MAKE A MOVE INTO TEACHING

The Age (Australia)
Saturday January 19, 2008
Yvonne Nicolas
CHANNEL Seven's Dancing with the Stars program has ignited greater interest in careers for dance teachers. According to Bianca Tonizzo, dance instructor from Ooh La La Dance (Cambridge College), Dancing with the Stars has re-educated people about ballroom dancing.
"Most people's perception of ballroom dancing is wrong. They think it is only slow line dancing for the older generation but quite clearly this is not the case. It is very energetic - a great way to lose weight, have fun and meet people."
Located above Melbourne Central, the dance school teaches a range of people from the corporate sector to university students. Ballarat and Clarendon College also incorporates dance in its curriculum. An open-entry school, there is strong demand for places from local, national and overseas applicants. It teaches dance from primary school level up to and including VCE Dance.
Performing arts head Steven Belcher, says the college attracts students who are serious about pursuing pathways in the performing arts, dance, drama, classical or contemporary music.
"We cater to student interests and skill levels and include both contemporary and classical styles. Students develop their understanding and appreciation of dance as an art form that includes training in technical and physical skills.
"They are taught to build a personal movement vocabulary encompassing a diverse range of body actions - perform choreographed dances in a range of styles and employ choreographic and analytical principles to create and perform their own dance works."
To teach dance at schools in Victoria, teachers need to have a Victorian Institute of Teaching registration. "However, there are many fine dance instructors without that classification having completed certificate courses, diplomas or bachelor degrees in dance who have much to pass onto the next generation of dancers," Mr Belcher says.
He says dance instructors need to be good at their craft, know their subject matter and be able to demonstrate, communicate and inspire. "They challenge their students and make learning fun while using appropriate teaching methods that include use of clear learning goals, accurate monitoring and assessment. And, they give continuous feedback."
A dance teacher must have passion for dance as well as knowledge, adds Ms Tonizzo. "They need passion to teach and to be able to make things simple so people can understand - in particular when teaching at an individual level to provide students with the necessary support."
She says once they have qualified to teach dance they can perform for events, open their own dance studio or even work on shows such as Dancing with the Stars. "Or they can choreograph musicals, provide artistic direction, or co-ordinate events in addition to teaching dance," Mr Belcher says.
Mr Belcher says dance has a strong following among all ages and both sexes.
Teachers at Ooh La La Dance provide lessons in ballet, hip-hop, funk, street Latin, tango, dance sport, social ballroom and Latin. Ms Tonizzo says people enrol to learn to dance "but they also attend to improve their confidence".
According to Mr Belcher, earnings depend on the number of years spent teaching. "However, we are in the process of instituting a system whereby professional teachers are recognised beyond the number of years teaching." -- YVONNE NICOLAS