When I teach Bartenieff Fundamentals, we begin on the floor, eyes closed. A meditation becomes improvisation. Each cue builds from anatomical inevitability—a kinetic chain. The invitation is to sense and flow, not to arrive, copy, or perform. Inevitably, someone lifts their head to look around—abandoning comfort and breath in favor of sight.  Even in stillness or guided breath, I see it happen. First-timers contorting, scanning for cues, wanting to know if they’re doing it “right.” What I believe they’re asking is: Am I safe here?  That moment pierces me. There’s a tender sadness I feel watching a dancer choose accuracy […]

Season 2 of Dikshitar-250, curated by Veena C. Seshadri, will feature solo dance performances of the composer’s works.

Each summer, Young Dancemakers Company brings together a diverse group of teens to create and present their own choreography at multiple venues throughout New York City. A fully tuition-free summer intensive for public high school students citywide, YDC was launched in 1996 by educator Alice Teirstein. It’s now run by artistic director Jessica Gaynor, who was a student of Teirstein’s at The Ethical Culture Fieldston School in the 1990s; Gaynor works as an independent choreographer and performer. Along with music director William Catanzaro, associate program manager Ivi Whitehead, and program assistant Tiana Ayala, Gaynor provides YDC participants with the opportunity […]

When I think about the dance teachers who influenced me, the modern program at my performing arts high school stands out. Bambi Anderson taught Limón, Rebecca Cannan taught Horton, and Peter London taught Graham. I think having codified modern techniques from ages 14 to 18 took my training to a whole other level. I grew up as a competition dancer and took ballet classes at Miami City Ballet School. To have these modern techniques available within a public-school education was life-changing. For people like me with diverse backgrounds and financial situations, this free education was an incredible opportunity. I got […]

On Tuesday, October 7, four incredible dance educators—Lori Belilove, Roger Montoya, Dianne Walker, and Sylvia Waters—received their well-deserved flowers for their unwavering commitment to dance education at the 2025 Dance Teacher Awards ceremony, which took place at The Loft at City Winery in New York City. The unforgettable celebration—made possible with the support of sponsors 92NY Dance Education Laboratory, Starbound, Connor Dance, and Oklahoma City University’s Ann Lacy School of American Dance and Entertainment—was filled with heartwarming moments and powerful reflections.  The memorable and inspiring quotes from each of the honorees’ speeches moved the room and reminded us all why […]

As Starbound National Talent Competition celebrates its 33rd season, the team knows what keeps dance families coming back. “We’ve always been one of the leaders in this industry, and through listening to our clients’ feedback and making changes, we continue to set the standard higher,” says Sandra Coyte, founder and director. With a calendar of more than 50 Regional competitions and five Nationals, Starbound’s events combine the glamour and innovation of a large-scale production and theater experience with the fairness and personal attention you’d expect from a family-run company. Starbound offers the industry expertise of a woman-owned business founded by a former dance teacher and studio owner. The […]

The first semester teaching in a university dance program brings new challenges: syllabi to write, office hours to hold, students with questions that extend beyond technique. For educators used to a private studio setting, stepping into higher education builds on familiar skills while introducing new facets to how dance is taught, discussed, and contextualized. “When you’re teaching in higher ed, you, as the professor, are responsible for shaping the culture you want to create,” says adjunct professor Francesca Dominguez. Professors are expected to teach movement, and also to support students in their academic and creative development. “Beyond teaching technique, your […]