Geek Out, Don't Freak Out: My Treasure Trove of Lessons Learned

If your breath cues work for some students but backfire with others, it's not your teaching—it's developmental readiness. This guide breaks down age-appropriate breath and plié cues from early elementary through high school, with practical "instead of this, try this" examples you can use immediately in class.

As dance teachers, we focus so much on our students' challenges that we ignore our own. This summer, I'm finally addressing my big toe that won't point—a decade-old issue from a stupid pointe class teaching decision. Since doctors dismiss it as "what happens to retired ballerinas," I'm becoming my own case study. I'm trying lymphatic massage, targeted stretching, and joint mobility work to see what actually helps.

Every summer, dance teachers face the same beautiful challenge: how to truly thrive during these precious months. After pouring our energy into students all year, we deserve intentional rest—but we also need thoughtful preparation for fall. Through years of being a "time optimist" I've discovered that creating clear boundaries and implementing efficient systems are the keys to summer thriving. Learn the concrete practices that have transformed my summer experience from deplet

Discover why ballet lesson plans are key to engaging, successful classes. Learn how preparation energizes your teaching and ensures student

Ever assigned the perfect set of foot exercises only to see zero progress? In this post, I share the revelation that hit me after a lunch...

Some classes just feel harder than others. Here are strategies I learned from teaching seven-year-olds about cows wearing lipstick, bathroom

Think a ballet curriculum limits creativity? Think again! Just like a road trip map, the right curriculum shows you possible routes ...

We've all been there---a student looks gorgeous at the barre but struggles during their center work. It doesn't make sense. After all, you'v

Want to help your students develop stronger, more beautiful rond de jambe? There's one common mistake that might be undermining . . .

Discover why flexible ballet lesson planning is key to successful dance education. Learn how to create adaptable class structures that

If you have a great curriculum and lesson plan in place but you're still struggling to fit everything in during your ballet class, it's time

Five reasons a thorough ballet curriculum will help your dance studio *business* so you can gain clients and profit while simplifying your

Five tips to help you establish trust with your ballet students. When the ballet class is full of trust, dancers learn and progress more qui

For corrections to be most effective, you need to offer them in a way where the information builds. Here are the first three things to check

Do you know what your priorities are in your classroom? For today? For this unit? For this year? For next year?

Some days it feels like there is so much in the world that could/should change and I start to wonder why I'm even teaching ballet. Does it

I grew up hearing a lot of "turn your weaknesses into strengths." I see the value in that. That philosophy is why we practice pirouettes on

Teacher trainings are an important part of a well-organized ballet program. This sample agenda will help you plan meetings that are short...

Barre work is helpful, but NOT the most important part of class. It comes first, but the work we do later has a much bigger impact on whole-

We've all been there. You're evaluating your teaching and the list of things you want to improve keeps getting longer and longer and longer