It is important for dance educators to be teaching respect for dance and instilling in their students a sense of reverence for the art of dance. One definition of reverence is “honor or
respect felt or shown” and building this principle in our dance students should be one of our priorities.
Dance educators can easily add small teachings of respect into their dance classes and into the way dancers conduct themselves both inside the studio at class and outside the studio at conventions and competitions. Doing this can help our dancers grow up with a love and respect for the art of dance as well as admiration for its teaching.
Here are a few simple things that help help instill this respect:
- Traditional curtsy or bow in ballet classes
- Take a bow demonstrating a gesture of respect for dance
- Gesture of thanks to regular a dance teacher, a guest artist, or teachers at a convention
- Sharing with students stories of famous dancers and how they celebrated dance
- Taking students to local professional dance shows to show how the reverence of dance is displayed by professional dancers
Helping your dancers develop their respect for dance will help them understand the beauty and importance of dance. This will also help them develop respect for other facets of their life, teaching them a very important life lesson.
