Friday, January 29, 2010
additional thoughts to observation 2
I think the thing that surprised me and intrigued me the most was the fact the the professor just mostly stood to the side and watched the students. Even though it was surprising to me, I thought it was most interesting because I was able to realize that even though you may be a professional dancer and teacher, that observing your own students is very important and by watching them you can also learn about dance more and about each student's indivdual bodies, which is highly important when teaching. There was nothing disturbing to be about that aspect or any other aspect in the matter. The most boring thing to me was the fact that I was just watching the students work with each other, but really it was not all that boring because I liked to see how the students acted around and towards on another. My first and second observation was watcing Elana Lanzci, but I was able to see two different sides to her. In the first observation, I saw her really give hands on instructions to the students, while the second observation was her expecting much of her students in remembering the choreography from last semester and working with each other to help each other.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Observation 2: Reviewing Choreography
Wed. Jan 27, 2010
From 3-5pm, I was able to observe and watch Elana Lanczi review choreography to a piece that was performed last semester at Nova. The piece is called “Have Not” and the students were going to perform in for a little show that is happening on campus next Thursday. A lot of changes needed to be done to the piece because some of the students who performed in it last semester could not do it for the upcoming show. Originally, the piece had seven dancers, but now only has three, so there was a lot to be moved around and changed. Yesterday’s rehearsal was not the only one they will be having. I watched as the professor allowed some of the students to review what they remembered, correcting them along the way. It was a very relaxed setting, but stressful at times for the professor, because she was trying to figure out all that needed to be changed and fixed. It was interesting to watch because the professor sat back and observed the students working with each other. Of course, she would occasionally step in to make corrections and such, but she mostly stood at the side lines. I could tell that the professor expected the students to learn quickly and to move along. There was not a whole lot of rehearsal time; therefore, they needed to learn fast. The professor was always encouraging the students to keep at it and to focus on what needed to be done. The connection between the professor and students was very opened and comfortable, which I feel is extremely important. The relationship between the teacher/choreographer and the students is the key.
This was a nice observation, because I was able to see a different perspective of things. I learned that sometimes as a teacher, it is okay to stand back, watch the students and allow them to work with each other. This way the students may be able to learn from each other.
From 3-5pm, I was able to observe and watch Elana Lanczi review choreography to a piece that was performed last semester at Nova. The piece is called “Have Not” and the students were going to perform in for a little show that is happening on campus next Thursday. A lot of changes needed to be done to the piece because some of the students who performed in it last semester could not do it for the upcoming show. Originally, the piece had seven dancers, but now only has three, so there was a lot to be moved around and changed. Yesterday’s rehearsal was not the only one they will be having. I watched as the professor allowed some of the students to review what they remembered, correcting them along the way. It was a very relaxed setting, but stressful at times for the professor, because she was trying to figure out all that needed to be changed and fixed. It was interesting to watch because the professor sat back and observed the students working with each other. Of course, she would occasionally step in to make corrections and such, but she mostly stood at the side lines. I could tell that the professor expected the students to learn quickly and to move along. There was not a whole lot of rehearsal time; therefore, they needed to learn fast. The professor was always encouraging the students to keep at it and to focus on what needed to be done. The connection between the professor and students was very opened and comfortable, which I feel is extremely important. The relationship between the teacher/choreographer and the students is the key.
This was a nice observation, because I was able to see a different perspective of things. I learned that sometimes as a teacher, it is okay to stand back, watch the students and allow them to work with each other. This way the students may be able to learn from each other.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Teaching Dance: Modern 1
Hello, everyone! This is Amy Peters. I have chosen to study the subculture of dance teachers. I am a Nova student who is studying dance, and I really think this will be very helpful for me, because I hope that someday I will be able to teach dance at all levels. Dance is my passion and I want to share it with others.
Tuesday, January 19th at 2:30, I observed a modern dance 1 class taught by Elana Lanczi. She is a professor of dance at Nova Southeastern University. She was very kind to let me observe and take notes. Before the class began, I watched as each student wondered in from previous classes. I could tell that this was a very diverse group of students. Some students seemed nervous while others did not. I sensed a very relaxed and comfortable setting. Everyone sat down while the professor took the attendance and pointed out several important things. Today was a special class because they were going to move the class to the performance theatre, which is a lot bigger, in order for photographers to take pictures. Certain students seemed a little worried about the situation, but the professor explained that it was only for record and was not going to be published. The area in which they danced was large, which is very good because there were many students. As I watched the class continue, I paid close attention to the professor as she taught. It was obvious to me that she had control of the class and the students seemed very attentive. She had a professional approach to the class, making sure that the students had their hair tied back and jewelry off. There was not much dialog except if the students had questions, but other than that the professor was doing all the talking. The instructor was very specific to the details of the movements and really broke it down for all the students to understand. Not only did she speak the instructions, but also demonstrated them, which I feel is very important especially for a level one class. She also had hands on corrections for the students in order for them to completely understand and be able to correct themselves later on. The professor was very encouraging. She walked around the class while the students would do the movement and she would make corrections where needed and encourage the students. This way on student was left out. She acknowledged everyone. She challenges the students by making the combination faster or slower. She opened up the floor in order for the students to explore movement, which allowed each student to add personality to each movement.
Overall, the atmosphere was fun and comfortable. I felt that the professor was very approachable. I thought that observing the class was very good for me and I learned that it is very important to have confidence as a teacher; therefore, you will be able to have control of the students, which is very important. Also, I learned the importance of having fun and enjoying the time with the students and also being available and patient with them. Dance does not always come easy to everyone.
Tuesday, January 19th at 2:30, I observed a modern dance 1 class taught by Elana Lanczi. She is a professor of dance at Nova Southeastern University. She was very kind to let me observe and take notes. Before the class began, I watched as each student wondered in from previous classes. I could tell that this was a very diverse group of students. Some students seemed nervous while others did not. I sensed a very relaxed and comfortable setting. Everyone sat down while the professor took the attendance and pointed out several important things. Today was a special class because they were going to move the class to the performance theatre, which is a lot bigger, in order for photographers to take pictures. Certain students seemed a little worried about the situation, but the professor explained that it was only for record and was not going to be published. The area in which they danced was large, which is very good because there were many students. As I watched the class continue, I paid close attention to the professor as she taught. It was obvious to me that she had control of the class and the students seemed very attentive. She had a professional approach to the class, making sure that the students had their hair tied back and jewelry off. There was not much dialog except if the students had questions, but other than that the professor was doing all the talking. The instructor was very specific to the details of the movements and really broke it down for all the students to understand. Not only did she speak the instructions, but also demonstrated them, which I feel is very important especially for a level one class. She also had hands on corrections for the students in order for them to completely understand and be able to correct themselves later on. The professor was very encouraging. She walked around the class while the students would do the movement and she would make corrections where needed and encourage the students. This way on student was left out. She acknowledged everyone. She challenges the students by making the combination faster or slower. She opened up the floor in order for the students to explore movement, which allowed each student to add personality to each movement.
Overall, the atmosphere was fun and comfortable. I felt that the professor was very approachable. I thought that observing the class was very good for me and I learned that it is very important to have confidence as a teacher; therefore, you will be able to have control of the students, which is very important. Also, I learned the importance of having fun and enjoying the time with the students and also being available and patient with them. Dance does not always come easy to everyone.
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