Teaching: the supreme art – Dance Australia

is a faculty member at Jason Coleman’s Ministry of Dance in Melbourne and has been teaching for 10 years.

What brought you to teach?

I have always treasured the relationship between teacher and student and the passing of valuable information from one to the other. Creating a fun yet challenging environment has been one of the main goals of my teaching practice. I like to propose a challenge to the students and allow them to make the choice to face it in their own way. Watching a student grow and improve overtime has been the most satisfying part of my career. It also gives me the opportunity to try out some of my new humor content.

With the support of Jason Coleman’s Ministry of Dance and their incredible team, I was able to create The Odyssey Project, Melbourne’s first all-male performance program. This program offers dance training in all genres, led by leading men in Australia’s entertainment industry. We have workshops coming up in October and during the summer school holidays. The official launch of the program is scheduled for 2023!

How do you balance the importance of technique with the importance of artistry?

Each student enters the studio with their own strengths and weaknesses. Some have a solid technical foundation and others have raw artistry.

I will focus on everyone’s needs and personalize feedback with respect. Facilitating an environment where students can learn and nurture each other is imperative for a classroom structure. Open dialogue and discussion can quickly enhance this symbiotic relationship between technique and art. I like to provide a safe space to question concepts and ideas and learn through healthy conversation. We want a holistic approach to the life of an artist, combining aesthetic lines with the deep range of emotions and expressions that each student possesses.

This article is included in our special Teacher Focus article in the current October/November/December issue. The print is forever! Buy your copy at your favorite dance retailer or online here Where here.