Let's talk about…our favourite teachers!

Let's take a breather from all the negative talk about the dance scene. Let's take sometime to look at the good stuff, yes? Like our favourite teachers! Welcome to post number 16 dancer friend, I'm glad you're here.

My very first ballet teacher was a German lady named Miriam. She was very warm and welcoming that she let me take my first ballet class with a crop top, baggy sweats, and pink stripped socks. If you know anything about ballet, this is the complete opposite of what is accepted, but she was cool with it. To top it off, I was placed in a class with kids, so it was embarrassing because I was much older than the rest and intimidating because they were well versed in this ballet “thing”. Regardless of it all, I felt seen and I felt like everything was going to be okay. That I would figure this “thing” out with a nice teacher by my side. Such a wonderful first experience.

Shawn Hughes, the teacher responsible for my current love for contemporary jazz, was another favorite. His movement was so fierce and so graceful at the same time. He always had a great playlist, and he would always remind us how blessed we were to be in class dancing altogether. He would also frequently remind us how privileged we were to have access to a dance studio, and how healthy we were to be able to move our bodies. He was one inspiring teacher. I am forever grateful to him for teaching me my very fierce jazz walk!

Kelly Roth was the most humorous teacher I have ever had. He always had a random story about anything and everything. I remember him eating donuts during dance class, him taking us to the best milkshake joint, us having the unhealthiest desserts to celebrate the end of one of our shows…the list can go on and on. I am forever grateful that he took a chance on me. That he opened me up to the world of modern dance and most of all, that he showed me a side of dance that I had barely seen, the fun side. May he continue resting in eternal peace.

Teachers have such a huge influence on how we view dance. At the very least, I hope I can leave a positive mark on my students. I hope that like my teachers, I'll be able to be warm and welcoming, be inspiring and fun. I hope to be able to show the side of dance that makes us fall in love with it. I hope to be among the good ones...

Keep creating & sharing!

Your dancer friend