Alberta Dance Educators Association
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Course Descriptions
Dance Teacher Convention 2019


Course Descriptions

Dance Educators International

*Assistant Teacher Training Workshop
(studio owners can bring their future assistants - or we can train teachers on how to train their students)- Learn how to best assist your next dance class - or gather the information for your future assistants. Session covers: Responsibilities, Understanding the Body, Skills, When to Lead and When to Follow, Games and More! 

*Incorporating Improvisation
(how to apply improv and imagery in class and in choreography) - Whether you are looking for inspiration for your own classroom, or further techniques to instil within your students - look no further. We will provide the space for you to discover how you can inspire others artistically, and play with methods and techniques to help boost creativity. 

*Taking Students to the Next Level
(in and out of the classroom) -Turning technical dancers into artists!  Discussing ideas on how to build well-rounded dancers for their current career at your studio and also for when they enter the community as a professional. 
*Incorporating Hip Hop Curriculum into Your Classes -Instilling the culture of Hip Hop into your classrooms. Ideas to implement into your current syllabus - progressions, styles, technique and more


Rebecca Reinhart

Musical Theatre:
In this workshop we will work to further improve the quality of expression in both the face and body of your dancers. Using techniques from the world of live theatre and acting, we will build a strong foundation for a well-rounded performance. From the choreographers perspective, we will also touch on the simplicity and meaning that can be used to build a strong musical theater piece. Get ready to play, learn and have fun!
 
Hip Hop / Contemporary Fusion:
Formulated both from hip hop and contemporary techniques, Rebecca will help build dynamics in the quality of movement through drills, exercises and choreography. Realizing that connection changes the way a dancer moves completely, and enhances dynamics, Miss Reinhart will take you through examples of incorporating emotional intelligence into dancing and choreography. A complete fusion within the body, mind and soul.

Chantel Sampson and Jenna Brenan

*Preschool Dance: A Thematic Teaching Approach 
 
At J’Adore Dance our Trademarked programs have grown to over 600 students this year between the ages of 3-12 and all of our classes use a conceptual dance focus as the foundation for the other dance disciplines. Half of our dancers are in our Primary (preschool aged) programs for 3-6 years. For this age group we use a thematic approach to our lesson planning for each month to keep things fresh and engaging. Come explore the world of primary dance with dance educators Chantel Sampson and Jenna Brenan.  Learn how you can create a successful preschool dance program that is engaging for your youngest dancers while also being rich in technique and skill development.  All parts of the lesson plan  (Exploration, Stretch and Technique activities, Sensory play and Choreography and the accompanying music) are incorporated into the monthly theme.  All classes also begin with BrainDance (developed by Anne Green Gilbert) and original BrainDances have been writhed and scripted to go with each monthly theme. 
 
Jenna and I have done several presentations on BrainDance for the ATA and would be happy to do this as a separate session or incorporate it into the preschool dance session. Depending on the length of the sessions we could decide on the amount of material to present.  
 
BrainDance: 
 
Developed by Anne Green Gilbert, the BrainDance is a series of exercises that we use in creative dance classes. It is comprised of eight fundamental movement patterns that we move through in the first year of life. Research has shown that these patterns are crucial to the wiring of our central nervous system. As babies, we did these movements on our tummies on the floor. However, cycling through these patterns sitting or standing has been found to be beneficial. This "dance" is an excellent full body and brain warm-up for children and adults in all settings. The BrainDance can be done at the beginning of class; before tests, performances, and presentations; and during computer work and TV watching for brain reorganization, oxygenation, and recuperation.
The benefits for children and adults in cycling through these patterns include: 
Reorganization of the neurological system: The fundamental movement patterns wire the central nervous system laying the foundation for sensory-motor development and life long learning. Cycling through these patterns on a daily basis may correct flaws in a person's perceptual process and reorganize the central nervous system so to develop better proprioception, balance, attention, memory, eye-tracking, behavior, sensory integration, and motor skills. 
Enhanced core support, connectivity, and alignment: Becoming aware of the visceral and muscular systems that support the body leads to correct use of body structures and helps children and adults to be injury-free and move with ease and coordination. Each pattern underlies and supports the next pattern and when done in succession brings connectivity to our use of the body, reflecting an integration of body and mind.
Increased blood and oxygen flow to the respiratory system and brain: The brain consumes one-fifth of the body's oxygen. Deep breathing is essential for a fully functioning body and brain. All movements and rhythms are based on breath.
Deeper understanding of the elements of dance technique: The fundamental movement patterns are an integral part of dance technique. Whether taking a Ballet, Modern, Jazz, or Creative Dance class, students are able to integrate and apply the patterns of the BrainDance to their technical skill development. Dancers acquire and practice skills with more ease when they are aware that a particular pattern underlies the movement. Movement intent becomes clearer as dancers embody the BrainDance patterns. 
 
*The Power of Yamuna® Body Rolling: Keeping your dancers and dance teachers moving without pain. 
I have been using Yamuna Ball Rolling for the past several years and completed my practitioner certification this fall. Our faculty love it and we have introduced it to our youth dancers and they are hooked too. It is an easy way for dancers of all ages to address any musculoskeletal or postural issues they might be struggling with. 
 
Yamuna® Body Rolling is a revolutionary approach to health and fitness using balls designed exclusively for this practice. It consists of a series of routines using 6 to 10-inch balls. Unlike other ball exercises, YBR goes far beyond random movement and stretch. The routines release tension, improve flexibility, and energize the whole body. YBR re-educates muscles and stimulates bone, creating positive, permanent changes in the body. T
 
"The beauty of Yamuna Body Rolling is that it takes you from the origin of the muscle at the tendon, elongating the muscle while stimulating the bone and soft tissue. Working with the body's own gravity, the exercises ease movement in the muscles to the point of relaxation, offering one of the finest weight-bearing exercises, with the benefits of a deep self-massage."
--Ms. Fitness Magazine
 
Some of the benefits of YBR include:
    Increased muscle length and tone
     Increased range of motion
     Improved alignment
     Stress reduction
     Increased body awareness
     Improved core strength and awareness
     Direct bone stimulation
     Pain reduction
     More functional movement patterns
 
What to Wear:
Please wear form fitting leggings and shirts.  Baggy clothing can get caught up easily when rolling on the ball and restrict movement. 

Sara Dolan - Artistic Director and Founder of O2 The Dance Company

Warming Dancers Up/Cooling Them Down
Structuring a balanced warm up/cool down encouraging your dancer’s to 
listen to their bodies.

Exploring Improv
A Class discussing different ideas/exercises to foster an open 
environment to enhance the art of improvisation.

Contemporary
A movement class for you to focus on dancing for yourself and continuing 
to explore your inner artist.

Extensions/Turns/Jumps
Building exercises to focus on different skills and the transitions that 
connect them.

Supporting Dancers that would like to Continue with a Career in Dance - 
Tips to help support a student wanting to pursue a Dance Career.


Robin Szuch - Director and Founder of Spectacle Blue and Certified Examiner for Acrobatic Arts

Strength Based Flexibility Training
With the demands on dancers bodies increasing every year not only from our expectations as dance educators but by the students desires to ‘keep up’ with what they see on Instagram and SYTYCD style shows, we have not only seen an advancement of technical requirements, we have also seen an increase in injuries in young dancers. The desire to have an overspilt or a contortionist looking backbend or chest stand, is pushing young dancers to obsess over flexibility. Flexibility, not supported by strength, is a danger we see in the studio almost every day. 

This session focuses on how to work that flexibility with a keen eye always on the strength required to support the mobility and protect the body.  Get the look and line we are striving for all while keeping our dancers injury free.
 
Hosting Awesome Birthday Parties
Learn how to increase foot traffic to your studio and generate income with stellar parties that be the talk of the town. 
In this session not only will I share with you the birthday party packages that put my studio on the map with the local Mom’s groups and got me invitations to guest teach at schools, but we will also brainstorm and share our ideas as a group to send you home ready to generate income and create new students with parties that fit your demographic and studio culture. 

Jamee Valin
1. Jazz Progressions and Across the Floor Exercises 
This workshop will provide teachers with a pathway from basic to advanced movement skills in jazz technique. The session will include yearly class plans, repetition, class flow, vocabulary "tests", and a list of progressions from Gallops to Turning Switch Splits, Stationary Hops to Multiple Pirouettes! By following planned progressions dancers will be able to easily track improvement and feel encouraged to keep excelling. 
 
2. Floor Work and Current Contemporary Dance
Are you struggling to define how to train your dancers in the world of contemporary movement? This workshop will cover the basic principals of contemporary dance and provide exercise guidelines that can be incorporated into any technique class in order to improve the dancers' movement qualities as well as their ability to bear weight.  We will cover current trends in dance, momentum, and creativity so your studio can stay up to date while developing a unique and memorable style. 
 
3. Use of Core, Torso and Breathe
After watching thousands of dances in the last 7 years as an adjudicator, I think overall dancers need to focus more time and effort on core support and movement through the rib cage! This workshop will help dancers coordinate their upper and lower bodies as well as eliminate tension and increase stamina. We will look at epaulement, spiral curves and basic warm up exercises to mobilize the thoracic spine and choreograph how and when to breathe. These very simple classroom additions will make a HUGE difference in your dancers' ability to move their whole body. 
 
4. Alignment and Turn Out 
Let's help your dancers engage their muscles and develop mobility with proper verbal cues. If you are a ballet teacher looking for a few new tools or someone interested in anatomy for dancers, this workshop will dive into specifics for quality port de bras, elongation, stability and how to safely increase turn out for better range in battements, fouettes and grand allegro.  

Danny Nielsen
Counting and Phrasing: Understand the value of an 8 bar phrase and the importance of time steps.
 
Manipulation of the Basics and Redefinition of Tap Technique: Every getting stuck when creating choreography? Let's work on some ways to manipulate the steps we already know and discover something new in them. 
 
Groove and Feel: We will touch on many different feels and styles of music (jazz, hip hop, funk, latin, etc.) in this class. We will highlight the underlying groove and work on creating phrases to compliment these grooves.
 
Intro to Tap Improv: Improvisation is a major component of tap dancing, but how do we approach it with students without scaring them off? Let's dive in to some exercises to make improvising fun, easier, and less intimidating. 

Wellness Programs

A variety of wellness programs will be offered allowing you to take time for you and to reconnect with yourself and to rejuvenate your dancing soul!!

Irene Widdup

*Studio Owners Business Open Forum- Running a successful business is hard work! Network with other studio owners and see what they do. Brainstorming and question and answer period
 
*Rural Studio Business Open Forum- Come learn about the specific needs of the dance school in the rural area and brainstorm ways to reach out to your specific area and their needs. A brainstorming and question/answer period.
 
*Pre-School Classroom Management- learn some classroom management tips and tricks to keeping your pre-school class running smoothly and effectively. :Learn to keep your little ones engaged and coming back for more!!

Amilia
Business Presentation - See what Amilia can do for your dance studio!

Priscilla Campos - Reiki Master, Energy Healer & Oracle www.priscillalightworker.com
 
Dance Teacher Wellness:  The Art of Meditation, Breath and Letting It All Go
 
As a dance teacher for 20 years and former studio owner, Priscilla knows how demanding and hectic your schedule is.  As dance teachers, we give and we give and we give often until we are exhausted, sick and sometimes broken.  In this one hour session, Priscilla will teach you how to find stillness, breath and the power of your own inner light.  How to recharge yourself after a busy week and tune into your inner voice for the wisdom you already possess about your path.  Most importantly, she will teach you how to let go, to cut cords that are preventing you from sleeping, being present with your children or spouse and truly being free when you are away from the studio. 
 
Please bring a yoga mat, bottle of water and crystal (if you have one). 
 
Dance Teacher Wellness:  Connecting To Your Chakra System
 
Our Chakra System houses 7 major energy centres that when balanced help us to feel creative, secure, in our power, compassionate, heard, clear and expansive.  The 7 Personal Chakras coordinate with both the colours of the rainbow and the notes on a piano.  We will start the class by learning briefly about each chakra and how balancing them in as little as 10 minutes a day can drastically improve your ability to react and respond to the world around you.  Through a chakra meditation and grounding exercise we will balance and clear our chakras.  We will then dive into how music relates to each chakra and what to keep in mind when choreographing on your students. 
 
Please bring a yoga mat, bottle of water and crystal (if you have one). 
 
Dance Teacher Wellness: Group Reiki Session
 
What is Reiki and why is it suddenly becoming so popular?  In this one hour session, teachers will learn about the ancient healing modality of Reiki and it’s benefits for both teachers and students.  We will discuss how energy healing is a way to recover from injury, sustain wellness and balance, remove stress, sleep better and keep our body, mind and soul happy and healthy.  Priscilla will bring everyone into a meditation and share Reiki healing energy with all in attendance.  You will feel lighter, clearer and energized following this session.
 
Please bring a yoga mat, thin blanket, bottle of water and crystal (if you have one). 
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