What Dance Students Love and Hate About Their Choreographers

Dance classes are more than just learning steps; they’re about connecting with the art and the teacher. Choreographers shape this experience, influencing students through their teaching style, feedback, and personal interactions.

Understanding what dance students love and dislike about their choreographers can provide valuable insights into creating a more effective and inspiring class environment. This exploration highlights both the aspects that students appreciate, like personalized feedback and opportunities to share, as well as the frustrations they face, such as excessive self-promotion and inadequate teaching focus.

Things Dance Students Hate

Jamming Too Much Choreo Into A Class

Pushing your students to improve their learning speed and retention is valuable, but it’s crucial to remain attuned to the rhythm of the class.

When a choreographer adheres too rigidly to their schedule or the set end-point for a class, it can place undue pressure on the students. For instance, if the first half of the routine is taught at a comfortable pace, but the choreographer attempts to squeeze in the last four 8-counts within just ten minutes, it can disrupt the students’ progress.

Striking a balance is important, as it can be a challenge for both the choreographer and the students. However, there is a tipping point where the emphasis seems to shift more towards the choreographer’s desire to complete the routine rather than focusing on the students’ ability to learn effectively.

Choreographers, take note! If you observe that the class is struggling in any way—whether it’s due to visibility issues, the need to repeat a fast combination, or feeling overwhelmed by too much choreography—adjust your approach accordingly.

Every class consists of students with varying levels of skill and different learning styles, leading to diverse paces of learning. Your primary goal should be to ensure that your students gain the maximum benefit from the lesson, rather than solely focusing on completing the routine up to the chorus of the song.

What Dance Students Love and Hate About Their Choreographers

Playing The Music Like, Once, For Every 10 8-Counts Taught

As a choreographer, you have the discretion to decide when and how often to play the music during your class, much like other aspects of the lesson. However, it’s also essential to consider the students’ preferences and needs, as these should influence your decisions in class as well.

In one class I attended, the choreographer taught a complete 12 8-count routine before playing the music just twice. While this represents an extreme case and it’s not necessary to play the music excessively between each section, playing it periodically can be very helpful.

Listening to the music at various stages allows students to better understand the rhythm and musicality of the routine and aids in retaining the choreography they’ve learned.

Choreographers, take note! Music plays a crucial role in dance. Students are trying to grasp the piece the way you’ve envisioned it, so make sure to let them hear it sufficiently. Playing the music regularly can significantly enhance their learning experience and help them connect with the routine more effectively.

Extreme Favoritism to Friends

While it’s great to have your friends in class and enjoy their company, focusing all your attention on them can be frustrating for the other students. It might be that you feel more comfortable with your friends or you may not even realize you’re doing it, which is perfectly natural.

However, it’s important to remember that everyone in the class has paid to learn from you. They deserve your attention and guidance just as much as your friends do. You can always hang out with your friends outside of class.

Choreographers, remember! Class time is an opportunity to engage with every student, not just your inner circle. It’s wonderful to connect with people you know, but giving too much attention to one group can detract from the experience for the rest of the class. Make sure to distribute your focus evenly and ensure that everyone gets the attention they deserve.

Making The Class A Chance For Them To Showcase A Piece And Get A Cool Video, Rather Than To Actually TEACH

In today’s digital age, technology heavily influences our perception of what a “dance class” should be. It’s exciting to have the opportunity to teach, to see your face on a flyer, and to create a video to share on Instagram. Dance classes have increasingly become social events, marketing opportunities, and chances for choreographers to boost their own profiles.

However, this focus on self-promotion can overshadow the fundamental purpose of teaching. The core of a dance class should be about educating and helping students grow, not just showcasing choreography or creating content for social media.

Choreographers, consider this! At its most basic level, a “class” is a place for learning. As a teacher, your primary role is to impart knowledge and skills to your students. Reflect on whether you are teaching for the right reasons.

Are you using the class primarily to highlight your choreography? Or do you genuinely have the expertise, experience, and intention to help students improve and become better dancers? Have you studied effective teaching methods? Have you considered your strengths and how to pass them on to your students?

If you haven’t focused on these aspects, it’s perfectly fine to create choreography for personal projects or make videos for social media. However, if you want to teach classes, it’s essential to invest in learning how to teach effectively and to prioritize your students’ growth over self-promotion.

Things Dance Students Love

Having A Personal Connection To The Piece / Learning More Than the Movement

Dance, as a form of expressive art, is always driven by underlying motivations. These can range from something as straightforward as “I just like the song” to something deeply personal like “The mood of the piece reflects my current struggles.”

Beyond just the choreography, choreographers have a wealth of knowledge and insights to offer. There have been instances in my dance classes where the personal advice and life wisdom shared by the choreographer were even more valuable to me than the choreography itself. Whether it’s technical tips, personal experiences, or broader life lessons, these elements can be incredibly enriching.

Specific Critiques/Kudos, One-On-One Conversation

In a large dance class, it can be challenging for choreographers to notice and connect with each student individually. However, it means a lot to me when a choreographer takes the time to offer specific praise, like saying “Good job.”

In smaller classes, I sometimes ask the choreographer for personalized feedback on my performance during group exercises. I appreciate it when, after the class, I can have a brief, meaningful conversation with the choreographer instead of just exchanging polite pleasantries like “Thank you for the class” and “Thank you for attending!”

What makes a big difference is the feeling that someone is genuinely interested in who you are and is making an effort to connect on a personal level.

Choreographers, keep this in mind! Just as you’re more than a sequence of dance moves, your students are more than just recipients of information. They are individuals who look up to you enough to travel, pay, and commit their time to learn from you.

Offering a bit more personal attention and specific feedback can significantly impact your students. It shows that you recognize their individual efforts and value their presence, and it will truly make their day.

Having Ample Chance To Share During “Groups”

One aspect of dance classes that I’ve come to deeply appreciate is when the choreographer opens the floor to students who want to share their performances. Whether or not there’s a “select group” designated for this purpose, the opportunity to share is always encouraging.

Hearing the call for “anyone who just wants to dance” instantly boosts motivation, especially for those who may be unsure about their performance. The opportunity to share is as valuable as the instructional part of the class, as it allows students to showcase their interpretations and connect with their peers.

Choreographers, consider this! Teaching dance involves more than just imparting techniques; it also encompasses nurturing a love for dance. The choreographers I find most inspiring are those who reignite my passion for dancing and encourage me to embody the lessons learned.

By dedicating time for students to perform for each other, you not only enhance their learning experience but also foster a deeper appreciation for the art form. Encourage your students to value the joy of dancing just as much as the skills they acquire. This approach will enrich their experience and fuel their passion for dance.

Summary

Dance classes are a blend of learning and personal connection, heavily influenced by the choreographer’s approach. Students value aspects such as personalized feedback, opportunities to share their performances, and a genuine connection to the dance and the teacher. These elements contribute to a more enriching and motivating learning experience.

Conversely, students may feel frustrated with choreographers who focus excessively on self-promotion, provide insufficient individual attention, or fail to balance teaching with meaningful engagement. Understanding these preferences and challenges helps choreographers create a more effective and supportive environment, enhancing both the technical and emotional aspects of dance education.