The Mind is Like an Umbrella.....

This time of year dance teachers prepare themselves and their bodies for their annual teacher dance showcase. This is where a studio has all or most of its teachers put on a little show and tell for the parents in the audience. For some dance teachers its the only time they dance. So now is the time to get in shape for your big day. While providing entertainment for our audience and doing a little self promoting  we as professional dance teachers and artist have an opportunity to do a little audience development.

There are many types of dance teachers. Those who have had a professional career and recital time is a chance to meet parents as they look forward to the summer off, some teachers are just traveling through because we dancers are gypsies by nature. Staying in one spot for more than 2 years can start to feel too familar and if you're gigging on the side and teaching then you probably have a crazy schedule with your anything but ordinary lifestyle.  Relax breathe take a moment and plan. During recitals time when parents and kids energy's are at an all season high don't take too much of it in, use the energy leave the anxiety.

 For those budding choreographers who use there students for movement ideas BRAVO!!  This is a prime a chance to help educate and develope your audience. Sure dealing with children the subject matter must be appropriate and its presentation may have to be innocent but we are still artist. We have a social responsibility to report and reflect the world through our art. Its a way of exposing the community and expanding their mind, and possibly changing there perspective.  Sure we have to stay in between certain parameters but that's a chance to display our creativity. Remember the mind is like an umbrella, it's best used when open, so THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX!!