Dance Training Is Life Training

At The Dance Centre, the start of the school year brings fresh routines, new friendships, and growing independence. It also reopens the doors to the studio, where dancers stretch, twirl, skip, and explore music and movement. Whether it’s their first plié or their fiftieth time skipping across the floor, each class is a chance to build confidence, coordination, and character.

From preschoolers taking their first steps to high schoolers mastering intricate moves, dance offers a wealth of benefits that can enhance the physical, emotional, and social development of children of all ages. At The Dance Centre, we see these benefits and realize that there is more to dance than adorable tutus and award winning competition routines. We also see that dance plays a different role in each phase of childhood all the way into young adulthood. Preschool parent and former dancer, Carrie Laney, shared with us, “Dance has been a part of my life since I can remember. I learned hard work, dedication and confidence through dance that helped me in my career and all throughout my life. It’s been so special to see my little girl fall in love with dance but it’s even more important to me that she is also learning to be confident, meet new friends and have amazing role models to look up to.” From a dance educators perspective, the major successes can even be found in the tiny moments, like watching a timid preschooler gain enough confidence to stand in front of an audience and smile during their recital dance. From a parent who is an educator, Haley McGee offers her experience on how dance has influenced her elementary aged daughter. “Dance has defined the meaning of commitment, the value of working hard, and the appreciation of teamwork. “ In her 7 year old daughter, McGee has noticed that dance “has ignited a passion for creativity and imagination that has awakened confidence and instilled joy.” As dancers grow older, the challenge of balancing academics with hours in the studio helps develop time management skills, perseverance, and a healthy work ethic that they can carry with them into their adult lives. Dr. Clint McEntyre, family practitioner and father to a high school aged dancer, shares with us, “I've seen first hand that dance benefits physical health, social development, and emotional well-being. The mental and physical demands of dance and competition promote work ethic, persistence, resilience, and self-confidence. The art of dance also expands cultural awareness while teaching focus, discipline, and creativity. All of these benefits may impact a young person's academics, athletic ability, and career development.” One of the biggest rewards for dance educators is watching graduating seniors take the life lessons they have learned through dance and embark on their new journeys with the experiences they have gained. Recent graduate of The Dance Centre and Northridge High School, Liza Grace Cole says she has “learned the value of teamwork, humility, endurance, and how to win and lose.” Cole says “It has taught me self confidence, discipline, and how to be a leader among my peers. I look forward to taking my experiences into college and continue dancing on The University of Alabama Dance Team, and beyond that into my career.” For any parent searching for a creative outlet for their young child, make sure to look for programs that nurture a healthy competitive spirit and value consistency. To be elite at any sport, there is always a moment where the athlete or dancer must “show up” even when they may not feel like it. A truly successful program teaches dancers how to push through the tough times to reap the successes. “Whether it’s Open House, recital or a summer camp, TDC team goes above and beyond to make sure every child has fun and a great experience. As a mother, I’m so thankful The Dance Centre is a part of our community. They are not only committed to teaching dance but helping children learn and grow. “

Tiny tap shoes clicking on the hallway floors, little faces peering over the windowsill while waiting for class, the chatter of parents socializing while their children are dancing....these are only a fraction of the things we miss about “life before Covid”. But despite the things that we miss...what have we learned? We are resilient and resourceful. While being tossed onto the platform of Zoom meeting technology, we thought, “this will never work.” Then we immediately moved into the panicked version of “we have to make this work”. We prayed that our families would stay engaged and were so grateful for the continued support. Our faculty reframed classwork from 1200 sq/ft dance studios to the confines of dining rooms with furniture shoved to the side and converted garages. Our preschoolers tuned in to their computer screens with the help of their fearless parents and dressed in princess costumes for weekly “dance parties”. Turning kitchen chairs into ballet barres, our older dancers continued to show up even when WiFi connections were spotty. We are creative. “There is always more than one way to do things and where there is a will, there truly is a way!” says lead TDC faculty member, Alden Phillips. She along with the rest of the faculty have had to transition from “hands-on corrections” to the use of metaphors to explain ways of moving and body placement. This has especially been helpful now that we are back to in-person classes at the studio. The Acro program at The Dance Centre was truly challenged as it normally requires hands-on “spotting” by teachers. Aja Sims, Acro Director for The Dance Centre explains, “I’ve learned to be creative with every teaching opportunity I’ve been given. I also have learned how to find joy in each moment I get to use my talents.” We are grateful. Even though we have worked harder than we ever have, we are grateful to have learned new practices and more effective ways of running our business. For instance, in order to comply with a 25% capacity rule in our theatre, we might not have discovered the necessity for a smaller cast which ultimately leads to a shorter show and happier parents and grandparents. And while we miss seeing our parents and other spectators to reduce congestion in the hallways, we have observed a greater focus and less distraction for our students. Courtney Rich, lead TDC faculty member says, “Teaching classical ballet during the Covid 19 pandemic was truly one of the toughest things I’ve had to do as an adult” and it “has taught me just how resilient our students and faculty are. We all showed up and worked through all of these challenges just to do the one thing we all share... our LOVE of dance! What have we learned? We have learned that dancers are strong, dancers are resilient, and dancers have a strength and discipline that can overcome. The Dance Centre is so proud to be able to provide an outlet for our students during the pandemic, and we are all learning together how to be innovative and adapt to make possible the art form we all love.

Recently, I was a part of a Collegiate Coaches meeting and the topic of conversation was Growth Mindset vs Fixed Mindset. I had heard of this before, but never really thought in depth about how a difference in “mindset” and the way students are coached can be such a game changer in their experience with dance. Here’s what was explained…. “In a fixed mindset, people believe their basic qualities, like their intelligence or talent, are simply fixed traits. They spend their time documenting their intelligence or talent instead of developing them. They also believe that talent alone creates success.” “In a growth mindset, people believe that their most basic abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work—brains and talent are just the starting point. This view creates a love of learning and a resilience that is essential for great accomplishment.” - Carol Dweck Pretty simple facts and I totally agreed. I immediately thought of successful dancers I know and have worked with who have obviously had a growth mindset (based off of their work ethic and growth), but I really wanted to see for myself how we as teachers and coaches help in creating a growth mindset. I then tried it out using my own little girl as the guinea pig. We worked on cartwheels and I said “Great job, you are good at cartwheels - you’re a natural at tumbling”. Her response, a big smile a sense of accomplishment and then she was over it- ran off to play bc in her mind her cartwheel was good enough and she was satisfied. WOW, I just contributed to my child developing a fixed mindset (UH-OH) by praising her ability at that moment (don’t panic we can fix this) . The next day, we practiced and my feedback to her was “your cartwheel is looking great, I am so impressed with how hard you are working today.” Her response, a big smile and then she stayed in the front yard an additional 10 minutes practicing bc she too was proud of her hard work and that gave her a feeling of accomplishment. Crazy how the charts and scientific finding from that seminar on Dr. Dwecks study were proven to me over something as simple as a toddler and her cartwheel. So, how do we apply this at TDC? Our mission is to grow each student that we teach by instilling the value of hard work, and giving the students praise on their effort shown. I have heard many times the past 10 years Mrs. Melissa say, “Great work, you almost have it” and “keep working I see so much progress”. This encourages the student to continue working and they receive praise and constructive criticism at the same time. No, the skill isn’t mastered yet, but keep working thats where the magic happens. In the midst of accompanying God given gifts (which are different for each dancer) with hard work- that is where success is found. We focus on the details and the work that is needed to grow amazing dancers, and in return we see it trickle into all aspects of dancers lives. Most students are great at time management, academic work, and following through with commitments due to the work ethic developed by dance. In conclusion, we are challenging ourselves, our students, and our parents of dancers to have a GROWTH mindset this season. Go after what sets your soul on fire and work hard until you achieve those goals. Nothing is fixed :) Xoxo, M&M