4dancers

Today I’d just like to take a moment to point out a few of the dance blogs I read on a regular basis. There are a lot of good ones out there, so this list is by no means comprehensive–but I thought I’d highlight a few in case you haven’t had the chance to check them out.

As always, if you have any suggestions, feel free to add them in the comments section!

Ballet for Men - Written by David Hunter, this blog is a great resource for guys who are interested in ballet. Not only is there a ton of “how to” information there, but you can listen to podcasts as well.

Tights and Tiaras - This blog is authored by Henrik Lamark, a Norweigan ballet dancer with a flair for the written word. Read up on the stories of the great ballets, get behind the scenes and learn some ballet terminology or learn about life as a dancer from his point of view.

Demicontretemps - Eric Taub’s writing is a joy to read, and he recently started posting video on his site as well. Drop by and check out his musings on dance for a treat.

Art Intercepts - Meet Lauren Warnecke, a Chicago-based dancer and educator and enjoy her posts on topics such as anatomy for dancers, dance injuries and other scientific information.

Dance Advantage - Nichelle’s mega-resource for dancers, teachers and parents. You could spend hours looking through all the great information here.

Dave Tries Ballet - A new site by – you guessed it – Dave, who is just starting out in ballet. A very interesting read.

Dance.com Blog - Another dance blog you could spend an afternoon browsing. Here you’ll find dance news as well as posts on all types of dance styles.

KinerEnterprisesInc. Blog - This recently re-vamped site offers tips on social media, business advice and more.

The Ballet Bag - Expect the unexpected on this delightful ballet blog. Always entertaining, well-written and informative.

Pas de Trois at dancing3.com - Not to toot my own horn here, but our new site (David Hunter, Henrik Lamark and I) is something I’d love for you to check out if you have the time. We’re hoping that people will really join in the conversation so we can all learn more about one another.

The National Eating Disorders Association [NEDA] has launched a new educational toolkit that could be extremely helpful to those who instruct dance. Although it is primarily geared toward athletic departments, athletic programs and gyms, any dance instructor can benefit from having a good knowledge of eating disorders.

This resource has information from nutritionists, coaches and even from Kate Thomas, Director of The School at Steps Dance School.

Information covered includes:

+ The facts about eating disorders

+ Help with identifying those affected by eating disorders

+ A guide to possible treatments

If you didn’t catch our post last week, I’d like to explain again what we are trying to do here–and encourage you to join in!

Pas de Trois at dancing3.com is a collaboration between David Hunter from Ballet for Men, Henrik Lamark from Tights and Tiaras and myself–as well as all of the readers out there. We are coming together to discuss various issues and ideas about dance. We are actively exploring ways to work together so that there can be a better sense of community on the web for those interested in exploring dance in depth with one another.

Each week we’ll pose a question and answer it one by one on our blogs. This week’s question is “What is the most important quality in a dance teacher?”

I have been both a student and a teacher, so I really had to stop and think this through from both perspectives. I find that the answer is similar–I think that the most crucial skill is the ability to communicate.

As a student, I was striving to understand how to improve my technique. As anyone who has taken dance knows–this does not come naturally. The teacher must be able to tell the student exactly what they need to do to adjust what they are doing to make it right. Those teachers that could do that for me made me dance better. And what’s more–I found I really gravitated toward their classes. I didn’t necessarily like them more, but I learned from them.

As a teacher, I know that finding the right way to communicate with a student can take a while! When I make corrections or comments I try to say things in a variety of different ways, because I know that what impacts one person and gives them that “eureka!” moment may not do anything at all for another one. It is also important to use visual repitition so that students who don’t do well with verbal direction can see what you are saying.

There are many important qualities that dance teachers should have. It’s hard too choose just one, but after a bit of thinking, I’d say I’m pretty comfortable with the one that I picked. What do you think? Join us here and share your answer!

Well, to end the week we’ve got a new announcement here at 4dancers…

There is an exciting new project that I am a part of which will be starting on Monday. Henrik at Tights and Tiaras, David at Ballet for Men and I have been preparing this new site for a little while now…it’s called Pas de Trois (at dancing3.com) and we hope that you will join us as we explore the world of dance together.

Through Pas de Trois, we hope to get a lot of different perspectives on dance. Each week we will be featuring a new topic that will be posted on the site. Every couple days one of us will share our answer on our respective blogs, and we’ll always be encouraging you to take part as well.

It is our hope that Pas de Trois will serve as an online community where both dancers and dance lovers can talk about a variety of subjects related to the art.

We’ll announce our first discussion topic later today on the site. Also, check out our Facebook-page, join the discussion on Twitter, or add our RSS feed to your reader.

We look forward to hearing your thoughts as well!

Today we have with us Mark Mahoney from Jackrabbit–a dance studio software company…

1. What is Jackrabbit software and who should consider using it?

Jackrabbit is a web-based dance studio management system that allows dance studio owners to offer online registration and recurring billing.

2. How can it make life easier for a dance studio owner?

By allowing owners to work from home, and allowing their customers to register and pay online.

3. What are some of the features of the software?

Featuers include things such as class management, recurring billing, online class registration, mass emails, costume ordering, recital management, free import of customer data from your current system and online training videos.

4. Is there any way to check out the software before investing in it to see what it is like?

Yes, three ways: watch a video, try the software with sample data or use the software for 30 days with your own data.

5. What else should people know about Jackrabbit?

We are the #1 Online Dance Studio Management software, we enhance our software every two weeks and offer great support.

This post was sponsored by Jackrabbit. Check out our disclosure policy for more information.

When I think of Antony Tudor, his ballet, The Leaves are Fading immediately springs to mind. Tudor had an enormous impact on the ballet world when I was growing up, and is still well-known throughout the dance world for his choreography. I always felt that Tudor’s work was informed by our collective human psyche. It impacts you.

One of the most famous quotes about Tudor’s work comes from none other than Mikhail Baryshnikov who said, “We do Tudor’s ballets because we must. Tudor’s work is our conscience.”

For more information on Tudor, and a list of all the ballets he choreographed, visit The Antony Tudor Ballet Trust.

Those interested in reading about him in more detail may want to pick up the book, Undimmed Lustre: The Life of Antony Tudor for a closer look at his life–and his art.

Today on “10 Questions With…” I’m happy to feature Ashani Mfuko, a fellow dancer, dance writer, social media expert and all-around talent…enjoy!

1. What is your dance background?

I started dancing at age 10 (which many people consider “old” lol). I started off with the basic dance foundations, Ballet, Modern, Tap, and Jazz. After college I branched out and learned many other dance forms such as Hip-Hop, House, West-African, Haitian, Classical Indian dance, and Ballroom and Latin dance. I received my Bachelor of Arts in Dance from Connecticut College, and have trained at Alvin Ailey studios, and Steps on Broadway.  

I’m currently doing a LOT in the dance field! For starters, I am a Dance Instructor, and have been teaching dance to ages 3 to adult, for the past several years. I teach Modern (Horton technique), Jazz, Lyrical, Musical Theater, Hip-Hop, West-African, and Ethnic Fusion. I’ve taught at the Ailey Studios for The Ailey Extension, I teach at Steps on Broadway, sub at Ballet Hispanico, and teach at many other local dance studios in the NYC Metropolitan area.

Ashani Mfuko

2. What are you currently doing in the dance field?

I am the CEO/President of Kiner Enterprises Inc., the first national dance instructor staffing agency in the U.S. We are the creators the America’s Best Dance Studio Contest, a contest showcasing excellence in dance studios across the country. I am also the creator of Kiner Dance Studio Success, the 1st online social media success resource center for dance studios.

Lastly, I’m a dance writer/blogger, and have a blog for dance studio owners, dance teachers, and dance professionals, http://kinerenterprisesincblog.com.

3. Can you talk a little about the staffing you do through Kiner Enterprises?

Sure. My company provides dance teachers for last-minute subs, long-term teaching positions, choreography, dance workshops, private dance lessons, and basically everything you can imagine that relates to teaching staff for dance studios, schools, and non-profit organizations. It’s a great resource for dance studios because they can come to us, and have their needs for talented, reliable dance teachers met, all in one place. It’s also a great resource for dance teachers who want access to more dance teaching job opportunities. We started out only working with dance studios and dance teachers in the NYC Metropolitan area, but last year, we expanded, and now are increasing our teacher roster in order to accomodate dance studios across the country.

4. How can dance professionals make good use of today’s social media?

They can make good use of today’s social media by first getting involved. There are many dance professionals out there who still haven’t quite taken that step yet. For those who already have, it’s all about connecting with other people in the dance industry, building relationships, engaging people, supporting other dance businesses, and really showing the world what unique skills and talent you have to offer. I truly believe that social media has leveled the playing field, and is a great way for dancers to highlight their talent and businesses in a way that wasn’t possible even 5 years ago. I highly recommend using videos in every aspect of your social media marketing, because they have a tremendous impact. Sites like YouTube and Blip.tv, are a dancer’s dream. I would also recommend getting plugged into Facebook, Twitter, and Linkedin, to get started. The possibilities are really endless in social media. You just have to know where to get the right tools, and learn how to utilize them to your best advantage.

5. What is the biggest mistake that dance studio owners make when it comes to marketing?

I would say the biggest mistake is having unrealistic expectations. Times have changed tremendously over the past few years as it relates to the economy, the use of magazines and newspaper publications, and just the way people search for and find the information they’re looking for. So having unrealistic expectations means a couple of things:

1) Believing that the traditional marketing methods that you used 5, or even 3 yrs ago, will still work as effectively today as they did before, with today’s shift to social media marketing.
2) Believing that by simply getting involved in social media, (i.e. creating a Facebook Fan Page, a Twitter account, and a YouTube page) it will have an impact on your dance studio, without having a specific plan and strategy in place to really maximize the benefits of social media marketing for your dance studio.

6. Your passion for dance seems to have informed all of your career
choices. How has it inspired you?

I love to dance, I love dancers, and I simply have a passion for supporting dancers that are pursuing their dream, whether as a dance studio owner, dance educator, choreographer, performer, etc. That is where my inspiration comes from. I always ask myself, “How can I create a way for dance studio owners to become more successful, have less stress, and enjoy what they do everyday? How can I help dance teachers become more successful and financially stable in their careers? How can I help professional dancers create a balance between doing what they love, and being able to truly thrive in this industry (myself included)?” These are questions that I ask myself everyday. I’ve just always believed that if you do what you love and are passionate about, and make a decision to not let anything get in your way, you will not only be successful, but you will be happy, appreciate your life, and be able to share that joy to help others succeed.

7. Who are your all-time favorites in the dance world?

My all-time favorites include: Alvin Ailey, Judith Jamison, Debbie Allen, Cynthia Gregory, Toni Pierce, Milton Myers, Troy Powell, Wade Robson, Desmond Richardson, George de la Pena, Emilio “Buddha Stretch” Austin, Jr., and last but not least, Mikhail Baryshnikov.

8. Is there a special moment from your career that you can share?

I’m going to share the 1st moment that came to mind when I read this question (out of all my ’special career moments’, this is what I choose to share? Lol). I was auditioning for the show “Tarzan” on Broadway many years ago, and we had to go one at a time and show off some Martial Arts movement. I’ve studied a little Capoiera, so I decided to do some of that. All I remember is kicking my left leg up, high in the air, and feeling my right leg slide from underneath me, and falling flat on my back, in front of everyone. The casting directors nearly jumped out of their seats to see if I was ok lol. Needless to say, I didn’t get a callback, and I walked away with a bruised body and ego!

I can’t believe I just told you that story. But, I’ll say it’s a statement of just how tenacious us dancers really are. We fall down (literally lol), and we get back up, and try again.

9. What would you say are the top things you got from your dance training that prepared you to be a business owner?

Discipline, passion, tenacity (see question #8), determination, creativity, and simply the attitude that, just because I’ve never done something before, doesn’t mean that I can’t do it. There’s a first time for everything, and if you don’t take risks, then you won’t grow.

10. What’s next for you?

Well, my latest project, http://kinerdancestudiosuccess.com, the 1st online social media success resource center for dance studios, is a place where I’m dedicating a lot of my energy right now. We’re also focusing on building up our national dance teacher roster, so that we can accomodate more dance studios across the country, for the Fall hiring season. I plan on continuing to teach, pursuing my passion for writing, and still finding time to perform when I can. I know, it’s a lot, but, when you’re doing what you love, it doesn’t really feel like work, and, I love what I do!

Bio: Ashani Mfuko, a New York City native, graduated from Connecticut College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Dance. She is bi-lingual, and currently a professional dancer/dance instructor/model /dance writer. Ashani is trained in Ballet, Modern, Jazz, Musical Theater, Hip-Hop, West-African, Latin, and Ethnic-Fusion dance. She has performed across the United States with various dance companies at many world renowned venues including, Madison Square Garden, Times Square Studios, the Joyce Theater, and the Alvin Ailey American Dance Center. Ashani has appeared on TV shows such as, Good Morning America and Showtime at the Apollo, as well as in films and music videos on MTV, BET, and VH1. She is the President and CEO of Kiner Enterprises Inc.,

1. What is your dance background, and how did the idea for Dance Teacher Press come about?

I began taking ballet in the 1960’s. Since then I have always been taking and or teaching ballet. After years of teaching I organized all of my notes on my computer. My notebook became an indispensible tool for class planning.  I used my own notebook so much I thought that other ballet teachers would like it too.  Hence The Ballet Combination Book became my first publication and Dance Teacher Press was born. 

Janet Jerger from Dance Teacher Press

2. What types of products do you carry? 

Dance Teacher Press has a variety of educational and fun teaching tools for dancers.   Books for students and teachers, posters, coloring sheets, flashcards, banners, wallpaper, and gifts.

3. What is unique about the things you offer your customers? 

My products teach the terminology needed in dance, and reinforce positive characteristics such as hard work and discipline.

 4. What are your most popular items? 

Ballet Step by Step  – an illustrated ballet dictionary for students, The Ballet Combination Book, Reproducible Ballet Coloring Sheets, and the Ballet Essentials Poster Sets have been my most popular.

5. Who should consider shopping at Dance Teacher Press? 

Anyone needing some new ideas for stimulating students to learn, enjoy, and progress in dance.

Advertising disclosure

Today we have with us Meg Mahoney, a dance educator…

1. Can you tell readers how you became involved in dance and a bit about your background?

I started dancing late (18), when I was at Carleton College, an academically-focused school, majoring in Asian Studies. Dance was part of the PE department, but it was an inspiring class — taught by a professional dancer, Linda Osborne, who commuted from the Twin Cities. Linda danced in a company lead by Margret Dietz, a fabulously inspiring woman who had danced with Mary Wigman in Germany, and whose circle of students I joined. Unfortunately, Margret died in ’72, just after I graduated. I spent some time soaking up inspiration from her company while they were still together, but from there I moved to an artists’ community in Washington State, where I taught, choreographed & did some performing.

Meg Mahoney

Think early 70s… a picturesque little town, an artsy community, funky jobs, bartering garden produce & art for food & services… add some hippie-looking folks to the picture & you’ll get the idea. I took classes and workshops wherever I was and whenever I could.  Eventually I emerged & spent a year in NYC getting certified as a movement analyst at the Laban/Bartenieff Institute and then moved to Seattle, where I spent ~7 years teaching creative movement, modern, tap & what-have-you at private studios & preschools in Seattle.

Just after we started a family, my husband & I took a 2-year hiatus in Japan (oh my gosh, we’ve settled down?).  After returning, I decided to give up teaching dance and get certified as a teacher (health benefits… consistent pay… school-schedule vacations…).  I was a classroom teacher for 4 years, and then I found myself happily building a dance program in my current location, where I’ve been the only full-time dance specialist in Seattle School District for the last 10 years or so.

2. Do you have a “dance philosophy”?

Hmmm… not really!  Dance is a prism with a kajillion facets, all of them fascinating…  But at various decision-making junctures, I’ve found it valuable to identify my mission & a vision for my work. For a number of years, my mission has been thus: to build relationships, experiences, and exposure for children that guide them to learn, love learning, and live richer lives.  That mission has played out in my professional vision — to build a dance program which uses dance as a basic component of education, supporting academic, social, emotional, and physical growth in children, and to expand the program by aiming for excellence, supported by contact with professional colleagues and my own professional development.  Although both mission & vision are realities now, the “aiming for excellence” part makes for a forever-journey of growth & change, moving closer & never arriving.

3. You work in the public school system. Can you share a bit about the rewards and challenges?

Rewards: Watching the magic of dance work for all kinds of kids; seeing kids grow as dancers from kindergarten through 5^th grade; empowering them to experience themselves as dancers & choreographers by the time they leave.  And of course…  a steady job; a salary; health benefits, insurance & retirement; a generous helping of vacations throughout the year that fit with a family’s schedule…

Challenges: Classroom management – I like bringing dance to every child in a school, but they’re not all there by choice or easy to reach! Isolation is a challenge – other teachers are great colleagues, but it’s different from collaborating with other artists.  A full-time schedule is very consuming & less than ideal. Given a full schedule of teaching & other school responsibilities, it can be hard to take care of yourself physically (providing your own body with the warm-up it needs)!

4. How is working in a school different from teaching in a studio?

So many ways!  I get to/have to work with everyone, regardless of their personal interest in dance. I get to/have to integrate other content areas. I get to/have to teach 30-40 classes per week, depending upon the schedule worked out by the school. I get to/have to work with boys & girls from many different cultures & income levels. The choice between “get to” & “have to” really depends upon your personality & goals. Working in a public school is the right place for me, because it gives me a chance to introduce dance to kids & families that wouldn’t have it otherwise.

5. Do you have any tips for those who will be teaching in a school?

Work on pedagogy & management! Understand the conceptual approach to teaching dance (a la Rudolf Laban, Anne Green Gilbert, Dance Education Laboratory at the 92^nd Street Y Harkness Dance Center). Cultivate your knowledge, skills & an appreciation for hiphop.  Plan on building your own position…

6. Can you tell readers a bit about your blog—how it came to be and what type of content it has?

I started it as a way of reflecting on (and improving) my teaching through reflection – and in order to connect with professional colleagues – both of which are aspects of my professional vision (question 2).

7. Would you share a highlight from your dance life with readers?

All of my best memories have to do with moments of exploring new territory:

• venturing into the world of hoofers in an upstairs tap studio at Carnegie Hall;
• exploring authenticity in a workshop with Bill T. Jones;
• taking the subway to East Harlem after losing myself in the passion drive (the efforts of time, weight & flow, with no space attention) at the Laban Institute of Movement Studies;
  • my first time performing my own choreograhy (a dance with a broom as a partner);
  • my last time performing my own choreography (a lovely collaboration with musicians & a dancer/friend).

The common thread is the growing/learning I’ve always found in dance.

8. What has made dance such a central part of your life?

I’ll defer to the “Why Dance Matters” entries on my blog!  

9. Do you have any favorite dance figures? If so, who—and why?

When I’m watching professional dance, I’m looking for great choreography & dancers who can bring it to life.  A few choreographers that come to mind are Alvin Ailey (Revelations is exhilarating every time I see it), Mark Morris (he devises fabulous patterns with multiple dancers), Pat Graney (quirky, original, thoughtful), Paul Taylor (I’ll never forget the first time I saw Esplanade). And it’s for the choreography that I watch SYTYCD (once the audition part is over).

As for memorable dancers, they’re not necessarily trained & they don’t do tricks. What they have is commitment!  I think of Elijio, the 6-year-old who drives me crazy in class but totally nailed a full-out performance with his 1^st grade class last week…  of a stately couple dancing on an outdoor stage one Sunday in Merida in the Yucatan last year… of my friend’s son Josh who totally stole the show when he took the stage in his high school production of Beauty & the Beast last week!

10. What’s coming up on the horizon for you?

I’m investigating knee surgery. Medial compartment osteoarthritis has pretty much side-lined me over the last few years, and I’m hopeful that a partial knee replacement is going to put me back on my feet this summer.

As for my teaching life, I’m always looking for ways to accomplish more with my students: more dance styles, better technique, greater comprehension, more videos of dance, dances from more countries…

Meg Robson Mahoney has been a full-time Dance Specialist at Wing Luke Elementary School in the Seattle School District since 1996. Previous incarnations include: reading and math specialist; 5^th-6^th grade classroom teacher; English teacher in Japanese middle and high schools; Movement Educator in private schools and studios. Honored by the KCTS Golden Apple Award in 2006 and as NW District AAHPERD Dance Educator of the Year in 2002, she served on the Board of Dance Educators Association of Washington for 10 years and continues work with the Arts Assessment Leadership Team of the Office of Public Instruction. Degrees include a MIT from Seattle University, Certificate of Movement Analysis from Laban/Bartenieff Institute of Movement Studies NYC, and a BA in Asian Studies, Carleton College.  A mother of two, she lives in Seattle, maintaining a garden and a blog: http://dancepulse.wordpress.com.

Time for a social media post…

If you are on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn (or any combination of the three) you already know that managing all of your social media accounts can be a real pain. Logging in and logging out, tweeting when you are busy and keeping up with people who are contacting you…these things can get overwhelming very quickly.

Good news though–Hoot Suite is a great dashboard program that you can download for free and manage all of your social media accounts from one page.

Update everything at once, in just seconds. And if you have a mobile phone, you can get the ap for that as well. (Not sure about others, but the iPhone ap costs $2.99 and is worth every penny.)

Make your life easier. Get Hoot Suite today!