Teaching in Mexico!

QBC teacher and co-founder is currently teaching Master Classes in Dance Injury Prevention and Acrobatic Progressions for dance teachers in Monterrey and Mexico City, Mexico.

QBC:  Tell me about teaching with a translator?

STEPHEN:  Fortunately, I have had two amazing translators who are also dance educators themselves. The challenge is not saying too much before giving my translator a chance to process and communicate what I said. Many teachers here are bilingual, and willing to help. This meant when people had questions, everyone was willing to make sure the answers were clearly communicated to everyone in the room.

QBC:  What were the acro students like in Mexico?

STEPHEN:  The students here are wonderful! They are quite strong in acrobatics doing tumbling, front aerials, side aerials etc. Quite a few of them were also very flexible. Unfortunately, I only had time to work on skills and not get into any choreography, but the kids here are very hard working and fearless! A pleasure to teach!

QBC:  What did you focus on while teaching Dance Injury Prevention?

STEPHEN:  I focused on conditioning for core strength (low back injury prevention) as well as hip stability (because we dance externally rotated which is a more unstable position of the hip) and knee and ankle stability.

QBC:  Anything else you would like to share from your experience?

STEPHEN:  My favourite part of teaching outside of Canada is the reminder of how no matter what language we speak, we all come together on common ground as dance artists. It's amazing to have these moments with dancers from around the world, connecting because of our passion for dance education. I'm so impressed that so many teachers were willing to update their pedagogy by signing up for teacher training modules. I can't wait to return to Mexico!

An update from Taipei!

Madison is going on week #10 in Taipei, teaching dance, acting, and singing to kids and adults!

QBC:  What you have you learned from this experience?

MADISON:  Kindness is never overreacted- At first, I spent a lot of my time lost and alone. But the generous offers and conversations with my students, their parents and kind strangers made a world of difference.

The world doesn't revolve around North America- being a middle class Canadian white girl, I've never been a minority in any sense- until now. It's very true that you never realize how much you take for granted until you have to go without. For me losing my primary method of communication was hugely eye opening and an important lesson in compassion for others.

Never underestimate the power of body language- At first I was shocked by how little English many of my students understood. But it quickly dawned on me, so little of what I was teaching required oral language at all. To get the kids on board, having open welcoming energy to entice them to participate was all it took.

Also, guava is a green fruit you can eat like an apple, 35-degree weather everyday isn't fun, the body can produce a shocking amount of sweat, Taiwanese love 7/11 and always travel in Asia with an umbrella handy.

QBC:  What's the funniest thing that happened while teaching?

MADISON:  Students class misheard my name at first and called me "Miss Medicine" for a week straight. Until eventually they asked if I was a doctor back in Canada.

QBC:  What similarities and differences did you notice between teaching Canadian kids and Taiwanese kids?

MADISON:  I think in North America from a young age we place a lot energy into comparison and how we line up with those around here. For the most part I've found the kids Taiwan lack the same competitive drive or perhaps, to say, they have a better sense of play is more correct. Consequently, because they don't feel driven to excel, narrowing their energy to focus on the goals of class can be challenging. I've found that finding tricks to turn the work in to fun as opposed to "work" has been one of time best tools. Because for many of the students if the class isn't driven by their desire to have fun, there's no way they'll participate at all.

That being said there are countless similarities. For the most part all kids thrive on discipline from those they respect, all kids are hilarious, all kids can be naughty without guidance and all kids are innately kind. 

Sierra returns from Taiwan!

Sierra recently returned from teaching in Taiwan and shares some of here experiences!

SIERRA: I was teaching in Taiwan for 6 weeks.

QBC:  What was the highlight from teaching abroad?

SIERRA: It is unbelievably reassuring how dance is its own language. Although Taiwan's second language is English, a lot of students (especially adults) struggled with complex terminology therefore a lot of the time I resorted to showing movement and using motions to express what I wanted and within seconds the students picked it up.

QBC:  What were some challenges you faced teaching in Taiwan?

SIERRA: Trying to inspire the students with musicals that in Canada are/were popular was a struggle. They live in a bit of a musical theatre bubble of Phantom Of The Opera, The Secret Garden, and Annie. Most of them were unaware of Grease, Hairspray, Wicked etc.

QBC:  What advice do you have for someone who wants to share their love of dance abroad?

SIERRA: It was such an incredible life experience! I learned so much about myself as a teacher, and would recommend any mature teacher who feels like they can be strong leader to experience teaching abroad as well.