In this article the authors present practical approaches to alignment cueing using the Functional Awareness® approach to embodied anatomy. The pedagogical philosophy is beneficial for all levels of dance skill. We describe specific instructional practices to enhance understanding of the body, and the cueing can be incorporated in any dance class.…

Presently there are approximately 50 million ballroom dancers in China, and over 100 tertiary institutions offering bachelor's degrees majoring in ballroom dance. It was this context and the growth of tertiary ballroom dance education and the prosperity of ballroom dance competition in China that prompted this research question: What are tertiary…

Understanding how motivation works is important for teachers in any domain. The landscape for dance teaching is continuously evolving, and teachers are exploring effective ways to motivate and engage pupils in their dance classes. Knowing what works for pupils and why will influence an individual's initial choice to take part in dance sessions.…

Virtual Reality technology (VRT) has rapidly evolved in recent years, revolutionizing various industries by providing immersive and interactive experiences. VRT is making a significant impact in the realm of dance teaching (DT). This study explores the innovative application of VRT in the realm of DT, aiming to revolutionize traditional…

In this article I inquire into choreographic-pedagogic stop-moments, identified through bodily felt intensities and affects, in the Bird project. The Bird project was a collaborative dance project that took place in an elementary school in Norway in 2020, where, as a choreographer-researcher-teacher, I cooperated with the teachers and pupils in…

Mindfulness has recently flooded the health and wellness social media landscape. With roots in Buddhism, mindfulness is a skill of attention involving focusing on the present moment with curiosity and nonjudgment. Mindfulness practices, including meditation, have many benefits for busy young dance students, who often face a unique combination of…

The author explores the relationship of play to choreography. He defines choreography as the rules that guide body movements from their minute physicality to their broad social and cultural contours. He conducts a review of the literature and accentuates five general topics--learning through creativity; choreography as writing and pedagogy;…

Over the past 35 years, the dance domain has adopted sports medicine as a key driver of professional practice. However, similar to limitations identified within sport, research is yet to achieve its full translational potential within applied settings. This "Viewpoints" paper begins to identify and unpick key philosophical and…

This article discusses the necessity and possibilities of introducing ballet training into the process of teaching Chinese ethnic dance from theoretical and practical perspectives involving pedagogical analysis. We propose that there is a homologous and complementary relationship between ballet and Chinese ethnic dance in philosophy, aesthetic and…

To teach ballet is to bring dancers into a world of meanings and movements spanning several hundred years of inherited traditions. Since at least the early 2000s, ballet educators have worked to unpack and decolonize these traditions using the concept of a critical pedagogy to address social and cultural issues arising from ballet's complicated…

What happens when undergraduate dance pedagogy students observe dance educators' teaching practices in diverse dance education sectors? Traditional field observation focuses primarily on the teacher, teaching methods, and classroom management. Comparatively, critical field observations examine teacher and learner action equally through rich…

Individuals with Down syndrome face cognitive limitations that hinder learning and understanding in various contexts. Dance, which has rarely been explored in special education, offers improvements in acquiring skills including motor and emotional development. The use of mobile learning tools can also have a positive impact on the learning process…

This article examines the dynamics of friction and tension in contemporary dance, focusing on the precarious working conditions within the Flemish dance sector. Recent studies have highlighted how such conditions often foster unspoken tensions and perpetuate a culture of silencing. In particular, high-profile cases in the Flemish arts have…

This study examines the impact of quality improvement pathways on optimizing the training program for dance professionals at Dalian Art College in China. The study aims to address the need for effective training arrangements to improve student achievement and meet society's demand for skilled professionals. A questionnaire was used to collect data…

Drawing on the enactive account and the 4E's approach to cognition, we discuss here how both physical play and dance improvisational practice can be seen as (participatory) sense-making processes. In this article, we will specifically focus on children's physical play and dance improvisation since both activities are open-ended, creative and call…