Teaching with Artistry and Awareness: Elevating Technique and Wellbeing in Dance Pedagogical Approaches

Abstract

48 pagesThis study aims to identify which teaching methods create a balance between technique and wellbeing within dance technique classes as well as how these methods create this balance. This research aims to bridge the gap between old teaching styles and new emerging teaching styles. In current literature this hasn’t been addressed, but rather which teaching styles are typically used in technique-focused classes versus wellbeing-focused classes. Through the use of two surveys, one for students and one for professors, this study is able to identify certain teaching methods that help create this balance. With the guidance of 50 responses from students and 5 responses from professors, the main themes that help promote this balance are positivity and encouragement, acknowledgement, and student autonomy. Each of these themes provides examples and the reasoning for these methods creating a balance between technique and wellbeing that can be implemented immediately in dance technique classes