A Blythe Coach

Tag: Community

How to Find & Foster Safe(r) Spaces in a Diverse Dancing Life

As a dance educator and teaching artist, creating a safe space for learning has long been a topic of interest and top priority in coaching and classes Recently my interest has been reignited by working in a context similar to where I myself have experienced feeling unsafe, bullied, at risk: middle school. Being familiar with the concept of Safer Space codes of conduct in the context of queer nightlife, parties, dances, and demonstrations, the same tenets are applicable in a variety of social and educational contexts. Unfortunately its all too easy to see the parallels between middle school meanness and wannabe tyrannical rulers and thugs playing on the international stage. With intersectional diverse individuals feeling increasingly unsafe in current society and human rights under threat, Mental Health Day and Coming Out Day being celebrated in October, it is timely to consider how we can work together to generate loving, supportive spaces for all.

Alphabet Superset Creative Challenge Recap 2023-2024: Learning from Filming 26 Micro Video Choreos on TikTok A-Z

In the first week of July, I completed my Alphabet Superset! Campbell Walker, aka Struthless, launched the creative challenge in 2023, with one artistic creation for each of the 26 letters of the English Alphabet. Overall a valuable and interesting project, there are a number inspiring experiences and lessons learned in the process which I will share in this reflection.

Creative Next Steps: Alphabet Superset Challenge – My Entrée to TikTok Dance (or whatever media you so choose)

The time is already here for a new creative challenge, and one crossed my path just recently that I’m excited to jump into, Struthless’ “Alphabet Superset” Challenge which will encompass 26 weeks of letter inspiration plus breaks, and lots of structures of support for all artists and creators, regardless of medium or experience level.

Humor and Wisdom from the Multi-Passionate Dancing Life of Matthew Donnell

A delightful conversation with fellow dance educator and UNCSA alumnus as well as super-talented and wonderful guy, Matthew Donnell! We talk about the highs and lows of being a multi-passionate jack-of-all-trades, his highlights as a professional ballet dancer, how to fall down and get back up again, the importance of révérence, character dance, and technique variety in ballet training, developing character in dancers and human beings, serving our communities, helping dancers find their voice, and assert that all people are valuable!

Reflecting on 2021 – glows, what’s so, grows, & what’s next

I think it’s important to look back and celebrate my wins, strategizing what’s missing, what I can let go, and what I will re-commit to creating in terms of my habits, action steps, plans and milestones to foster my success in designing a creative and bountiful 2022.

What I hope we remember about 9/11

Last weekend marked 20 years since the tragic events of September 11th and my social media feeds were flooded with remembrances. The catchphrase adopted by many became “never forget” and I here am considering what it is important that we remember now and moving into the future.

WordPress Cookie Notice by Real Cookie Banner