Deep Dives, Not Overwhelm: Expert Teaching Insights

One of the first pieces of advice I asked for as a new ballet teacher was how to encourage artistry in my students. "You don't need to worry about that" was the answer I got. If you're like me, being told not to worry about the part of dance that drew you to teaching feels dismissive and frustrating. Here's what I discovered when I refused to accept that non-answer . . .

Teaching proper ballet posture can feel like walking a tightrope. Push too hard, and students become self-conscious. Don't address it enough, and poor habits become permanent. Here's how to introduce body alignment systematically without creating classroom stress . . .

Every dance studio faces the same fundamental question: how do you create consistent quality across different teachers, different students, and different styles of dance? There are many approaches to this challenge, each with distinct advantages. Understanding these different models can help studios make informed decisions about what works best for their community and goals.

After 25+ years of teaching, I've learned that beautiful arabesque isn't something you suddenly achieve in center work—it's the natural result of systematic preparation that begins the moment students walk into your studio. Here's the complete warm-up progression that makes arabesque feel inevitable rather than impossible.