Success In Dance Isn’t What You Think
“In fact, with some of those teachers the most I learned in their classes was what NOT to do. ”
1 min 45 sec read time
You've heard, "don't meet your heroes."
The more I learn about people, the more I learn not to put anyone on a pedestal.
When I was younger, I thought all of my dance teachers had it together. When I got older, I realized that one certainly did not.
When I was younger I also thought that booking prestigious jobs, dancing in well known roles and working alongside "big names" would signal that I had made it and could be taken seriously as a dance instructor.
I'd read other teacher's bios and envy their work, imagining they must be in the top echelon of teaching because they performed prestigiously in the dance world.
Then I experienced their classes. Some were awesome... some, well, not so much. In fact, with some of those teachers the most I learned in their classes was what NOT to do.
I also learned that being a great performer certainly did not equate to being a great teacher. It seemed that people were either natural teachers, or they weren't. Some teachers lack the ability to take a complex subject and break it down into small manageable steps so that students can build up to the end result. Some teachers cannot connect with their students or speak in a way they understand. Even worse, some teachers make their students feel frustration or fear in class.
I once again witnessed this first hand when I moved across the country and was trying to find my next place to teach. I was in my first rehearsal as a performer with a company that potentially wanted to hire me as an instructor. The owner was someone who had professional Hollywood credits on her resume and I was immediately intimidated. Not 10 minutes into the rehearsal she was belittling, judging, and downright making fun of others and it took me about that same amount of time to determine I would not be linking my name to the establishment in any form or fashion.
Great teachers should be able to inspire and connect with their students and support and nurture their learning journey.
This is what led me to start Dandelion & Opal, and in the words of Sinatra, do it my way. No matter where you are in your dance journey you should feel that support and encouragement every bit of the way. Remember, dance should lift the spirits and be fun! Let's connect to the joy of moving again!
Don't worry about having experience or the "right" background to start taking dance class. Take it from me, passion and determination to start is all you need.
Dandelion & Opal’s mission: Transforming women’s lives through fitness, inspiration, and motivation using the art of dance with accessibility and inclusion.
I created Dandelion & Opal to reach women who cannot attend regular, traditional studio classes due to logistics of time, availability, or lack of self-esteem and confidence. Courses are created at home, for your home, and designed for small spaces. Not only is it an educational journey, but also a motivational and gamified one!
With Growth and Gratitude,
Ms. Nicolyn