information? Am I visual or kinesthetic in how I absorb new information? How do I learn best? It is empowering for students to learn about their own learning styles.9 Initially, individual corrections can be geared to align with these learning style preferences so that learning is easier for the dancer. Eventually, students can be challenged to attempt to learn in a style that is typically not in their comfort zones. Improving and expanding learning strategies enhances skill development and self-esteem simultaneously. It will also give the dancers advantages in auditions for programs and performances, and can boost self-confidence.Structure and Content of the ClassBuilding FoundationsEvery teacher knows that a dance class is more than a series of exercises and combinations across the floor. Most teachers construct a class around a particular approach to movement or a specific dance technique. A good dance class builds progressively from the basic knowledge and skills to a wide array of abilities that support the complexity of the art form. In each aspect of dance training, the teacher needs to identify the basic foundation, and then build upon that knowledge base. Whether a dance class is founded in ballet, modern, jazz, African, or urban dance, certain fundamental movement skills will be explored. These skills include aspects such as alignment, balancing mechanisms, spatial awareness, musicality, motor control, and coordination. This foundation must be in place before more complex and sophisticated vocabulary and skills can be absorbed.[24]Mixing and MatchingTeachers can enhance learning by providing opportunities to learn in a variety of ways. One day a combination might be approached analytically, that is, breaking down the material and examining its detail and components. The next day the teacher might use a somatic practice to address the material from a kinesthetic perspective.[25,26] To deepen the experience, the material can be explored through various states: feeling, sensory, and physical.Another teaching strategy that can enhance learning is the removal of certain aspects of the traditional class that can limit the use of multiple sensorimotor modalities, especially for dancers with some experience. Examples of strategies the teacher can explore include working entirely without the barre in ballet class on certain days, working with no mirrors, working with no floor work in modern or jazz class on certain days, removing the sense of “front” in the room (face various directions), trying stationary work with eyes closed, and taking away music and working in silence, or using unusual music on occasion. Contextual variety is an excellent way to challenge motor learning and enhance progress.Developing Body AwarenessAnother essential component of the dance class is increasing body awareness and the mind-body connection. This may be directly approached through incorporation of somatic work in the class,[14,25,26] or indirectly addressed through traditional class structures and exercises, emphasizing awareness and focus as an important component in dance instruction. A useful tool in stimulating the mindbody connection is the use of imagery. Imagery, created both by teachers and students, can provide a multi-dimensional perspective and experience of the physical work and can consolidate movemen
Focusing on the TaskThere are numerous distractions that interfere with the dancer’s ability to stay on task and to focus on the important elements of the work during class and rehearsal. Focusing on the task at hand can lead to a sense of competence that relates to the results of one’s work. In contrast, focusing on comparisons to others can lead to the fixation on proving oneself superior in order to feel competent, and distract from the task at hand.10 Dancers might become concerned with comparisons with other dancers in the class, with body image issues, and with the pace of progress and fears of not being sufficiently skilled to work in the professional community. Teachers can encourage students to focus on the task through a variety of strategies. For example, by acknowledging and respecting the attributes and accomplishments of each individual, teachers can reduce the compulsion for students to compare themselves with others and encourage each dancer to remain focused on personal development.Thinking About LearningThe teacher can enhance student learning through recognition of each student’s personal learning style: visual, auditory, analytic, kinesthetic-spatial, kinesthetic-external, kinesthetic-internal, and so on. It can be useful to assist each dancer in understanding the benefits of the various learning styles and how the individual can broaden one’s approach to learning new material. The teacher can pose questions that encourage dancers to observe how they learn[23]: Do I hear music through rhythm or melody? Do I learn material through shape design or spatial information? Am I visual or kinesthetic in how I absorb new information? How do I learn best? It is empowering for students to learn about their own learning styles.9 Initially, individual corrections can be geared to align with these learning style preferences so that learning is easier for the dancer. Eventually, students can be challenged to attempt to learn in a style that is typically not in their comfort zones. Improving and expanding learning strategies enhances skill development and self-esteem simultaneously. It will also give the dancers advantages in auditions for programs and performances, and can boost self-confidence.Structure and Content of the ClassBuilding FoundationsEvery teacher knows that a dance class is more than a series of exercises and combinations across the floor. Most teachers construct a class around a particular approach to movement or a specific dance technique. A good dance class builds progressively from the basic knowledge and skills to a wide array of abilities that support the complexity of the art form. In each aspect of dance training, the teacher needs to identify the basic foundation, and then build upon that knowledge base. Whether a dance class is founded in ballet, modern, jazz, African, or urban dance, certain fundamental movement skills will be explored. These skills include aspects such as alignment, balancing mechanisms, spatial awareness, musicality, motor control, and coordination. This foundation must be in place before more complex and sophisticated vocabulary and skills can be absorbed.[24]Mixing and MatchingTeachers can enhance learning by providing opportunities to learn in a variety of ways. One day a combination might be approached analytically, that is, breaking down the material and examining its detail and components. The next day the teacher might use a somatic practice to address the material from a kinesthetic perspective.[25,26] To deepen the experience, the material can be explored through various states: feeling, sensory, and physical.Another teaching strategy that can enhance learning is the removal of certain aspects of the traditional class that can limit the use of multiple sensorimotor modalities, especially for dancers with some experience. Examples of strategies the teacher can explore include working entirely without the barre in ballet class on certain days, working with no mirrors, working with no floor work in modern or jazz class on certain days, removing the sense of “front” in the room (face various directions), trying stationary work with eyes closed, and taking away music and working in silence, or using unusual music on occasion. Contextual variety is an excellent way to challenge motor learning and enhance progress.Developing Body AwarenessAnother essential component of the dance class is increasing body awareness and the mind-body connection. This may be directly approached through incorporation of somatic work in the class,[14,25,26] or indirectly addressed through traditional class structures and exercises, emphasizing awareness and focus as an important component in dance instruction. A useful tool in stimulating the mindbody connection is the use of imagery. Imagery, created both by teachers and students, can provide a multi-dimensional perspective and experience of the physical work and can consolidate movemen<br>
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