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Category: Dance

Real Criticism – Fraught to Fabulous, Fine to Fugly Feedback Examples

Recently I shared a new workshop called “Fine Feedback: How to Give & Receive Constructive Criticism & Promote Dance in the Process” with a group of talented dancers & choreographers at West Hawai’i Dance Theatre.

Content included practicing a host of powerful tools for distinguishing fact, interpretation, empowering & disempowering input about our creative work.

During the workshop, I shared examples like the ones I read off index cards in this video, from fabulous to fraught, words of feedback I’ve heard and received in the context of dance technique, performance, choreography, and even publishing on YouTube…

Fine Feedback Workshop – How to Give & Receive Constructive Criticism & Promote Dance in the Process

In the “Fine Feedback” workshop, dancers and choreographers will learn tools to solicit, evaluate, and provide high-quality critique, practice distinctions, and come away with supportive structures that can be applied to future dancemaking.

Accelerate Action – Celebrate International Women’s Day with A Blythe Coach

Happy Women’s History Month in March and International Women’s Day Saturday, March 8th, 2025!

In celebration of International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month, I’m sharing complimentary mini dance workshops in-person and online as well as resources from the hosts of this important event.

International Women’s Day (March 8) is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating women’s equality.

Building a Healthy Relationship with Body & Food – Eating Disorder Awareness Week 2025

Eating Disorders Awareness Week (EDAW) is an annual campaign to educate the public about the realities of eating disorders and to provide hope and visibility to individuals and loved ones impacted by eating disorders. Taking place Monday, February 24 – Sunday, March 2, 2025, I have once again signed up to be an EDAW Collaborator, sharing important resources with students, clients, and my community! This issue is close to my heart as a dancer, educator, and person who has grown up in a toxic diet and body culture, working hard to break free of such restriction and all harmful constructs.

Dance Daily December Recap – 31 Days of Movement to Change Your Life & 7 ways it did

Right now we need to feel good and move for change more than ever, therefore I took on a personal challenge to dance every day in December and share clips on social media.

We moved mindfully and joyfully through the winter holidays and into 2025, but you can take the challenge and repeat as desired at any time of year.

Sourcing Ballet Somatically – Pedagogical Approaches to Integrating Movement Techniques

This paper takes the approach of critical pedagogy to investigate practices in integrating somatics into teaching ballet technique.
Originally part of my MFA in Dance research methods work in 2012, the conversation continues about how to best train dancers to honor the tradition of classical ballet while also educating the whole dancer and person in contemporary society.

Dance Daily December & into the New Year – 31 Days of Movement to Change Your Life

Right now we need to feel good and move for change more than ever, therefore I’m taking on a personal challenge to dance every day in December and inviting you to join in, too!

Thus we will move mindfully and joyfully through the winter holidays and into 2025. Or you can take the challenge and repeat as desired at any time of year.

Dance Shoe Blues – Footwear Identity Crisis – What to wear to class?

Folks often ask why I mostly wear socks to teach and dance these days, and what they themselves should wear to beginner ballet or other styles of dance classes.

This year I’ve been studying Argentine Tango for the first time, and that requires different considerations in terms of footwear, due to the type of flooring and the technique.

I’ve recently been sharing my creative supplies and EDC/Everyday Carry essentials, so along those lines, here is an informal chat with more information about what dance shoes I regularly use and what is appropriate for a first movement class for adults or children.

Seaside, Oceanic & Watery Inspirations – Dance, Yoga, Music, Poetry & Creativity

Though watery ocean, lake, river, and rain concepts can ignite the imagination yearlong, I find them particularly fun in the warmer months, for children’s and all-ages dance, yoga, meditation and visualization, poetic and artistic inspiration. This is a (growing, dynamic, never comprehensive) collection of resources I personally treasure and love to share as a teaching artist but may also be useful to families with children, other creatives, or to delight your own inner artist child.

Summer Fun in or out of the Sun: a Bucket List of Hot-Weather Hits

I find it easier to enjoy the spring and summer, as the warmer weather lends itself to many activities I enjoy, such as time outdoors, bicycling, picnicking, and eating fresh produce. So the game is not to try to make the best of more challenging times, but to seize the sunny fleeting days wherever I can and not miss out on my favorite bits before they’re gone again.

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