Dance pedagogy has expanded into hybrid contexts such as the arts and health in elderly care, calling for a review of the current state of the role and professionalism of dance ambassadors in Finnish society. This article addresses dance ambassadors as a specific brand of training and professionalism in Finland. In addition, framed by theories on…

Archiving is a process of organizing and creating content for sustainable, long-term access. However, the "archivists" actively shape the content in the realm of the performing arts, which often involves adding a new layer of knowledge to the original artform. This article explores the archiving of a ballet repertory course conducted in…

This research explores the question: How do students describe their own sensemaking practices in the postsecondary modern dance classroom? Based on semi-structured interviews with three postsecondary dance students at the first author's institution, this article presents individual accounts that capture students' perceptions of making sense of new…

This article connects the "Theory of Extended Mind" with the use of three-dimensional, physical objects in dance pedagogy. The theory of the extended mind supposes that cognition is an activity that reaches out from the mind to the body and to the environment. In particular, we take up Dewey's pragmatic Instrumentalism as a framework…

This qualitative, interpretive inquiry explores the role of teaching artists in the postsecondary dance setting who prepare pre-professionals for careers in dance. Research procedures include questionnaires and interviews with three teaching artists from the United States who are experts in the field. The contributors' narratives reveal a deeper…

This article discusses qualitative research investigating experiences of school teachers delivering the dance curriculum in high schools in the state of Victoria, Australia. We questioned teachers on their day-to-day professional experience and its rewards and challenges. Interpretation of the data suggests that the participants in our study can…

Laban Movement Analysis is a common resource used in dance education curricula in the United States. When used to analyze dance forms that are created outside the Eurocentric lineage, the application of this system must be contextualized as a perspective stemming from beyond the mores of the cultural creators of that dance form. This article…

The study explores the pedagogical practices employed by ballet instructors for engaging boys in ballet. Inclusive practices for gender non-conforming children in ballet are also considered. Four ballet instructors shared their experiences in semi-structured interviews. Findings indicate that male-focused strategies in both recruitment and…

This article introduces Performing Ourselves, an interdisciplinary community dance program that utilizes principles from dance education and dance/movement therapy to serve beginning dancers in grades PK-8 in schools and community centers. After defining the integrative elements of the curriculum, the article outlines how Performing Ourselves used…

Dance as an art form continues to be undervalued; however, more exposure to dance at a young age can spur the next generation's enthusiasm for it. As an Associate Professor of Dance, my creative practice as research involves the application of creative engagement methods for young doers and viewers, while simultaneously enhancing their…

Dance as physical activity (PA) is underinvestigated, with little information about artistic technical dance in public schools. This study aimed to use the System for Observing Dance Activities in the Classroom Environment (SODANCE) instrument to report PA levels, time spent in moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA), time spent in different lesson…

Microaggressions have a pervasive presence in everyday interactions in the United States (Sue et al. 2007a, 2007b). It is not enough to identify, neutralize, or even delete microaggressions; they must be eradicated through microprogressions and conscious, everyday decisions that move society closer to anti-racist ideals. The dance classroom is a…

In her efforts to present her students with material that is socio-culturally informed, current, and ultimately liberatory, dance educator Cara Hagan has developed methods of engagement across levels of study. These methods honor voices of color, dance styles derived from various diaspora, and mitigate the censure and control of the dancing body…

Mirror visual feedback increases neural activity, enhances performance, and induces neuroplasticity; however, mixed results have been observed during the learning of motor skills. While mirrors are commonplace in Western dance education, further research is needed to determine how mirrors are used when learning dance phrases. This study measured…

Postsecondary dance technique teachers negotiate extensive physical demands throughout their careers. As they rise through the academic ranks, their bodies age, and with age sometimes comes limited mobility, decreasing strength, and injuries. Further, mental and emotional processes and self-perceptions sometimes change in response to diminishing…